8 Top Benefit Hoola Bronzer alternatives You Need To Try In 2024
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Want to get the perfect sun-kissed glow without having to sit in the sun? Try these Benefit Hoola Bronzer alternatives!
The Hoola Bronzer made a name for itself after hitting the market back in 2001. The golden glow is now within reach, and let me tell you this: it doesn’t disappoint.
With just a few swipes, it can make those cheeks pop and won’t leave your contour looking muddy. But the golden goddess glow comes with a price… literally.
For some, the full-size Hoola Bronzer may be a bit too pricey for everyday use. While the others aren’t just lucky enough to have access to these cult faves.
So we scoured different products to give you a list of identical alternatives.
In this article, find out the 8 top high-end and drugstore Hoola bronzer alternatives.
- Multi-use
- Blends easily
- Highly pigmented
- Matte Finish
- Buildable
- Perfect for bronzing and contouring
- Long-wearing
- Natural, undetectable finish
- Sheer and shimmery
Table of Contents
What Makes Benefit Hoola Bronzer So Precious?
Wouldn’t it be nice to look sun-kissed all day, every day without even stepping out into the sun? If you think that’s impossible to achieve, then you probably haven’t seen Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer.
It’s been recognized as the top bronzer for years, and it continues to be a cult favorite. It’s completely matte but gives off a natural finish of a tanned glow without your contouring looking too dark.
For its price, it has stood up and gone beyond expectations. One swipe is all you need to achieve the iconic bronze that’ll definitely turn heads. It also comes in different shades to serve a wide range of skin tones so everybody gets to have the beach glow.
4 Top Drugstore Hoola Bronzer alternatives
If you’re not the type who splurges on good-quality makeup, then here’s a quick guide on the top drugstore bronzers that are just as good as Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer.
A long-lasting and lightweight bronzer that will give you a sun-kissed glow that lasts for up to 10 hours.
Primary Benefits: Matte; buildable; for bronzing and contouring
Features:
- Dermatologically tested
- Waterproof and lasts up to 10 hours
- Has SPF 15
With Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer, you’ll get almost twice as much product that’s almost half the price of a Hoola Bronzer!
This is a wallet-friendly bronzer that saves you cash without compromising the quality.
The Rimmel Natural Bronzer is one of the alternatives that delivers a seamlessly golden color and a high-quality contour… just like the original Hoola Bronzer!
The waterproof formula has been praised and tested by most users, but that isn’t the best part yet. It has a soft shimmer that flawlessly mimics that summer sun-kissed glow at an extremely low price.
What we love about this is its ability to stand the test of time!
Primary Benefits: Matte finish; face and body bronzer; buildable; long-wearing
Features:
- PETA-certified cruelty-free
Formulated with clean ingredients
Slightly more orange than Hoola but blends well
The sturdy case is definitely a plus
If you think the sun-kissed glow wouldn’t be complete without the specks of shimmers, then think again.
This NYX Bronzer may appear completely matte, but it will save your face from looking dull.
It may not have the same buttery soft formula, but it is made to complete every makeup look by adding a warm, golden complexion that leaves your face defined, tanned, and beautiful without looking and feeling cakey.
A 2-in-1 palette would give you an almost identical Hoola bronze and the right amount of highlight.
Primary Benefits: Easy to blend; buildable; pigmented
Features:
- Cruelty-free
- Highly pigmented
- Buttery soft
Save another slot on your “to order again” list because once you lay your hands on the Wet n Wild Megaglo, there’s no turning back.
If you want a cheap, stay-all-day yet natural pop of brontour, then this Megaglo 2-in1 palette is for you. Wet n Wild’s formula has been sworn by makeup beginners and its avid users due to its long-lasting, blendable formula.
It also comes with almost twice the product as benefits.
There are a few downsides to this, though. It’s likely to have fallouts, and the packaging has been causing litter problems inside the makeup bags. Other than that, the bronzing and highlighting quality are on point.
Boost the tan and load your face with a golden glow while keeping it nourished and fresh all day.
Primary Benefits: Stain-free, orange-free, and streak-free; matte; lightweight formula; long-lasting; blendable
Features:
- Cruelty-free
- Hypoallergenic and dermatologically and clinically tested
- Formulated with glow activators, vitamins, minerals, and moisturizer
Give your skin some extra love and keep it healthy with the Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer!
If putting on makeup is harsh enough for the skin, why not try products that are packed with the right vitamins, minerals, and moisturizer?
You may mistake this one for a high-end product because of its benefits, but surprisingly, it’s a fraction of the price of a Hoola!
For people with sensitive skin, you’ve just found the right alternativer for you.
This Physicians Formula Pressed Bronzer has been formulated and tested in many possible ways to keep it safe for your everyday use. Not to mention the glow activators that make the radiance last all day!
4 Top High-End Hoola Bronzer alternatives
If you’re not looking at the price tag and you want to stretch that budget out a bit for some amazing Hoola Bronzer alternatives, then check these products out:
Why do we love this bronzer? It’s our best high-end bet for the naturally golden glow just like the Hoola.
