Learn how to apply bronzing drops for a year-round glow and long-lasting results. Pro makeup artists share their best application tips, plus mistakes to avoid.
If you want to maintain a sun-kissed glow on your face year-round, knowing how to use bronzing drops comes in handy. It’s a quick step that fits into your morning skin care routine and can easily transform your whole makeup look.
Part of the allure of bronzing drops is how simple they are to use—in concept, at least. But if you’ve ever noticed uneven coverage or streaks after applying yours, you’re not alone. And while they might blend in more seamlessly with your summer complexion, bronzing drops can be less forgiving on paler winter skin. But with the right prep and application techniques, you can get the most out of your bronzing drops during any season. Ahead, we asked pro makeup artists to share their best tips for applying bronzing drops, from prepping your skin to common mistakes to avoid. What are bronzing drops? Are bronzing drops technically makeup or skin care? “Bronzing drops are actually a bit of both!” says professional makeup artist Tiesha Williams. “They’re similar to tinted moisturizers, acting as a sheer-to-medium coverage product that also delivers hydration to the skin.” Bronzing drops are usually more concentrated than liquid bronzer or skin tints, which means you won’t want to slather them directly onto your skin. They're meant to be mixed with another product—typically, either moisturizer or foundation, depending on your preference. The goal is to add an even layer of warmth to your face, which adds a base glow to the rest of your makeup. How to apply bronzing drops, step by step Step 1: Prep your skin. “Start with clean and moisturized skin and apply any serums as usual,” says Jamie Greenberg, celebrity makeup artist and founder of JamieMakeup. If you’re planning to use a foundation or skin tint , apply a layer of moisturizer first and let it soak in before starting your makeup. Step 2: Mix bronzing drops. Start by dropping one to three drops of your bronzing product onto the back of your hand. For a lower-coverage look that adds warmth to your natural skin, add in a pea-size amount of moisturizer or primer. “Take a medium-size duo fiber bronzer brush, and mix the products on the back of the hand,” Williams says. If you prefer more coverage in your base, use the same method to mix your drops with your true-match foundation instead. Step 3: Apply bronzing drops, and blend. Use your brush to transfer the product onto your face, starting where the sun would naturally place your tan . Use soft, outward sweeping or circular motions to blend until your face is evenly covered. “Next, take a clean blending sponge, free of any product, and gently press the bronzer into the skin until it looks melted into the skin,” Williams says. If you want to build more definition or warmth in certain areas, you can try lightly dotting drops where you’d typically place your bronzer. “Blend with fingers until seamless, and build slowly,” Greenberg says. “The more drops, the deeper the color.” Step 4: Set the color. To lock in your bronzer drops , Williams recommends misting a long-lasting, hydrating setting spray over your base before moving on with your routine. How to choose a shade of bronzing drops Well-matched bronzing drops can look super natural, but the wrong shade might remind you of your more questionable early-aughts spray tans. “Pick a shade that’s one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone, and avoid anything too orange,” Greenberg says. “Neutral or slightly warm tones give the most natural sun-kissed look.” If your drops look way darker than your skin tone straight out of the bottle, don’t panic: Remember that they’re meant to be diluted and balanced by the product you mix them with. And whenever you’re experimenting with a new product shade, make sure you like the way it looks in natural light and in your bathroom mirror before you commit. Common bronzing drops mistakes If you have the same complaints every time you try bronzing drops, an easy tweak might make a world of difference. Using too much Trust us on this one: A little goes a long way. “Using too many bronzing drops at once creates streaks or looks muddy, especially if you’re not blending well around the edges,” Greenberg says. While they accomplish a similar goal to self-tanner, remember that you’re only treating your face— so you don’t want the shade to be dramatically different from the rest of your body. “Whenever I’m creating a glowy, bronzed look on my clients, I love to take bronzing drops and mix about one and a half drops into the foundation to create warmth that seems to emanate naturally from within,” Williams says. Under-moisturizing Lots of people turn to bronzing drops during the winter months—which is also prime time for dry skin. If you’re mixing your drops with moisturizer, make sure you’re not skimping on the latter in the name of better shade payoff. Bronzing drops may cling to dry patches of skin, making it difficult to achieve an even base on dehydrated skin. Layering incompatible products Bronzing drops may not work with every makeup product in your bag. Applying thick powder products over bronzing drops “can cause the makeup underneath to separate or break down,” Williams says. Before you’re in a hurry, do some experimenting to make sure that your go-to solid blush and blurring powder play nicely with your bronzing drops once set.
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