In the spotlight this week:
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
Procuring a natural tan can be high-risk affair. As much as we love her, the Sun is a fickle friend after all, one who will just as likely leave us burned as it will bestow upon us a sun-kissed complexion. Skincare experts will tell us to save yourself the heartache and get acquainted with the steadfast bronzer instead — or even better yet, a bronzer that doubles up as skincare, not unlike this one by Drunk Elephant. Brimming with omega-rich marula, blackcurrant seed oils, and fatty acids, the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops is said to deliver a potent potion that boosts skin defenses against pollution and environmental stressors, all while granting dull skin a honeyed, bronzed finish. A dream come true for those who can't quit our affair with the torrid star, or falsehood wrapped in a pretty bottle? The Buro. Beauty Club gets to the bottom of this.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
Procuring a natural tan can be high-risk affair. As much as we love her, the Sun is a fickle friend after all, one who will just as likely leave us burned as it will bestow upon us a sun-kissed complexion. Skincare experts will tell us to save yourself the heartache and get acquainted with the steadfast bronzer instead — or even better yet, a bronzer that doubles up as skincare, not unlike this one by Drunk Elephant. Brimming with omega-rich marula, blackcurrant seed oils, and fatty acids, the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops is said to deliver a potent potion that boosts skin defenses against pollution and environmental stressors, all while granting dull skin a honeyed, bronzed finish. A dream come true for those who can't quit our affair with the torrid star, or falsehood wrapped in a pretty bottle? The Buro. Beauty Club gets to the bottom of this.
Here Comes the Sun — Not
Call me dramatic, but I was horrified when the dermatologist at IDS Skincare (local shoutout!) saw through my full-coverage foundation and pointed out the cute-now-not-so-cute-later freckles on my nose at a recent consultation. Though I'm only 28 — and a sunscreen advocate at that — I've not become immune to sun damage. What can I say? I love the beach and the sports that come with the water, but they love me not. While I'm not in any way interested in giving up my hobbies just yet (wakeboarding is addictive, y'all), I could consider faking the toasty luminosity I crave if that means I take in a little less vitamin D than I usually do. And I have lately, by way of the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops.
The first time I tried it, I had it mixed with the brand's B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum the morning after a particularly debaucherous night out. A moisturiser followed, no other makeup beyond an eyebrow pencil. My friends (read: my sober buddies) couldn't tell I was hungover — score. In fact, they said I looked fresh! They are usually supportive, but they're not liars so I'm inclined to believe that Drunk Elephant was bronzing me back to life. My next attempt at incorporating D-Bronzi into my routine, I was more heavy-handed, regrettably. Make no mistake, I enjoyed the hint of tan I received when I cocktail-ed it with my foundation, but because I used one too many drops out of enthusiasm, I was about half a shade warmer than I'd like to have looked. Still, I was a long shot from an orange overcast so I can't complain. At least I know now that when I get a little darker from my next seaside getaway, splurging on another foundation for my momentary saturation increase won't be necessary.
Jolene Khor
The first time I tried it, I had it mixed with the brand's B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum the morning after a particularly debaucherous night out. A moisturiser followed, no other makeup beyond an eyebrow pencil. My friends (read: my sober buddies) couldn't tell I was hungover — score. In fact, they said I looked fresh! They are usually supportive, but they're not liars so I'm inclined to believe that Drunk Elephant was bronzing me back to life. My next attempt at incorporating D-Bronzi into my routine, I was more heavy-handed, regrettably. Make no mistake, I enjoyed the hint of tan I received when I cocktail-ed it with my foundation, but because I used one too many drops out of enthusiasm, I was about half a shade warmer than I'd like to have looked. Still, I was a long shot from an orange overcast so I can't complain. At least I know now that when I get a little darker from my next seaside getaway, splurging on another foundation for my momentary saturation increase won't be necessary.
