What is a body bronzer?
In the simplest terms, it’s basically body makeup. Body bronzers usually come in a lotion form and give you instant color while hiding any imperfections. It only lasts up until you wash it off, unlike a self-tanner that is designed to last several days. You can use body bronzer in lieu of a self-tanner or overtop to enhance the color.
How to Apply It:
There isn’t any prep work to do like with a self-tanner. In my before and after photo, I applied over dry legs that needed my self-tanner scrubbed off, and it still looked amazing!
I recommend applying with a brush or a mitt to get a smooth, even application. Since it’s meant to sit on top of the skin, rather than absorb like a self-tanner, you can apply with your hands without running the risk of them being stained. Here’s the body brush that I’ve been using and loving. You can also use a duo fiber foundation brush.
After it’s applied, I usually give myself about 10 minutes before putting on clothes to avoid any transfer. As with any bronzer or tanning product, you do run the risk of having some transfer, especially if you’re sweating. If you’re really worried about it, I would recommend setting it with a translucent powder. Focus on areas that crease or sweat; behind your knees, inside of your elbows, armpits, neck, etc.
Breakdown of the Three I’ve Tired:
Vita Liberta Body Blur
This is my current fave! It really makes your skin look like Barbie’s. It’s the perfect combo of pigment and glow. I’ve been using the shade “latte” and it goes perfectly with the self-tanner I’ve been using. It goes on evenly and is so easy to blend! From my experience, it’s also water resistant. After taking a dip in the pool, it was still on!
Loving Tan Bronze Shimmer Luminous Cream
This one will help give your skin a really nice bronzy glow. It’s really good for deepening your skin tone or self-tan, but it won’t give the pigment and coverage that the other two do. Because it’s more of a sheer product, I think it works best for light to medium skin tones. I find myself using Loving Tan about two days after I self-tan to freshen it up or when I want a little shimmer and glow, but I’m not looking really perfect anything.
Sally Hanson Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup
This is the OG body bronzer to me. I used this stuff since high school. It is HIGHLY pigmented, so you have to be careful about the shade you select. For me, I don’t go darker than the medium shade or else the color starts to get too orange. I found mixing in a little lotion really helps with the application and to sheer it out a little. This also has more of a matte finish, so you won’t see any of the glow like with the other two products. The bottle also gets very messy, so just be careful where you set it down. For the drugstore, this is a really great option, though!
They also have an airbrush version that comes in can, but if you value anything in your home, I really recommend sticking to the lotion so that you have more control. As mentioned above, it’s HIGHLY pigmented and it sprays more like a bug killer spray (weird reference, I know! But it basically shoots out), rather than a fine mist.
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Now, go get that bronzed bod!
xx,
Nicole