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Blazers GM Joe Cronin On Damian Lillard Trade Talks: ‘If It Takes Months, It Takes Months’

It has been 10 days since Damian Lillard requested a trade out of Portland after the Blazers kept the third pick in the Draft, taking Scoot Henderson, and could not find any upgrades to the roster beyond re-signing Jerami Grant to a massive 5-year, $160 million deal.

That trade request felt like the culmination of a months-long staredown between the organization and Lillard, with general manager Joe Cronin being the one having to make the decisions on what moves to make (or, more importantly in this case, not to make). On Monday, Cronin addressed the media for the first time since Lillard’s request to be traded to the Miami Heat, and noted that he hasn’t spoken to Lillard personally since that July 1 request was made.

Cronin said he “understands” why Lillard wouldn’t think the Blazers had made the right win-now moves, and said it was a failure on his part to not find the deals to bring those players in.

Cronin also noted that there had not been any meaningful movement on trade talks, hammering home that Portland will remain patient waiting for the best possible offer, saying “if it takes months, it takes months.”

It’s fair to wonder how much posturing is being done on all fronts of Cronin’s statements. He says it was his failure to make the deals to bring in win-now players to keep Lillard, but the Blazers have been very conservative when it comes to making trades since he took over in terms of adding those types of players. That’s not just been a thing this summer, when they didn’t ever get serious traction on a deal for the third overall pick, but going back to the trade deadline when they traded away Josh Hart for Cam Reddish and a pick. It feels like Cronin is trying to say the right things here, but I’m not sure the actions of the last year back up this really and truly feeling like a failure in his eyes.

As for the patient approach bit, that’s the only real leverage Portland has in this whole situation. Miami’s the team that needs to get this done so they can fill out their roster, as veterans on the free agent market are not going to want to wait around for months before finding out if there’s a spot for them in Miami. Cronin is shifting as much of the onus on the Heat to find the assets Portland demands, while also inviting other teams to make their offers for Lillard to see if maybe someone will reach out with a better offer and bank on Lillard showing up regardless of what his agent is telling teams about the Heat being the only team he wants to join. The Blazers have nothing but time on their hands here, as next season is not the end goal.

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All The Best New R&B Music From This Week

Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm-and-blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Since the last update of this weekly R&B and Afrobeats column, we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.

PartyNextDoor returned with his second single of the year, “Resentment,” and confirmation that his PartyNextDoor 4 project is on the way while Mahalia revealed the tracklist to her IRL album. Janelle Monaé and Megan Thee Stallion gave a twerking “boot camp” at Essence Festival and the former also shared a video for “Water Slide.” Elsewhere, SZA revealed new details about her “Kill Bill” video and 6lack released an AI-generated Since I Have A Lover soundscape.

Here are some more releases on the new music front that you should check out:

PartyNextDoor — “Resentment”

The road towards PartyNextDoor 4 continues, and while we’ll have to wait a bit for the next project, PartyNextDoor returns with his new single “Resentment.” It strikes as a record that slighted lovers all over the world will relate to as PartyNextDoor releases the resentment he holds against a past lover.

FLO – 3 Of Us

FLO’s fans have been begging for new music, and though they’re hard at work completing their debut album, the British singing trio was kind enough to bless their supporters. They dropped off the 3 Of Us EP complete with three songs, a feature from Bellah, and music that’s a promising preview for their upcoming album.

Mahalia — “Ready”

At the end of this week, British singer Mahalia will release her sophomore album IRL (In Real Life). As a final act before that project’s release, she returns with the album’s opening track “Ready” which joins “Terms And Conditions” and “Cheat” with JoJo as the album’s previous singles.

Jon Vinyl & Jeremy Passion — “Thinkin Bout You”

A couple of months after giving us his “No Feelings” single, Jon Vinyl teams up with singer Jeremy Passion for their new effort “Thinkin Bout You.” The sultry single is a confessional effort that Vinyl and Passion use to lay out their feelings about a lover in hopes that they feel the same way about them.

