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Just saying...it’s time for an upgrade.

Heyo! It’s me, the gal who is about to convince ya that you need to invest in a new bronzer brush (like, as in now). First of all, I can guarantee that if you’re anything like me, your makeup brushes have seen better days (hate to say it, but it may be time to retire your faves from circa 2015). Second of all, different formulations of bronzer require different types of brushes (talking to you, cream bronzers). And third of all, the right type of makeup brush can literally revolutionize your freakin’ makeup game. YUP. I’m not kidding.

Not only does bronzer add depth and warmth to your skin—if you know how to apply your bronzer correctly—but it also is the OG product to fake that just-back-from vacay glow. That being said, an artist is only as good as their tools, and if you really want a seamless, diffused application, you’re going to need the right bronzer brush to get the job done. And because ILY all, I consulted a few celebrity makeup artists—Jamie Dorman, Melissa Murdick, and Tasha Reiko Brown—because, well, they know best. So here is a sneak peek at my favorite bronzer brushes below, then pretty please keep reading for all the tips and tricks from some of the best makeup artists in the game.

Ready for allllll of the best of the best bronzer brushes and some pretty great info? Cool, let’s move on to the goods:

This fluffy, soft bronzer brush is essential when it comes to excellent bronzer application. Not only is it a great size for the larger planes of your face (i.e., cheeks, forehead), but it will also deposit bronzer on your nose justttt right for that just back from vacay look.

THE REVIEW: “This brush is just perfect for bronzer,” reads one review. “I am very happy with the quality—I’ve been using it for three months or so, no hair is falling out, and it’s still soft as can be!”

YUP. You read that right—this bronzer brush is indeed about three flippin’ bucks (!!!) But don’t let the price steer you away due to concerns over its quality. In fact, this bronzer brush happens to be a cult favorite, and more than 90K glowing reviews can back me up.

THE REVIEW: “These brushes are great,” writes one tester, adding that they have cleaned the brush a ton and it still holds up well and stays soft. “They blend great!”

There’s somethin’ about a bronzey, sculpted makeup look, lemme tell ya. The dual-ended bronzer brush is a game changer. If you prefer more of a diffused look, use this brush with a cream bronzer. If you want more of that contoured, chiseled vibe, a powder bronzer will do the trick.

THE REVIEW: “I use this brush for applying contour, and it picks up the powder great,” writes one tester, adding that the large end is great for the face and the small end works for the nose.

True story: I have had this bronzer brush for a few years now (and yes, I regularly clean this makeup brush), and it has yet to disappoint me. The fluffy bristles legit apply bronzer in the most seamless way. There are no harsh lines here, trust.

THE REVIEW: “This is the only brush I’ve used for bronzer since I first bought it,” writes one reviewer. “It applies the right amount of product, providing a beautiful and diffused finish!”

Cream bronzer lovers, listen up! This is the brush for you. If you find yourself reaching for a cream bronzer because that glowy, dewy vibe is the one for you, you need this brush. It’s dense enough to handle cream products, and the oval brush head shape will allow you to precisely apply the bronzer—which is v important when working with cream products that tend to move allll over.

THE REVIEW: Upon searching for a brush that works with cream bronzer, one reviewer invested in this one, writing that it “literally changed [their] life, because the brush places cream blush and bronzer PERFECTLY on top of foundation.”

The key to finding a great bronzer brush is to choose one that is dense enough to apply cream products in addition to powder but soft enough to still keep that diffused look intact. This one by Mented does just that, and the result is *chef’s kiss*.

THE REVIEW: “Using this brush made me feel like a professional,” reads one review. “Great application and it takes to color really well,” writes another, adding that it is “such a soft brush that still feels dense.”

Let’s be real—sometimes you need a few touch-ups throughout the day. This retractable kabuki brush by Charlotte Tilbury is the perfect throw-in-your-bag brush, so you can touch up your bronzer, or any other makeup product anytime, anywhere.

THE REVIEW: “l have been using this brush ever since the first time I got it, and it is literally the only brush I use to apply bronzer,” writes one tester. “It is really soft and easy to clean!”

