Are These Ultra Violette SPF Bronzing Drops Really Worth the Hype?
Main image – Courtesy of writer
You may have read my rant, I mean, review, about the Indeed Labs Nanobronze Bronzing Drops not actually being drops. Excited to mix these ‘drops’ into my other face products, this, what-turned-out-to-be-bronzing-cream was a huge disappointment, despite being a good product overall once I’d got over it.
I tested the Indeed Labs product a few weeks before I tried the Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50 Super Glow Drops – Bronzing (£33 from Cult Beauty UK). Actual bronzing drops with a pipette dispenser and everything.
I’d seen and heard people raving about them on social media but needed to try them for myself to see if they were really as good as everyone was saying. Because as you can see from the Indeed Labs review, I have pretty high standards when it comes to bronzing drops!
Keep reading to see if these lived up to the hype.
The product details
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50 Super Glow Drops – Bronzing comes in a 30ml glass bottle (in really cute, happy colours no less), with easy pipette dispenser and broad spectrum protection. The idea behind it is that you can safely mix it in with your SPF without diluting your protection.
The guidelines are to cocktail it with your SPF, mix with your makeup or apply alone for an all-over glow.
First impressions
The first thing I did was mix a few drops into my moisturiser. It mixed well with my moisturiser’s formula and I was presented with a pleasing subtle, glowy tint. It wasn’t enough for me though I’m afraid, plus I had just returned from a few days in Croatia so I could afford to get away with a little more sun-kissed coverage.
Image – Courtesy of writer
So, after applying my usual summer base (Bareminerals Complexion Rescue), I squeezed a few drops directly onto each cheek and a little on my forehead. I instantly liked how runny and lightweight the drops were as I knew the formula would blend well as a result.
I used a brush (Real Techniques Solar Power Soft Shadow Contour Brush) to blend the colour onto my cheeks, along the top half of my forehead and then used the excess on my temples, down my nose and a little on the bridge of my chin. I was right, it was easy to blend. And then…
Well hello Miss Sunkissed 2024! Yes, these drops were working well for me. I was officially hook, line and sinker (for the product, you understand, not myself. Although these bronzing drops quickly lifted my confidence by a rather considerable amount).
The finish was lightweight, glowy and natural. It gave me a pleasing amount of coverage making my skin look smoother and more even. And the colour was perfect against my tan. It didn’t look too heavily bronzed, it just enhanced the colour of my skin and brought out its good bits.
My contented results
Whilst this product is my new favourite bronzing staple for the summer months, I feel it might be a little dark to wear during the winter. So this is when I will mix it in with my moisturiser for a little extra warmth when my skin is pale, cold and sad. And when I do use it like this, I won’t need to use too much of my usual Chanel Les Beige Bronzing Cream over the top which will save me money in the process – bonus.
For now though, I’m really pleased that I’ve found a bronzer that gives me a gorgeous colour, a bit of extra coverage and broad-spectrum protection while I’m at it. It’s so easy to apply and blend too. Why can’t all makeup be like this? Dare I say it, these drops give me more of a glow and make me look a lot ‘fresher’ than my beloved Chanel bronzer. Hell just froze over.
You don’t need to use much to make an impact so I have a feeling it’ll last me a while too. One small squeeze per ‘area’ is all you need. I use one drop on each cheek and a small ‘smear’ on my forehead – that’s it. I haven’t found any need to top it up during the day either, although remember that SPF should always be replenished every two hours, particularly during the summer.
Image – Courtesy of writer
This product is just a delight to use from start to finish. It’s a beach holiday in a bottle.
What other users are saying
With bronzers, you have to get the colour absolutely right for your skin tone. Whilst this worked well for mine (and it helped that I had a holiday tan), this shade won’t be universal, as demonstrated by Jessie (a reviewer on ultraviolette.co.uk). “Although I love the idea of this product, I found the colour too intense and not the right shade of bronze for me. This was despite trying only a few small droplets.”
And no, it doesn’t adjust to your natural skin tone like some products do, rightly pointed out by B. “Bronzing tint does not adjust to skin tone and can make you look orange/red.” I didn’t experience the orange/red finish but I can understand the intensity of the colour if you use too much. If you experience this, go really easy with it. You could even try squeezing out a drop onto the back of your hand and use your finger to dispense it onto your skin enabling you to stay in control of how much you are applying.
Other reviews are glowing though, if you’ll excuse the pun. SamJL says, “absolutely loving this product, a little goes a long way and it is the perfect way to match my face to my fake tanned body. Wears really nicely over the day as well and looks really natural! Love love love.” And, possibly my favourite review of all time by ‘Anonymous’: “I have the colouring of a corpse so this has been my saviour! I mix one squeeze with 6 squirts of Supreme and go for it – face, neck and chest. Suddenly I am alive.”
Overall value for money
At £33, this isn’t cheap. But as someone who uses the Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream which costs a whopping £48, suddenly the price doesn’t seem too bad.
However, if you’re not a Chanel user (or any other luxury bronzer brand for that matter), £33 really does feel like an investment. The only way I can justify it is that it doubles up as a really good, lightweight facial SPF (which by the way hasn’t exasperated my acne-prone skin). A decent SPF can cost around the £30 mark, so it works out almost the same, only with an extra side of glowy bronze.
The takeaway
Overall, I am one happy, bronzed beauty editor. Finally, some bronzing drops that actually, well, drop. Drops are easier to mix with other products, some find them easier to use and the finish of drops (particularly these) compared to a bronzing cream or gel is more lightweight, sheer and fresh.
Also, the fact that these will last and last, as well as having high sun protection is a huge plus for me. The finish and coverage they provide, and the massive boost to my confidence, are just a very satisfying bonus.
Get Glowing!