Kendra Jae — “Count Your Blessings”

Sacramento singer Kendra Jae began her year with “Risky” and “Stutter” beside Mozzy, and now she’s back with “Count Your Blessings.” With her latest effort, Jae is fierce and confident as she warns a new lover to appreciate and value what they have before it’s gone.

FrvrFriday — “Summer’s Up”

FrvrFriday’s first solo release of the year came last month with “Said+Done” and the follow-up to that is here with “Summer’s Up.” The uptempo production is blended with FrvrFriday’s moody vocals for a record that dares to push the limits of what’s in store for him on summer nights.

LateNightJiggy — “Favorite”

Less than a year removed from his Flavors 3 project, LateNightJiggy is back in action with his new single “Favorite.” Here, LateNightJiggy contemplates focusing on one girl rather than the multiple he has. He admits to having a favorite, and at this point, he just wants his No. 1.

Laya — “F’d Up”

With a new project Bet That on the way, Staten Island singer Laya is getting the ball rolling with her new single “F’d Up.” “Time to put haters on their back and tell ’em, quit with all that cap — because you got me f*cked up,” Laya says of the new track, which arrives after her 2022 EP Um, Hello

Che — “Someone”

Philly native Che is ready to shake up the year with his new single “Someone.” It’s his first single of the year and its lands as a dark yet passionate release that Che uses to capture the realization he has after finding the woman he’s been looking for.

Cherise — Calling

Just a couple of years after her Remedy EP, singer Cherise is back with her debut full-length project Calling. Through 12 tracks the London native and Vocalist of the Year by the Parliamentary Jazz Awards winner but her artistic growth and talents on display.

Bella Shmurda — “DND” Feat. Lil Kesh

At the end of the month, Nigerian afrobeats singer Bella Shmurda will release his DND EP. Ahead of its release, Bella Shmurda connected with Lil Kesh for the EP’s title track which captures the main theme Shmurda will have on the EP.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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G Herbo Was Charged With Unlawful Use Of A Weapon After Being Arrested In Chicago

G Herbo has been arrested in his hometown, Chicago, and accused of illegal gun possession, according to TMZ. Police sources say the rapper was arrested Sunday evening, booked for misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon in a public place, and released on bond. However, there is no information on what prompted the arrest or Herbo’s interaction with police in the first place. Herbo was previously arrested on gun charges in 2018, pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a weapon.

In 2020, the rapper was charged with fraud for his alleged connection to a stolen identification ring based in Massachusetts. Authorities, in that case, say Herbo and his associates used the stolen IDs to purchase $1 million worth of illegally obtained goods and services, from chartering private planes and renting vacation homes to buying designer puppies. Herbo turned himself in in December of that year but has yet to go to trial.

The rapper is a few months removed from his latest album, Survivor’s Remorse, which was released in October of 2022 and included features from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Future, Offset, and the incarcerated Young Thug. The album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, selling 27,500 album-equivalent units. Since 2020, the rapper has been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness through his Swervin’ Through Stress initiative.

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‘The Boys’ Season 4: Everything We Know So Far Including The Release Date, Trailer & More

It’s been over a year since The Boys Season 3 wrapped up its literally explosive ending, so fans are understandably getting antsy about when Homelander and the gang will return for Season 4.

Below you’ll find everything we know so far about the highly anticipated season, which is already being touted as one of the weirdest thing that Homelander actor Antony Starr has ever filmed. And that’s saying a lot if you’ve been following the show. There have been no shortage of outlandish moments over the past three seasons, so it’ll be interesting to see what the creative team has cooked up for this latest jaunt through a world of raunchy “superheroes” gone mad with power.

Plot

While plot details for The Boys Season 4 are being kept closely under wraps, we do know a few things thanks to how Season 3 left off. Karl Urban’s Butcher is on borrowed time as his experimenting with Compound V has left him with only months to live. Meanwhile, Antony Starr’s Homelander has shown himself to be an unrepentant murderer after publicly melting the face of a protestor in public. But despite the crowd reeling in horror, most people cheered leaving Homelander genuinely stunned at what people will let him get away with. No good can come of that, particularly with Vought working overtime to paint Erin Moriarty’s Starlight as a traitor and wanted criminal following her defection from The Seven.