Jolene Khor
Bali in a Bottle
Let's clear something up. Bronzer is not contour. Bronzer warms up the face (not sculpt it) and is more of a warmer orange tone rather than a cool shadow. Although liquid bronzer is harder to use than a powder bronzer, and it and may take a little more practice to master too, it's way more versatile. Bang for your buck, I say! Now let's get down to it. You can wear the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops (aka a liquid bronzer) on its own and it leaves you with a subtle glow. A few pumps go a long way on your body too — it gives you a beautiful, natural, bronzed tan. It's like you've been in Bali for the weekend, even if you stayed indoors in Singapore. Awesome!
Instead of carrying a couple of shades of foundation in your makeup bag (I know every beauty junkie is guilty of this!) next time you go away you just need to swirl the D-Bronzi in with your main foundation for the times you are slightly darker, or use it on the forehead and cheeks to warm up the skin in place of a powdered bronzer. It works a treat. This product absorbs quickly and washes off easily too. Totally in love. The only problem is that there's not enough of it — the bottle is so tiny! Drunk Elephant, make it in industrial large size, please.
Fiona Bennett
Instead of carrying a couple of shades of foundation in your makeup bag (I know every beauty junkie is guilty of this!) next time you go away you just need to swirl the D-Bronzi in with your main foundation for the times you are slightly darker, or use it on the forehead and cheeks to warm up the skin in place of a powdered bronzer. It works a treat. This product absorbs quickly and washes off easily too. Totally in love. The only problem is that there's not enough of it — the bottle is so tiny! Drunk Elephant, make it in industrial large size, please.
Fiona Bennett
Team Player
At first glance, you can tell the key ingredients of the formula in Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops are protected by the opaque packaging and pump dispenser — limiting light and oxygen exposure that would otherwise render them inert. Like all Drunk Elephant products, it also contains no fragrance, which is always a plus, allowing for usage across all skin types, and limiting reactions in sensitive skin. The product truly shows off its flexibility by providing some hydration and helping to boost your sunscreen with its vitamins and antioxidant content. It is important to note, however, that it should not be mixed with your sunscreen as it can dilute the SPF concentration and thus, the efficacy of your sun protection.
The Sunshine "serum" is meant to be used in combination with other Drunk Elephant products, but I found that it worked well with other humectants and occlusives such as Paula's Choice Defence moisturisers. Application with other products does take some trial and error, as when the products are not compatible, the serum breaks down, causing unevenness. This is most problematic when I mix it with thicker emollient creams. That being said, when mixed with the right products, it provides a beautiful bronze glow no matter your skin type or colour. For darker skin tones like mine, it gave me a deeper and warmer finish. On fairer skin tones, a little goes a long way. Using half a pump gives a more subtle peachy tint and a full pump warms the skin up significantly. The product is very pigmented. The D-Bronzi's ability to play with products outside of the Drunk Elephant brand and ease of use makes it worth the price. For those looking for that summer glow, the formula provides decent benefits with high payoffs in pigmentation for that perfect bronze sheen.
Christian Maranion
The Sunshine "serum" is meant to be used in combination with other Drunk Elephant products, but I found that it worked well with other humectants and occlusives such as Paula's Choice Defence moisturisers. Application with other products does take some trial and error, as when the products are not compatible, the serum breaks down, causing unevenness. This is most problematic when I mix it with thicker emollient creams. That being said, when mixed with the right products, it provides a beautiful bronze glow no matter your skin type or colour. For darker skin tones like mine, it gave me a deeper and warmer finish. On fairer skin tones, a little goes a long way. Using half a pump gives a more subtle peachy tint and a full pump warms the skin up significantly. The product is very pigmented. The D-Bronzi's ability to play with products outside of the Drunk Elephant brand and ease of use makes it worth the price. For those looking for that summer glow, the formula provides decent benefits with high payoffs in pigmentation for that perfect bronze sheen.