Primary Benefits: Multi-use; blends easily; highly pigmented
Features:
- Paraben-free
- No orange hue
- Can be used for the face and the body
For a fresh-off-the-beach look, this bronzer is definitely worth every penny!
If you’re not on a tight budget but are still looking for a product that’s still a bit cheaper than the Hoola Bronzer, then the top contender is here: theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer.
There may be a noticeable fragrance from the product, but the results are to die for!
The intense pigment can be used to bless your face with a goddess-like glow and to give the impression of sunbathed skin.
The shade match is so on point, you can barely tell the difference.
It’s so versatile that you can also use it to contour your body or use it as a brown eyeshadow to give your eyes the perfect depth and definition.
The packaging of this product is so chic, and it gets even better once you swatch it!
Primary Benefits: Waterproof; streak-free; easy to blend; buildable
Features:
- Dermatologically tested; oil-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free
- Vegan
- The bronzer contains skinvigorating ingredients such as Amazonian clay and mineral pigments
Touted as one of the best-selling bronzers and we can see why.
Although the Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer works stunningly in faking the “top vacation” kind of glow, this may not be for everybody.
It may come off orange on your skin, so before using this, make sure to actually test this out on the color of your skin as this may be a little warmer.
This isn’t as matte as the Hoola bronzer, but it sure adds warmth and sculpts the face just as well. Overall, a great buy and a great alternative!
This bronzer is so good it will make you look like you’re glowing from within.
Primary Benefits: Long-wearing; natural, undetectable finish
Features:
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Comes in four long-wearing sun-tanned shades
- Sulfate-free, phthalates-free, and paraben-free
If there’s one bronzer to set the golden standard aside from the Hoola bronzer… it’s this one!
Now we’re getting into the pricier side… but every cent spent will be totally worth it!
The NARS Laguna Bronzer will give you an enviable, naturally healthy-looking glow, as if you’ve been out in the sun. But remember, a little goes a long way!
This award-winning bronzer is milled finely to fill in the line and pores, so it diffuses the luminous golden glow evenly and more radiantly. The golden luster won’t budge during a sunny day because it’s tried and tested to be long-wearing.
Who says a bronzer this good only works for the face? This ABH Powder Bronzer can also give you a contoured body!
Primary Benefits: Weightless; buildable; matte finish; highly pigmented
Features:
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Can be used for the face and the body
- Shade range is inclusive for cool and olive undertones
Don’t worry about on-the-go touch-ups, this bronzer comes with a large compact mirror.
If the Hoola Bronzer has a twin sister, this would be it. The ABH Powder Bronzer in Saddle is almost an exact shade as the Hoola.
Do contouring and bronzing in one, and give the Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer a go!
Aside from giving a weightless definition to the desired areas on the face, this bronzer is seamlessly blendable for that natural glow on the cheeks and the perfect summer shade on the eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Benefit Hoola Bronzer come out?
Almost the entire makeup community saw the Hoola glow up from being Benefit’s first-ever Box’O Powder to one of the most recognized bronzers every year.
It’s been a staple and a holy grail to bloggers, professional makeup artists, and even celebrities.
Believe it or not, Hoola Bronzer has been serving the community for over two decades already! It debuted back in 2001, and since then, it continues to revolutionize the bronzing game, and Benefit even released more shades.
What undertone is the Hoola Bronzer?
Opening the box of a Hoola Bronzer may seem like love at first sight, but with the 4 different shades it offers, how do you know which one is for you?
For our fair-skin-toned sisters, the long search for the bronzer that won’t make you look orangey or muddy is over. Hoola Lite is here. It has a light, yellowish brown with a subtle warm undertone perfect for bronzing pale skin.
Meanwhile, the shade of the original Hoola Bronzer is a medium brown with a subtle hint of warm yellow undertones.
This universally flattering shade has been giving the naturally bronzed glow to those with fair, medium, and deep complexion but works best for people with medium skin tone.
For those with medium to deep complexions, Hoola Caramel and Hoola Toasted are for you.
Hoola Caramel is moderately warmer than the original, and the medium brown pigment has a matte, caramel color, which is perfect for those with stunning olive, Asian, and Indian complexions.
And Hoola Toasted is a neutral-toned, deep brown shade that still has the same matte and blendable formula of the original.
Which is the right Hoola Bronzer alternative for you?
When choosing the right alternative or the right bronzing and contouring product in general, there are a few factors you should consider.
- Determine your price point.
- Consider your skin complexion and skin type.
- Read the labels.
- Choose the right shade that best matches your skin color and undertone.
You see, it may be a series of trying and testing out various products if you’re really in the search for what’s best for you and your skin.
For a guide in choosing which shade is for you, this video might help:
Do You Have Other Hoola Bronzer alternatives?
There’s a lot of fish in the sea, they say. The same goes for the bronzers. Go find a match and bronze away!
Leave us a comment down below if you found other drugstore alternatives that can compete with the Hoola!
Loved this article? Here are more alternatives you can try:
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