Cast

The Boys Season 4 sees most of the original cast intact, so expect all of your favorites to be back. Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy is possibly still in the mix, but it’s unclear whether he could pop up again to scare the piss out of Homelander. In the meantime, Season 4 has been getting pretty aggressive in the casting department. The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan is joining the fun along with Mad Men star Rosemarie DeWitt. The Boys is also adding two new Supes into the mix with the addition of Sage and Firecracker, who you can see below:

Release Date

Amazon has yet to announce a release date for The Boys Season 4. However, we do know that the show finished filming back in April 2023, which should put it on track for a late 2023/early 2024 premiere barring any delays from the writers’ strike.

Trailer

Like previous seasons, The Boys Season 4 is holding a trailer drop until closer to its release date. But one thing the show excels at is it’s satirical social media game where it routinely posts videos and messages from Vought International to give fans tiny glimpses of what to expect when the show returns. Going into Season 4, Homelander appears to be facing trial for his brutal murder of bystander during the climactic moments of Season 3. Despite the murder being caught on tape, Homelander is still garnering record approval ratings from the public, which doesn’t seem to mind that the unhinged Supe could laser them in the face at any moment.

You can watch the Vought International clip below:

The Boys Seasons 1-3 are available for streaming on Amazon.

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Putin Reportedly Has A Secret ‘Cosmetology Center’ Filled With ‘High-End Beauty Equipment’ On His ‘Ghost’ Train

By now, word has already slipped out about Vladimir Putin’s “ghost train,” although the Russia president didn’t take too kindly about this information being in the public view. A Russian amateur photographer feared for his life after taking photos of the luxury train, which supposedly also travels on a secret web of tunnels. That’s all the better to reach that pickle-hoarding hideout while war continues to swallow thousands of lives during Putin’s ongoing Ukraine invasion.

CNN has now made this train more public by publishing plans of the lavishly decked-out train, which seems to be the choice way for the paranoid Putin to move across the countryside and maybe get his Botox fix on the go, too. If true, then there’s a lot of needle-sticking going on, but at minimum, there’s some sort of skin-tightening machine on board, and there’s also a Turkish steam bath and a pretty sweet personal gym. Importantly, as well, the train cars appear to be insulated in a way to protect against “listening devices,” but here’s more about Putin’s available beauty treatments while onboard:

Through the door, further down the car, a full cosmetology center is furnished with a massage table and all manner of high-end beauty equipment — including, according to a leaked document, a radio-frequency machine used to enhance the tautness of skin. The room itself, documents from the Dossier Center suggest, is outfitted to help prevent the use of listening devices.

Well, Putin had better get that Botox in while he can. If he loses the war, and there’s a distinct possibility that he will, then one can count on him at least losing some of his luxury perks, if he’s not fully ousted from office. For his part, Putin reportedly fears a cabbage crisis even more than collateral upheaval from his war. He’s got priorities, alright.

(Via CNN)

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Victor Wembanyama Will Not Play Any More Summer League Games

Victor Wembanyama’s debut as a member of the San Antonio Spurs didn’t go according to plan, as the first overall pick went 2-of-13 from the field for nine points in his first Summer League game on Friday night, admitting after that he “didn’t know what I was doing.”

On Sunday, Wembanyama bounced back with a performance worthy of the hype, scoring 27 points to go along with 11 rebounds and three blocks as he put on a show for the packed Vegas crowd. Wembanyama shook off the nerves from the first game and the cobwebs from a month away from the court to show off his unbelievable skillset and look far more comfortable and assertive on the court. Having played in two games, which is more than some top prospects play at Summer League, there was an expectation we wouldn’t see much more of Wemby in Vegas — particularly after he took a few hard falls and ended the game wearing a bandaid on his cheek, a la Nelly.

Sure enough, on Monday word came down via Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express News that Wembanyama’s Summer League was officially over.

