Leg Bronzer
A leg bronzer gives your legs color right away, with nothing to wait for. Ours is the Leg Makeup Spray: it bronzes your legs and evens out veins, spots and uneven tone in one step, it's waterproof once it dries and it stays on for 2 to 3 days. Add Luminate on top for shimmer, or use a self-tanner for color that lasts longer.
- Instant color, no waiting
- Waterproof once dry
- Free shade exchange
Key takeaways
- Leg makeup bronzes and covers at the same time, with no waiting.
- For a tan look, pick one shade darker than your skin.
- Luminate adds a golden shimmer on top. It doesn't tan.
- Self-tanner is the slower option: the color develops over a few hours and lasts up to 15 days.
Leg bronzer, leg makeup or self-tanner?
"Leg bronzer" can mean a few different products. Here's how ours compare:
| Leg Makeup Spray | Self-tanner | Luminate shimmer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color shows | Right away | In 3 to 8 hours | Right away |
| Covers veins and spots | Yes | No | No |
| How long it lasts | 2 to 3 days, until you take it off | Up to 7 days (spray) or 15 days (mousse), fading gradually | Until you wash it off |
| Best for | Bronzed, even legs today | A tan for the week or a vacation | Extra glow for a night out |
You can also use them together: a self-tanner for a base color, leg makeup on the days you want veins or spots covered, and a little Luminate on top for an evening.
How to bronze your legs with leg makeup
- Prep the day before. Shave or exfoliate, and skip lotion on the day you apply.
- Pick your shade. To match your skin, choose your own shade. For a bronzed look, go one shade darker.
- Spray and blend. Shake the can, spray about 5 inches from your leg in a sweeping motion and blend with the Body Brush or a glove. Go light on knees and ankles.
- Let it dry for 5 to 10 minutes, then press a tissue on one spot. If it comes away clean, get dressed.
- Add glow if you want it. Spray Luminate from about 8 inches, don't rub it in, and give it 3 minutes to dry.
The Leg Glow bundle has both.
Bronze legs that last all week: self-tan
If you'd rather have color that stays for days without reapplying, a self-tanner is the way to go:
- Tinted Express Mousse: you see the color as you apply it. Rinse after 3 hours for a light tan, 6 for medium or 8 or more for dark. Lasts 7 to 15 days.
- Self-Tanner Spray: colorless and fragrance-free. The tan shows in 4 to 8 hours and lasts up to 7 days.
- Clear Vegan Mousse: colorless and fragrance-free, develops in 4 to 5 hours and lasts up to 15 days.
One thing to know: a self-tanner darkens everything it touches, including dark spots, so they can end up more visible. We explain why in Do self-tanners make dark spots darker? If you have pale skin, see our picks for the best self tanner for pale skin.
"Pleasantly surprised! This spray works wonders! I have varicose veins and they disappeared. The spray does come out a little matte but I sprayed the golden bronzer and my legs looked years younger! Totally recommend it!"– Lisa V.
"Absolutely love this! I spray it on and rub it in with my hands or a mitt. It's definitely buildable. Once it's dry, around 6 min, it did not rub off on my clothes at all! I'm medium skin tone and would use the dark color for a tan look."– Candra S.
"I was a little skeptical about the color this mousse would be like on my legs but I was very surprised. It did not streak, it wasn't orange, it dried quickly, and the look is outstanding. My legs look like I spent hours in the sun."– Doreen S.
"This is by far the best self tanning spray! It is easy to apply and gives you just as nice of a tan as if you went to a professional spray tan booth. It has no odor. I use it to help cover broken spider veins in my legs."– Kristina M.
"I love this product. There is no odor, it goes on easily, and my legs look nice and tan. My girlfriends were envious."– Cynthia D.