8 Liquid Bronzers for an Instant Sun-Kissed Effect

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By Brittany Leitner
Published on November 12, 2024
An image of a woman with subtle makeup is holding a highlighter product next to her face, matching with several gold rings on her fingers
An image of a woman with subtle makeup is holding a highlighter product next to her face, matching with several gold rings on her fingers

Whether you’re just adding a few drops to your cheekbones or mixing it with your favorite moisturizer for an all-over sun-kissed look, liquid bronzers are a handy product to keep in your makeup arsenal. In fact, we recommend skipping the sun all together and just mixing in a few drops of your favorite bronzer with your SPF. Seriously, there’s no end to how you can use this product—plus, it’s the safest way to get a glow without actually sitting out under the sun all day.

With product innovations like bronzing drops formulated with skin-loving ingredients (hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to name a few), there are even more reasons to incorporate this product into your routine. If you don’t know where to start, here are eight of our favorite liquid bronzers that are available on the market now.

1. Best Gel to Watercolor Liquid Bronzer:

ICONIC LONDON Sheer Bronze

ICONIC LONDON Sheer Bronze
ICONIC LONDON Sheer Bronze

If you’re not a fan of shimmer in your bronzer, this gel-to-watercolor-finish formula is for you. ICONIC LONDON’S Sheer Bronze formula is vegan with a dewy finish. We love that it dries quickly and actually absorbs into the skin for the perfect sheer look that’s never too overwhelming. 

2. Best Liquid Blonzer:

BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue® Liquid Blonzer in Kiss of Mauve

BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue® Liquid Blonzer in Kiss of Mauve
BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue® Liquid Blonzer in Kiss of Mauve

What’s a blonzer, you ask? We’ve got you covered. It’s essentially a blush-and-bronzer hybrid that allows you to pare down the amount of products you keep in your beauty bag. Use it to add targeted color to your cheeks and temples only, or mix it with your favorite moisturizer or foundation for a custom color all over your face. Although it leaves a sheer color, you can build it up for a stronger cheek color. 

3. Best Transfer-Resistant Liquid Bronzer:

KVD BEAUTY Modcon Liquid-Gel Contour

KVD BEAUTY Modcon Liquid-Gel Contour
KVD BEAUTY Modcon Liquid-Gel Contour

When you want your liquid bronzer to pull a little double duty and act as a contour, reach for this liquid gel formula that’s designed to sculpt your face with all-day lasting super strength. We love that you can just put a few dots on your face and blend it out in a flash with  your finger tips. Since it’s packed with daisy flower extract, it can help with hyperpigmentation and help brighten the overall look of the skin.

4. Best Pearlescent Liquid Bronzer:

RODIAL Bronze Glowlighter Deluxe

RODIAL Bronze Glowlighter Deluxe
RODIAL Bronze Glowlighter Deluxe

Sometimes you want just a hint of shimmer with your liquid bronzer, especially in the summertime. This bronzer from RODIAL has pearlescent pigments built into the formula so when the sunlight hits it, you’ll see a subtle shimmer that enhances the sun-kissed vibe. Add a few sweeps of the product to your cheekbones, temples, and jawline to get a contoured look.

5. Best for All-Over Glow Liquid Bronzer:

CALIRAY Sundrip Serum Bronzer

CALIRAY Sundrip Serum Bronzer
CALIRAY Sundrip Serum Bronzer

If you want an all-over bronzed glow, reach for this CALIRAY serum that comes in a larger size and is formulated to mix into your favorite moisturizer. We love that it’s made with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, because of their moisturizing properties, which contributes to its glowy effect. It’s sheer, yet buildable, and you can even mix it with a body lotion if you want a little extra glow on your neck, arms, and shoulders.

6. Best Liquid Bronzer With Antioxidants:

ELALUZ Liquid Bronzer

ELALUZ Liquid Bronzer
ELALUZ Liquid Bronzer

It’s a good idea to use products with antioxidants to help protect the skin from environmental irritants like pollution and UV rays. This liquid bronzer is packed with guarana seed extract, a natural antioxidant that also contains caffeine to help smooth out fine lines. But the star of the product is camu—a natural form of vitamin C that helps brighten the look of the skin and minimize wrinkles.

7. Best Drugstore Liquid Bronzer:

E.L.F. Bronzing Drops

E.L.F. Bronzing Drops
E.L.F. Bronzing Drops

We love this TikTok-famous E.L.F. product since it’s so easy to use. Just mix it with your favorite moisturizer and drop a few dots of the product on your forehead, cheeks, and nose. Grab a flat foundation brush to blend it for even, hydrated coverage that stays put all day. 

8. Best Liquid Bronzer With a Doe-Foot Applicator:

SAIE Dew Bronze

SAIE Dew Bronze
SAIE Dew Bronze

Want a photo-ready finish every time you wear your bronzer? This one from SAIE is the one for you. It’s made with plant-derived glycerin that helps plump dull, tired skin, licorice root extract to help brighten the skin’s appearance, and silica for a filter-like blurring effect. We love that it comes in six different shades too. 

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