Why do I need a specific brush for my bronzer?

Bronzer brushes are meant to be used on areas where you want to add some all-over dimension, like the sides of your forehead, on your cheekbones, and along your jawline. While contouring brushes tend to be more targeted, brushes designed for bronzer allow you to cover more surface area to impart a natural, sunkissed effect.

How often should I clean my bronzer brush?

It’s recommended to clean your makeup brushes every two weeks, but if you don’t use your brushes frequently, you can get away with cleaning your bronzer brush once a month.

How should I clean my bronzer brush?

You can opt to use a pre-formulated brush cleaner designed to be used on makeup brushes, bar soap, dish soap, or even baby shampoo. Massage the soap into the fibers of the brush and move it back and forth either on your hand or a brush cleaning mat, then rinse until the water runs clear. Lay your brushes flat to dry.

The 10 Best Bronzer Brushes of 2024

Collage of bronzer brushes we recommend on a gray background — Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Let’s be real: Glowy, sun-kissed skin is something many of us to achieve—even in the dead of winter. And while highlighters, bronzers, and blushes are necessary to our arsenal of products, properly applying them requires technique and the right tools. Specifically for bronzers, the right brush is necessary to prevent cakiness, streakiness, and the dreaded muddy-looking complexion from under blending.

If you use the correct brush, applying bronzer can be as simple as sweeping a single swipe across your cheek. You want to stick to soft, fluffy brushes or angled, precise brushes to make your bronzer application a home run. Trust us, once you have the correct tools, the application is as easy as can be.

To find the best bronzer brushes on the market, we researched and asked our editors about their favorite options. We considered each brush based on the feels of its bristles, its density, its handle, and its blending capabilities, and ahead, we're sharing which ones we like the most for seamless bronzer application.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Sigma Beauty F29 HD Bronze Brush at Amazon ($32)

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best for Powders:

Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush at Nordstrom ($72)

Jump to Review

Best for Creams :

Saie The Big Buffing Bronzer Brush at Amazon ($26)

Jump to Review

Best for Targeted Application :

Real Techniques Soft Sculpting Contour Makeup Brush at Amazon ($10)

Jump to Review

Best Dual-Ended:

Huda Beauty Sculpt & Shade Face Brush at Sephora ($28)

Jump to Review

Best Portable:

Charlotte Tilbury The Air-Brush Bronzing Brush at Nordstrom ($44)

Jump to Review

Best Multi-Tasker:

Patrick Ta Complexion Brush No1 at Sephora ($35)

Jump to Review

Best Multi-Tasker, Runner-Up:

Mented Cosmetics Angled Cheek Brush at Mentedcosmetics.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Angled:

Fenty Beauty Bronzer Brush 190 at Sephora ($36)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Sigma Beauty F29 HD Bronze Brush

PHOTO:

Amazon

$32 at Amazon $32 at Nordstrom View on Sigmabeauty.com

What We Like

Very fluffy to apply quickly and softly
Buildable
Gives a sun-kissed look
Ideal density

What We Don't Like

Some online reviewers say it sheds a bit

While working to ace your makeup application, this brush will give your complexion a boost of sunkissed, highly pigmented color—a little product goes a long way with it. Made with extra soft SigmaTech fibers, it’ll feel like butter against your skin. The soft dome shape allows you to target specific areas of your face without looking too precise, and the medium density provides just the right amount of control and color payoff for a visible yet natural-looking bronze.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best Drugstore

e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush

PHOTO:

e.l.f. Cosmetics

View on Ulta $6 at Amazon $7 at Target

What We Like

Wallet-friendly
Gives a natural effect
Slightly pointed tip achieves contours

What We Don't Like

Bristles could be more durable

E.l.f is undoubtedly one of the most popular drugstore brands—and for good reason. Thanks to the incredible quality and detail behind this brush, you’d have no idea it’s as affordable as it is. Made with a flat point at the tip and flat and skinny sides underneath, you’ll get the most bang for your buck as it can be used to contour or apply blush, powder, or bronzer.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best for Powders

Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush

PHOTO:

Nordstrom

$72 at Nordstrom View on Bobbibrowncosmetics.com View on Davidjones.com

What We Like

Doesn't shed
Very soft
Gives a light finish
Delivers a very smooth, even application

What We Don't Like

Pricey compared to similar options on the market

Creaseless, cakeless powder applications are just a few sweeps away with this bronzing brush. Designed for usage with pressed powder formulas, it’ll leave you with a smooth, even application of bronzer with every use. It's not so loosely packed that you'll need several layers to build up color, but it's also not so dense that you need to be too careful with it in order not to over-apply.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best for Creams

Saie The Big Buffing Bronzer Brush

PHOTO:

Saie

$26 at Amazon $26 at Sephora View on Saiehello.com

What We Like

Soft, smooth bristles
Blends beautifully
Just the right density to blend creams
Chic design

What We Don't Like

A bit big for targeted application

This big buffing brush is perfect for anyone who likes to give their complexion a bronze glow with just a few strokes of a brush. The synthetic bristles are incredibly smooth and soft against the skin, and we appreciate that they're densely packed enough to effectively move cream formulas while not being so dense that they feel stiff. Just a dip or two into your favorite cream formula and a few strokes using this brush will help you achieve a natural-looking glow to your skin.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best for Targeted Application

Real Techniques Soft Sculpting Contour Makeup Brush

PHOTO:

Amazon

$10 at Amazon $10 at Ulta $10 at ocado.com

What We Like

Easy to clean
Angled head provides precise application
Great for creating contours
Creates ultra-smooth results

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for powders

Trust us, this bronzer brush feels way more expensive than it actually is. Created with densely-packed bristles and an angled head, precise bronzer application is just a few swipes away. It works best with liquid and cream formulas, and we love how smooth and airbrushed the results look when using this brush.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best Dual-Ended

