Bronze sun-kissed skin is a hard thing to achieve naturally without risking serious skin damage.

Gone are the days of slathering on tanning oil and frying in the sun or sizzling in trendy tanning bed salons (remember those?).

We know better now.

As we’ve moved away from melanoma-causing beauty trends and towards serious skincare, technology has kept pace with SPFs, tinted moisturizers and self-tanning products.

There may have been some streaky orange missteps but we have officially arrived in the era of beautiful, subtle bronzing products that can be incorporated into an everyday makeup routine.

Think your skin but in the summer. That’s the look we’re going for with these eight tanning drops.

Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops, Charlotte Tilbury

Price: $62

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The latest addition to the world of tanning drops comes from the Queen of glowy makeup herself. Charlotte Tilbury released her first ever tanning drops with hyaluronic acid and hydrating skincare ingredients late last month. The Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops are meant to act as a gradual tan developer that also immediately illuminates the complexion for a healthy glow.

Intended to be worn under or mixed in with your moisturizer, the non-streaky, non-sticky formula is available in two shades and uses Vederine which mimics Vitamin D without barrier damaging sun exposure.

Self Tanning Water, That’so

Price: $73

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This lightly tanning beauty lotion from Italian brand That’so applies like a spray to give the skin an instantly radiant glow. Enriched with aloe vera and naturally sourced DHA, the water-like lotion is hydrating and soothing. Apply it to the face and chest and spray 20 cm away as a first step in your beauty routine. The healthy glow will last two days and look like you just caught a few rays of sunshine.

Self Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops, St. Tropez

Price: $57

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Everyone who uses self-tanning or glow products knows about St. Tropez. By now, the beauty brand is well-established as the self-tanning GOAT and these multi-tasking drops are no different. The 5-1 drops are induced with niacinamide (a natural tanning active ingredient), hyaluronic acid, echinacea and acerola cherry extract rich in vitamins C and E to help plump and protect skin. The skincare ingredients are also meant to help smooth fine lines and reduce redness while giving you a natural sun-kissed look.

D-Bronzi™ Bronzing Drops with Peptides, Drunk Elephant

Print: $52

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A fan favourite of TikTok girlies, these bronzing drops from skincare Drunk Elephant are infused with peptides and antioxidants to promote skin elasticity and healthy barrier function while delivering a bronzy wash of colour. It can be applied to the face and body: just shake and apply a drop to carrier  serum, oil or cream and blend out well. Store upside down for best results.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

Price: $48

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OG Parisian pharmacy brand Clarins’ Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster drops can be used to enhance or even out an existing tan or to add a subtle glow. Add them to a carrier moisturizer for an outstanding natural bronzed look.

Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Sun Glow Serum, Glow Recipe

Price: $48

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We know Glow Recipe is everywhere. But it’s for good reason. While the brand’s bestselling niacinamide drops create a gorgeous dewy makeup base, the new Hue Drops add a casual bronze glow that’s easier than committing to a multi-day fake tan. Plus the skincare ingredients keep your face moisturized under makeup.

Key Largo Glow bronzing drops, Tarte

Price: $47

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Tarte has somewhat fallen out of favour since the days of shape tape and Amazonian clay blush but the brand is still alive and well. When used alone these shimmery drops can be used as a buildable highlighting bronzer look but they can also be added to moisturizer or foundation, too. Perfect for a beach club makeup look (hence the name we assume). Some people smooth it onto the body as well to give a shimmery tanned effect à la Alex Earle.

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