Recently, I came across a post describing how we are in the “spring deception” era—where winter is not quite over, and spring is not here to stay. It made me sad because all I want is to go outside, spend time with friends, and enjoy the sun. It is so frustrating when you are stuck in the cold, especially when all you want is that natural glow that comes from being outdoors. Over the past couple of months, I have been feeling a bit tan-deprived. I think this is partly because I feel like I was at my prime during summer when I had the chance to soak up the sun and look like I was sparkling under the water. To try and mimic that sun-kissed skin and glisten, I have tried my fair share of glow drops. You might be wondering what glow or bronzing drops actually are. The purpose of glow drops is to help “perk-up” tired, dull skin and restore radiance, leaving you with a natural, healthy glow whenever you need it. However, for this post, I will be focusing specifically on tinted bronzing drops.
To give you some background, while tanning drops have always been popular, bronzing drops really gained attention in 2019 when Drunk Elephant launched their D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops. They became even more popular after going viral on TikTok. Following that high demand, other companies began releasing their own glowing drops and lotions.
In my case, I like to mix a couple of drops with my moisturizer to thin it out while still maintaining a nice glow on my skin. With all of these products, the glow and tan are noticeable, but which do I prefer? You will have to read and find out! I love all makeup products, though, and I always stay on a college-friendly budget, so the options I share are definitely worth trying.
One of my favorite bronzing products is more of a lotion than drops—L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer in Deep Glow, priced at $13.99. Although it is one of the “pricier” options, my “fake face tan” has never been more glowy and tan under my makeup. What I really love about this product is the consistency. I always mix lotion with bronzing drops to thin them out, but this one mixed perfectly and had just the right amount of pigmentation. It melts into the skin so perfectly and nourishes it at the same time. It also works well with other makeup products, whether they are silicone- or water-based. Most importantly, it looks natural. I do not want to look like an oompa loompa! The finish on this product is so natural that it looks like I just came back from a trip to Cancun.
Another product I really like is the e.l.f. SKIN Bronzing Drops, priced at $12. It comes in a tiny, cute bottle, but it does a great job of giving a more subtle, natural glow. Since this one is not a lotion like the L’Oréal product, it is a bit thicker and drier on the skin. But again, mixing it with lotion does the job, and it does it well. I have yet to try and mix it in with my foundation, but I am sure paired with foundation, I could achieve a more glowy look. These drops also do not budge and they last a long time. They mix well with other products and work well on all skin types and tones.
Overall, I think both products are great options for anyone looking to add a glow or subtle tan to under their makeup. Both products work well with all skin tones and types, which I think is just another reason to add them to your shopping list.