Jennifer Aniston's radiant skin inspired Westman Atelier's latest bronzing drops—I had to give them a try.

      Recently, there has been much discussion about serotonin-enhancing routines. These are practices we adopt, such as enjoying a calming "sleepy girl" mocktail before bed to guarantee a full eight hours of restorative sleep, aimed at uplifting our overall mood. For some, it involves applying a fresh coat of fake tan to mark the transition from winter to spring. As for me, I like to use bronzing drops to trick my mind into feeling as if I’ve just returned from a sunny getaway. I don’t use this method every day—only when I need a little boost in confidence. I’m cautious about sun exposure due to melanoma risk, although it's medically acknowledged that vitamin D can elevate our energy levels and potentially improve our mood. Given London's often cloudy weather, basking in the sun isn’t always an option. This is where bronzing drops come into play.

      I've constantly kept an eye out for innovative products, so when the established natural beauty line Westman Atelier unveiled its new Sun Tone Bronzing Drops in February, I was intrigued. I tried the Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops in shade Soleil Parfait I, the lightest among the four available shades, and the creation story is compelling. Inspired by travels, including finds like an Italian sunscreen and vibrant beach towels from the Côte d’Azur, founder Gucci Westman focused on developing the perfect shortcut to sun-kissed skin, resulting in four distinct shades of the brand’s debut true liquid bronzing product. Encased in delightful azure, sky blue, and gemstone green bottles, these compact drops provide a quick solution for warming up the skin.

      Of course, every beauty creator has a muse. Westman revealed that her product was also inspired by her first collaboration with long-time friend and client Jennifer Aniston for a 2002 VOGUE cover shoot at Malibu Beach—talk about putting West Coast radiance in a bottle.

      As someone who often blends macchiato-tinted serums into my moisturizer and layers it with cream bronzer—currently, I prefer Merit Beauty’s Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer in Quince for its cool tone, which prevents an overly orange look, switching to Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Dusk as summer approaches—this product quickly became a top contender on my "must-try" list. I certainly put it to the test.

      The Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops, priced at £53, may seem pricey for a product you use sparingly, but I found the lotion-like formula to be captivating and a perfect addition to any minimalist beauty routine. Those who favor a "your skin but better" look will appreciate this product, which I found to be surprisingly effective.

      Key aspects to note include a featherlight, streak-free formula that gently blurs without shimmer. The essential components consist of amino-infused actives along with a Prebiotic Moisturising Complex and Hydra Nourish Blend exclusive to the brand. If it were an outfit, think of the custom pink Jacquemus dress that Chloé (Charlotte Le Bon) wore in season 3, episode 4 of The White Lotus. As a fragrance, it would be Glossier’s You Fleur; and as a bag, Miu Miu's baby blue matelassé leather wander top-handle bag.

      Pros include a hydrating matte finish, while the cons involve its high price relative to other bronzing drops and the limited four shades ranging from light tan to deep tan.

      After testing the product daily for a week—layering it with various makeup items, trying different application techniques, and mixing it into my skincare—I have thoroughly evaluated Westman Atelier's Sun Tone Bronzing Drops. Here are my honest impressions after several days of use.

      The formula of the Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops resembles liquid silk—soft, supple, and possessing a creamy texture that blends easily. Interestingly, although it is meant to impart the warmth our skin gains from sunlight, the formula feels quite cooling. It dries into a matte and subtly muted finish compared to what comes out of the bottle, remaining neither sticky nor dry. Additionally, it's not overly illuminating, making its effect look more natural. It may sound contradictory, but the result is far less artificial and more true to how skin would realistically tan after sun exposure.

      As for application, I initially assumed the Sun Tone Bronzing Drops would behave like other products in this category, requiring dilution with moisturizer or oil. I was mistaken. The drops perform best when applied to bare skin using fingers, warming the product to achieve an even spread across the high points of the face, such as the forehead and cheekbones, or over makeup with a tapered brush.

      For an authentic "flushed from within" appearance, use a small amount with a stippling brush, beginning just below the cheekbone and blending toward the outer edges of the face. This technique creates a golden-hour glow that mimics the natural effects of sunlight.

      When comparing the Sun Tone Drops with