These Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops swaps are just as glowy but *waaay* more affordable

While summer might be almost at an end, our obsession with radiant, gleaming skin most certainly isn't, especially in regards to these Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drop dupes—which according to TikTok, deliver a similar golden hour glow, for a much more palatable price.

The viral D-Bronzi drops have sold out over consecutive summers, with beauty lovers raving about their shimmery and skin-loving effects, but alas, a bottle will set you back around $38. Now, for a product that will likely join your best non-comedogenic foundations in your everyday beauty arsenal, that's pretty steep.

So, we've scoured the web and scrolled into the depths of TikTok's endless beauty recs and returned, with some popular alternatives—from brands like L'Oreal, Versed, and Phsycian's Formula—all of which promise an almost identical bronzing formula...

6 of the best Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drop alternatives

The famous Drunk Elephant drops are similar to Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter (dupes, this way!) in the sense that they can add a bronzy radiance to your skin and can also be mixed with your fave foundations and skin tints. But the serum is also rich in antioxidants and peptides, which work to target dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. So they're a multi-purpose makeup and skincare product if you will but as mentioned, a bottle will set you back $38.

So, naturally, lovers of the drops have been hunting for more budget-friendly alternatives and have seemingly come up aces...

The first contender, dubbed by TikTok users as a close replica of the cult-fave D-Bronzi serum is L'Oreal Paris' True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. The product is available in four shades and instantly hydrates—with ingredients like glycerin and shea butter—whilst also delivering an illuminating tint to enhance your skin’s natural glow. 

The Lumi Glotion is also multipurpose as it can be worn alone, as a primer, over makeup for a bronzed effect or highlighter and as a tinted body moisturizer, all for under $20—now, that's definitely the sort of product you want in your vacay stash! 

@bambidoesbeauty

♬ original sound - CocoDevile

@chelsea.t_

♬ original sound - Chelsea Thompson

Another popular TikTok alternative is the skincare hybrid, Versed Mood Lighting Illuminating drops. The formula is enriched with Peptide polyglutamic acid to lock in moisturize while its light-reflecting pigments deliver a shimmery radiance. It's available in two bronzy shades and costs just $17.99. Not bad at all.

Saie's Glowy Super Gel in shade "Sunglow" has also been named as a close swap, as has MILK's Bionic Glow liquid highlighter—especially in shade 'Reality.' 

The highlighter itself, which retails at $36 (so it's only a fraction cheaper, but still) is packed with skin-loving ingredients, including collagen and hyaluronic acid, can be used as both a face and body glow booster and be mixed with your foundation and moisturizer, for added radiance.

Other popular dupes also include the e.l.f Halo Glow filter and Physicians Formula's Butter Glow Liquid Bronzer—so no matter your brand or product preferences, there are a ton of options out there!

How to apply the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops

Now, if you're a loyal shopper of the D-Bronzi drops or have just nabbed a dupe but are unsure how to apply them, here's the DL!

The beauty of glow-boosters like these is that they're pretty versatile. You can either wear them alone, for a natural glow, as a makeup primer, or even add a few drops to your daily moisturizer or foundation. 

We'd recommend using them as a base for your foundation, for a subtle but all-over shimmer. You can apply with your fingers, a brush, or a damp beauty blender but we'd recommend the former, for even and natural coverage.