The 15 Best Liquid Bronzers for a Sun-Kissed Glow, Vetted By Editors and Makeup Artists
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We love a matte moment, but lately we've been turning more to dewy makeup. From creamy blushes to silky eyeshadows, and most recently, liquid bronzers, they're a breeze to apply and give us most natural-looking glow. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly find like Clinique, the most viral product like Charlotte Tilbury or our absolutely favorite one like Drunk Elephant, we got you covered on the 15 best liquid bronzers of 2024.
The Best Liquid Bronzers at a Glance
Meet the Experts
How We Chose the Best Liquid Bronzers
We tapped editors and professional makeup artists, who each shared their tried-and-true liquid bronzers, and their honest opinions on each product. We also looked at the highest rated liquid bronzers at retailers like Ulta, Sephora and Amazon, and scanned through viral products on social media (including TikTok, of course). From there, we narrowed things down further to bring you this list of the 15 best liquid liquid bronzers to get a sun-kissed glow all year round.
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1. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Bronzing Drops
Yes, we’re always seeking *the* glow. But when a liquid bronzer also has skincare benefits, it’s only right to add it to your cart asap. The vegan formula includes cocoa extract, which features antioxidants that brighten the complexion and reduce redness. You'll also find platinum peptides and chronocyclin (which is similar to vitamin D) that help soothe and hydrate your skin. Say hello to a bronzed complexion and goodbye to dullness and fine lines.
Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu recently reviewed the bronzer and only had high praise for it. "After applying one drop under each cheekbone and blending the excess into my jawline, I was pleased to see that there was a gentle contour. Overall, testing the D-Bronzi drops was a fun, easy experience and convenient way to do “no makeup” makeup," she says.
2. Iconic London Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer
This oil-free formula has a sheer finish to it that doesn't look greasy by the end of the day. It also comes in six flexible shades that blend into the skin seamlessly. (I found the "Caramel Glow" works the best for my tan complexion.) It can also be used for contouring, especially if you're going for a more dramatic, sculpted look. All in all, it's a standout product because it's extremely buildable, and I'm able to mix it with my foundation (or moisturizer) to customize my glow.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand
If you're seeking a more sculpted look, this contour wand should be in your collection. Thanks to the sponge applicator, it's designed to easily glide over the planes of your face, including your cheekbones, temples and jawline. The lightweight formula includes siloxanes, a silicone-based compound that softens and smooths over the skin, so you can get a better blend and it doesn't dry up by the end of the day.
"I love how smoothly the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand blends out and the color lasts all day long. I don't like most liquid bronzers, but a little goes a very long way with this one so I never feel like I'm blending out too much product when I add it to my makeup look," says Olivia Dubyak, commerce editor at PureWow.
4. Physicians Formula Butter Glow Liquid Bronzer
If you're going for a natural glow, check out this liquid bronzer from Physicians Formula. It's formulated with murumuru, cupuaçu and tucuma butters, which soften and moisturize your skin. Upon application, I found it absorbs nicely into my dry skin and is super easy to blend. I can wear it alone or underneath my makeup and get a nice glow either way.
5. Versed Mood Lighting Glow Drops
This liquid illuminator is loaded with fine, light-reflecting pigments to enhance your natural glow and even out your skin tone. It also acts as a serum to plump and hydrate with ingredients like polyglutamic acid and blackberry extract at the forefront. For Wu, it did an excellent job at the boosting her complexion. "I got a soft glow—which I’m not mad about. Contouring isn’t usually something I do in my makeup routine, so for half the price, I’m content with a wisp of color and sparkle. I’d liken this more to highlighter than bronzer, and it does a marvelous job of adding a little boost to the complexion," she shares.
6. Indeed Labs Nanobronze Bronzing Drops
This tinted serum makes your skin glow, while blurring any imperfections. It's formulated with heliostatine, a pea extract that acts as a tan enhancer and improves your complexion. The formula also features blumilight (a blend of actives like cacao seed extract) for added protection against environmental stressors and blue light, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin. During an episode of PureWow's What the Dupe?, creator Matthew Boyd shared his review of the bronzer, stating that it blended well into the skin and offered subtle shimmer. He shares, "The Indeed Labs [bronzer] went on a little bit more even and really worked with the moisturizer. This one feels like it went into the skin, so it makes it feel like you're not wearing as much, which makes it more natural and hydrating."
