DRUNK ELEPHANT is one of our favourite beauty brands, thanks to the efficacy of every product and as summer draws ever closer, one item we love is their Drunk Elephant D Bronzi drops.
However if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative you’re in luck, there are a number of Drunk Elephant D Bronzi drops dupes available.
From the Protini Polypeptide Cream, and C-Firma Fresh Day Facial to the sell-out D-Bronzi Drops, there are plenty of Drunk Elephant skincare saviours many shoppers are snapping off the shelves – us included.
One product in particular shoppers are going crazy for includes the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi
Drops, which retail for £33, but continually sell out due to popular demand.
The D-Bronzi Drops work with your moisturiser, foundation, tinted moisturiser, and even on bare skin to add an instant glow, and pop of sunkissed bronze to your face, without the staining like a fake tan, hence why it is so popular.
But if you don’t want to pay full price, or are looking for a cheaper alternative option, then we’ve rounded up the best Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops dupes.
Here are our top picks.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Bronzing Drops, £33
In essence, D-Bronzi Drops can be likened to a tinted moisturiser, but it is more lightweight, and even more lightweight than any moisturiser, gel, serum, or foundation I have ever used.
The bronzed formula looks like a liquid bronzer or fake tan but delivers an instant glow – as soon as you cleanse your skin it will come off, just like make-up.
This hybrid product works as an in-between a bronzer, fake tan, foundation, tinted moisturiser, and moisturiser, making this super unique product perfect for all year round – including the summer months.
The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops provide your skin with a light glow, and subtle bronzed sunkissed radiance, without fake tanning, streaks, or going in the sun.
With hundreds of beauty fans, it would be easy to believe the hype, but they truly work.
We have tried the D-Bronzi Drops, as well as the B-Goldi Drops.
The D-Bronzi Drops are a bronze liquid for a sunkissed glow, with a dewy finish and pop of colour as if you have been in the sunshine, just without the sun damage or fake tan streaks, while B-Goldi acts as more of a highlighter to illuminate the skin.
I love bronzer, which is why I am such a fan of the D-Bronzi Drops to instantly illuminate my face, and add a pop of colour, without being sticky, or tacky.
Not only does Drunk Elephant’s sell-out product leave you looking glowy, radiant, and bronzed, but it also protects your skin from the elements, in particular the harmful effects of pollution.
Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops are created using marula and blackcurrant seed oils, which are rich in omega to nourish the skin, while vitamin F also works to support the skin’s barrier, which makes it a make-up and skincare hybrid.
The formula also contains antioxidants to boost the skin’s ability to defend itself against harmful rays and environmental aggressors.
The lightweight liquid formula, which is like molten bronze, glides onto your skin easily and doesn’t clog in certain areas or smudge like some products I have used.
It also makes it easy to blend into your skin, and a little goes a long way so it is also great to layer, depending on how deep you want your tan to be.
However, there’s one thing I don’t love, the price.
Despite its £33 price tag, Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops have sold out at numerous retailers, including Boots, Drunk Elephant, as well as Cult Beauty, Space NK and Lookfantastic.
So, it makes sense shoppers are seeking affordable alternatives to Drunk Elephant, not only to get the look, especially when the original sell out so quickly, but to save more.
Bargain-hunting beauty buffs have turned to e.l.f. cosmetics for a Drunk Elephant dupe, Milk Make-up, Tan Luxe, and Make-up Revolution, for a similar look.
But if you’re not sure which Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi dupes are worth your money, fear not.
We’ve rounded up the best Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi dupes below.
Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum, £15.95 from Lookfantastic
Pros: Easy to blend, lightweight, illuminating, colour-correcting
Cons: A lot of product out of one pump, chunky packaging
Rating: 4/5
Isle of Paradise is best known for its plethora of fake tans, for the body and face, but earlier this year the beauty brand, founded by Jules Von Hep, launched the Sunny Serum.
The Sunny Serum is similar to Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops, though it has a thicker consistency and a deeper shade.
Like with other tanning products from our beloved Isle of Paradise, the Sunny Serum promises to colour correct the skin, while also providing a sunkissed bronzed look, which washes off easily afterwards.
This serum is lightweight on the skin, and glides into the skin seamlessly, without any clogging or catching in certain contours of the skin.
It provides a subtle sunkissed finish, which is not too deep and has a buildable formula.
What I personally love is it instantly leaves your skin looking radiant and glowy, but without that pearlescent finish.
However, a lot comes out of one pump, and I found I didn’t need as much as a little goes a long way.
While the leftover product can be blended into the neck, chest or arms, if you are covered up you may feel the large pump of product can be wasteful.
