The two humble makeup bag staples that combine perfectly for instant sunkissed radiance

Running low on your go-to body shimmer or can't bring yourself to deal with the high-maintenance of fake tan? This Vaseline bronzer trick offers an ultra-hydrating solution in moments...

While the best fake tans and best gradual tans can be relied upon for a long-lasting tint and radiance, sometimes you just want to add a glow to the skin, without the arduous application and upkeep of self-tanners. Body shimmers offer an instant and temporary alternative, adding a flattering gleam wherever you want it but, they can be pricey and potentially unnecessary, especially if you happen to have a tub of Vaseline and a powder bronzer kicking about in your makeup bag.

Yes, it turns out that along with being a dry skin saviour, the famous petroleum jelly can also lend itself to your beauty regime and in this instance, create an inexpensive glow-booster that leaves both your face and body gloriously sunkissed...

The Vaseline bronzer trick we're swearing by this summer

If you weren't already clued in on the multipurpose prowess of the Vaseline, the list of its uses is staggering. From being a favourite hydrator for the 'Slugging' trend and taming your eyebrows to even turning your favourite powder products into dewy creams (effectively giving you two for the price of one). And it's the latter that concerns us today.

Let us paint you a picture, it's a glorious sunny evening and you're planning to wear a dress with a scooping neckline and just want to add a golden gleam to your decolletage - to match your bronzy makeup. Well, Vaseline has a trick for that...

Simply take a dollop from your £1.79 tub of Vaseline and mix it with a small amount of your go-to highlighter or best bronzer and voilà - you've got an instant, ultra-moisturising shimmer. And you can also mix it with a liquid bronzer for more of a glassy finish.

This trick, which made it onto Vaseline's own Instagram, is perfect for adding a quick boost of glow to your face, chest, arms, wherever and is especially ideal for travel - when you perhaps don't have the space to pack bottles of glittery body oils along with everything else. Plus, the fact that your bronzer can also double as an eyeshadow, while Vaseline itself can be used as a moisturiser, lip balm and glassy highlighter (the list goes on), just makes them all the more convinient.

This also saves you from purchasing one of the best cream bronzers, if you already have these two products to hand.

Does the Vaseline bronzer trick actually work and how do you do it?

Multi-tasker

Vaseline Original Skin Protectant Pure Petroleum Jelly

RRP: £1.79

A true staple in your beauty bag, as not only can it turn powder products into creams, it can also be used to hydrate and protect dry skin, chapped lips and the list goes on.

Shimmer bronzer

Rimmel Radiance Shimmer Brick Bronzer

RRP: £7.99

With its added shimmer, this bronzer when mixed with Vaseline will easily add a gorgeous glow to your cheeks or your decolletage and shoulders.

Body bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer

RRP: £45

Designed specifically for the body (and available in four shades), you can either use this on its own for a sunkissed glow or mix it with a hint of Vaseline, for adding gleam.

While it all looks and sounds great, naturally we had to put it to the test ourselves. We mixed some original Vaseline with two powder bronzers and a liquid highlighter serum and were pleasantly surprised by the results.

The Vaseline makes a little go a very long way and if you already have a both products in your arsenal and don't want to splurge on a specifically designed body shimmer oil, this is definitely an easy and effective trick.

You can also apply this same premise to your powder highlighters and blushes, to create cremes and more of a glassy finish. That said, we did find this trick a tad messy and it does remain slightly tacky, unlike oils and lotions that are designed to dry down. So, we would recommend not applying this to where clothes will rub or touch it, as it might stain and smear. But if you're ever in a shimmer-less pinch, your trust Vaseline and bronzer palette are quite the unexpected dream team.