Finally, a Body Makeup That Feels Like Nothing

I briefly mentioned the Sol by Jergens bronzing gel in my post about their sunless tan drops, and now it’s time to highlight this fab product all on its own. I like a gentle sunless tan on my legs, but sometimes you 1) Forget to plan ahead, or 2) Need something a little more glowy than your sunless tan provides, or 3) Only need a bronzed glow for a short period of time, or 4) All of the above. This is where body makeup comes in.

This particular product is called “Tone Enhancing Body Bronzer,” but let’s be real: It’s body makeup, and it’s one of the best inventions ever. The OG, at least for the late 20th/21st century, is Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. I mentioned it here, it’s great (particularly becasue Soap & Glory’s bronzing lotion is no longer available). Airbrush Legs, the spray and the lotion, plus Soap & Glory’s (RIP) and most others, are all great options, but they feel like you’re wearing makeup. If I go out with my leg makeup on, then come home, I’m not getting comfortable until I’ve showered and scrubbed all that product off. Out and about, it’s not an issue - maybe because I’m also wearing a bra and face makeup and shoes and all that, but once I’m home, I feel it, and it feels a bit gross.

I still love these products and I will continue to use them and adore them, but the thing that shocked me about Sol by Jergens Tone Enhancing Body Bronzer is that I didn’t immediately want to take it off. In fact, it was easy to forget it was even ON. I’m fully vaxxed, but still spending most of my time indoors, plus it’s Seattle in spring, so I’m not going bare legged often, if at all, so I just tried out this gel in my house and wore it around for a few hours (what else do I have to do but prepare for a future where I’m out and about and in a sundress?). Like I mentioned, these products are NOT ones I like to wear around the house, where I’m in comfy mode. But this body bronzer felt like nothing. It absorbed into my skin instead of sitting on top, and it was dry to the touch quickly. My skin felt like SKIN, not like I was wearing aerosol hosiery (sorry Sally Hansen, the product is good but that’s just how it feels). There’s a slight shimmer to it, but it’s not glittery, and once I rubbed the gel it t was unnoticeable. Is also smells nice! Airbrush Legs is a little chemically, and I’m not into sunless tanners smelling like coconut or some other scent that’s like, “Well, tan = tropical, so you want to smell like a rum cocktail, even though you’re going to a funeral, right??” The scent is light and doesn’t scream “FAKE TAN ALERT!” and fades fairly quickly. The color seems buildable, so you can layer it for a more bronzed look, or just use a small amount and rub it in thoroughly for a faint glow and an even skintone, like I do.

I’ve been holding onto my old (ancient by this point, absolutely expired) Soap & Glory bronzing lotion, becasue I dind’t think there would be a product that could beat it, but it’s going in the trash now, because Sol by Jergens Tone Enhancing Body Bronzer is the new one to beat.