The 6 Best Liquid Bronzers (2025)

A bronzer is the go-to makeup product for bringing warmth to the face by utilizing golden brown colors to imitate a tan. While powders are the most common type of bronzers, liquid bronzers are increasingly popular.

These runny formulas work like skincare-makeup hybrids and create an effortless sun-kissed look. Here’s why liquid bronzers need your attention and the best ones to try.

Liquid Bronzers

A liquid bronzer, as suggested by the name, is a bronzer that has a liquid consistency. This pigmented formula is applied directly on the skin much like a lotion that blends in.

It can be as runny as a serum or a bit thicker like a face gel. It can come in a single shade packed inside a bottle with a dropper, which is usually called bronzing drops. It can also come in different shades packed in a wand, which can be used to bronze or contour.

Liquid bronzers have an advantage over mainstream formulas. First of all, liquid bronzers are more skin-friendly because they are made with skin-caring ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing plant oils.

Secondly, they’re not too pigmented, which allows for an even application that results in a more natural look and the ability to build color depending on preference.

And more importantly, liquid bronzers are like cheek stains. They don’t usually fade away, they last longer on the skin and are more resistant to elements.

Plus, you’ll see that most of them are actually pretty multi-tasking in that they can be combined with other products. So yes, they are popular for good reason!

Find below some of the best liquid bronzers I swear by for the most beautiful tan.

Best Liquid Bronzers

1. Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker

This is my favorite makeup product from Clinique, ever! It’s literally what made me turn on to liquid bronzer. It’s a gel-based formula that comes out very pigmented at first. As you blend it in, it settles down to a very natural bronze. It’s a single shade and it’s on the warm side.

So it’s better if you have warm/neutral undertones. I use it on my cheeks as a bronzer and I also use it on the contours of my face to define my face shape. You only need a single drop for each side of the face, so a little goes a very long way. You get a nice, natural-looking dewy finish.

Finish: Radiant
Shades: 1
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Oil-free, fragrance-free

2. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Bronzing Drops

I told you liquid bronzers multi-task! And I love this for its versatility. It can be used as a liquid bronzer, though it requires quick blending to get an even application. But it’s even better for minimalist makeup wearers who prefer skincare makeup hybrids. It’s packed with antioxidants and anti-aging peptides for a good amount of skincare!

It can be mixed with moisturizer to make it work like a tinted moisturizer, and an overall complexion booster to add warmth to the skin. This one is also a single shade with a bit of radiant finish, which is bad because I’m able to make this work only when I already have a bit of tan. But if you have medium, deep skin tones, go for it!

Finish: Dewy
Shades: 1
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free

3. Charlotte Hollywood Contour Wand

This wand is perfect for those looking to get some contouring action out of their liquid bronzer. The lightweight gel-like bronzer comes with a sponge tip applicator that allows for precise application.

It creates a seamlessly blended complexion with healthy-looking sun-kissed cheeks. The applicator is ideal for beginners to easily and quickly sculpt the face, including the nose and the jawline.

Finish: Matte
Shades: 7
Size: 0.4 oz/12 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

4. Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Multi-Use Bronzing & Shaping Serum

I didn’t get the hype behind this one until I tried it. First off, even though this is marketed as a multi-purpose product, which makes you not expect that much from it as a bronzer, they went ahead and made it in different shades. It’s not that common, especially with liquid bronzers.

Again, unlike other formulas, this one has a very natural, almost matte finish which makes it easier to use as glowy makeup can be intimidating for most. It’s a tinted serum that packs hydrating hyaluronic acid and has the lightest consistency you can expect from a bronzing drop. It spreads out evenly and smoothly without any streaks or patchiness.

Finish: Natural
Shades: 7
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

5. Tarte Sculpt Tape Contour

To be honest, these wands are very similar to Charlotte Tilbury’s bronzer both in terms of packaging and the formula. The liquid bronzer, though comes out a bit dewy at first, settles down to a soft matte finish and the shade range is ideal for those looking for definition and contour.

Almost all of them are cool and neutral-toned as opposed to warm. On a side note, Tarte also has Key Largo Glow Bronzing Drops, which is better if you want something dewier, and warmer. It can be mixed in with other products as well.

Finish: Matte
Shades: 13
Size: 0.4 oz/12 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

6. Milk Bionic Liquid Bronzer

This has been a favorite of mine since I first tried it. The reason is that it has a very rich, full-bodied consistency, which you see when you simply squeeze out a small amount on the back of your hand and swatch it a little bit.

That’s why it gives you this deep, even, and uniform application. It’s not too pigmented, but it’s incredibly buildable with a nice soft-matte, streak-free finish.

Finish: Natural
Shades: 4
Size: 0.6 oz/17 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

So these are some of my favorite liquid bronzers I can swear by. I think Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee is perfect for bronzing and creating warmth. But if you need something for contouring, you can’t go wrong with Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand.

How to Choose a Liquid Bronzer

Purpose

It’s best to choose a formula depending on what you want to do with it. If you prefer something multi-tasking that can be mixed with products or to be used alone too, go for ‘bronzing drops’ that usually come in a single shade. If you want a liquid bronzer flat out, go for a liquid bronzer that comes in various shades to match your undertone.

Shade and Undertone

As always, remember to choose your liquid bronzer based on your skin tone and undertone. Make sure the bronzer is 2-3 shades deeper than your skin tone. If you want to use it as a bronzer, make sure that the undertones are on the neutral or warm side. If you want to contour, make sure the undertone is cool.

Finish

A matte finish liquid bronzer can be more versatile as it can be used for all types of makeup. Try matte liquid bronzers if you want to get more out of your product or if you have oily skin that doesn’t need any glow. On the flip side, subtly radiant finish liquid bronzers look incredibly flattering and work great for dewy makeup and for people with dry skin.

How to Apply Liquid Bronzer

1. Skin Prep

Some liquid bronzers, especially when you’re using them on bare skin like a self-tanner, dry down fast. They can look uneven and patchy. So prepping your skin properly and moisturizing is important to mitigate this. This helps the formula glide easily on the skin without clinging on to texture irregularities.

2. Apply After Foundation

Apply your bronzer after you’ve applied your foundation, if you’re using one. And make sure to give it a few minutes until your foundation settles. Otherwise, you can move it around, causing uneven application.

3. Use Your Fingers

If you’re using a wand, you can dab the sponge onto the cheeks and blend it using your fingers. For other products like bronzing drops, you can use a bronzer brush to get an even application. I don’t recommend using a beauty blender for this because liquid bronzers are really light and water-based and sponges soak up a good amount of product, which is a waste!

4. Layer Slowly

Liquid bronzers usually have sheer coverage with the first layer. So the first layer gives you warmth and color but it’s easy to get carried away. Make sure to layer and blend slowly. If you want to create a more pigmented look, blend the bronzer in place to intensify the color. If you want a softer, feathered-out look, spread the color outward to give yourself the space to build the pigments.

5. Mind the Placement

If you’re simply warming up your face, you can be a bit flexible with the placement and just apply the bronzer on the cheekbones and on the contours of the face like the temples and the hairline. If you’re contouring, remember to be more precise with the application and place the bronzer only on the contour areas like right below the cheekbones. Don’t spread it too much or your contour won’t look as sleek.

FAQs

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