Brand Overview: Drunk Elephant

Happy Tuesday and welcome back to my blog! I have been thinking recently about what videos I watch the most on YouTube and what other articles/blogs I enjoy reading, and came to the conclusion that I am addicted to product reviews. I love reading reviews on websites, I love hearing people talk about products (good and bad), and rating if the products are worth it or not. I will say it’s important to always remember that skincare reviews are super personal, as everyone’s skin is different.

Hold on to your wallets because this may encourage you to make a large purchase…

Brand: Drunk Elephant

Background: founded by Tiffany Masterson in 2013, the brand grew quickly online and in store via major retailers like Sephora. The name comes from the myth that elephants eat the fruit from marula trees and it ferments in their stomachs, making them drunk! The brightly colored packaging and effective ingredients caught attention from millions of consumers. It’s clean beauty stamp vows to stay away from Masterson’s “suspicious 6” ingredients that she believes cause various skin issues. Masterson had no experience in the industry, but her company was just sold to Shiseido (Japanese skin care brand) for $845 million. So, is the hype worth it?

Product Insight and Review:

Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser, $32 5oz

Ingredient highlights include virgin marula oil, cantaloupe fruit extract, and glycerin

I have gone through a travel size of this cleanser, and had to repurchase in full size. When it comes to cleansers, I used to not care too much about the ingredients as long as it was gentle. This product, though, really made my skin clean and hydrated. I could tell it was working with my skin and didn’t strip the natural oils. In my opinion, I would recommend this to normal/combo/oily skin types. Do you need this cleanser? No. But if you are interested in trying it, I would say you would not be disappointed.

Pekee Cleansing Bar/ Juju Cleansing bar,

$28 4oz each

As one of the first products in their launch, I was excited to finally try these out! I purchased the travel bar set that comes with a cute carrying case. I am not a bar soap person, but the ingredients in these cleansers stand out.

Ingredient highlights include virgin marula oil, blueberry extract, honey (pekee) and heilmoor clay and bamboo extract (juju)

These products are very gentle and leave the skin clean and soft. Again, the price is not cheap, but remember that you get what you pay for with product ingredients. Cleansers are not always necessary to pay high dollar for, but if you are interested, they work well with all skin types including sensitive.

Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser,

3 oz $34

Ingredient highlights include sunflower seed oil, kiwi extract, sweet almond oil and the booster includes bambusa extract and charcoal powder

I have yet to try this product, as it is a newer launch, but it did win best of beauty by Allure 2019. This cleansing balm melts makeup and removes dirt from the skin. The price tag is good compared to other products of it’s kind and with the clean beauty stamp I wouldn’t definitely give this a try. This is something I would use as a pre-cleanse before using the Jelly cleanser or pekee bar. The booster is supposed to be used once or twice a week as an added exfoliation treatment.

Shaba Complex Firming Eye Serum,$60 0.5oz

This is a high price tag, but it is important to realize this is an anti-aging product. As far as the size goes, most eye creams come in 0.5 or 1 oz packaging.

Ingredient highlights include copper peptides, stem cell culture, black tea, and sea buckthorn

Another product I have yet to pick up, but would possibly reccommend to certain people. Eye creams are tricky because they do take a while to notice a change. This definitely has great, strong ingredients to hopefully improve signs of aging. If you are over 40, I would say try it. Someone younger would easily benefit from somthing more hydrating compared to anti-aging.

C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, $64 0.5oz

This alternative eye cream would be recommended for those more concerned with dark circles and puffiness.

Ingredient highlights include vitamin C, peptides, cucumber and ubiquinone (antioxidant)

This kicks the cooling roller ball on your eye cream to the curb, with powerful ingredients to work below the surface of the skin. With over 600 reviews and 4 stars, overall, it seems like it works well. Be sure to inspect skin for any clogging of pores around eyes to be sure it is not too heavy. I would give it a try, but dark circles are not usually a concern for me.

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum,

$52 1.69oz

Ingredient Highlights include vitamin B5, pineapple ceramide, and sodium hyaluronate

I have used two sample sizes of this product, but haven’t purchased a full size because of the price. I do enjoy this product alot, as it does hydrate and plump my skin, but to me it doesn’t work that much better than a pure hyaluronic acid serum. It is supposed to add nutrients to the skin too, but I use other products that work as a replacement for that. If you are looking for a hydrating serum add-in, I would recommend the ordinary HA, and save some money to try some of Drunk Elephant’s other products.

C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum, $80 1 oz

Ingredient highlights include antioxidants, pumpkin and pomegranate ferment as well as sodium hyaluronate

Vitamin C serums are a great addition to a routine as they brighten, minimize look of pores, and firm the skin. This serum has ingredients that also gently dissolve surface debris to make this serum work better! I think this product sounds amazing but the price tag is definitely high for the amount you get. There are a plethora of vitamin C serums, and although this one looks good, I won’t spent that much for it due to my specific skin concerns. However, if you are really looking to brighten skin and help with signs of photo damage, I would pick this up!

Protini Polypeptide Cream, $68 1.69 oz

This is my holy grail night time moisturizer. I have gone through two full size, and a few travel sizes of this cream.

Ingredient highlights include 9 signal peptide complex, waterlily stem cell extract, and soybean folic acid

For me, preventive aging is important. I also like a thicker moisturizer at night but not one that causes breakouts. The texture on this is perfect fo skin, and it has amazing ingredients for skin health. I don’t mind to spend more for a product that sinks into my skin all night long, and works like this product does. I recommend this for anyone who needs good moisturization with anti-aging properties. This is expensive, but for the size you get, it compares well with other anti-aging moisturizers. I swear nothing has ever made my face look as smooth and firm as this does!

