How to Use Bronzing Drops Correctly, According to Pro Makeup Artists

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 (and sometimes a subtle shimmer) to your face, which adds a base glow to the rest of your makeup.

Indie Lee Bronzing Drops for Face & Body

BeautyBio Bronzing Blendrops

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 (or if you have dry skin), apply a layer of moisturizer first and let it soak in before starting your makeup.

Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer

Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer

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.

Fenty Beauty Grip Trip Hydrating Primer

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  Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation

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 (forehead, bridge of your nose, cheeks, and chin). 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.