Wembanyama showed everything the Spurs could’ve hoped for in the second game, and put to rest this weekend’s chatter that followed a rough opener. As such, he’s done enough and can go out on a high note into his offseason, where he is excited to step out of the spotlight and “disappear” for a few months to practice in private and enjoy some time to himself before training camp arrives.

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Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick delight with their farm rendition of ‘Saturday in the Park’

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick are once again demonstrating that this is their world and we’re just living in it. And what a simply delightful world it is.

The actors have been married for over 35 years and they’ve each co-starred in countless movies and television shows during that time. They’ve raised two kids together and have long been viewed as #couplegoals icons. When you see their videos on Instagram, it’s easy to understand why.

On the 4th of July, Bacon shared a video of himself and Sedgwick singing a rendition of Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park” on their family farm. Bacon plays guitar and sings, Sedgwick plays kazoo and sings—while eating ice cream and stepping over a large pile of goat poop—and the casual, down-to-earth joy of it all is deeply satisfying to watch.


As one commenter put it, “Here are the people who deserve their own reality show.”

Watch and enjoy:

This isn’t the first time we’ve celebrated K & K and their farm animals here at Upworthy. Bacon covering a Beyonce song while surrounded by goats caught our attention in August of 2022 and we’ve been hooked to his Instagram account ever since. When Sedgwick joined him with her screaming goat to sing some Miley Cyrus, we were totally vindicated. How can you not smile at Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick singing and kazooing fabulous covers on their farm? It’s simply not possible.

Highly recommend following Kevin Bacon on Instagram if you don’t already. Guaranteed, nowhere else on Earth are you going to find gems like this:

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People Have Noticed That Jonah Hill’s Website Is Still Selling ‘Complete Unrelenting Control’ Merch Despite Allegations From An Ex That Make Doing So A Bit … Weird

Over the weekend, Jonah Hill’s ex Sarah Brady accused the actor of being emotionally abusive, manipulative, and controlling during their year-long relationship. Now, fans are discovering control issues might be very “on brand” for the actor/filmmaker.

After Brady — a professional surfer and surf instructor — revealed that Hill regularly combed her Instagram for what he deemed provocative photos and policed who she could spend time with, the actor’s new apparel line, “Meaningful Existence,” is drawing scrutiny for some of its painfully ironic merch. In particular, an “emotional baggage tote” from the streetwear brand that reads “Complete Unrelenting Control” has aged poorly in light of the allegations against Hill. That slogan can also be found on hats, socks, and shirts sold by the brand that Hill launched via his alter-ego, Prophet Ezekiel Profit.

The whole line is meant to be ironic, a jab at materialism and the commodification of self-care with a percentage of profits being donated to mental health services — a cause Hill has vocally supported in recent years. And, contrary to some reports, the actor launched it long before Brady opened up about what led to their split.

But, with his newfound appreciation for mental wellness, some are now accusing the star of weaponizingtherapy speak” against Brady while the two were dating. Hill, who’s long carried a reputation of being a bit sensitive/prickly, stated he was simply setting “boundaries” when telling the surfer what kind of swimsuits were appropriate to wear while she was doing her job, claiming she had “hurt his trust” in the past as the reason why he wanted to limit which friends she could spend time with. Naturally, the messages Brady shared on Instagram as proof of Hill’s problematic behavior have launched a bigger discussion over whether Hill was just being open and honest or gaslighting his romantic partner to exert control over her.

We’ll let you decide where the whole “minimalizing-abuse-for-laughs” canvas bag fits in with all this.

(Via Page Six)

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A Woman Involved In Stealing Lady Gaga’s Dog Isn’t Eligible For The Reward Money Because Of Course She Isn’t, A Judge Ruled

When Lady Gaga’s dogs were stolen in 2021, the heartbroken singer offered a $500,000 reward for their safe return, “no questions asked.” The “no questions asked” nature of the money got the attention of Jennifer McBride, who tried to claim the reward. McBride, however, was actually involved in the dognapping: Last December, she plead no contest to receiving stolen property in connection with the theft. She then sued Gaga for breach of contract, fraud by false promise, and fraud by misrepresentation for not paying her the $500,000 reward.

