Review: e.l.f.’s Affordable Thirst Burst Drops Might Replace Your Favourite Skincare Staple

While I don’t mind investing in my skincare routine, I find a lot of joy in uncovering budget-friendly alternatives and putting them to the test.

Now, I’m definitely not alone when it comes to loving Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. They deliver on that glass-skin look and quench parched skin, making them an excellent option for people who struggle with dryness and dullness. The one issue? They are pretty pricey.

When I read up on the e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, I saw a lot of overlap, and thought they could be a solid option for when I don’t want to splash out or for when I’m travelling and don’t want to bring along the larger, more expensive bottle (I’m a carry-on queen, and I like to bring less precious skincare with me on vacation).

Now, let’s get into the details.

My review of the e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops

Let’s start with the facts and figures. The e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops come in a glass bottle outfitted with a plastic pump for easy application. It contains 1-ounce (30 mL) of product and rings in at $16.96. When you compare that to the leader in the luxury space — Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops — which come in a 1.35-ounce (40 mL) bottle and ring in at $50.50, that’s a pretty significant cost difference working in its favour.

Now let’s move on to hero ingredients and formulation. Safe for all skin types, it uses a 1% hydrating hibiscus complex, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to hydrate and brighten. Again, quite comparable to Glow Recipe, but in my opinion, a bit less effective. I find the e.l.f. drops deliver hydration, but the glow is slightly lacking.

The e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops can be used as a serum, primer, and foundation booster, and I’ve found that it does perform on all fronts. My favourite use for it is as a primer, as I have more hydrating serums in my skincare collection and already use a fairly sheer skin tint.

As for texture, it’s not as watery as something like ILIA’s The Base Face Milk, holding its shape when it’s pumped onto the skin, but the blend out is comparable. With a swipe of the fingers, it melts in smoothly and effortlessly, creating a non-sticky base within seconds of application (my skin really drinks it up!). While you can feel noticeable hydration, it doesn’t give you that glass-skin look or feel slick. I would definitely say it’s more moisturizing than it is glowy, but since I mix my tinted moisturizer with the Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops, this is a non-issue for me.

My verdict: Are the e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops worth the hype?

Though not as radiance-boosting as some of the more expensive options currently on the market, I am a fan of the e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops. I find them best used as a prep step before makeup, but they do blend well if you prefer sheering out more full-coverage foundation formulas. You definitely get great bang for your buck, and they’re a solid option for anyone looking to add an extra step to their routine without overspending.

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Hydrating and lightweight on the skin
• Versatile formula
• Safe for all skin types
• Smooth, non-sticky texture

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops Cons

• Not as hydrating as some high-end alternatives
• Radiance is fairly subtle

What are reviewers saying about the e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops?

The e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops are getting lots of love from reviewers. On Amazon Canada, they have an average rating of 4.6 stars across nearly 4,000 reviews and are consistently on the bestsellers list. Many reviewers use them as a primer, and say they seriously deliver on hydration and radiance. Many also like mixing it with foundation when their skin is feeling parched for a more moisturized canvas. Some have had issues with the texture and don’t think it lives up to all the hype it’s gotten online, but the majority of people swear by it.