One of life’s cruel ironies is that nothing makes you look as radiant and healthy as sun-kissed skin, but few things are more damaging to your skin than the sun. At best, it causes wrinkles, dryness, and uneven skin tone. In the worst case, you could develop skin cancers, including the deadly malignant melanoma.
Spray tanners and self-tanners can keep you from looking like Casper’s cousin, but unless you go to a professional or know how to apply them properly, you could end up more “Oompa Loompa orange” than golden goddess. Additionally, a home tan can be dirty and scratchy and can stick to clothing or sheets. Powder bronzers It offers a simple solution to add instant color to your face, but what about the rest of your body?
Enter tanning drops, a customizable liquid alternative that sits somewhere between self-tanners and bronzing powders and can deliver instant results or a gradual glow. Add them to your face or body moisturizer for a subtle glow, mix them into your foundation to even out your skin tone, or apply them over your makeup to highlight and contour. Many formulas have skin-friendly ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, that offer benefits that last long after the color fades. Think of them as liquid sunlight, giving you all the brightness without the damaging rays.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Solar Drops $38
Like all Drunk Elephant products, D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sun Drops are made without using the “suspect-six” ingredients. They can be combined with other Drunk Elephant serums and moisturizers to create your own. “skin smoothie.“Packed with skin-nourishing oils, vitamins, and antioxidants, it packs a punch against environmental stressors while immediately and effectively boosting skin hydration. The result is a beautiful sun-kissed, beachy glow that leaves skin looking and feeling soft. Plus, the fully recyclable packaging of this and all Drunk Elephant products makes for a cute, colorful medicine cabinet.
Tan-Luxe Super Gloss Illuminating Tanning Drops $34.30
Gold, or should we say bronze, standard in self-tanning products, Tan-Luxe Super Gloss Illuminating Bronzing Drops give you the natural bright color the company is known for, but without the waiting game of their self-tanners. Along with that instant gratification, this three-in-one serum gives you the skin-care benefits of squalene and hyaluronic acid, the skin-tone-enhancing benefits of a lightweight foundation, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. Vegan and cruelty-free, that’s a lot of bang for your tanning buck.
Versed Ambient Lighting Luminous Drops $19.99
When you’re in the mood for something subtle, apply a drop or two of Versed Mood Lighting Glow Drops in gold or bronze, or customize your own “golden bronze” with a drop of each. Less expensive than other brands but just as effective, it plumps and protects the skin thanks to peptides that retain moisture and antioxidants that strengthen the barrier. Vegan and cruelty-free, it provides a soft, luminous, lit-from-within glow.
Bionic Milk Makeup Liquid Bronzer $32
It has more of a gel consistency than an actual liquid; Milk Makeup Bionic Liquid Bronzer is applied the same way you apply tanning drops, one spot at a time. Available in several shades to suit all skin tones, this product blends seamlessly into the skin, under and over your favorite makeup. If you want to up the WOW factor, mix it with Milk’s award-winning product. Bionic glow And get ready to shine! Skin-enhancing “superhero” ingredients like hyaluronic acid, mushroom extracts, and vegan collagen keep skin as healthy as it looks.
L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops $14.59
These lightweight drops may not provide instant gratification, but the shine is worth the wait. Mix them with your night moisturizer and wake up like you just returned from vacation. Layer the buildable color until you achieve your desired results, whether sexy and sun-kissed or tanned and beautiful. Hyaluronic acid keeps sunny skin soft and supple.
St. Tropez Luxe Tanning Tonic Luminous Drops $42
A leader in the sunless tanning industry, San Tropez has been tanning the bodies of some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities for years. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a star to shine like one. Made with natural skincare ingredients, these luminous toning drops apply effortlessly and deliver natural color that develops over four to eight hours. Ideal for all skin types, it gives you that “just returned from vacation” feeling without having to leave home. Ready for your close-up?
Remember, a little goes a long way when applying the tanning drops of your choice. In other words, the more you use it, the brighter you will shine. To avoid looking like an Oscar statue, start with clean, dry skin and mix a drop or two with your other products. Also, be sure to double check the SPF. While some tanning drops offer sun protection, others don’t, so slather on your favorite sunscreen or grab a cute sun hat before showing off your glow while traveling.
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