Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m diving DEEP into my experience with COVERGIRL’s Cheekers Blendable Powder Bronzer in Golden Tan. I’ve been using this affordable drugstore gem for several months now, and I’ve got THOUGHTS to share. If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly bronzer that actually performs, keep reading to find out if this might be your next beauty staple!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: PACKAGING & PRESENTATION
Let’s start with the basics – this bronzer comes in COVERGIRL’s classic compact packaging. It’s small, lightweight, and super portable. Some reviewers mentioned wishing “it was a little bigger container,” and I totally get that! The compact size does make it easy to toss in your makeup bag, but it also means you’re getting less product compared to some other bronzers on the market.
The packaging is simple – nothing fancy, but functional. It comes sealed in plastic wrap and includes a small brush. More on that brush later (spoiler: you might want to use your own!).
THE COLOR: GOLDEN TAN REALITY CHECK
Golden Tan is described as a warm-toned bronzer, and that’s exactly what it is. On my skin, it delivers that “sun-kissed” look without going orange – though one reviewer did note “it looks a little orange on my skin.” This seems to be a personal skin chemistry thing rather than a universal issue.
What makes this bronzer interesting is its versatility across different skin tones:
- For fair skin: Many reviewers with pale complexions loved this, saying things like “I have fair skin and most bronzers tend to look like dirt on my face, but this one is perfect!” and “I have really pale skin and this is the perfect shade to apply lightly and blend out.”
- For medium skin: Golden Tan shows up beautifully on medium skin tones. One person mentioned it “gives me a lovely ‘healthy’ glow” on their NW22/NC20 skin (MAC foundation shades).
- For deeper skin tones: Some reviewers with darker skin tones noted it “shows up well on my darker skin without being overpowering” though others mentioned “it takes a lot of this Cheekers Bronzer to show up on my cheeks” if you have a golden tan already.
The consensus seems to be that this works BEST for light to medium skin tones, with deeper skin tones possibly needing to build it up more.
TEXTURE & FINISH: THE GLOW FACTOR
This bronzer definitely has some shimmer to it – it’s NOT completely matte. Multiple reviewers commented on the “tiny specks of glitter” that give a “lovely healthy glow without turning into a glitter bomb.”
The shimmer factor is a personal preference thing. Some loved it: “Love the color as it has a glow to it” and “it gives a hint of color – just a little emphasis.” Others weren’t fans: “I prefer a product with less shimmer” and “Besides the hint of glitteryness this is a great tone.”
If you’re looking for a completely matte bronzer for contouring, this probably ISN’T your best bet. But if you want something that adds both color and a subtle glow, this hits the mark.
APPLICATION & BLENDABILITY
The texture of the powder itself got mixed reviews. Many found it “not cakey, very smooth and nice” while others described it as “a little chalky and patchy.”
One consistent complaint was about picking up product: “I have to use my nail to scratch loose the powder or else I’d be waving the brush back and forth forever” and “Not much comes on to the brush to apply.”
The included brush received quite a bit of criticism:
- “The bristles are not stiff enough for bronzer application, and are also very coarse.”
- “Great color but inadequate brush. I use a bigger fuller brush for better smoother coverage.”
PROTIP: Almost everyone recommended using your own brush rather than the included one. A larger, fluffier brush seems to work much better with this product.
STAYING POWER
This is where feedback was most mixed. Some reviewers were impressed with the longevity:
- “Great product for the money… long lasting, nice color, great coverage.”
- “Nice sheerness, shimmer and value, lasts me at least 6 months.”
Others found it didn’t last as long as hoped:
- “It does wear off after a few hours. :(“
Realistically, at this price point, you shouldn’t expect 12-hour wear. It performs decently for a few hours before likely needing a touch-up.
VERSATILITY & USES
Interestingly, many reviewers use this product in different ways:
- As a traditional bronzer for adding warmth to the face
- As a subtle contour (though not ideal due to the shimmer)
- As a blush! Several reviewers commented “Love the color for blush” and “Perfect to use as blush in the winter!”
This versatility makes it a great multitasking product, especially for travel or beginners building their makeup collection.
COMPARISON TO OTHER BRONZERS
Several reviewers compared this to other bronzers they’d tried:
- “It’s better than several big name brands (I’m talking to you, NARS) in terms of longevity, ease of application and blending.”
- “I have Physician Formula and a Rimmel bronzer. I wanted a cheap warm tone non-patchy bronzer and this is stunning ♥️ A+”
The consensus seems to be that while it’s not perfect, it performs SURPRISINGLY well compared to much more expensive options.
