We may be in the throes of winter, but look on the bright side: cooler temps come with the promise of cosier evenings and fresh mornings where we can embrace warm, winter perfumes and lots of soft knitwear. That said, you don't have to give up on that sun-kissed tan. While bronzing drops offer an instant glow boost you can remove at the end of the day, tanning drops offer a gradual, buildable tan that'll look just as good on makeup-free days.
Tanning drops: the ELLE top five
Best for added radiance: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops, £38
Best for beginners: Lancaster Self Tan Sun-Kissed Face Drops, £28
Best for shade range: Bondi Sands Technocolor Caramel Self Tanning Face Serum, £17.99
Best for gradual tan: Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze™ Gradual Tan Drops, £21 for members
Best for an even finish: St. Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops, £30
While we've all had our questionable moments with fake tan, face tanning drops couldn't be easier to use, with streaks and patchiness reassuringly rare. And if you're not sure which formula to choose for the best results, don't worry –we've got you covered. But first, here's everything you need to know...
Are face tanning drops good for the skin?
Tanning drops are a hybrid between a serum and fake tan, and contain useful ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to give you glow and leave your skin feeling healthier, which isn't something you'll usually get with tanning mousses or creams. Plus, they're usually lighter in texture so won't add an extra layer of heavy product and they play well under make-up.
'These drops are designed specifically for the face as they contain skincare level ingredients targeted to help treat our daily concerns and strengthen the skin's barrier, as well as add a natural golden finish, rather than the deeper tan result found in many body products,' says skincare expert Michaella Bolder.
Who would benefit from tanning drops?
All skin tones can benefit from a hint of tan. 'Tanning drops help those with a darker complexions to balance uneven tone,' she explains. 'Self-tan can also pull out a beautiful golden hue on darker skins.'
If you're on the drier side and worry about fake tan flaking or peeling, it's worth noting that drops tend to have a bit more slip. 'While a mousse is great for all skins, if you have drier skin then drops would be better for your routine, as they give an added boost of hydration,' Bolder adds. Not to mention, you get all the glow without the UV damage. We're sold.
How do you apply face tanning drops?
Tanning drops are as easy as it gets when it comes to fake tan application.
Ditch the mitts and instead either mix a few drops in with your everyday moisturiser for a lighter finish, or apply as you would your normal serum. Just make sure you get those tell-tale areas such as the ears, hairline and neck.
If you're applying your drops neat, wait a few moments before adding your moisturiser on top and avoid using any exfoliating products directly before applying the tan, to avoid sensitivity.
If you're using in the morning, follow this order:
Serum
Tanning drops + day moisturiser
For formulas that work better in the evening, apply as the last step in your skincare routine.
How long does it take for face tanning drops to work?
It depends on the formula of the product, but you should start to see a difference within a few hours and results should last for between five to seven days.
The key to getting your tan to last is hydration, hydration, hydration. Applying your go-to AHA or BHA toner will make your tan fade faster, so ditch the exfoliants for a few days (use them a day or two before to remove dead skin cells), and opt for a hydrating option instead.
How do face tanning drops differ from body fake tan?
Just as moisturiser for our faces and bodies differ, the skin on our faces is exposed all the time and is more sensitive, so it needs to be looked after differently. If you use a body fake tan on your face, you could risk irritation and clogged pores - not ideal.
How we test face tanning drops
The appeal of self-tanning drops lies mainly in their ease of use, so we made sure that each product featured is foolproof to incorporate in our daily routine. Most can be quickly cocktailed into an existing face cream, while others are easily massaged in after an evening routine so you wake up with a much healthier-looking pallor.
Colour is key, so each self-tanner has to impart a natural, believable tan. The ELLE team features varying skin tones and
undertones, so there is something in this list for everybody. The formula is key, too, and you'll find that each one features at least one skincare benefit - be it hydration or clarity.
And finally, we gave these self-tanning drops ample time to observe just how quickly it develops and fades throughout the week. Needless to say, only the ones that created a streak-free finish and an even fade made the cut.
