I Reach for These Bronzing Drops to Fake a Sun-Kissed Glow

When I want a little extra sun-kissed color—sans the actual UV damage—I turn to the best bronzing drops. Think of them as a temporary alternative to tanning waters, offering all the warmth of a tan without the commitment of actual self-tanner. Per celebrity makeup artist Suzy Gerstein, these bronzing formulas are particularly worthwhile for those who find “that traditional bronzer formulations go muddy or patchy.” And for those with fair skin, they can be blended in undetectably—meaning “you can really control the application to achieve your desired effect,” she says.

Better yet, bronzing drops often come in a range of shades, making it easier to avoid a dreaded orange finish. Not to mention, they’re wildly versatile thanks to their more natural, transparent look, according to celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose. You can wear them “directly on bare skin or with a tinted moisturizer or a very sheer lightweight foundation,” he explains.

However, the category can get a little confusing; there are plenty of products marketed as bronzing drops that are really just glow enhancers or skin-perfecters. Personally, I’m a firm believer that if it doesn’t make you look at least a little more tan, it’s not a bronzing drop. That distinction is important.

Here’s how I use them: My acne-prone skin-care routine always manages to keep my face a bit paler than the rest of me. So, instead of carrying multiple complexion product shades, I add a drop or two of Ciele’s bronzing drops into my usual foundation for a perfect match. For a more targeted approach, I’ll also dispense a drop onto the back of my hand like an artist’s palette, then apply it across my cheeks and the bridge of my nose with a stippling brush. The result is a post-vacation radiance that’s never streaky, dull, or heavy. Ahead, a look at the bronzing drops we’d recommend—for every makeup look and coverage preference, from shimmery to radiant without the sparkle.

Bronzing drops lend a warm, radiant finish to skin, but still look natural and subtle compared to their powder or cream counterparts, according to Barose. “They’re ideal for someone who likes their complexion makeup to be more bare and sheer,” he says. The formulas are infused with varying levels of pigment, and some even contain skin-care ingredients like hyaluronic acid (to hydrate), niacinamide (to soothe and brighten), and squalane (to smooth).

While they’re called bronzing drops, depending on the exact hue, they can double as highlighter and even lend a gleam to blush in a pinch. Because they’re liquid, Barose cautions against layering them over cream and powder foundations, which can lead to caking. Instead, they’re best paired with similarly lightweight makeup, like tinted moisturizer or liquid foundations.

The beauty of bronzing drops is that they’re particularly forgiving—and versatile. Gerstein recommends thinking of them “as a layer in your skincare, so that you really work the product into the skin, including the neck and décolleté,” she says. You can also blend a few drops with your moisturizer for the most seamless effect.

As part of your overarching makeup routine, meanwhile, Barose recommends applying moisturizer, a base layer of tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation, and then your bronzing drops. “Apply one drop on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, then blend it in with a damp sponge or buffing blush,” he says. “Try mimicking how the sun naturally hits your face.” He also recommends adding a few drops directly to your liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer before applying it to boost its warmth.

Gerstein, for her part, likes to follow her bronzing drops with a cream- or powder-based bronzer. “I find that layering the different finishes provides the most authentic-looking warmth to the skin,” she says.

How do bronzing drops differ from tanning drops?

Bronzing drops add a subtle gleam to skin, but depending on the exact shade, they can also highlight and give skin a rosy look. They’re usually sheer and subtle, designed for a more minimalist effect—and, of course, they’re a makeup product, so they wash off with makeup remover.

Tanning drops, meanwhile, use dihydroxyacetone, or DHA; this reacts with keratin, a protein in the skin, to release pigment in superficial layers of skin. The result is a temporary tan that can last for days. They also typically don’t include light-reflective ingredients, and therefore don’t necessarily look luminous.

When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts, from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians, to gain professional insight into the industry’s standout products—those these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate thoughtful edits.

When it comes to bronzing drops, we selected the best based on the following criteria: ingredients, shade, opacity, and ingredients. To do this, we paired our tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which to recommend. Read more about our testing methodology.