Choosing the best bronzer really comes down to the bronze style you are attempting to achieve.  I think there are about three main beauty styles when it comes to this effect.

• Sun Kissed Fresh-natural radiant glow to skin, most notably highlighting the nose and cheeks (where you first notice the natural effects of sun coloring our faces).  Subtle fresh style that works any time of the year.

• Golden Glow- all over soft golden tone to skin on face and rest of body (Natural look of a casual summer tan).  

• Bronze Beauty- Very notable bronze to skin on face and body (like you just came back from a Caribbean vacation).  

When you have determined the degree of bronze you wish, then you can consider your options

There are a multitude of cosmetics that can effectively and amazingly mimic a sun tan AND, other than very moderate sun exposure using common sense and effective sunscreen, this should be the only way you achieve a sun kissed golden bronze look.

Whatever degree of bronze you desire, make sure you do it well.  

This is a beauty style that should be precise in application to deliver results that are BELIEVABLE.  This product can be unforgiving, revealing noticeable mistakes, if proper application guidelines aren't followed.

The last thing you want is for people to notice it first.  That can come off like you are a little too contrived or trying too hard.

Ideally, the degree of bronze you choose compliments or accents your overall style...It accentuates your face, flows with your overall skin tone, BUT ALSO flows with your personal fashion style.

Best Bronzer For Sun Kissed Fresh:

If you are interested in achieving that, casual but fresh and radiant, "Sun Kissed" look (think Gisele Bundchen) here are some of the best bronzers to create it.  

For this level of bronze there are some fantastic makeup products that can replicate the natural look of Sun Kissed beautifully.  If you want to use a sunless tanning formulation, there are formulations specifically designed  to be really subtle, low key bronze radiance.

MAKEUP THAT WILL DO IT WELL...IF NOT PERFECTLY

There are a number of formats to choose from ranging from lotion, to loose and pressed powders. Likely your comfort zone will dictate the choices you gravitate towards.  

There are lots of good makeup bronzer products to choose from and here are just a few of them to get you on the right track.

The Best Bronzers For A Golden Glow:

For the beauty of a golden glow (think "J Lo"), consider a sunless tanner to begin with.  You can build on the overall deepening of your skin tone,  and then create a little color dimension with accenting makeup products like the ones listed above.  

Here are a few of the best bronzers in sunless tanning lotions:

Lancome Flash Bronzer (instant bronze plus self tanner in medium tone)
Clarins Self- Tanning Liquid Bronze or Instant Gel

Comodynes Self Tanning Towelettes

Fusion Beauty Glow Fusion Natural Protein Tan

The Best Bronzers For Bronze Beauty:

Bronze Beauty is the most intense level of bronze style, with its boldly intentional, jet set, just back from the French Riviera look. (think Victoria Beckham)

Head to toe bronze skin can be achieved through sunless tanners with a deeper shade choice.

DEEPEST SKIN TONE BEST BRONZERS:

Clarins Intense Bronze Self-Tanning Tint for Face & Décolleté

Lancaster Tinted Instant Bronze Foam

Comodynes Self Tanning Towelettes

Sun Lab Perfect Tan Kit

Glow Fusion Air Glow- Airbrush Gun + Protein Tan Mist

If you type in "sunless tanner" in the search box below, you will see some of my above product suggestions plus lots more great options... In addition you can get more product information, ingredient lists, directions, prices, reviews, etc from a merchant who works very hard to offer excellent service to their customers.

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ALTERNATIVES TO SUNLESS TANNING LOTIONS...

If the thought of doing this on your own is too much, consider a salon that offers the mist tan ("mystic tan") through a fine mist that projects tanner all over your body, head to toe, front and back.

I have only gone this route once (for my sister's wedding) and did have pretty good results with the help of a set of very specific instructions.  The staff person will give it to you in brief, and then in the room where it is done by a mechanized spray gun system mounted on the wall, there is a set of instructions posted for you to review.  Apparently, people who use this method regularly, have it down to a science with excellent results.

You can also go to a spa and have a flawless finish with Airbrush tanning.

Bronze Beauty Finishing Touches:

However you choose to arrive at that deep shade of bronze, complete your look with the help of a few finishing touches.