McBride sought $1.5 million in damages, but now a judge has ruled that she will get nothing.

TMZ reports that a judge tossed out the lawsuit, saying that being convicted in connection to the crime is an issue, and that allowing McBride to pursue the claims “would allow her to benefit from her admitted wrongdoing.”

Gaga, meanwhile, recently shared an update with fans, writing on social media, “I wanted to share a more personal moment with you today, I know I haven’t been doing a lot of that lately and some of you are really longing for me to share more of my artistic process. I’ve been experiencing my creativity ever since last summer in a really special and private way. I wrote and produced music for a special project, I prepared for months developing my character for Joker, I filmed Joker for many months (a very introspective time), I have been running my start-up Haus Labs, doing philanthropic work, and additionally have been working on The Chromatica Ball film edit.”

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The best drugstore bronzers to achieve that sun-kissed look

With the arrival of summer, a sun-kissed glow is the ultimate accessory. But achieving that perfect bronze doesn’t have to break the bank. The beauty industry is filled with high-quality, affordable products that can compete with luxury brands, and bronzers are no exception. In this article, we’ll guide you through our top picks of the best drugstore bronzers in 2023. These gems will add warmth to your complexion without straining your wallet.

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer

Unleash your inner Brazilian goddess with this ultra-luxurious bronzer, available in eight vibrant shades. Fused with Murumuru Butter, it offers a unique blend of powder and cream bronzer that imparts a radiant, tropical glow. Lauded with over 700 5-star reviews, this product promises silky soft skin, thanks to a trio of nutrient-rich butters from the Amazon: Murumuru, Cupuacu, and Tucuma. Its ultra-refined pearl and soft-focus pigments smooth skin texture and brighten tone, while the specialized sponge applicator ensures a perfect application every time.

$17 at CVS

Maybelline New York City Bronzer

Maybelline’s first bronzing and contouring powder promises a sun-kissed glow and sculpted look. Crafted with micro-milled powder and whipped cocoa butter, this product offers an ultra-soft finish. It’s perfect for all-over bronzing, subtle contouring, or a natural makeup look with a velvety matte finish. With its versatility, you can accentuate your cheekbones or bronze your entire face. The pro-tip is to use a lighter shade for softer angles or a darker shade for more depth and dimension. Enjoy a matte bronzed look that lasts up to 16 hours, courtesy of the City Bronzer.

$9 at Amazon

HAN Skincare Cosmetics Bronzer

Immerse yourself in the year-round faux glow of Han Skincare Cosmetics Bronzer. This all-natural bronzer, free from harmful UV rays and ingredients, is formulated with nourishing rice powder, organic cocoa powder, and cocoa butter to enhance your skin’s natural glow. Its talc-free composition, infused with oil-absorbing rice powder, ensures a smooth finish, while its organic cocoa powder adds a natural scent. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and packed with antioxidant super fruits, green and black tea extracts, and vitamins for skin health. Plus, Han Skincare uses a natural preservative system of Vitamin E and grapeseed extract.

$16 at Safe & Chic

Kimchi Chic Beauty Thailor Collection Bronzer

Part of the Thailor Bronzer collection, it offers a tanned look without stepping outside. It’s cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free. Behind this product is the inspiring journey of its creator, who discovered their passion for drag on a Halloween night using drugstore makeup. Believing that makeup can transform one’s self-perception, they’ve curated fun, affordable products for every aesthetic. Whether you prefer a neutral or glittery rainbow look, KimChi_Chic Beauty has you covered. As a proud supporter of the Trevor Project, the brand donates 2% to LGBTQ mental health and suicide prevention. Enjoy the #Kimchichicbeauty journey!

$16 at Kimchi Chic Beauty

Lime Crime Sunkissed Glimmering Skin Sticks

Experience a sun-kissed glow with the Sunkissed Glimmering Skin Sticks, versatile highlighters that bring an instant dewy payoff to your complexion. You can apply them all over your face for a radiant sheen, wear them alone, or layer them for maximum glimmer. These sticks are crafted with luminous micro-pearls reflecting light and petite flecks of glitter, providing a sheer, buildable base for customizing your look. Uniquely formulated with Prickly Pear Extract, they promise ultimate hydration without a dry or cakey finish. As a bonus, they are 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free.

