Martha Stewart uses True Match Lumi Glotion all over her face and body to fake a post-spa skin treatment glow. This method is a great way to brighten your skin for the summer months when the warm weather allows us to show more skin. As mentioned, the best tanning drops are incredibly versatile and can be applied in a number of ways. Cons: Some reviewers didn't love the fragrance; others said the shimmer wasn't as strong as some other options on the market. Hart adds that “building your tan gradually will ensure you don’t end up feeling too dark or with an uneven base.”

Face tanners are designed specifically for this area as they contain skincare ingredients targeted to help treat our daily concerns, strengthen the skin's barrier and add a natural golden finish, rather than the deeper tan result you often get with body products,” Bolder says. How do you apply self-tan drops? For my before and after below, I ended up using probably the max I’d ever use – 4-5 drops. (1-2 drops didn’t show up well on camera – it was just too subtle of a difference). What I did was mix the drops into a clear face primer (the e.l.f Mineral Primer), and then I blended it into my skin with a foundation brush ( RT’s Expert Face Brush). As you can see from the before and after, not only did the drops add a nice bronzed/tanned look to my skin, they also helped even out my skintone a bit too. What We Love: This super-sheer formula delivers a delicate, ethereal glow that is impossible to overdo. You can either get a cheap bronzer in a powdery compact - perfect for tossing in your bag daily - or go for a hydrating liquid bronzer formula. Forget cream and powder bronzers, and gradual self-tanners – the The Body Shop’s Honey Bronze Drops of Sun is my latest obsession when it comes to adding a natural glow to my skin all year round. The Body Shop Honey Bronze Drops of Sun Holiday Glow Creator ReviewPrepping your skin using a face and/or body scrub before beginning your tanning process not only removes a build-up of dead skin but will result in a smooth base for your fake tan so be sure to start 24 hours before you plan to tan. Next step, moisturising. Formulas in fake tan tend to cling to dry skin so applying a rich moisturising lotion to your skin beforehand will keep your self-tan from looking patchy whilst keeping your skin soft and hydrated. Find Your Perfect Self-Tanner How long your tan lasts for depends on a few factors, but expect an even layer of colour to stay put for five days to a week.

We’re huge fans of this California-cool brand, and this glow drop formula delivers a “day spent surfing” radiance while helping your skin to work its best. That comes courtesy of emogreen, an ingredient that works to balance the skin’s microbiome, a key component of skin health — without that balance, your skin could be impossibly dry and susceptible to irritation. It also features a blend of rich oils to help your skin soak up the luminosity without enhancing any flaky texture. Standout Review: “If used as directed, it gives you the perfect summer glow that looks natural. It does not look orange and is not streaky at all, it just looks perfect. I truly do not feel as if I have had tanning drops work this well before.” —a Revolve customer What We Don’t Love: If you have a very deep skin tone, these formulas may make your skin appear a bit ghostly. Just remember that if you tend to apply your skincare routine while in bed using products on your nightstand, this is not the move when using Good Night — because it’s a self-tanner, you’ll need to thoroughly wash your hands so you don’t wake up to those telltale stained palms. Importantly, Dagdag notes that bronzing drops do not contain self-tanner and are thus not tanning drops. They're simply another makeup product; think of them as your highlighter's chill older sister. How do you add bronzing drops to your routine?The beauty of bronzing drops is that you can create a wide range of looks by using them in a variety of ways. Thomas likes applying them to where you’d place a bronzer — the high points of the face — to mimic the effect of having been on a sunny vacation.

If you’re looking for a “just stepped off my yacht” glow, invest in this supremely luxe formula from RéVive Skincare, which leaves skin feeling super moisturized and soft (courtesy of plant butters and oils!) as well as more even and healthy in tone. It’s a staple in Thomas’s kit: “I just love the way it blends into the skincare I use,” she says. “It gives a glowy finish without being overly glittery and provides a really beautiful, warm tone that makes it look like you’ve been on a sunny vacation.” In addition to using the True Match Lumi Glotion before you apply your makeup, you can also use the liquid highlighter after you’ve applied your makeup, on the high points of your face. Use your fingers to lightly dab it on the skin for a seamless blend.While D-Bronzi is currently making the rounds on TikTok, it’s not just a trend — this cult-favorite formula is a longstanding staple of many makeup bags for a reason. The lightly luminous drops can be blended into serums, oils, or creams (face or body!) to deliver a sun-kissed glow as bold or subtle as you like. In addition to platinum peptides, the product boasts cocoa extract, which helps soothe skin while defending it from free radicals for an even healthier-looking complexion.

More make-up than tan, these seamless post-holiday boosters layer over skincare effortlessly, plus you can rinse them off at the end of the day. Wear them alone, mix with foundation or use them in place of your classic bronzer. In short, bronzing drops are more versatile, lower commitment and if you make a mistake, you can easily wash them away. They also come in a ton of different iterations, from gels to primers. Yes, tanning drops can still benefit those with a darker skin tone because they help to even out pigmentation,” says Bolder. “Self-tan can also add a beautiful golden hue on darker skin.”

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Drops of Sun Holiday Glow Creator Review

You’ll see a lot of overlap in bronzing drop formulas, like mica to add luminosity in cosmetic products and/or DHA in self-tanners to create that faux glow effect. You’ll also find plenty of unique products with skincare actives and one of our favorites to look for is vitamin C. In addition to being a potent antioxidant, it helps brighten up a dull complexion and can fade hyperpigmentation — so essentially, you’ll be combatting sun damage while faking a sun-kissed look. All you have to do is apply a few drops to your face, whether you apply directly to your skin, blend with your moisturiser, or on your hands before blending in, as you would any other face serum. Reach for True Match Lumi Glotion to give your skin a lit-from-within glow before you apply your foundation. If you’re prone to dryness or dullness, this is a great way to give your complexion a healthy radiance. These customizable drops from Aussie brand Bondi Sands are ideal for sensitive skin — the formula features gentle, effective ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening vitamin C, and nourishing vitamin E without containing any potential skin irritants like color or fragrance. And while nearly all DHA-based self-tanners will have some kind of aroma as the color develops, this one is barely noticeable (and, even better, the tan appears in just six hours). Most self-tanning drops that are safe to use on the face and body are usually exclusively available from more costly brands, so this one from Jergens is a nice find. You can easily mix it into your favorite formulas from your existing skincare lineup, whether that’s a serum, moisturizer, or even body oils if your skin can tolerate them. This product is oil-free, so those with acne-prone skin can safely use it without fear of congestion, and it’ll leave your skin hydrated with coconut water.