However, I wasn’t a fan of the packaging.
I found it to be bulky and quite cumbersome, so if you are looking for a more compact design, especially when on the go, this may not be the best solution.
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Bondi Sands Exclusive Be Bronze Instant Bronzing and Hydrating Serum, £9.09 from Lookfantastic
Pros: Lightweight, breathable, hydrating and super affordable
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Bondi Sands is another brand that is well known for fake tan, but the Be Bronze Instant Bronzing and Hydrating Serum is not to be missed.
The Be Bronze Instant Bronzing and Hydrating Serum are most like the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi dupes in terms of texture, as it is a super lightweight liquid serum.
This serum glides on the skin, and delivers on the hydrating front, as my skin felt like it drank up the liquid formula, but it isn’t tacky or greasy either.
This 2-in-1 formula is ideal to wear directly on the skin because it is so hydrating that it makes it easy to blend into the skin, while the infusion of the bronzing particles blurs any imperfections and adds a hint of bronze glow to the skin.
The formula has been dermatologically tested, is cruelty-free, fragrance-free, vegan and non-comedogenic, which is a huge bonus when it comes to beauty buys.
e.l.f. cosmetics Bronzing Drops, £12 from e.l.f. cosmetics
Pros: Comes in numerous shades, lightweight, easy to blend, well pigmented
Cons: It can develop and get a little darker though it is not a face tan
Rating: 4.5/5
We recently tried e.l.f cosmetics’ Bronzing Drops and was pleasantly surprised by how effective they are, especially for the price.
Infused with vitamin E and sunflower seed oil, this tinted serum is deeply hydrating and nourishing, but also soothing too.
The serum comes in three shades, and we have tried two of them – Bronze 1, which is Rose Gold, as well as Bronze 2, Pure Gold, though I would say the latter is most similar to Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops.
In my opinion, there is very little between Drunk Elephant and e.l.f. cosmetics’ dupe.
The e.l.f. cosmetics is easy to blend, and apply, is lightweight and breathable, and has a delightful texture that feels like a second skin.
However, it was not until I swatched on my hand alongside Drunk Elephant’s formula I could notice a slight difference in the texture.
L’Oréal Paris Paradise Lumi Glotion, £11.99 from Lookfantastic
Pros: Instantly illuminating, easy to blend, multifunctional
Cons: Not as deep a bronze shade as some other Drunk Elephant dupes
Rating: 4.5/5
L’Oreal Paris’ Paradise Lumi Glotion has been a game-changer for me, whether I wear it on its own, blend various shades to contour and highlight the skin, or mix it with a moisturiser or tinted moisturiser.
To get a similar bronze skin finish to Drunk Elephant I use a deeper tone – shade 904 – and I love this product.
The formula is lightweight on the skin, it is not a runny liquid, which I prefer, as it is hydrating on the skin, instantly illuminates my skin, and adds a pop of bronze to the skin.
The main difference between Glotion and Drunk Elephant is the former leaves an instant glow, which is more prominent than the D-Bronzi Drops, though that’s not to say it is not hydrating.
In some cases, I would blend a lighter shade of Glotion with D-Bronzi Drops for an added bronze tint, and the luminosity of the Glotion.
Bronzing Drops
Indeed Labs Nanobronze Bronzing Drops, £24.99 from Boots
Pros: Strong pigment, full coverage, more of a bronzer
Cons: Not as illuminating as other Drunk Elephant dupes,
Rating: 3.5/5
Indeed Labs’ Nanobronze Bronzing Drops does exactly what it says on the tin, and I would liken it more to a liquid bronzer than bronzing drops as it is a slightly thicker formula with a stronger pigment.
While some may wear it on its own as a bronze foundation, I prefer to blend it with a moisturiser for a more subtle tint that leaves a similar finish to Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi drops.
The formula contains nourishing natural ingredients, such as natural pea, giant kelp and cacao extract, which colour correct any pigmentation, while also blurring imperfections.
Just note a little goes a long way.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops, £32 from Sephora
Pros: Lightweight, hydrating, brightening, bronze glow, and multifunctional
Cons: Slightly sticky finish
Rating: 3/5
Glow Recipe is known for its nourishing, hydrating and illuminating products, but their Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops are a cut above the rest as – they add an instant sunkissed glow to the skin.
I have sampled the Glow Recipe Drops previously, which are more of a lightweight serum than moisturiser and feel super gentle on the skin.
It is a level up from the iconic Dew Drops as it contains a bronzing pigment to give the skin a sunkissed glow up, without being too deep or obvious.
The formula is enriched with antioxidants, as well as hyaluronic acid and watermelon extract for an added boost of hydration to plump and moisturise the skin on the surface level and in the dermis.
