Kosas’s New Sun Show Bronzer Creates the Most Realistic Glow—Even on Zoom Calls

• Value: 18/20
• Functionality: 16/20
• Ease of Use: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Glow Factor: 19/20
• TOTAL: 91/100

A few months ago I wrote an ode to my eyelash curler and eyebrow gel as the only two products I needed to look Zoom-ready. Then I came home to my parents' house to ride out this quarantine and realized my lime green childhood bedroom walls were doing nothing for my skin on screen. Even groomed brows and fluttery lashes couldn't distract from the sallow color that shade of green reflected onto my face.

I quickly added BB cream, concealer and blush to my morning regimen, but no dice. Then I caught word that Kosas’s lineup included a clean, silky, baked bronzer and thought a faux tan could maybe do the trick. Lucky for me (and everyone on Zoom), Kosas's The Sun Show Baked Bronzer more than compensated for my green-tinted complexion.

First of all, it comes in this seafoam case that looks exactly like a piece of sea glass. If you couldn't guess, green is my favorite color, so I guess I was biased towards loving this bronzer before even seeing the makeup inside. When I opened the compact, I had this extreme urge to run my finger over the domed pressed powder. Then I swatched it on the back of my hand and it left behind a super natural glow that blended with zero effort. I have shade medium, but it also comes in light and deep, each of which corresponds to specific shades within Kosas's Revealer Concealer and Tinted Face Oil ranges. I swiped a fluffy brush over the top and lightly dusted it over my cheeks, dragging it up to my forehead, down my nose and along my jawline. It was nothing short of a miracle. Even in my unflattering bedroom light, I looked alive and well (which is saying a lot these days).

Dubbed The Sun Show, this bronzer was named for the light show the sun creates as it sets every evening, wrapping anything it touches in warm golden light. Kosas explains it like a golden hour filter in real life, which is spot-on. The formula itself has impressive skincare benefits thanks to soothing, softening shea butter and moisturizing, plumping meadowfoam oil, so it never feels dry or chalky. Its talc-free, silicone-free ingredients are buildable while still feeling weightless, making it easy to create the level of glow you want—i.e. you can't mess it up. Oh, and I should mention that although it has the slightest pearlescent effect to achieve a glowy undertone, it doesn't look sparkly or frosty whatsoever.

One thing I will note: If you're someone who rocks a contour like nobody's business, this might not be the product for you. Because it leaves such a soft, melts-into-your-skin radiance, it isn't ideal for creating the harsh lines that contouring requires. However, those same qualities make it the perfect option if you prefer a more natural no-makeup approach—or, let's be honest, if you just don't want to spend more than five seconds on your makeup before your Zoom call.