7. Naked Sundays Cabana Glow Mineral Glow Serum Drops
Looking for a bronzer that provides a sun-kissed glow and protects your skin against the sun? One editor recommends this Naked Sundays serum to give you the best of both worlds. "My dry winter skin is loving this one since it has hyaluronic acid, SPF 50 and it melts nicely into the skin. I mix it with a bit of moisturizer (tinted or not) and blend with my fingers to tone it down. It does have a subtle shimmer, but it comes off more lit-from-within than blinding body glitter. It's also so easy to use, no brush or contouring skills required!" says Catrina Yohay, executive managing editor at PureWow.
8. Milk Makeup Bionic Liquid Bronzer
Wren recommends this liquid bronzer for its hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to plump your skin. Add some snow mushroom, reishi mushroom and collagen and you’re pretty much guaranteed a smoother, more hydrated canvas. "It looks great while you wear it, but also helps improve the look of skin texture, elasticity and firmness," she says.
9. Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer
If you want to streamline your mornings, add this 3-in-1 to your makeup routine. The “glow enhancer” acts as a highlighter, a blush and a bronzer. Reviewers say the lightweight texture makes blending a breeze and it boosts your skin’s natural radiance. It's also a favorite of O'Leary's, who praises it for looking natural and being easy to blend with any product.
10. Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer
This gel bronzer will ensure you’re rocking a glow all night long. It features fruit extracts (raspberry and bearberry complex) and a special polymer that hydrates, calms and absorbs evenly into the skin. According to the brand, the bronzer can last for up to 12 hours without turning greasy or cakey. "One of my all-time favorite fool-proof products that I like to use to warm up a foundation and illuminate the face is this Chantecaille bronzer. The golden-brown elixir will give you that sunset glow to the skin," says Cadavid.
11. Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Bronzer
Looking for the fastest way to glow? Mix a bit of this liquid bronzer with your favorite foundation (or moisturizer) for a sun-kissed finish. Shoppers say the lightweight formula blends seamlessly and brightens the complexion. Although it comes in one universal tone, it can be adjusted based on what beauty product you combine it with. "I'm very fair and this works incredibly well as a mix-in with foundation. It adds a subtle amount of color that looks natural (not overly orange or yellow). New favorite!," says one Sephora reviewer.
12. Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops
Whether you have dry, oily or mature skin, this liquid bronzer can help. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, sea kelp and vitamin C, reviewers note that it's super hydrating without feeling overly greasy. FYI: For the best application, add a few drops onto your fingertips and blend the bronzer directly onto your skin. You can also add a few drops into your moisturizer, body cream or sunscreen if you want a softer glow. "This one is simply perfection for summer. I often just blend it with my moisturizer and I'm all ready to go, instant freshness," shares one reviewer.
$39 at credo beauty
13. Sisley Paris Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Gel
OK, this bronzer has a hefty price tag, but trust us on this one. The shade promises to enhance your natural complexion and even out your skin without ever having to lay out in the sun. Plus, the plant extracts and lavender and rosewood essential oils soften and hydrate your skin. According to reviewers, you only need a dime-sized amount, so you won't have to worry about breaking the bank on a new tube anytime soon. "I love this sun glow gel. I use a small amount on my face after my skincare routine and it really does create a subtle glow that lasts all day," says one Nordstrom customer.
14. Live Tinted Hueglow
This serum-meets-moisturizer hybrid delivers an instant dewy glow. The lightweight formula adds a subtle shimmer to your daily makeup and is packed with ingredients like squalane to plump your skin with moisture. "I love the way this looks on my skin. It gives the glowy, wet look without being too obvious, so I can wear it without any other makeup on—just to add a little glow. It's so beautiful and light to the skin," says one Ulta reviewer.
15. Glossier Cloud Paint Bronzer
If you're a fan of the brand's Cloud Paint blush then you'll need to add their gel bronzer to your rotation. Infused with soluble collagen and blurring powder pigments, the formula leaves a silky, smooth finish. Reviewers say it offers light coverage and a subtle warmth to cheeks that won't look too drastic against your daily makeup look. "The formula is just a dream, so easy to blend and buildable for a sheer wash of color or a more pigmented look. This is one of those effortless makeup products that can be applied and blended with fingers, it’s a must try!," shares one Sephora fan.
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Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
