The Best Bronzing Drops For An Instant Glow

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 D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops are bursting with skin-loving vitamins, omega-rich virgin marula and blackcurrant seed oils. Our only qualm 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 festive season and beyond. Plus, our favourite Drunk Elephant drops are back in stock... run, don't walk.

Katie Withington: Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops

'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.'

Drunk Elephant Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops 30ml

£34 at Cult Beauty £33 at LookFantastic £33 at Sephora

Katy Young: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

'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.'

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

£33 at Cult Beauty

Jennifer George: Victoria Beckham Beauty Priming Moisturiser

'As winter approaches, my once sun-kissed complexion starts to fade, and any hint of glow retreats into hibernation. If things are really desperate I'll sometimes reach for tanning products (the St Tropez face mist is a winner), but day to day, bronzing drops are a foolproof option. My favourite is by Victoria Beckham Beauty and Augustinus Bader, in the form of their Priming Moisturiser in Golden. The pigment is very subtle, helping to even out and boost the complexion rather than throwing a load of colour at it, meaning it's impossible to get wrong. I use it before my sunscreen in place of my daily moisturiser, and often find I can skip foundation, the finish is so good. The 'golden' tone is super radiant, but not shiny (a preference for me, as I have quite oily skin), giving an impressive dupe for true sun-kissed, summer skin.'

VB x Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer in Golden

Shop at Victoria Beckham Beauty

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

'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.'

fenty beauty Fenty Beauty Mini Eaze Drop 'Lit All-Over Glow Enhancer 15ml

£14 at Boots £14 at Harvey Nichols

Amelia Bell: Jones Road Gel Bronzer

'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.'