Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, CoQ10, and vitamin E | Finish: radiant | Available shades: 1
Best Sheer Liquid Bronzer: Iconic London Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer
Why it’s worth it: Post-beach glow in a tube? We’ll take two. Iconic London’s Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer errs on the side of sheer coverage so it can easily be layered and blended out to your liking. Oily skin types, take note: This oil-free tint delivers a matte finish free. That means it’s free from the radiance-inducing ingredients that might dip into greasy territory—we love to hear it.
Key ingredients: glycerin, marrubium extract, and dimethicone | Finish: matte/natural | Available shades: 5
Most Lightweight Liquid Bronzer: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzer
Why it’s worth it: Sometimes our joy surrounding a beauty product is less about pigment and more about texture. Take Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzer, for example. This satin-finish elixir is only available in three tints (R&D, if you’re reading this, please expand the range!). However, each shade’s flexibility and the fast-drying, semi-mattifying effect of the formulation make it fitting for any makeup routine, including those with oily skin types.
Key ingredients: dimethicone, polymers | Finish: demi-matte | Available Shades: 3
Best Liquid Bronzer-Blush Hybrid: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Liquid Blonzer
Why it’s worth it: Blush and bronzer are a match made in cheekbone-sculpting heaven, so it only makes sense that the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Liquid Blonzer combines the best of both. Just be aware most shades lean toward the pinky shade range—minus the true-bronze Kiss of Spice, seen above. Each innovative shade has dew-inducing warm tones to bring multidimensional color to your makeup. Its gel-cream texture means a little drop goes a long way, so squeeze the tube lightly.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, and mica | Finish: radiant | Available shades: 5
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose my liquid bronzer shade?
Multiple makeup artists we chatted with agree that choosing a shade two to three tones darker than your natural skin tone—depending on how dramatic you want your results—is key for creating a natural-looking glow. In terms of undertones, New Jersey-based makeup artist Brielle Pollara recommends opting for warmer-toned shades that create a tan-like finish instead of cool tones, which simply contour. “It’s a common misconception that contouring and bronzing are the same thing; they are actually very different,” she explains. “If you want to contour your face, using cool tones will create the illusion of shadows versus using warmer shades of bronzer, which will warm up your face and give you the bronzed, tanned look.”
What’s the difference between liquid bronzers and bronzing drops?
According to New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli, the main difference between the two bronzing products is that bronzing drops are a mixable add-in to your complexion base like foundation, concealer, or even your moisturizer, whereas liquid bronzers can be used as a standalone step in your regimen, similarly to its (albeit less pigmented) powder and cream counterparts. “Liquid bronzer is a ready-to-use product that has been formulated with emollients to be used directly on the skin,” he explains. “Bronzing drops are typically a concentrated form of liquid bronzer that can be infused into your existing products like moisturizer, foundation, and even liquid highlighter.”
How do I apply liquid bronzer to my face?
The beauty of liquid bronzer is that it can be worn as an all-over glow booster or concentrated on certain areas of the face for a more contoured appearance. While many people choose to apply bronzer over foundation or concealer, Pollara loves what she calls the under-painting method. “This is when you add the liquid bronzer to your face first and then your foundation on top for a seamless finish,” she explains.