Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Bronzing Drops: Our Honest Review (Plus How to Use Them)
Main Image – Live That Glow
Have you ever found a skincare product that not only exceeded your expectations but ended up being so versatile it also rendered other parts of your skincare/makeup routine redundant as well?
If you have, congratulations! You’ll know how I feel about Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops. A blend of oils, antioxidants, Vitamin F and cocoa powder (for the colour), I can honestly say it’s one of my all-time favourite buys (even on something like my seventh bottle later).
And if you haven’t yet found your own holy grail product, then read on – you might end up sharing my favourite by the end.
Image – Live That Glow
This is new, up-to-date information. We updated this article in June 2023 to add further images of D Bronzi’s new packaging as well as more ways to use and some dupes, complete with updated prices.
What do Drunk Elephant bronzing drops do – is this fake tan?
First up though, what actually is D Bronzi?
Part serum (great for city types or sun fans), part bronzer, D-Bronzi is a skincare-makeup hybrid.
What it definitely isn’t though is a fake tan product (hence you don’t need to wait for it to develop)- more of an instant bronzer in a lightweight liquid formula that offers skincare benefits.
Containing vitamins D and F, and blackcurrant seed oil, as well as raw cocoa powder for the colour here, this is designed as both an antioxidant protector (great for sun worshippers and city types), as well as for a (wash-offable) golden glow.
Platinum peptide acetyl tetrapeptide-17 has a slight firming effect, and a chronopeptide mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D, while Drunk Elephant’s signature black currant oil and glycerin help to support the skin’s barrier.
Image – Drunk Elephant
Silicone, alcohol and fragrance-free, D-Bronzi is also cruelty-free and is formulated at the ideal healthy pH of 4.8.
Since this is a concentrate, D-Bronzi is made specifically to be mixed with your other skincare or makeup products (and definitely not on its own- it’s a very thick texture). And in terms of what you can mix it with, it’s really, really versatile.
In fact, it can pretty much be used with most other products, but I do have one particularly favourite way to use this (more below!).
The result is a dewy, sun-kissed glow which definitely makes me look a lot healthier than my normal rolled-out-of-bed vibe.
And since the look here can be as subtle or as full-on as you want (just add fewer or more drops), the result is also a product that’s perfect for a no-makeup-makeup look or for replacing foundation.
Our Drunk Elephant D Bronzi review
Apart from the fact that this is all golden tones – not a hint of orange in sight – one of the things I love most about D-Bronzi is how it makes the colour you want to achieve completely customisable, depending on how much you add. The yummy scent of chocolate from the raw coca powder here is something of a bonus too.
As well as offering a lovely colour, D-Bronzi also has enough of a sheen (but definitely *not* glitter) effect that it really just makes skin glow.
Its concealing abilities are also pretty impressive on my own slightly hyper-pigmented skin, meaning you may be able to skip foundation or concealer after this.
Image – Live That Glow
Darker skin tones might not notice either of these bronzing or concealing effects quite as much, however, since this is designed specifically to be diluted down- which unfortunately has the effect of making the resulting colour quite fair. We’d love to see Drunk Elephant expand their D-Bronzi line to include further shades.
And finally, cream-based makeups, in particular, sit really well on top of this, giving them a blend-ability and staying power that has definitely upped my makeup game.
Because D-Bronzi takes a little while to absorb though, powder makeup fans might want to wait a little while before applying.
What to mix to mix Drunk Elephant bronzing drops with
Although D-Bronzi was released back in 2018, the glowy serum has had something of a recent resurgence thanks to social media with influencers sharing their thoughts and favourite ways to use it.
Here, Instagrammer @sophieaaee combines it with two other Drunk Elephant products, LalaRetro and Protini.
View this post on Instagram
Here are some of our favourite ways to use it.
1. Mixed with Mineral SPFs
As someone with quite a bit of hyperpigmentation (how could you betray me, years of sun worship..?), I’m constantly reapplying my factor 50.
And because my skin is a little sensitive (and mainly because I generally prefer natural products), the SPF I tend to use is the mineral kind.
But as anyone who has ever tried mineral sunscreen will tell you, however great the formula you will always end up with some form of white residue all over your face. Unfortunately, this just makes me less likely to use as much as I should (a quarter of a teaspoon for the face)… as well as making me unlikely to actually reapply.
Image – Live That Glow
So D-Bronzi- and its abilities to magically transform even the palest of sunscreens into a flattering bronze shade- was something of a revelation. For my own vampire skin, one or two pumps of this mixed with my SPF gives me a great natural-looking tan.
This also makes reapplying sunscreen super easy too, since I can just add maybe one pump more to SPF later in the day and massage across the face to top up both my colour and my sun protection.
Cream makeup (my favourite) also sits really well on top of this too, making it really quick to reapply something like blusher over the top if I’m topping up SPF.
2. Mixed with Moisturiser
This is a great alternative to foundation for an all-over healthy, dewy look. I generally find one part D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops to two parts moisturiser tends to do the trick but this will also depend on skin tone.