You need a fluffy bronzer brush if you like that natural, subdued, and blended makeup look. Best for applying powders, this one by Sephora will seamlessly blend and deposit just the right amount of color. Don’t worry about messing up either—it’s basically foolproof.

THE REVIEW: “This is the perfect brush for bronzer and blush application because the dense yet soft hairs are long enough to blend and bend with the contours of your face,” reads one review.

Listen up—this buffing brush by Saie is not like any ol’ regular buffing brush. In fact, due to its large size, you can blend cream bronzers super quick and easily. Oh, and the application is super seamless.

THE REVIEW: “Do yourself a favor and buy this brush with the cream bronzer,” writes one tester, adding that “the bronzer and brush pair so beautifully together, and due to the densely packed hairs, there’s no shedding.”

Queen Ri never disappoints, and this sculpting bronzer brush is no exception. The bristles are incredibly soft, don’t shed, and apply product like a damn dream. Because of the tapered, sculpted brush head, you can easily control where the powder bronzer goes.

THE REVIEW: “They are high-quality, super soft, and luxe,” writes one tester, adding that it “is flat and slightly firm, which creates a sculpting appearance with the bronzer.”

This bb is my holy grail bronzer brush. The brush is ridiculously soft, and it offers such a great color deposit, so a little product goes a long way. I use this brush when I want to apply bronzer across my nose and cheeks.

THE REVIEW: “This is an absolutely beautiful brush because it has soft and tapered fibers which allow the product to be worked softly onto the face,” reads one review.

Let’s be real—no summery bronzer look is complete without a little (er, l-a-y-e-r-s) of blush. This brush by Patrick Ta works just as well as it does for blush as it does for bronzer. Create the most amazing summer look with this bb.

THE REVIEW: “This brush has a nice weight to the handle and the bristles are the perfect density to disperse product evenly,” writes one reviewer, adding that they now use it exclusively for bronzer and blush and it is their new favorite brush.

There are those days when I want to precisely apply my bronzer, and then there are those days when I want to cover my entire face with it. On those days, I reach for this bb. The Tom Ford Bronzer Brush 05 will make ya look like you’re bronzed and glowy AF (even if you aren’t). Yes, it’s expensive AF, but I’ve had mine for a few years and it has held up.

THE REVIEW: “With the Tom Ford bronzer brush, you get the best of both worlds: flawless application with minimal product and superb blending,” writes one tester, adding: “With the right bronzer, this tool will quickly become your best friend.”

Luckily, using a bronzer brush is pretty straightforward: “If you are using a powder bronzer, you want to sweep the product across your cheeks first—when you have the most product on the brush and it will go on strongest—then across your temples, and finally very gently across your nose and jawline with whatever product has been left on the brush,” says Murdick, adding that this will mimic where the sun naturally hits your face.

And don’t worry if you’re using a cream or liquid bronzer—Murdick explains that in lieu of a fluffier bronzer brush, grab a denser buffing brush and apply the product the exact same way. See? Not too bad.

When referencing foundation brushes, Reiko Brown has told Cosmo that the brush you choose depends on what type of coverage or intensity you’re going for—the same applies to bronzer brushes. “A good bronzer brush should be the right size and shape for the larger planes of the face (i.e., your cheeks and temples) and will create a diffused application,” explains Murdick, adding that the goal with a bronzer is to create a seamless application where you’re not able to tell where it begins and ends. Dorman agrees, saying, “A good bronzer brush has natural bristles, is very soft, and doesn’t pack on product intensely.”

It’s 2022, and powder bronzers are now accompanied by liquid and cream counterparts, and you can bet you’re going to need a different type of bronzer brush depending on the formulation of bronzer you use. If you’re going with a powder formula, a fluffier, softer brush will be the one for you. A cream or liquid? A dense buffing brush should be your go-to.

Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing makeup stories, like the best blush brushes, the best eyeshadow brushes, and exactly how to use a fan brush, and feels especially knowledgable in bronzer brushes, thanks to her extensive makeup collection. She regularly tests and analyzes makeup brushes on herself for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists to assess new types and brands.