$9 at Lime Crime

Jason Wu Sunlight Bronzer Trio

Achieve the coveted golden hour glow at any time with the Sunlight Bronzer Trio, a warm bronzer palette featuring three silky, vegan bronzer pans. This must-have addition to your makeup collection effortlessly imparts a radiant, healthy-looking glow. Enriched with nourishing ingredients, this vegan and cruelty-free bronzer is as kind to your skin as it is to the planet. Its compact size allows for convenient on-the-go touch-ups or a full glam look. With the Sunlight Bronzer Trio, you can bask in the warmth of a sun-kissed glow every day.

$16 at Jason Wu Beauty

Pixi On-the-Glow Bronze

Maintain your sun-kissed glow throughout the year with our easy-to-use tinted sticks, ideal for both cheeks and lips. Just a single swipe gives you a natural bronze radiance, perfectly blending on your skin. Enriched with fruit extracts, this product provides excellent antioxidant protection. Moreover, it hydrates as it tints, offering a healthy complexion and one sweep color payoff. Stay glowing on the go with our versatile, vitamin-packed bronzer stick.

$18 at CVS

NYX Matte Bronzer

This is your perfect companion for a radiant, glitter-free glow. Ideal for all skin tones, this matte-finished bronzer adds warmth and definition to your face, functioning beautifully as a contour. Complement your makeup look with our comprehensive range of face products for coverage and color correction. NYX adheres to a cruelty-free ethos, ensuring none of our products are tested on animals. With five russet shades to choose from, you can achieve a natural, honey-like glow that suits any season.

$9 at Amazon

Palladio Baked Bronzer

Discover the magic of highly pigmented and easy-to-blend shimmery bronzers that offer a natural glow when used dry, or a dramatic radiance when used wet. Infused with a blend of nourishing ingredients like safflower seed oil, vitamin E, aloe, chamomile, camellia, ginkgo, and ginseng, this moisturizing baked bronzer ensures your skin’s wellness. Enjoy the rich color of a sun-kissed tan all year round, without the harmful UV rays. This product is cruelty-free and paraben-free. For a slimming effect or added depth, use it to contour your face, blending below the cheekbones, into the temples, or along the jawline.

$10 at Palladio

CoverGirl TruBlend So Flushed High Pigment Bronzer

This bronzer allows you to effortlessly transition from a soft flush to a bronzed goddess with just one swipe. Its bold pigments and buildable powder formula cater to a spectrum from natural to glam looks, making it suitable for most skin tones and textures. This blush and bronzer combo provides all-day comfort, boasts high pigmentation for bold color, and ensures a smooth application with its fall-out resistant, cream-like formula. Infused with rich emollients, it promises a lightweight, blendable finish that doesn’t cake or fade.

$10 at CVS

Mineral Fusion Sparkle Bronzer

Mineral Fusion’s Sparkle Bronzer offers an age-defying formula with a shimmer finish, blending seamlessly onto the skin to provide an all-day glow without caking or build-up. Infused with Pomegranate, White Tea, and Red Tea, it defends against free radicals for radiant skin. Serving as the ultimate multitasker, its illuminating powder can be blended together for a youthful glow or used individually as a bronzer, highlighter, eye, and cheek color. A part of Mineral Fusion’s natural cosmetics line, this bronzer ensures you look your best while nourishing your skin.

$21 at Amazon

As we’ve explored, the perfect sun-kissed glow doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag. Our curated selection of the best drugstore bronzers for 2023 is a testament to that, proving that quality and affordability can indeed go hand in hand. As you venture into the summer season, embrace these pocket-friendly bronzers that promise radiant, warm hues for every skin tone. Remember, the ultimate beauty tool is confidence, and with these affordable options, you can feel fabulous without stretching your budget.