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As much as I love trying new makeup products, bronzer has always been the one category that makes me nervous.
I’ve tested powders that clung to dry patches, liquids that disappeared after two hours and formulas that turned me orange faster than a bad spray tan. My biggest fear is always looking like this Jersey girl just walked off the set of Jersey Shore (sorry, Snooki). I want warmth and definition, not a stripe across my cheekbones that announces itself before I do.
That’s why the new Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm completely surprised me in the best way possible.
I’ve learned over the years that for my dry skin, cream and liquid formulas are where it’s at. Powders can work, but they usually take extra prep and blending to avoid looking flat or patchy. This balm formula melts into the skin so naturally that it honestly feels more like skincare than makeup. The texture is soft, buttery and incredibly lightweight, but it still gives enough pigment to build dimension without going overboard.
Because we’re a shopping-obsessed team, I recruited some of our editorial staff to swipe on the bronzer and see its glory with me.
Pros:
- Creamy balm texture blends effortlessly and looks especially flattering on dry skin.
- Gives a natural sun-kissed warmth without looking muddy or overly orange.
- Matching brush makes application quick, seamless and doubles as a great blush brush.
Cons:
- May not be ideal for anyone who prefers a matte powder bronzer look.
- Buildable formula can feel subtle at first if you like intense pigmentation.
- The matching brush is excellent, but buying both products together gets pricey.
What impressed me most? How forgiving it is. Even when I apply a little too much, it blends out seamlessly instead of drying down immediately and leaving me scrambling. It gives that believable sun-kissed warmth that looks like you just got back from a long weekend at the beach, not like you spent an hour contouring under fluorescent bathroom lighting. It also stays put throughout the day without streaking off or separating around dry areas, which is usually where bronzers lose me.
Another standout is the matching brush. I normally avoid buying companion tools because they often feel unnecessary, but this one genuinely makes application effortless. The shape hugs the cheekbones perfectly and diffuses the product so evenly that it almost does the blending for you.
I’ve also been using it for blush, which makes it feel even more worth it. It picks up cream formulas beautifully and gives that soft airbrushed finish without absorbing half the product.
Shade range: 6 shades | Key features: Dewy, Moisturizing, Buildable
Brooke Matalon, social media marketing manager, has been sporting the new bronzer while she’s snapping away in Miami — and she mentioned that all of her friends have been stealing it.
“I’m honestly not a huge bronzer person these days, but this product completely changed the game for me,” Matalon told us shortly after testing it. “It’s a sheer but buildable cream bronzer that gives you that ‘I just spent hours in the sun’ glow.”
It blends so seamlessly too. “I brought it on a girls trip to Miami recently, and when it came time to get ready for the night, all my friends literally lined up to use it,” she shared. “It’s the perfect no-makeup makeup glow and seriously my new obsession.”
Commerce Reporter Nishka Dhawan also loves its pigmentation and how it applies.
“I love how pigmented this bronzer is — a little goes a long way when it comes to contouring,” Dhawan told us. “I also love the creamy texture which applies easily and blends naturally into my skin tone.”
Is it worth it?
Overall, the Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm has officially earned a permanent spot in our routines. It gives us that warmth, glow and definition we crave without ever crossing into overdone territory. For anyone with dry skin who struggles to find a bronzer that looks natural and lasts all day, this one is supremely worth it.
This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
