Ever since the drops landed on my desk, they’ve become a staple of my daily routine (iStock/The Independent )
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While some beauty trends on TikTok come and go (pumpkin spice latte make-up, anyone?), others prove they’re well worth the hype. With more than 200 million views on the app and a reputation for rarely staying in stock, Drunk Elephant’s D-bronzi bottle is a case in point.
Infused with nourishing ingredients like marula oil, blackcurrant seed oil, peptides and fatty acid, they’re designed to be mixed with your daily moisturiser for a subtle tint or applied alone for a deeper glow.
As someone who’s been fake tanning for nearly a decade, I’ve tried a lot of facial formulas, from gradual tanning drops to serums and moisturisers – but ever since Drunk Elephant’s drops landed on my desk earlier this year, I’ve used nothing else.
While gradual tanning formulas develop over a couple of hours and often have no guide colour for even application, Drunk Elephant’s drops boast a helpful tinted colour that helps ensure a flawless finish. Plus, there’s no commitment as the colour washes off easily at the end of the day.
The drops give an instantly bronzed look (Daisy Lester)
A loyal convert, I’ve used Drunk Elephant’s bronzing drops most days since getting my hands on a coveted bottle. From application to skincare benefits and the final finish, I’ve been testing the product for months. Here’s why you should buy into the Drunk Elephant D-bronzi hype.
Powered by peptides, fatty acids and nourishing oils such as marula, Drunk Elephant’s formula favours skin-loving ingredients that don’t dry out your skin (unlike a lot of other bronzing drops on the market). Boasting an almost silky texture, it’s super lightweight and easy to blend, whether in your moisturiser or directly onto your face.
I prefer the latter method, using just three pea-sized drops for full coverage and blending around the hairline with a brush. The result is an instantly bronzed look that can be easily built up to complement a body fake tan (real or otherwise).
The finish is natural, without a hint of orange. Providing enough coverage to forgo foundation, I only need to layer a little bit of concealer under the eyes for a radiant complexion on off-duty days. Equally, it’s lightweight enough to sit under heavier make-up with no cakey feeling for the office or in the evening.
A lot of the appeal lies in their versatility, with the formula doubling up as a liquid contour on cheekbones and forehead. Similarly, it can be applied anywhere else on the body for a touch of bronze, with just one drop going a long way. The drops also have impressive longevity, lasting all day without any smudging or patchiness.
My only gripe is the expensive price for just a 30ml bottle, but a little goes a long way and my tube is still going strong around three months later. It would also be nice to have a more inclusive shade range to cater for different skin tones and types.
The verdict: Drunk Elephant D-bronzi bronzing drops
The product that started the bronzing drops craze, I can confirm that Drunk Elephant’s D-bronzi sunshine drops are as good as everyone says they are. Yes, this is a relatively pricey pick but, if you love an instantly bronzed look, you won’t regret the splurge.