The Best Bronzing Drops That Will Make You Look Like You’ve Just Returned From A Long Holiday

The safe way to look as though you've spent two weeks sunbathing.

bronzing drops (4)

by Georgia Scott |
Published on

If there's one trick to help you look like you've spent ten days lounging in some summer sun - it's by adding bronzing drops to your beauty routine. We can thank TikTok for the endless bronzing drop recommendations which really help amp up the glow, making us look fresh off the plane from Bali - even when we haven't had a holiday for over six months (help).

Bronzing drops are the best way to inject radiance into your skin by making one tiny change. The versatile product can be mixed in with your foundation or moisturiser, and can even be warn alone to instantly give you an extra glow on those no make-up days. On top of that, it's a great way to tailor your foundation shade as you tan. Forget buying multiple foundation shades through the year, simply add your desired amount until you've created your perfect shade. Life hack.

Best bronzing drops at a glance:

Editor's Pick: Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Bronzing Drops, £33 on LookFantastic

Best niacinamide bronzing drops: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops, £33 on Cult Beauty

Best affordable bronzing drops: Makeup Revolution Bright Light Bronzing Drop - Bronze, £9.99 on LookFantastic.

With countless high-street and premium products to choose from, tried and tested by us (and TikTok) there's never been a better time to add some bronzing drops in your beauty routine. From the viral Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops that broke the internet to new and exciting launches from Revolution and Glow Recipe, we've rounded up the best bronzing drops to add to your make-up bag.

Shop: The Best Bronzing Drops

Editor's Pick

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Bronzing DropsDrunk Elephant

It goes without saying that when a product goes viral, we need to see what the hype is all about. Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi Bronzing Drops have taken the beauty space by storm in recent years for their ability to create an immediate sun-kissed glow. The drops can be mixed in with your serum, moisturiser, primer or base make-up, or even applied directly on to the skin as a liquid bronzer. Infused with cocoa extract, peptides and marula oil, the hydrating bronzy formula nourishes and protects as the bronzing tint gets to work.

Pros

  • Protects the skin against environmental aggressors
  • Rich in antioxidants

Cons

  • Only available in one shade

Best niacinamide bronzing drops

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue DropsGlow Recipe

Following on from Glow Recipe's viral Niacinamide Dew Drops, the brand recently launched the same best-selling formula but in a flattering, bronzy shade, aptly named 'sun glow'. This tinted serum uses niacinamide to even out the skin tone whilst the sun-kissed shade leaves the skin looking bronzy and healthy.

Pros

  • Made with watermelon extract for ultra hydration
  • Super versatile
  • Blends easily

Cons

  • Slightly fragranced

Best affordable bronzing drops

Makeup Revolution Bright Light Bronzing Drops BronzeMakeup Revolution

One of the newest bronzing drops to launch this year, Makeup Revolution's bronzing drops add instant radiance to the skin. Made with ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid and grapeseed, this hydrating formula can be worn alone or mixed in with your make-up and skincare. Available in two shades to suit a range of skin tones to look sun-kissed and bronzy all year round.

Pros

  • Incredibly value for money
  • Works well for dry skin

Cons

  • Limited shade range

Best bronzing drops for radiance

L’Oréal Paris Lumi GlotionL’Oréal Paris

Another viral beauty product you can't scroll on your TikTok FYP without spotting. L’Oréal's Glotion has made a name for itself for resembling the glowy effects of Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter. This must-have product is available in four shades to add radiance and hydration.

Review by Georgia Scott, Beauty Commerce Writer:
'When this landed on my desk I had to try immediately. As a lover of a glowing base, I was thrilled with the finish of Glotion. I love a multipurpose product I can use as a primer, highlighter or as a base on its own on those no make-up days. The formula of Glotion is super hydrating and comfortable to wear without looking to sparkly. The finish leaves a flattering glow on the skin that I've found to last all day.'

Pros

  • Naturally luminous finish
  • Available in four shades
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • Not suitable for an oily skin type

Best SPF bronzing drops

Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50 Bronzing Super Glow DropsUltra Violette

The newest member to the Ultra Violette SPF wardrobe - the Super Glow Drops are packed with ingredients to nourish the skin, along with the high protection SPF50. The lightweight formula combines make-up and skincare to leave a bronzed, radiant finish on the skin that can be worn alone or under your make-up.

Pros

  • Provides high sun protection
  • Lightweight on skin

Cons

  • Packaging not ideal for travel

Best luxury bronzing drops

Dior Forever Glow MaximizerDior Beauty

Dior Beauty's Forever Glow range is perfect for those who love a radiant complexion. The Glow Maximizer liquid highlighter can be used alone or mixed in with your make-up for a long-lasting glow. Simply apply the shade bronze directly on to the skin as a cream bronzer before or after foundation.

Pros

  • Works as a face illuminator and liquid bronzer
  • Available in eight shades

Cons

  • Product is slightly fragranced

Best colour correcting bronzing drops

One of the best ways to look instantly tanned and glowing. By Terry's CC Serum is the ultimate glowy base that corrects any discolouration in the skin. The nourishing formula enriched with vitamin E brightens and plumps the skin with a bronzy tint. Apply on its own all over the skin or mixed in with your make-up or skincare to see the lit-from-within, radiant finish.

Review by Georgia Scott, Beauty Commerce Writer:
'I have been using this product for years and I truly couldn't live without it. I'm naturally quite fair and this brings back the life to my skin. I can wear this glowing serum all year round on its own with a touch of concealer or mixed with my preferred foundation whenever I want to look that extra bit glowy.'

Pros

  • Product can be worn alone as a CC cream
  • Product hydrates the skin throughout the day

Cons

  • Some may not like the rose scent

Best fake tanning bronzing drops

The Tan-Luxe Super Gloss Bronzing Drops truly do it all. Not only do they protect your skin and instantly leave a bronzy glow, but they gradually tans the skin, too. The bronzing drops look natural yet sun-kissed on the skin for that post-holiday glow all year round.

Pros

  • Gradually tan the skin
  • Help protect against sun damage

Cons

  • Product needs to be blended throughly to avoid streaks

How should you use bronzing drops?

Bronzing drops are super versatile and can be used in many ways. They work to add warmth and radiance to your skin without the need to buy a new shade of foundation or sit in the sun for hours. Simply apply a few drops directly on to your skin for those natural days, or mix in with your moisturiser or foundation to add a bronzy glow to your complexion.

Will bronzing drops look streaky?

We recommend that you blend your bronzing drops in with your moisturiser or foundation to avoid any streakiness but typically they are designed to look natural and sit comfortably on the skin if you decide to wear them alone. Try applying with a brush for a streak free finish.

Georgia Scott is a Beauty & Fashion Product Writer for Bauer Media, writing for Grazia, Closer and heat. Georgia specialises in beauty writing and spends her days hunting for the latest trending beauty products to get her hands on and review.

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