The Best Face Tanning Drops, Tried And Tested
Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops
Nobody does radiant skin quite like Charlotte Tilbury, so of course, her tanning drops were bound to impress. With shade options for fair-to-medium skin, and tan-to-deep skin, it's easy to ensure a flattering, natural-looking sunkiss.
The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and reflective pigments to give an instant illumination. Ms Tilbury proves once again why she's queen of the glow.
£38.00 at charlottetilbury.com
Self Tan Sun-Kissed Face Drops
This luxe SPF and skincare label is based in Monaco, so it knows a thing or two about capturing that lit-from-within, expensive-looking, Riviera glow. These drops deliver exactly that, in an hour. Mix a drop into your moisturiser and massage in, dialling it up to two, three or four drops if you prefer a deeper colour. It's impossible to go wrong, as it creates an even, subtle hue.
Technocolor Caramel Self Tanning Face Serum
We can always rely on Bondi Sands for healthy-looking, bronzed skin no matter the season, but its Technocolor range is the next step in self-tan innovation. It uses colour-correcting principle to create a seamless glow that suits your undertones, in order to enhance your natural hue.
Caramel is especially excellent on deep skin tones, but there are three other shades to choose from each with different undertones to flatter and accentuate all complexions. It contains a blemish-busting complex too, to keep the skin looking clear.
Awesome Bronze™ Gradual Tan Drops
This bestows a radiant glow that doesn't veer orange and leaves the skin feeling noticeably more nourished. It is easily buildable, and fading is even, so you won't be left with any patchiness. The clear formula means it's safe for your ivory sheets, too.
Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops
From the master of self-tan, James Read, comes this skincare-powered tanning range that focuses on taking care of the complexion as it bronzes. These tan drops deliver a believable, sunkissed radiance while cushioning the complexion with aloe, hyaluronic acid and soothing mushrooms.
Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops
This skin-caring formula mixes some top ingredients – vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide – to really boost that glow. It soaks in instantly, with no tackiness left behind, meaning no need to worry about applying make-up after.
The best part? There's non of that nostalgic biscuit-y scent that usually comes with fake tan.
Wonder Serum Face Tanning Drops
These Skinny Tan drops have a delicious coconut scent that will give you that summer holiday feeling while the resulting tan has a hint of shimmer in it.
The colour develops evenly into a lovely golden hue that leaves you looking as though you've just returned from a three-week, restful retreat.
Adaptive Tan Drops
Putting tan on your face can be a little daunting, with fears you could end up more orange than sun-kissed, it's often tricky to know where to begin... Enter, these easy-to-use drops. Designed to be mixed with a range of beauty products, including moisturisers, serums, oils, or even foundation, they give a natural looking glow.
Expect a sheer, subtle colour; ideal for anyone who just wants a gentle lift to their complexion. Plus, the formula is loaded with anti-ageing ingredients, to help target multiple skin concerns.
Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops
Everyone wants a face tanner that gives the skin a gradual, natural, glowing tan, but doing that while also being hydrating? That's the golden ticket, and Coco & Eve has managed it.
This formula leaves skin feeling soft, supple and sun-kissed for days. Application is streak-free, and there are no patchiness here.
As for fading, these drops faded very evenly on the skin over a week.
Sunless Tan Face Serum
This tanning formula aims to work just like a powerful skincare serum, providing an even finish thanks to its hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and argan oil.
The hardworking tan not only imparts a healthy glow, it also helps to plump up the complexion and keep flaking skin at bay.
The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Come for the chic branding, stay for the natural-looking tan. The scent is pleasant, and it's easy to achieve buildable colour. The lasting hue is impressive, too. Opt for a shade lighter than your complexion for a seamless glow.
Hyglo Self-Tan Serum
Described as a 'tall glass of water for skin', this vegan option aims to hydrate as well as illuminate. Despite delivering ample moisture, it didn't leave any greasiness behind, making it a great buy for combination skin.
The consistency of the formula itself was a winner as it absorbs quickly and doesn't cause staining on pillowcases.
Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face
Beauty editors can't get enough of this, and for good reason. This little bottle goes a long way in creating a healthy, sun-kissed effect on winter skin.
It works seamlessly with your skincare routine, and imparts a gentle colour that fades evenly over time.
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