Here’s What I Really Thought of Charlotte Tilbury’s Iconic Cream Bronzer
Main image – Courtesy of writer
It’s difficult to remember a time before Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sunkissed Glow Bronzer (£45 from Cult Beauty UK /$58 from Sephora US) was a social media icon – with part of the buzz very much coming from the claim that it’s Kendall Jenner’s go-to bronzer.
Marketed as a blendable, buildable, and natural-looking cream formula, this bronzer promises a soft-focus, sun-kissed finish, with a more seamless, second-skin effect than the brand’s powder bronzer.
Image – Courtesy of writer
As someone with fair/light skin with yellow undertones and a fairly minimalist makeup routine, I don’t usually wear bronzer.
When I do though, I generally go for something neutral toned, as overly warm bronzers can look orange on me.
Still, I was intrigued by the buzz around Sunkissed Glow though and wanted to find out if this cream product could be the key to looking like I’d just spent a weekend in St Tropez (a girl can dream) without the flight price.
Read on to see whether I’m now a bronzer convert, and whether Sunkissed Glow Bronzer is really worth the luxury price tag.
Product details
This cream-balm hybrid is packed with hyaluronic acid—one of my favourite skincare ingredients—for a hit of hydration that keeps skin looking fresh and plump. There’s also something called Sunshine Pro Vitamin D3, which supports the skin barrier and adds that healthy, beachy glow.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Plus, Soft Focusing Silica helps blur imperfections for a smooth, soft-focus finish.
It comes in four shades: Fair, Medium (which I have tested here), Tan, and Deep.
The bronzer is housed in Charlotte Tilbury’s signature rose-gold compact with a mirror, and it’s cruelty-free, though not vegan due to a few ingredients in the formula.
First impressions
The packaging is classic Charlotte Tilbury – luxurious, weighty, and rose-gold. It has a large pan size, which makes it easy to swirl a brush into. There’s no noticeable scent, which is a plus for someone with sensitive skin.
Image – Courtesy of writer
At first touch, the formula feels buttery-smooth and very creamy. It’s highly pigmented, so I could tell right away that a little would go a long way.
Swatching it, I noticed that the shade leans quite warm though. In the pan, it looked like a soft tan, but on my skin, I could already see hints of orange.
My results
I applied the product using a bronzer brush, tapping off excess product to avoid over-applying. The formula blended out easily, but because it’s so pigmented, it was easy to go overboard.
Laura before applying the bronzer. Image – Courtesy of writer
And it seems my first instinct after swatching was right though; on my fair skin with yellow undertones, the shade Medium pulls very warm. But although that’s not my usual preference, with my currently copper-dyed hair, I feel like the look really works.
The bronzer also lasts all day and I only tend to notice it fade slightly after 12 hours. Finally, it has a semi-matte finish, so it doesn’t feel greasy or overly dewy.
After applying the bronzer. Image – Courtesy of writer
Overall though, I really like the product and am particularly impressed with how pigmented it is – although this does make it slightly harder to layer up for a more subtle look if that’s your thing.
What other users are saying
Many beauty lovers have shared their thoughts on this bronzer. Some call it their holy grail, while others find it a bit too warm.
On Reddit, users seem to prefer the cream version over the powder Airbrush Bronzer, with one user Emotional-Muffin-148 saying: “I love the cream bronzer! I’m really pale and the lightest shade is perfect. It looks beautiful on the skin and is easy to use.”
Another user, Brushesofcolours, feels shade Medium is a little too warm though: “I don’t have the powder, but the cream bronzer is amazing! I bought the medium, but it was too dark and too orange on me, so I got the fair — and I’m loving it. I have a lot of powder bronzers, but with cream, I’m pretty happy with the few I have.”
I’d agree that the cream formula blends more seamlessly than powder, and, after reading these Reddit reviews, I really want to try the lighter shade too.
Overall value for money
At £45/$58, this bronzer is a luxury purchase. If you love a creamy, warm-toned bronzer, it could be worth it though.
However, if you’re looking for something more neutral or buildable, you might want to consider alternatives – like Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream (£50 from Sephora UK / $60 from Ulta Beauty US), which comes in at the same price but offers a more neutral tone.
The Chanel bronzer is also known for its sheer, blendable formula and is easier to build up gradually, while the Charlotte Tilbury bronzer tends to be warmer and more pigmented. If you prefer a bronzer that’s easier to layer and control, the Chanel might be the better option.
Rare Beauty’s Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick is also more affordable at £25 from Sephora UK /$28 from Sephora US) and easier to control in terms of pigment.
The takeaway
The Beautiful Skin Sunkissed Glow Bronzer has a gorgeous creamy texture and blends beautifully and gives a really natural looking flush of colour.
Would I repurchase? Yes, plus I really want to try it in Fair! Equally, if Charlotte Tilbury ever releases a more neutral-toned option, I’d be first in line!
Get Glowing!
