I’d heard great things about Drunk Elephant through the grapevine that is the media industry, its editors and, of course, the beauty enthusiasts of YouTube. When I say “great things,” I mean I’d heard it spoken of with the kind of enthusiasm and wide-grinned smile usually reserved for an unbelievable deal nabbed during a flash sale.
All of this is to say that, when I heard about Drunk Elephant’s new release, the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution sunshine serum, I was immediately interested in trying it out. The Drunk Elephant Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum is designed to help your skin battle the city’s harsh pollutants. It does so by creating a protective layer of antioxidants on your skin along with vitamins. “D-Bronzi is made of vitamins, antioxidants, platinum peptides, and barrier-supportive fatty acids that defend skin from environmental free radicals,” according to Tiffany Masterson, the brand’s founder.
What makes this a bronzing serum, of course, is the dose of bronze color and glow it gives your skin.
How to use it
The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum is a concentrated formula that’s designed for mixing with your favorite skincare products. The 1 oz. tube comes with a small dispenser that lets you squeeze out the teeniest, tiniest amount of product like a single droplet.
Or, you can do one full pump of the D-Bronzi serum (though I advise to start out with less and work your way up). It’s far too concentrated to use alone. Drunk Elephant recommends mixing it with one of their other serums, sunscreens, moisturizers, or oils.
The goal is to have a protective layer against the harsh pollutants of city life while achieving a golden, bronzed glow that’s sheer enough for daily use.
The wearability test(s)
For testing, I received the Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Sunscreen with a tint and the Virgin Marula Oil. A card from Drunk Elephant suggested the following mixtures. Using one drop of D-Bronzi with a pea-sized amount of the sunscreen and 1-2 drops of the marula oil to achieved a #VacationFace Smoothie.
I tried this on a hot summer weekend before heading out to brunch and I immediately thought the mixture was far too shiny. With the heat, I kept dabbing my face with a napkin and seeing the orange product slide right off. I must have gotten the product-ratio formula wrong. So, I resolved to try new tactics later in the week.
I had more success when I tried mixing it with only the sunscreen. I tried a sheer formula from Neutrogena as well as the tinted one from Drunk Elephant. Both mixed well. When Drunk Elephant says it’s a “concentrated” formula, they’re not kidding! One full pump of the product will give you enough color to bronze your entire face and neck.
I found that the best tactic for mixing the product was squeezing it on to the back of my hand. I’d then swirl it all together with a foundation brush. If I was trying to go for something much more sheer along my neck and collarbone, I used the oil.
Though, the packaging says you can use the serum anywhere you want an added glow. Using a little bit of oil with the serum on your arms or legs works better for color and shine. Still, I would primarily use for your face.
The results
There’s absolutely no denying that the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi serum immediately gives you an instant bronzed, summer glow. While it’s concentrated, it’s a very sheer formula. That is, don’t expect it to offer any coverage. (I still relied on some dots of concealer here and there because period breakouts, you know?) Overall, though, I love that you can mix it in with your day-to-day products to build up the color.
I found that it’s also pretty good for mixing in with a liquid foundation. It’s helpful to buff it into your skin with a clean all-over makeup brush. This ensures that the product blends in nicely along your hairline and ear area.
I’ll sum up the magical powers of the D-Bronzi this way: I asked a coworker if she thought I looked a little more tan. She said I had such a summer glow she figured I’d gone on vacation recently. If only!
