A makeup artist’s guide to bronzing drops and how to use them
Image via @iammi.co/instagram
Words by Lara Daly
Everyone looks better after a bit of (bottled) sunshine.
If you’re reading this article, you’re interested in beauty. And if you’re interested beauty, I’m going to guess you wear sunscreen on your face everyday. If you’re nodding, gold star for you. If not, this is your reminder that Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world. It’s so strong you can get burnt in as little as 11 minutes on a summer’s day.
But you didn’t come here to read me yap on about the importance of wearing sunscreen – you’re smart and you do it already. You came here because like me, you find yourself in a wee conundrum this time of year, where the daily sunscreening has left your face a couple of shades lighter than your body.
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Luckily it’s an easy fix. Over the years as a makeup artist and editor, I have tried literally all the bronzing drops on the market. Sometimes, the difference between beauty products is much of a muchness but with bronzing drops, the formulas vary greatly from brand-to-brand. You’ll sometimes hear them called ‘liquid bronzers’ or ‘glow drops’ or ‘skin tints’ but basically, the purpose of bronzing drops is to subtly ‘warm up’ your skin tone. Unlike a cream or powder bronzer, bronzing drops have a thin, lightweight consistency that blends into your skin much easier, making them perfect for the “wtf my face looks really pale” situation.
There’s an ever-expanding range of bronzing drops available now, some that fall into the gradual self-tanner category (meaning they develop and stain your skin for a few days) and others that fall into the makeup category, usually with skincare benefits added. If it sounds confusing, it soon won’t be, since I’ve neatly categorised them for you here. Even if you don’t have the sunscreen problem, everyone looks better after a bit of (bottled) sunshine!
For a natural glow, if you don’t want shimmer
If you’re shimmer-adverse, or you’re just not a fan of sparkling in the day time, the best option I’ve tried is the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops, which has a very dewy but non-glittery formula once it’s on your skin. Georgina, Fashion Journal’s Partnerships and Campaigns Executive, also rates it highly (she sits opposite me and I’m always admiring her glow). “I like that it acts as a moisturising serum as well and it doesn’t make my sunscreen pill,” she says.
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For work or a low-maintenance beach day, blend a pump of it over the top of your sunscreen or mix half a pump into your sunscree, mix it together in your hands and blend it over your face. For night time or events, it plays really nicely mixed into the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.
For a natural glow, if you don’t mind shimmer
Perfect for those of you who really want the skin to gleam, the By Terry Brightening CC Serum in Sunny Flash is a top shelf classic. It’s bougie but nothing compares to its illuminating effects – your skin will look expensive. As it’s more of a subtle bronze colour, so you can mix a whole pump into moisturiser or sunscreen, or layer it under your foundation for extra warmth. In the height of summer, I like to wear it on its own when I’m going out at night. Another great, more affordable option is the Sun Kissed Tinted Serum from New Zealand beauty brand Iammi. It’s super hydrating, plus it smells like yummy organic skincare.
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For a one-and-done, with added SPF
A tinted moisturiser with sunscreen is one thing, a tinted moisturiser with sunscreen and a hint of liquid bronzer? Genius. Recently, we were sent all four shades of the new Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light Illuminating Drops SPF 30 and I colour-matched a few people on the team. Daisy, our Assistant Editor has been loving it and wearing her shade (Golden) every day lately, “The tint makes my skin look a bit more dewy and even-toned,” she tells me. Molly, our Advertising and Partnerships Manager has slightly fairer skin and is loving the shade Sunlight.
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For a more permanent solution, that won’t leave you orange
By now, I must have convinced so many friends and family members to use gradual tanning face drops. Even the men. It’s way less scarey than actual fake tan, you just add a few drops (start with one to two, build to three or four) to whatever moisturiser or serum you use at night time, mix it up and apply to your face, blending down your neck. You’ll wake up to glowing, even-toned skin. I have a few favourites; James Read H2O Tan Drops has a nice olive undertone, Bondi Sands has two shade options with added skincare benefits, while Eco Tan Face Tan Water is even more lightweight, you swipe it over the skin with a cotton pad and leave it on overnight.
For more on summer beauty tips, try this.
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