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These golden wonders are a perfect mix between self-tan and bronzing powder

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We were looking for formulas that were easy to blend and build

So many of us feel we look better or “healthier” with a sun-kissed complexion, but as we all know, sunbathing can do more harm than good – it’s irony at its best.

Luckily, alongside becoming more sun smart, the beauty industry is introducing more sophisticated and safer ways to tan, meaning we don’t have to forgo a truly healthy glow. Now, we just get it out of a bottle in the form of self-tan or buff it on with bronzer. But fusing the line between the two is a new category, so let us introduce you to the liquid bronzer.

Just like traditional cream and powder formulas, liquid bronzers are made for those that want to add warmth to their complexions. They come in anything from a gel to a water-like texture, and can look dark and intimidating to use (a little like fake tan), but trust us, they’re anything but. Even the less make-up-savvy will find them easy to use, as they’re sheer and made to be buildable, so it’s virtually impossible to go streaky, patchy or orange.

Some formulas are designed to be applied just like standard bronzers, to areas of the face the sun naturally tans. These are the higher planes of the face: your forehead, cheekbones, and the bridge of the nose. While others work better mixed into your moisturiser or foundation for an all-over glow, think of them as a wash-off self-tan (without the biscuit smell) and some can even be used both ways and more.

You’ll find liquid bronzers suited to all skin types, but dry or mature skin types will especially love them as they’re infused with hydrating ingredients for added skincare benefits – plus they don’t sit in lines like powder formulations.

To find the most natural, golden wonders in a crowded make-up market, we put the latest offerings to the test. We marked them on ease of use, finish and longevity. You’ll only find easy-to-blend and build formulations that offer natural sun-kissed warmth that also lasts the day without going patchy in our round-up. Read on to find your new glow-getter here…

New York-based, vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand Milk Makeup has just added this liquid bronzer to its collection and we’re obsessed. From a natural sheer touch of colour to a sun-lit glow, you can build up the intensity seamlessly thanks to its hybrid skincare make-up formula. With skin-loving ingredients to promote hydration, such as hyaluronic acid and mushroom extracts, even dry skin types will love how smooth and natural feeling it is on the skin.

The formula is shimmer-free and comes in three shades to flatter all skin tones and ages, imparting a matt finish that still leaves the skin looking dewy. Use it on its own or over make-up for a natural “I’m just back from holiday” warmth. Plus, it makes a nice eyeshadow to match.

The No Makeup collection founded by the renowned US dermatologist is made for those that want a soft and effortless look, hence the name. With some clever skincare make-up formulations in the line-up, the liquid bronzer is enriched with vitamin C ester and isn’t new but is still hard to beat.

The universally flattering shimmer-free shade will suit fair to tanned complexions that are looking to enhance their natural beauty with a believable sun-touched glow. Use to contour or apply where the sun naturally hits your face and you’ll be asked where you’ve just come back from. Plus, this one is great for dialling up the colour in your foundation in the summer months when our skin tones may go up a shade.

This beautiful bottle, adorned with the fashion house’s iconic motif, is just made to take pride of place on a dressing table. The performance matches the packaging in beauty, as the ultra-light, water-based gel warms up the complexion with a natural golden hue. Mix in your moisturiser or foundation for an all-over glow or apply straight to the skin as a bronzer, the choice is yours.

It’s a universal shade, so don’t be alarmed at its initial colour when it comes out of the dropper. The key is to use it sparingly if you’re light-skinned (like our tester) for the most seamless sun-kissed effect. You’ll find it won’t dry the skin out, as it’s infused with hydrating ingredients, and you’ll love the divine floral fragrance that adds to the opulence.

With six shades to choose from, you’ll find a liquid bronzer to suit you no matter your skin tone. Our tester found she even had to go up a shade to match her fair complexion, so the lightest offering, “beach vibe”, will even flatter the palest of skin tones. The formula is so sheer that it’s impossible to be heavy-handed with the gel-to-watercolour texture. For ease, simply dab to the higher points of the forehead, cheeks and nose and blend in with fingers, building up to find your desired dewy coverage. We can see why this is a celeb favourite!

The go-to brand for even the most sensitive skin has developed this all-natural radiance booster with skincare benefits. The pearlescent drops are made with mica or “nature’s glitter” which when used directly on the skin leaves a golden shimmer wherever you choose to place it – we especially loved it on cheekbones for a bronze highlight. But for us, the product really comes into its own with one drop in our daily moisturiser for an all-over subtle radiance that will make you want to skip coverage on top. Plus, it’s packed with hyaluronic acid and sea kelp to boost hydration, and vitamin C-rich lemon fruit water for added glow.

If you’ve not been introduced to Jones Road yet, it’s the new make-up brainchild of legendary MUA Bobbi Brown who is no longer associated with her famous namesake company. Combining clean formulations with high-performance make-up, we’ve loved everything we’ve so far tested from her new beauty brand – including the shimmer face oils. Just as many of the Jones Road products are multi-tasking, the bronze shade (as well as the midas on fair complexions) make excellent bronzers with a light-catching shimmer. Simply apply to the high points of the face to add dimension to your bone structure or mix in with your moisturiser for subtle warmth.

Designed to be mixed in with your existing skincare, be it your serum, moisturiser or oil, for an all-over warmth to the skin. This is another you-can’t-go-wrong formula, as one drop into your daily moisturiser leaves a very natural, healthy-looking hue. It’s made up of a cocktail of skin-protecting antioxidants, skin-strengthening peptides and nourishing ingredients, so you’re also adding extra goodness to your skincare routine. And it’s free of silicones, fragrance and essential oils, so if you’re looking for a “free-from” bronzer or have skin on the very sensitive side, this is ideal.

If it’s versatility you’re after, you can’t beat this water-like liquid bronzer that you can mix with skincare. For subtlety, use on bare skin to show off a natural complexion or as a bronzer on top of foundation – we can’t decide our favourite way to use it as it works brilliantly in every way.

With added skincare benefits from the included hyaluronic acid and cupuacu extract to boost hydration, and vitamin C for natural skin-brightening, this leaves skin feeling smooth and comfortable. If you’re into exotic fragrances, this is a tropical holiday in a bottle. Pick from a shimmer or shimmer-free formula.

If you’re familiar with Indeed Labs’ infamous skin-blurring cream Nanoblur (£19.99, Boots.com), this couples its skin-diffusing tech with skin-bronzing pigments. For best results, we liked to drop it into our day cream and use as an all-over wash of warmth; that way we can make use of its clever optical-blurring skin formulation. We found one pump enough for a lit-from-within glow, and two for a real sun-kissed finish, but it also works brilliantly when used on its own. It even goes the extra skincare mile with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration levels and skin-protecting botanical extracts.

Best: For face and body

If you’re looking for a liquid bronzer that can be used on the body with ease, as well as the face, look no further. Simply spray the bronzing water-mist on to the skin on show, for an instant streak-free glow that dries in seconds. It leaves behind a shimmery effect if you shake the bottle, or a matt finish if you don’t – how clever is that!

For the face, we recommend spritzing it directly to a buffing brush one spray at a time to build up the colour, and you’ll get the most natural-looking effect. It’s difficult to describe to you how beautiful the scent is. A summer holiday must-have!

Our recommended best buy goes to Milk Makeup’s bionic bronzer, as it’s easy to blend and build colour that looks natural on the skin and lasts all day. Though to be honest, if you’re looking for an all-over wash of colour you really can take your pick – they’re all worth a shot.

For the latest discount on skincare and other beauty products, try the links below:

We’ve rounded up the best face tanners for an effortless glow all-year round

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