Image – Live That Glow
3. Added to Liquid Highlighter
Great for both bronzing and getting some serious glow going, this looks *especially great* in summer for a bronzed goddess look and gives skin a really healthy dewy look. I find equal parts D-Bronzi with highlighter works best.
This look also works as a sort of temporary alternative to fake tan if the thought of spending hours painstakingly applying one pre-weddings/holidays/a big event doesn’t appeal. I find four or five pumps of this mixed with body lotion makes for a temporary and customisable alternative.
4. Mixed with Facial Oil
Again, I find equal parts work really well and this offers the sort of mega-watt glow I’ve spent half my life in search of…
One of my favourite oils for mixing with is Drunk Elephant’s own Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, a gentle, non-irritating (if very expensive) oil suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.
Image – Live That Glow
Can you mix Drunk Elephant bronzing drops with any moisturiser?
In short, almost! Combining skincare products together prior to application is in fact one of Drunk Elephant’s hallmarks- although they’re presumably hoping that what you mix it with will be one of their own products.
According to the brand itself, you can add a drop of D-Bronzi to any “serum, oil, or moisturiser for a gorgeous glow and a potent dose of protective antioxidants and omega fatty acids.”
There’s clearly no need to mix D Bronzi with another Drunk Elephant product- most other skincare will do. However, since this contains oil you might find it pills or separates if you try to mix it with a silicone-based product.
Depending on how bronzed you want to be, you can add a little bit or a lot to your daily moisturiser or oils for an impressive glow.
How to use D-Bronzi
There are tons of videos from social media users demonstrating how to apply this product, with TikTok user @cocourbon even claiming that those who don’t use the product are “quite literally missing out, they are THE.BEST” – and tbh I have to agree.
Once you’ve mixed one or two drops with a skincare product, either in your hands or in a cosmetics bowl etc, just apply with your fingers, taking care to even out your jawline and neck.
For added bronzing, you can add one or two further drops to skincare.
Before and after using D-Bronzi
If you need any more convincing on genuinely how lovely D Bronzi is, take a look at Alix Earle’s skin before and after applying this at the beginning of a GRWM.
@alixearle WHAT DO I SAY TO HER #nyc #grwm ? original sound – alix earle
How long does Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi last?
In terms of longevity, Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi is actually pretty good at giving me a glow all day long.
The deep, rich bronzing effects of this product are really effective and are only removed once I wash the product off my face.
Some fans even swear it has lasted through their workout routine, which is pretty impressive but I’d still always remove my makeup before hitting the gym.
Drunk Elephant bronzing drops dupes
If you’re searching for a more affordable alternative to the real thing though, look no further because there are luckily plenty.
Most work in a very similar way to Drunk Elephant’s formula. like Milk Makeup’s Bionic Bronzer, Indeed Labs Nanobronze Bronzing Drops (this one also contains hyaluronic acid – bonus), Dr Haushkca’s Translucent Bronzing Tint, and Pai’s Skincare the Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops.
Image – Pai Skincare
Where to buy Drunk Elephant’s bronzing drops
So, you’re convinced and you want to try this magical sunshine in a bottle, but where do you find them?
Luckily, most large beauty and makeup stores will stock D-Bronzi, including Boots, Space NK, and Cult Beauty in the UK, and Sephora and Drunk Elephant themselves in the US.
The takeaway
While D-Bronzi is one of my all-time favourites for its general flattering, glowy abilities, it’s the way this product makes SPF so much more usable that I really appreciate.
Meanwhile, I know the antioxidants here are also doing their bit to shield my skin; a beauty win!
For those who want to try out D-Bronzi before committing to a full size, the travel size (8 ml) is available in several of Drunk Elephant’s kits. Containing minis of some of the brand’s most popular formulas like Protini Polypeptide Cream, Umbra Sheer SPF 30, and C-Firma Day Serum, their little kits offer just enough of Drunk Elephant’s most popular products to dip a toe into the range.
Great for: Mineral SPF users, bronzer lovers, and pretty much anyone who likes their skin to look glowing, healthy and gorgeous (so everyone then). Those who like their skincare/makeup without silicones or fragrances.
Not-so-great for: Budgets, since this isn’t the cheapest product (although using a few pumps of this every day I still only have to rebuy once every three months so a little really does go a long way.)
Also, darker skin tones, which might not get the full benefits of D-Bronzi’s concealing anD-Bronzing properties purely because this product dilutes down to a lighter shade. We really do hope Drunk Elephant resolve this by adding to their shade range.
Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi is £31 for 30 ml, Cult Beauty UK and $38 for 1 oz/30 ml, Sephora US
Ingredients
We understand that it’s really important to know what ingredients are in the products we use, so here is the ingredient callout for D-Bronzi:
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-17 (platinum peptides), Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Colloidal Platinum [nano], Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Boron Nitride, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate.
Get Glowing!
