Laguna Liquid Bronzer
£27, Nars (narscosmetics.co.uk)
They say Sheer and ultra-versatile, this weightless innovation contours, bronzes, and blends effortlessly.
We say The beauty of bronzing gels versus bronzing compacts is that they give cheeks a natural and dewy look, rather than a powdery and cakey one. I use Nars’s Laguna bronzing powder daily, proudly converting lots of my friends to its authentic bronzing powers along the way, so I was interested to see if the liquid version could match up. I can report that I will now be recommending this version of Laguna too. The extremely thin formula has won me over — once applied, you can barely notice any product on the face, which is very much the aim with any tan-in-a-bottle product. I also like that it has just a hint of sparkle to it, although not too much, which adds a dewy glow. Using either fingers or a brush will deliver an even application, over or under foundation. This gel takes first prize in my books. Rachael Dove
All-Over Bronzing Gel
£25, Bobbi Brown (harrods.com)
They say The easiest way to get a sun-kissed look in seconds. Bobbi’s All-Over Bronzing Gel SPF 15 is a unique gel-based formula that delivers an instant, healthy, natural-looking glow to the face.
We say Testament to this bronzer’s barely-there results is that it was formulated for Bobbi Brown’s father, Joe Brown, who apparently swears by it for keeping up that weekend-spent-fishing-in-the-sunshine tan. This comes in only one shade: a ruddy chocolate brown that, though too dark for very pale complexions, gives a spot-on illusion of sun-kissed skin when applied to the apples of the cheek and the forehead. The gel is relatively thick compared to the others I have tried — the result is that it seems to stay put longer and works well on limbs too. Squeeze just a little on to the back of your hand first (going straight for the cheeks can end up a bit messy; it doesn’t help if the spot where you apply your make-up isn’t well lit), then dab on with a short-haired brush. Apply foundation, if you use it, on top. For me, the colour is just right — the look of a short break in the Maldives rather than a staycation glow. RD
Bronzing Gel
£36, Tom Ford (harveynichols.com)
They say Developed to mimic the look of a few minutes of sun and lift the complexion with a healthy looking touch of colour, Tom Ford’s water-based, oil-free Bronzing Gel blends in easily without masking your skin’s natural features.
We say The deep molasses brown of bronzing gel can be alarming if you’re used to going bare-faced, but don’t worry, you won’t come out looking as if you fell asleep with sunglasses on. Tom Ford’s is water-based and oil-free, so even though it looks like teriyaki sauce, it really melts into your skin and doesn’t leave any trace of residue. I rubbed it all over my face, but concentrated on the high points that the sun would naturally strike — my nose, cheekbones and forehead. It gave my pale, freckled complexion a glowy lift, just enough to make it look as if I’d got a good dose of vitamin D over the weekend. Natalie Hammond
Radiance Gel Bronzer travel size
£40, Chantecaille (spacenk.com)
They say Quick and easy to apply, this liquid bronzer offers a touch of sun and subtle luminosity to any complexion.
We say This is a bestseller for the French cosmetics brand, which includes Dame Judi Dench, David Beckham and Angelina Jolie among its fans. I can see why. Falling somewhere between a gel and a fluid, the formula dissolves into skin and is easy to spread, so you don’t end up with stripes of brown on your cheeks. It has a lovely tint to it, a shade of light caramel, which would suit a wide range of complexions and is natural enough to apply it all over your face. Like all Chantecaille products, the formula includes some next-level skincare ingredients (hence the elevated price tag), such as bearberry, an anti-ageing antioxidant, and raspberry stem cells, which apparently prevent inflammation and repair skin damage. A tan acquired lounging outside in the sun suddenly doesn’t quite match up. RD
Honey Bronze Face Gel
£13, The Body Shop (thebodyshop.com)
They say Bronze yourself beautiful with our lightweight gel formula. Perfect for achieving a sun-kissed glow that looks flawlessly natural and incredibly smooth.
We say The Body Shop’s Honey Bronze range is a must if your skin is more milk than mahogany. It has everything from a shimmering dry oil (a bit of glitter looks great on legs) and a highlighting dome for the apples of the cheeks, but my favourite has got to be its bronzing face gel. It smells delicious and is incredibly lightweight, so you’ll find it glides on and doesn’t leave any tell-tale streaks. Apply a pea-sized amount all over the face before touching up the cheekbones. It’s also only 25ml — the perfect size for slipping in your back pocket and whipping out in (tan-related) emergencies. NH