Christian Maranion
The Holy Grail
If you could get a quick tan job without having to spend hours under the sun, and still retain hydrated skin, is there anything to complain about? Stumbling upon this brown baby (aka the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops) has saved me from having to deal with dry skin and an uneven tan that often ends up more burnt than beautiful. I've also splurged on enough patchy bronzing creams that melt in the Singapore humidity to know this product truly stands out. A few drops mixed with the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream (on its own, its creamy formula and recovery elements give other moisturisers a run for their money) is a miracle worker — we're talking a non-sticky layer of protective formula that sits very well on bare skin. When used as a bronzer-moisturizer, you'll get a subtle dewiness that you can pull off without any makeup at all. If you're as #extra as me, you can take this to the next level by using it as a base before your foundation goes on and it'll step up your makeup game with a bronzy J-Lo finish. Pro tip: don't forget your collarbones, neck, and chest to complete the look.
I have to gush a little about the brand. Drunk Elephant's packaging is definitely interesting — it's a press when you think it's a twist, a pump when you think it's a squeeze. Its playful take on packaging is hard to miss, and makes other brands seem old school. The products are also rich enough that you can stop at one pump for anything that needs to go on your face. If you'd much rather spend a little more on something that could last a lot longer, Drunk Elephant is your new Holy Grail.
Monica Selva De Roy
I have to gush a little about the brand. Drunk Elephant's packaging is definitely interesting — it's a press when you think it's a twist, a pump when you think it's a squeeze. Its playful take on packaging is hard to miss, and makes other brands seem old school. The products are also rich enough that you can stop at one pump for anything that needs to go on your face. If you'd much rather spend a little more on something that could last a lot longer, Drunk Elephant is your new Holy Grail.
Monica Selva De Roy
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops is available online and at Sephora stores.
The Clubbers
a.k.a. the people who will never lie to you, the beauty enablers you never thought you'd have, the voices of reason when logic goes out the window on payday, and when Sephora goes on sale.
Jolene Khor
Beauty Editor of Buro. Singapore
The fashion and beauty editor at Buro. Singapore swiped on her first glitter lip gloss at age 12 and have never looked back since — except the rare (only not so rare) occasions when she wants to feel better about her makeup skills as an adult. That kohl eyeliner look wasn't working out despite the fact that she was listening to The Cure and quoting Oscar Wilde. Her mother is thankful that K-beauty happened though that means her glow isn't just genetic. These days, her worst crimes are knocking out with full makeup on and forgetting to apply sunscreen on her neck. Old habits die hard.
Christian Maranion
Hair Specialist & Makeup Artist
Nine years. That's how long Christian Maranion has been in the hair game. Having honed his craft, he then began dabbling in makeup, finding equal joy in killing it at both. He has worked with the likes of Vanessa Fernandez aka Vandetta, Tabitha Nauser, and Charlie Lim. He also frequently collaborates with names such as Sephora, Elizabeth Arden, and Kat Von D to up their beauty game. Don't be fooled by appearances — though he may love dark humour and even darker outfits, he is a pocketful of sunshine.
Fiona Bennett
Makeup Artist & Hairstylist
Fiona Bennett is a makeup artist and hairstylist by profession, and a wife, mother, and part-time Kardashian expert when she's not hustling. Hailing from Australia, she reluctantly came to Singapore with her husband almost six years ago but she's grown to love it so much she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. She began her journey (sometimes by force) pinning her friends down to make them up before going out — only now she gets paid for it! You might find the self-proclaimed beauty-obsessed Fiona snapping up the latest products in the department stores on weekends. You name it, she has probably tried it.
Monica Selva De Roy
Henna & Makeup Artist
Monica doesn't have enough heads for the hats she wants to wear. When the sun's out, she's selling ultra cool tech that makes logistics look sexier than ever. Then, she slaps on some face cake to moonlight as an actress on Vasantham; from nasty stepmother to varsity mean girl, she's seen them all in the realm of antagonism. Oh, her makeup and henna businesses keep her busy during the weekends too. Amidst all this, she's finding time to test and review makeup — if that's not true love, what is?
BE BOLD. BURO247.SG