WHO SHOULD BUY THIS BRONZER?
Based on all the reviews, this bronzer seems best suited for:
- Anyone on a budget looking for an affordable bronzer option
- People with fair to medium skin tones
- Those who like a subtle shimmer/glow effect rather than a completely matte finish
- Makeup beginners who want something forgiving and easy to blend
- Anyone who prefers a natural, subtle bronze rather than an intense, dramatic look
It might NOT be ideal for:
- Those wanting a completely matte bronzer for precise contouring
- People with very deep skin tones who need more pigmentation
- Anyone who dislikes any shimmer in their face products
- Those looking for extremely long-wearing makeup without touch-ups
THE UNEXPECTED BONUS
One reviewer mentioned something unusual: “And oddly, this has a great scent! I know that’s strange, as most powdery products don’t smell, but when I first opened this, that’s what I noticed first.”
This wasn’t mentioned in other reviews, so it might not be a consistent feature, but potentially a nice surprise!
VALUE FOR MONEY
At its price point (typically under $10), reviewers overwhelmingly felt this bronzer offered excellent value:
- “Great value. Would order again.”
- “For the price, it’s just fantastic.”
- “To be honest it’s not the best or GREAT at all but it’s nice for its price and all. If you want something cheap but works this is perfect for you.”
Several people also mentioned difficulty finding this product in stores:
- “Item as described on website-hard to find in stores! Arrived quickly!”
- “I was so happy to find this on amazon. I couldn’t find it at our local stores and it’s my favorite!”
So if you’re a fan, online shopping might be your best bet for consistently finding it.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
After using this bronzer consistently for months, I’ve found it to be a reliable everyday option. I have light-medium skin with neutral undertones, and Golden Tan gives me that perfect “I just came back from vacation” look without being too intense.
The shimmer is subtle enough that it doesn’t look glittery in daylight – just a healthy glow. I do find that I need to touch up after about 4 hours, especially on warmer days, but that’s expected with most powder products in this price range.
I COMPLETELY agree with other reviewers about ditching the included brush – a fluffy bronzer brush picks up and distributes the product much more evenly. I’ve also found that using a setting spray helps extend the wear time significantly.
What I love most is how buildable it is. On days when I want just a hint of warmth, a light dusting does the trick. When I’m going for a more bronzed look, I can build it up without it looking cakey or patchy.
TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THIS BRONZER
Based on my experience and reviewer comments, here are some tips for using COVERGIRL Cheekers Bronzer in Golden Tan:
- Use your own brush! A fluffy, medium-sized bronzer brush works best.
- If you’re having trouble picking up product, lightly scratch the surface with your nail to loosen some powder.
- For fair skin, tap off excess and apply with a light hand – you can always build up.
- Try it as a blush! The warm tone works beautifully as a subtle blush, especially for those who don’t love pink tones.
- Apply with a setting spray to enhance longevity.
- For a more pronounced effect on deeper skin tones, try applying over a cream bronzer as a setting layer.
THE VERDICT: IS IT WORTH BUYING?
After analyzing countless reviews and my own experience, here’s my final take:
COVERGIRL Cheekers Blendable Powder Bronzer in Golden Tan is an EXCELLENT value-for-money bronzer that performs above its price point. It delivers a natural, sun-kissed glow with a subtle shimmer that’s flattering on many skin tones, especially fair to medium.
The compact size makes it travel-friendly, though you do get less product than some competitors. The included brush is definitely a miss, but using your own tools solves this issue easily.
If you’re looking for an affordable everyday bronzer that gives a natural finish without breaking the bank, this is definitely worth trying. Just don’t expect it to perform miracles in terms of staying power or pigmentation on deeper skin tones.
For under $10, it’s hard to find a better performing bronzer that delivers such a natural, versatile glow.
RATING: 4/5 STARS 
PROS:
- Affordable price point
- Natural, sun-kissed finish
- Subtle shimmer that isn’t overpowering
- Buildable coverage
- Works well on fair to medium skin tones
- Versatile (can be used as blush or bronzer)
- Compact and travel-friendly
CONS:
- Small amount of product
- Included brush is poor quality
- May take effort to pick up product
- Average staying power (3-4 hours without setting)
- May appear too subtle on deeper skin tones
- Contains shimmer (con for those wanting completely matte)
Have you tried this bronzer? I’d love to hear your experiences with it!
Buy on Amazon: Here