Lala Retro Whipped moisturizer with Ceramides, $60 1.69oz

Ingredient highlights include 6 rare African oil blend, sodium hyaluronate, and ceramides

I have used a sample size of this product and it was just a little too much for my skin type. This is great for those of you with dry skin, and you also get that improved skin health and anti-aging benefit. I would use this at night time and pair it with their marula oil for extra moisturization if you need it!

Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil, $72 1oz

Speaking of their oil, I absolutely love this. I have used one full size and one sample size of this product. It did last me a very long time, as oils usually do. Oils are perfect to apply mixed into moisturizers or on top to seal in the hydration. I have recently switched to Herbivore oils, as I am testing out that brand, but I would absolutely repurchase this! Great for all skin types. They also sell a smaller version for $40, if you wanted to try it out for cheaper.

TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90 1oz or $134 1.69oz

I am slightly ashamed to say I have gone through two 1oz, one 1.69 oz and two sample size of this product. It was the first glycolic or resurfacing product I ever used, and it really helped me change my skin care game.

Ingredient highlights include 12% AHA blend, 1% BHA, raspberry fruit extract, and sodium hyaluronate

I am obsessed with chemical exfoliants thanks to this (and well, Esthetician school). I have not repurchased in a while as I had to branch out and try other things. Is this the only product of its kind? Absolutely not. However, it really does work. It is going to help brighten skin, unclog pores, diminsh appearance of fine lines and sun damage, as well as smooth out texture. The price is honestly just too high. I know this is a cult favorite, but even after using it alot, I struggle spending that much on it. If you decide to ty this out, it will make you a believer of all things glycolic…if you can get over the price tag.

A-Passioni Retinol Cream, $74 1oz

Ingredient highlights include 1% vegan retinol, triple peptide blend, vitamin F

As this is another newer product launch, I haven’t had the opportunity to try this out. I am new to using retinol, but am not new to the understanding of how powerful it is. Retinol products come in various strengths and compositions, and they are going to cost some money regardless for a good quality one. Based off reviews and ingredients, this seems like a good product for those with fine lines, sun damage, or scarring. If you are interested in trying a “clean” retinol product, it seems like a good place to start. With the amount of hydrating ingredients, you would probably experience less skin sensitivity that often comes with retinol use.

Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30, $34 3oz

And Umbra Tinte Physical Defense SPF 30, $36 2oz

I put both of these products together because they are both physical sunscreens, one has a tint and one doesn’t.

Ingredient highlights include zinc, algae extract, and sunflower sprout extract in both products.

I have used the non tinted one and just didn’t like it. The texture was kind of odd and made my skin feel greasy throughout the day. I ended up giving this away after several weeks of trying to make it work. It does have good ingredients and I love a physical over a chemical sunscreen, but I would pass on this product as there arebetter daily SPF products to add to your routine (I much prefer the EltaMD one).

D-Brozi Anti Pollution Sunshine Drops, $36 1oz

This is an add-in product you can use with your moisturizer or sunscreen for a fresh, glowy, bronzy look.

Ingredient highlights include peptides, cocoa extract, vitamin D and F

This is another holy Grail product I use every morning. Not only does this make the skin glow, it has powerful ingredients to replenish the skin’s barrier. It helps defend against pollutants and other environmental stressors. I pump this into my sunscreen and apply over a thin layer of moisturizer in the morning. I’ve noticed changes in my skin since using this! All skin types would benefit and is a great way to add important nutrients in your morning routine.

TLC Sukari Baby Facial 25% AHA+ 2% BHA Mask, $80 1.69oz

Ingredient highlights include AHA blend (lactic, citric, Glycolic, tartaric), chickpea flower, pumpkin ferment

I have used this product once or twice when I received a sample size a while ago. This is a great mask that works deeply to repair skin and help with dullness, dark spots, and fine lines. I think it is very expensive, especially if you already use their nightly glycolic treatment. I would recommend this mask if you didn’t already use acids in your routine regularly, and want to incorporate them this way. If you do, then I would stick with something a bit cheaper that also cleans the skin well.

Lippe Balm, $18 0.13oz

I haven’t tried this, but it looks like a very moisturizing blend of marula oil, avocado oil, and cranberry seed oil. I love the Fenty lip balm so much that I don’t know if I would switch, but this does seem like a good option for chapped lips.

Are you still with me? We officially made it through the entire brand Drunk Elephant. Some other key notes about this brand I enjoy:

• Accessibility, this is available online and in stores
• Packaging, not only is it cute and colorful but the moisturizers are in a tub with a pump like opening that dispenses the exact amount you need. You don’t overuse, and the product remains sterile!
• Clean ingredients, I do like to stay away from certain ingredients in my skin care and it is nice knowing all of their products are free from them
• They do amazing Holiday gift sets! Now is the to purchase if you want to try out the brand.

Overall, I fully support this brand and enjoy most of their products for my personal use. I do see quite a few people online say that the brand is overrated, but it’s hard to deny the ingredients that you get when purchasing these products. There are certainly alternatives for a few of the serums, but there are a few holy grails that I think I will continue to use for a long time.

What do you think about this brand? Have you tried anything, or do you want to? Let me know in the comments!

SHOP DE- Sephora or DE website

Main photo from livekindly.com

Top image from @intuitiveglow on IG

All other images from Sephora