Bronzing drops give you a sun-kissed glow instantly, unlike self-tanner drops that gradually darken your skin for longer-lasting results. While bronzing drops don’t last as long, they offer immediate radiance with a buildable finish—no commitment required. Celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose notes their versatility, thanks to their natural, transparent look. “You can wear them alone on bare skin or mix them with tinted moisturizer or a lightweight foundation,” he tells Vogue.
### Vogue’s Top Bronzing Drops
– Best Long-Wear: Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid ($56)
– Best Drops: True Botanicals Bronze Well Regenerative Glow ($120)
– Best for Oily Skin: Kosas Glow I.V. Vitamin-Infused Illuminating Enhancer ($38)
– Best for Dry Skin: Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded ($58)
– Best Pigmented: Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter ($42)
### FAQs
– What do bronzing drops do? They add instant warmth and glow to the skin.
– How to use them? Mix with moisturizer, foundation, or apply directly.
– How are they different from tanning drops? Bronzing drops wash off, while tanning drops gradually darken skin.
– How to choose the right shade? Pick one that matches your natural undertones.
There are formulas for every skin type—dry, oily, sensitive—with options ranging from shimmery to natural, often infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane. Below, find the best bronzing drops for every preference.
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### Best Overall: Saie Glowy Super Gel
Price: $28
Why We Love It: Saie excels at minimalist makeup, and this gel mimics healthy, glowing skin. Packed with vitamin C, papaya seed oil, and squalane, it uses light-reflecting minerals for a subtle radiance. Wear it alone or mixed with foundation.
Shades: 2
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, papaya seed oil, squalane
Best For: Those who want a barely-there glow
### Best for Face & Body: Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Bronzing Drops
Price: $39
Why We Love It: This skincare-infused serum nourishes while adding a sheer bronze tint to face and body. With niacinamide, peptides, and antioxidants, it smooths skin while delivering a golden glow.
Shades: 1
Key Ingredients: Cocoa extract, peptides, white tea extract
Best For: Anyone wanting a sheer, head-to-toe glow
### Best for Oily Skin: Kosas Glow I.V. Vitamin-Infused Enhancer
Price: $38
Why We Love It: Versatile and non-comedogenic, this can be worn under makeup, mixed in, or dabbed on high points for radiance. Algae extract and glutathione brighten skin, while light-reflecting minerals create a lit-from-within look.
Shades: 7
Key Ingredients: Algae extract, squalane, glutathione
Best For: Experimenters and those with oily/acne-prone skin
### Best for Dry Skin: Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded
Price: $58
Why We Love It: A hydrating pick packed with nourishing oils for a dewy finish. Perfect for dry skin needing extra moisture with a luminous touch.
Shades: 3
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, vitamin E
Best For: Dry skin types craving hydration and glowWestman Atelier Super Loaded All-Over Illuminator Drops
Price: $58 (Nordstrom, Westman Atelier)
Why We Love It: Unlike some bronzing drops that can streak on dry skin, these provide hydration and a luminous finish. Enriched with tsubaki oil, avocado seed oil, and squalane, they nourish while mica adds a subtle glow. The three shades are designed for creating different looks rather than matching specific skin tones.
Shades: 3
Key Ingredients: Avocado seed oil, tsubaki oil, vitamin C
Best For: Dry skin
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Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow
Price: $39 (Amazon, Pai Skincare)
Why We Love It: More of a makeup product than a serum, this highlighter contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C-rich lemon fruit water. Mica, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide give it a pearlescent sheen and buildable radiance.
Shades: 3
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sea kelp extract, lemon fruit water
Best For: Dull skin
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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops
Price: $35 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Infused with niacinamide and centella asiatica, these drops add a sheer, sun-kissed warmth—ideal for fair skin. The lightweight formula avoids heavy bronzing.
Shades: 1
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, centella asiatica
Best For: Sensitive or fair skin
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Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer
Price: $42 (Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: A versatile highlighter with six shades, it blends effortlessly for a radiant finish—whether used alone or layered with blush or bronzer.
