The ELLE Editors Share The Best Bronzing Drops For An Instant Glow

best bronzing drops
Editors On... The Best Bronzing Drops Hearst Owned

Back in the day, the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops were a secret among beauty-industry insiders. Today, they’re the internet’s worst kept skincare secret, garnering 42.5 million views on TikTok.

Covetable not only for their believable beachy hue, Drunk Elephant’s coveted bronzing drops are bursting with skin-loving vitamins, omega-rich virgin marula and blackcurrant seed oils. Our only complaint is that they’re constantly selling out, so we have to keep a few extra options on retainer... Luckily, the ELLE editors can help with that.

First: what's the difference between tanning drops and bronzing drops?

If you're torn between tanning drops and bronzing drops, let us break down the difference. Self-tanning drops impart a lasting radiance to the skin, courtesy of DHA; think self-tanner specifically made for your face. If you’re looking for a short-term solution to your fading summer colour, we’d opt for bronzing drops.

More make-up than tan, these seamless post-holiday boosters layer over skincare effortlessly, plus you can rinse them off at the end of the day. Wear them alone, mix with foundation or use them in place of your classic bronzer. In short, bronzing drops are more versatile, lower commitment and if you make a mistake, you can easily wash them away. They also come in a ton of different iterations, from gels to primers.

Below, discover the bronzing drops the ELLE Editors rate for extending your glow during the the summer season and beyond. (Plus, if you really won't settle for anything other than the OG, know they're currently in-stock on the Drunk Elephant site...)

Katie Withington: Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops

a person with long hair
Hearst Owned

'Personally, I reach for the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops peak winter, when cooler temperatures and harsh winds can often leave my skin looking lacklustre. This sheer bronzy booster gives me an instant touch of tan that looks believable, without adding more than a few extra minutes to my morning make-up routine.'

Katy Young: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

a person with the hair pulled back
Hearst Owned

'Under, over or blended with foundation, this easy-to-use silky serum leaves skin just the right side of glossy, rather than tin-man bright. It’s also much more forgiving than other more metallic drops which can act like a spotlight to show up blemishes and wrinkles. I’ve yet to meet a beauty editor that doesn’t rave about it.'

Ata-Owaji Victor: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop'lit All-Over Glow Enhancer

a woman with dark hair
Hearst Owned

'When I think of golden hour in a bottle, I immediately think of (and reach for) Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop'lit All-Over Glow Enhancer. Much like the other complexion offerings from the dewy base geniuses at Fenty, the bronzing drops come in multiple shades which I avidly lean on during the year in order to make my the summer glow decidedly unseasonable. It can easily double up as a highlighter thanks to its lightweight formula and I love mixing it in with my light coverage foundations in order to create the ultimate skin-first make-up base.'

Amelia Bell: Jones Road Gel Bronzer

a person with long hair
Hearst Owned

'It happens at the same time every year when remnants of a post-holiday glow suddenly dissipate; my skin, once hydrated, is parched and my entire complexion lacks the luminosity I had diligently held onto all summer. It’s the reason why I turn to bronzing drops for an instant glow reboot when the clocks go back and, right now, I can’t go anywhere without Jones Road’s liquid bronzer. Think of these like the 2.0 of bronzing drops - applied directly onto the high points of the face or all over, the gel bronzer formula omits the need for any highlighter, imparting a subtle but instant radiance and a fresh no make-up make-up glow.'

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