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There's something so satisfying about faking that fresh-from-vacation glow for less than the price of a sad desk lunch. We've said it once and we'll say it a thousand times more: Bless bronzer for making all our glowy skin dreams come true. If your skin is looking a little sad because your time in the sunlight has been scarce, a healthy glow is no longer out of reach. A quick swirl of warm, buttery formula on your cheekbones, lids, cupid's bow, or forehead will make a world of difference on your skin.
The Marie Claire beauty team scoured the shelves of drugstores to bring your attention to the best formulas for all skin tones—and none will set you back more than $20. Drugstore bronzers give luxury counterparts a run for their money, imparting a long-lasting glow that won't fade throughout the day. From creamy glow sticks to powder highlighters, there's an assortment of affordable options that will be sure to brighten up even the most lackluster skin into a sun-kissed, beaming dream.
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The Small-But-Mighty Palette
Bronzer Palette
e.l.f. Cosmetics
ulta.com
$8.00
Go ahead and get your glow on with this 4-in-1 palette for those who like options. If you really want to get creative, build a custom highlight for yourself by mixing the shades and cocktailing the colors to your liking.
The Two-In-One
Bronzer and Contour Powder
Maybelline New York
amazon.com
$8.00
Yes, you can bronze and contour your skin at the same time. This velvety, creamy formula that will give you a gilded, sunny glow.
The One to Buy in Bulk
Color Icon Bronzer
Wet n Wild
ulta.com
$4.00
The cheapest of the bunch, but you'd never know it thanks to the luminous golden glow it yields. The secret is the special nylon powders, which blend superbly and cling all day long.
The Skin-Like-Butter Bronzer
Butter Bronzer
Physicians Formula
amazon.com
This glowy bronzer is perfect for deep skin tones. Its velvety texture glides on seamlessly for the perfect natural highlight.
For Your Purse
Water Bronzer
Undone Beauty
target.com
$10.00
We love a gel stick, and this one glides right on for you to swipe, smooth, and spread all over your face for warmth—no mirror necessary.
The Creamy Stick
100% Natural Origin All Aglow Bronzer Stick
Burt's Bees
amazon.com
$11.00
Switch up your textures and opt for a creamy bronzer. This one is infused with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and cupuacu butter to ensure a smooth glow.
The Selfie-Worthy One
True Match Lumi Bronze It
Use this bronzer to sculpt and chisel your cheekbones. It looks amazing on all skin tones, and will up your selfie game.
The Glow-Getter
Baked Bronzer
Want your skin to look like literal fairy dust that just dropped from the heavens above? Not a problem—just dust this bronzer all over for a delightful glow.
The $4 Steal
Natural Bronzer
Rimmel London
amazon.com
$4.00
This richly pigmented, velvety golden bronzer is a tried-and-true favorite—it's waterproof, easy to apply, and blends like a dream. We can't believe it's still under $4 after all these years.
For Dry Skin
Bio Bronzer Baked Powder
W3ll People
target.com
$20.49
It might look like a powder, but this pigmented option settles on the skin like a cream thanks to hydrating squalene.
The Wallet-Friendly Bronzer
Matte Bronzer
The sun-kissed pigments in this wallet-friendly bronzer makes for a nice matte contour powder that never reads cakey and yields a magically hallowed cheek.
The Radiance Booster
COVERGIRL TruBlend Bronzer, Golden Sunrise
COVERGIRL
walmart.com
$10.52
This baked marble formula is comprised of micro-fine pigments that ensure you won't fall victim to unsightly bronzer lines.
The Glow-Inducing Shimmer
Baked Highlighter & Bronzer
e.l.f. Cosmetics
ulta.com
$4.00
Your best bet for tasteful shimmer, this lightweight baked formula also contains a slew of moisturizing active ingredients like rose, jojoba, and grape.
The Two-Fer
Summer Eclipse Bronzing Powder
Physicians Formula
amazon.com
$11.00
The starburst housed in the center of this sheer, glow-yielding formula is a highlighter, making it a toss-it-in-your-bag worthy two-fer.
The Universally-Flattering Payoff
Flower Glow Baby Glow Blush -Bronzer Duo BD2 Gloriously Golden
Voronajj
amazon.com
$19.48
This pressed-powder duo comes with a universally-flattering blush, as well as a buildable bronzer that smooths on nicely with an impressive color payoff.
Taylore Glynn
Taylore Glynn is the Beauty and Health Editor at Marie Claire, covering skincare, makeup, fragrance, wellness, and more.
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