Shades: 6
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, mica
Best For: Flexible glow options
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Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid
Price: $56 (Chanel, Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: Lightweight yet long-wearing, this fluid delivers a subtle dew without sparkle. Use it as a primer or mix with foundation for added coverage.
Shades: 2
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone
Best For: All-day glow
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Dior Forever Glow Highlighter Complexion Fluid
Price: $55 (Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: With 10 shades, this blurring highlighter hydrates and leaves a soft-focus glow. Ideal for skipping foundation (though mixing is an option). Note: Contains fragrance.
Shades: 10
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E, hibiscus extract
Best For: Anyone seeking radiant, buildable coverageBest Drops: True Botanicals Bronze Well Regenerative Glow
Price: $120 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It:
True Botanicals’ bronzing drops add a natural-looking glow as the final step in your skincare routine. Shake the bottle well, then apply three to six drops to your palms and dab onto your skin—or mix it directly with your moisturizer. Packed with botanical oils (apricot kernel, coriander seed, lemon leaf, jojoba) and extracts, these drops deliver antioxidants to combat dryness and fine lines, while calendula oil soothes redness and evens skin tone.
Number of Shades: 1
Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, Rosa canina fruit extract, olive oil, calendula, tocopherol, coriander seed oil, jojoba oil, lemon leaf oil, rosemary leaf extract
Who It’s For: Anyone wanting a subtle, warm glow with skincare-makeup hybrid benefits.
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Best Drugstore: L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion
Price: $14 (originally $17) at Amazon
Why We Love It:
This lightweight, nourishing formula—infused with glycerin and shea butter—gives skin an instant sheen. Kendall Jenner swears by it for her sun-kissed glow, and it’s a TikTok favorite. The five shades offer versatility: darker shades contour, while lighter ones highlight.
Number of Shades: 5
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, jojoba esters
Who It’s For: Those looking for a hydrating, radiant finish.
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### Everything You Need to Know
What do bronzing drops do?
Bronzing drops give skin a warm, radiant finish while looking more natural than powder or cream bronzers. They’re great for a sheer, barely-there makeup look. Many formulas include skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid (hydration), niacinamide (soothing), and squalane (smoothing).
They’re especially useful if traditional bronzers turn muddy or patchy on you. Fair-skinned users will appreciate how easily they blend out for a controlled, subtle effect.
Though called “bronzing drops,” some shades can double as highlighters or even add warmth to blush. Since they’re liquid, avoid layering them over cream or powder foundations (which can cake). Instead, pair them with lightweight makeup like tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation.
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### How to Apply Bronzing Drops
These drops are forgiving and versatile. For a seamless look, mix a few drops with your moisturizer or apply them as a skincare layer (including neck and décolleté).
For makeup application:
1. Apply moisturizer and a light base (tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation).
2. Dab one drop on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, then blend with a damp sponge or brush. Mimic where the sun naturally hits your face.
3. For extra warmth, mix drops directly into your foundation before applying.
Some prefer layering bronzing drops with a cream or powder bronzer for added depth.Here’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
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“They give the most authentic-looking warmth to the skin,” she says.
### How do bronzing drops differ from tanning drops?
Bronzing drops add a subtle glow to the skin, and depending on the shade, they can also highlight or give a rosy tint. They’re typically sheer and lightweight, meant for a natural look—and since they’re makeup, they wash off with cleanser.
Tanning drops, on the other hand, contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with keratin in the skin to create a temporary tan that lasts several days. They usually don’t contain shimmer or reflective particles, so the finish is more matte.
### How do I choose the right shade of bronzing drops for my skin tone?
It depends on the formula. Many bronzing drops are sheer enough to work on all skin tones, as your natural color shows through. Others with more pigment come in multiple shades to match different complexions. Some are even designed to double as blush or highlighter, so the choice comes down to personal preference.
### Meet The Experts
Suzy Gerstein is a New York-based celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Leighton Meester, Julie Bowen, Tory Burch, and Helena Christensen.
Nick Barose is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Jane Fonda, Kim Cattrall, and Heather Graham.
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