I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead.

I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead.

      Don't misunderstand me. I enjoy a good bronzer. While there are some fantastic cream bronzers and bronzing drops available, as a beauty editor with oily skin, they don’t always work well for me. The same is true for powder or matte bronzers, which can sometimes leave my skin looking too flat. The challenge is finding a bronzer that gives the effect of just returning from a beach vacation without resorting to self-tanning drops. Just when I thought I had run out of options, I found my bottle of By Terry Tea to Tan and realized that water bronzers are the best way to achieve a natural-looking glow.

      What Are Water Bronzers?

      Water bronzers are water-based products with a golden or bronze tint. Their lightweight formula allows them to apply like watercolors, providing a soft, translucent hint of color that feels and appears weightless on the skin. You can blend them into bare skin for a sun-kissed effect or apply them on top of makeup like you would with a bronzer, achieving a realistic tan without the heaviness of cream or powder formulas that can sit on the surface. Instead, they absorb like a second skin, leaving a bronzed stain that lasts all day and is usually transfer-proof as well. They've become my preferred method for faking a tan without using self-tanners, and they adhere better to my skin compared to other bronzers (especially during the heatwaves we've experienced). Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best water bronzers I've tried that are also worthy of a spot in your makeup bag.

      The Best Water Bronzers

      Best Overall: By Terry Tea to Tan Face and Body

      Best Luxury Water Bronzer: Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash

      Best Compact Water Bronzer: Refy Water Bronzer

      Best Skincare/Makeup Hybrid: Whind Marrakech Sun Instant Glow Tinting Water

      Best Water Bronzer Drops: Self Glow By James Read Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops

      1. By Terry Tea to Tan Face and Body

      

      Best Overall

      By Terry

      Tea to Tan Face and Body

      Pros: Leaves skin with a natural-looking bronze tint, can be used alone or with makeup, suitable for face or body, matte formula and transfer-proof.

      Cons: Dries quickly, so it needs to be blended in fast; only one shade available.

      By Terry's Tea to Tan was the first bronzing water introduced in 2014 and has remained a beauty staple among editors since. The water-based formula offers a sheer bronze tint usable in various ways. You can apply it on bare skin for a light sun-kissed hue, blend it over makeup with a brush as a lightweight bronzer or mix it into your moisturizer for a dewy finish. It’s entirely matte with no shimmer but provides a subtle glow and is long-lasting and transfer-proof. You can even apply it to your body for an instant natural-looking tan. Its lightweight nature delivers a well-rested radiance that looks as if you've just returned from a holiday. It also comes in a smaller travel size, so you can try it without committing to the full-size bottle—though once you do, you probably won't go back to powder or cream bronzers.

      2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash

      

      Best Luxury Water Bronzer

      Victoria Beckham Beauty

      Colour Wash in Heatwave

      Pros: Sheer bronze tint for a realistic glow, no glitter or shimmer.

      Cons: Available in only two shades; often out of stock.

      I must admit that the Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash Bronze Water Tint is one of my favorite launches of the year. It features a rollerball pipette applicator like the Colour Wash Blush Tints (£44), and these watercolor-inspired bronzers provide a light wash of bronze that sets into a long-lasting stain. The formula includes activated sea water, antioxidant-rich fruit extracts, and hydrating coconut water, leaving skin with a fresh, juicy glow after the color sets. It’s available in two shades: Tan Line, a warm medium bronze, and Heatwave, a darker bronze that I enjoy applying to my cheeks, forehead, and nose for a believable bronze tint.

      3. Refy Water Bronzer

      

      Best Water Bronzer Compact

      For on-the-go tanning, this Refy compact is an excellent choice. It contains a cushion with a water-like texture and bronze tint that glides onto the skin like watercolor pigments. You can use a makeup brush to layer it to your desired color without fear of heaviness that some cream or powder bronzers can create, plus it features a mirror for convenience while traveling.

      Pros: Variety of shades for different skin tones, portable.

      Cons: May dry out quickly, so keep the seal intact between uses.

      4. Whind Marrakech Sun Instant Glow Tinting Water

      

      Best Skincare/Bronzer Hybrid

      Whind

      Marrakech Sun Instant Glow Tinting Water

      If you prefer something leaning more toward skincare than makeup, this tinted serum is a great option

I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead. I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead. I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead. I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead. I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead. I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead. I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead.

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I’m over bronzer—I’m opting for this alternative to achieve a naturally radiant, sun-kissed look instead.

I'm discontinuing my cream bronzer.