By Terry Cellularose CC Serum, £62 from Lookfantastic
Pros: Lightweight, liquid formula, easy to blend, illuminating, multifunctional
Cons: Slightly too runny, expensive
Rating: 3.5/5
We can’t get enough of By Terry.
Our entire beauty cupboard is bursting at the seams with By Terry, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
But one particular hero item of ours includes the Cellularose CC Serum, which does come with a hefty price tag in comparison to Drunk Elephant (it;s double the price), but it is oh-so worth it.
The CC serum works to reduce the appearance of pigmentation, and discolouration, and leave your skin a subtle bronzed hue, and subtle glow.
We mix this in with our moisturiser and wear it on its own when our skin is looking a little lacklustre and dull, as well as with beauty products layered on top.
For someone who feels they need a touch of coverage, but doesn’t wear foundation, and wants something a little lighter than a tinted moisturiser, you have your answer.
It’s worth noting that due to the expensive price tag, it can’t really be considered a dupe, but it’s a great option if you’re looking to try something else.
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50 Bronzing Super Glow Drops, £33 from Space NK
Pros: Hydrating, illuminating, sunkissed bronze finish, UV protection
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4/5
Ultra Violette’s Queen Screen SPF50 Bronzing Super Glow Drops may be the same price as Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops, but it offers slightly more than the original because of the UV protection it provides.
This design comes in two shades, Bronzing and Illuminating, though this is also similar to Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi and B-Goldi Drops.
While other formulas I have tried leave a dewy finish, this is more of a colour boost to blend in with a moisturiser or directly onto the skin.
What I love most is this is one of the only bronzing drops I have tried with SPF in, which is essential in my books.
Again, due to the price tag, it’s not a cheaper dupe, but it’s a great alternative that includes SPF.
Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint, £20 from Sephora
Pros: Glowy finish, subtle tint, nourishing skin-loving natural ingredients, scented
Cons: Too runny
Rating: 3/5
If they aren’t already, the Translucent Bronzing Tint from Dr. Hauschka needs to be on your radar.
Like most Dr. Hauschka products this creation soothes, hydrates, and brightens all skin types, and is the perfect skincare and make-up cosmetics hybrid.
It is made from olive oil, witch hazel, and other ingredients, which are 100% natural, deeply nourishing and soothing.
You can apply directly on the skin, blend with a moisturiser, or apply at specific points you want to feign a golden holiday glow.
My one bugbear was it was slightly more runny than other liquid formulas, and felt oily on my skin.
Another important factor is that 18ml retails for £20, whereas other bronzing drops contain 30ml and retail for less.
Perricone MD No Makeup Bronzer SPF 15, £33 from Lookfantastic
Pros: Lightweight, colour correcting, fragrance-free, made using skin-loving ingredients, contains sun protection
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
Perricone is a beauty brand many keep in high regard, and rightly so, as the brand prides itself on using high quality ingredients, which are safe on all skin types.
In particular, this liquid bronzer, which we think is very similar to the Drunk Elephant alternative, is free from fragrance, oil, parabens, sulfates and other nasties, and is also vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free.
This formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients so your skin is hydrated, and given some much-needed TLC, while also adding a. touch of a golden glow to your complexion.
The finish is more like a bronzer as it provides a solid bronzed finish, as opposed to an iridescent finish like other bronzing drops.
However, the inclusion of vitamin C means the product is working to naturally enhance the luminosity of the skin long after you have worn, and removed the product.
Plus we love, that it contains SPF 15 to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
While it is expensive for just 10ml and isn’t an exact dupe to the similar price tag it’s a great opinion.
I would advise using sparingly and blending with a moisturiser for a more subtle sunkissed finish.
Tan Luxe Super Gloss, £36 from Harvey Nichols
Pros: Strong pigment, bronzing and illuinating, SPF
Cons: Hard to blend, and quite a deep bronze so needs diluting with a moisturiser perhaps
Rating: 3/5
Tan Luxe is well known for its fake tans, but in recent years it launched the Super Gloss, which is more of an instant tan, without the long-lasting effects or need to wash off when it has developed – you simply cleanse and this product comes off.
The Super Gloss Bronzing Drops work to add a sunkissed bronzed glow to the skin, and glow it did.
Packed with SPF 30, with hyaluronic acid the serum also protects and hydrates your skin.
However, I found these drops needed to be worked into the skin quickly so as not to stick into certain contours of the skin.
I also felt I needed to blend with a moisturiser to make the formula more malleable and for seamless coverage – a shame when you consider it’s the same price tag as Drunk Elephant.
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