Huda Beauty Sculpt & Shade Face Brush

PHOTO:

Sephora

$28 at Sephora $26 at selfridges.com View on Cultbeauty.com

What We Like

Two-ended for blending and contouring
Seriously soft
Creates a natural look

What We Don't Like

Might be too dense for powder application

Not only does this Huda Beauty brush apply cream and liquid bronzers like a dream, but we also love that it features two ends—a smaller, angled one for precise application and a larger, fluffy one to buff and blend any harsh lines. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll walk away with a face that rivals one done by a professional makeup artist.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best Portable

Charlotte Tilbury The Air-Brush Bronzing Brush

PHOTO:

Charlotte Tilbury

$44 at Nordstrom View on Charlottetilbury.com

What We Like

Effortlessly blends
Conveniently retractable for travel
Creates an airbrushed look

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for creams and liquids

Need to touch up your bronzer on the go? Try this retractable bronzer brush. Aside from promising a seamless application every time—including when you're on the move, it can easily be thrown into your purse without looking like an eyesore thanks to its beautiful rose gold casing. Swirl the product in the bronzer, tap off the excess, and apply in a sweeping motion for best results.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best Multi-Tasker

Patrick Ta Complexion Brush No1

PHOTO:

Patrick Ta

$35 at Sephora $45 at patrickta.com

What We Like

Tulip shape creates a seamless application
Gives a natural look to face
Super fluffy

What We Don't Like

Nothing

With its distinctive tulip shape, this brush allows for easy application of blush, powder, bronzer, and highlighter. It's not so small that it creates a super-precise application, but we appreciate that it's also not so big that it's difficult to control. Composed of cruelty-free synthetic fibers, it is intended to mimic the product pickup of natural hair for a streakless and cakeless face.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best Multi-Tasker, Runner-Up

Mented Cosmetics Angled Cheek Brush

PHOTO:

Mented cosmetics

View on Mentedcosmetics.com

What We Like

Angled shape fits perfectly into contours
Easy to use, easy on the pocket
Great for sculpting
High quality

What We Don't Like

Could feel dry to sensitive skin

Designed to give your cheeks a sculpted look, this brush can apply blush, bronzer, or highlighter effortlessly. Since it has an angled shape, it’ll fit into the contours of your cheek to give you chiseled cheekbones. Though it works best with liquids and creams, if you use a light, gentle hand, you can also apply powder with it, too.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Best Angled

Fenty Beauty Bronzer Brush 190

Fenty Beauty Cheek Hugging Bronzer Brush 190

PHOTO:

Sephora

$36 at Sephora $36 at Ulta View on Fentybeauty.com

What We Like

Very plush for quick but comfortable application
Expertly chiseled to really work around the cheekbones
Great for powders and creams

What We Don't Like

Could apply more evenly

An angled brush is essential for those of us who use bronzer to contour. Extra-large and super plush, it expertly hugs the curves of their face while adding warmth and definition to your cheeks, temples, and jawline. It expertly diffuses creams and powders to disperse just the right amount of bronzer with every use. It makes targeted application possible, but we love that it's not so small and dense that it creates unnatural-looking streaks.

Material: Synthetic fibers

Final Verdict

Our favorite bronzer brush is the Sigma Beauty F29 HD Bronze Brush thanks to its smooth bristles, domed shape, and ability to blend bronzers well to create a natural look. If you’re looking to sculpt your features while you bronze, specifically with cream or liquid formulas, we recommend the Real Techniques Soft Sculpting Contour Makeup Brush.

Meet the Expert

Sara Nicole Smith is the Global Pro Artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.

What to Look for When Buying a Bronzer Brush

Shape

The shape of your brush is crucial to applying bronzer. A larger flatter surfaced brush will provide a soft, smooth, and seamless application in an instant, says Sara Nicole Smith, National Makeup Artist for Bobbi Brown. “A smaller, angled brush is better when you want to hug the natural curvatures of the face—focusing more on the hollows versus the highs.”

Size

A fuller bronzer brush is ideal for tinting the complexion and most naturally mimicking a sunkissed look, explains Smith. “A smaller more dense brush is better when trying to contour or achieve a more sculpted application.” If you want a brush that will apply powders in a super natural-looking way, go for the Sigma Beauty F29 HD Bronze Brush. If you're hoping to apply creams to create a diffused, sunkissed look, try the Saie The Big Buffing Bronzer Brush.

Bristles

You want to ensure you’re using the correct tool for the bronzer your applying. “Natural hairs work best for powder bronzer application while synthetic will most evenly blend liquid/cream bronzers,” says Nicole Smith.

FAQ

Why do I need a specific brush for my bronzer?

Bronzer brushes are meant to be used on areas where you want to add some all-over dimension, like the sides of your forehead, on your cheekbones, and along your jawline. While contouring brushes tend to be more targeted, brushes designed for bronzer allow you to cover more surface area to impart a natural, sunkissed effect.
How often should I clean my bronzer brush?

It’s recommended to clean your makeup brushes every two weeks, but if you don’t use your brushes frequently, you can get away with cleaning your bronzer brush once a month.
How should I clean my bronzer brush?

You can opt to use a pre-formulated brush cleaner designed to be used on makeup brushes, bar soap, dish soap, or even baby shampoo. Massage the soap into the fibers of the brush and move it back and forth either on your hand or a brush cleaning mat, then rinse until the water runs clear. Lay your brushes flat to dry.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has written for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She covers all things beauty, as well as lifestyle and fashion. Although she considers herself a bronzer novice, she acknowledges that the right bronzer brush can make all the difference in application.