Drunk Elephant really knows how to put together a holiday set that reinforces their brand with trunks — get it? This year’s is sure to be adored by anyone on your list, filled with the most renowned of skincare products. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!
Trunk 9.0 is a very sizeable duffle bag made in a vegan leather material coating cotton canvas, waterproof. You could absolutely pack for a week with it. Also, with this material, you don’t have to worry with damp swimsuits or souvenir local honey. It’s in an eggshell and periwinkle color scheme: if you do have to check a bag on a flight, yours will stand out on the luggage carousel. Here’s a travel tip! If you happen to be flying on an airline with the initials Beeee Ayyyy, like the one that lost my luggage both ways to Latvia, you should take a photo of this beautiful trunk and keep it on your phone. It has grab handles and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Bora Barrier Repair Cream comes in a refillable pop-up container. It is rich, rich, rich! Think of it as a protective layer before harsher outdoor activities or for a hard-working night cream. If you have that flaky, dehydrated look, you just might be looking stunning by morning! They describe it as “a buttery, ultra-rich lipid cream that helps restore that helps restore and support even the most fragile of skin, drenching it with a barrier-replenishing blend of ceramides, lipids, natural minerals and potent antioxidant compounds.” It promises to deliver moisture, firms skin and reduces redness. If you have flaky-looking skin, you can have a better look by morning. Certainly keep that in your bag of tricks!
Protini™ Polypeptide Cream is now refillable! It’s a cream-gel consistency and more of a heavy lifter, though not goopy. The formula makes it suitable for a wide variety of complexions. It adds protein to thin skin — so common in winter — that is aged. Amino acids and growth factors help. I think it’s brilliant for crepey necks. It has a touch pop-up applicator.
C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream has a pearlized, serum-like consistency. It really acts instantly to soothe the dry, crinkly areas around the eye without being drippy, goopy or sweaty feeling. It won’t seep into your eyes and you can apply makeup over it almost instantly. They describe it as “featuring a brightening combination of eight peptides, five forms of vitamin C and cucumber extract for firmer, stronger-looking skin around the eye area”.
C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream has a pearlized, serum-like consistency. It really acts instantly to soothe the dry, crinkly areas around the eye without being drippy, goopy or sweaty feeling. It won’t seep into your eyes and you can apply makeup over it almost instantly. They describe it as “featuring a brightening combination of eight peptides, five forms of vitamin C and cucumber extract for firmer, stronger-looking skin around the eye area”.
They make a sunscreen that will check a lot of boxes, including drying rapidly and sheer. Umbra Sheer™ Mineral Cream SPF 30 PA+++. comes in a light almond-pink tint, so that there’s no 1960’s lifeguard in Beach Blanket Bingo look. It doesn’t leave a residue, so it won’t pill or feel greasy. So, the PA with a bunch of plus signs indicates an even more effective sunscreen. They suggest using it on the back of your hands, which is a good idea if you don’t like liver spots. If you already are seeing age spots or sun damage on your face or hands, let’s not let them get worse! This is perfect to take on any of your adventures.
C-Luma Hydrabright Gentle Hydrating Vitamin C Serum is a luminous serum that is gentle, unlike so many Vitamin C products on the market. It dries rapidly and makeup applies on top perfectly. It does not pill. It’s described as a unique 10% vitamin C serum that gently brightens while clarifying and hydrating skin for a noticeably more even and luminous complexion. It can be hard to find a product that handles all of those needs.
For more subtle exfoliation, try T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum. A gentle exfoliation helps the moisturizers absorb. You don’t want scrubby scrubs. This is what they say about this sheer, light serum:
“Formulated with our dream team of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids and blended with raspberry extract and horse chestnut, T.L.C. Framboos™ curbs excess oiliness as it reveals greater clarity and luminosity. It also enhances the performance of other products by clearing the way for maximum absorption. T.L.C. Framboos™ sinks in easily and delivers an effective level of chemical exfoliation without harsh side effects, like dryness or sensitization. Go from a drab complexion to an absolutely luminous one, practically overnight. It has a high-tech AHA/BHA gel serum that resurfaces skin, dramatically improving the look of pores, blemishes, and fine lines.”
B-Goldi™ Bright Drops is an illuminating serum with 5% niacinamide that evens skin’s tone and adds an easy golden finish. This is what they say about it: “Fades hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and post-breakout marks, improving skin’s clarity and radiance.
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Revives and illuminates tired, dull skin without being sparkly or glittery.
Provides powerful free radical protection and lightweight, nourishing moisture.
Our color serum drops are designed to be mixed with any Drunk Elephant moisturizer, serum, or oil (or each other!) to add the prettiest hint of color.
Formulated at a skin-friendly pH of 5.5
100% free of essential oils, silicones, fragrance, and solvent alcohols.”
Now, sometimes you need some super reliable, soothing face products that keep you moist and youthful, without upsetting the apple cart. Maybe you have a special event coming in a few days and you don’t want to try any new acids or exfoliants. Or, maybe you have massive wind burns that can’t take any complicated products. Here’s a trio for you: B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum is great at all times. Even if you feel like your skin is a mess and you don’t want to put anything on it, you can use this. It’s gentle and soothing. This is what they say about it: “This daily flood of hydration replenishes skin, diminishing dullness, dryness, and the look of fine lines.”
There’s also Drunk Elephant’s F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial. This is an outstanding entry to the super-popular night mask category. True to Drunk Elephant’s commitment to clean and efficacious products, it has niacinamide (a Vitamin B derivative), sodium PCA, plant squalane, five forms of ceramides, omega fatty acids and powerful antioxidants. It pumps out a medium-rich lotion consistency that absorbs immediately into your skin. So, you won’t wreck your sheets or come off like an extra in the beauty parlor scene from the 1939 version of The Women. Nobody will know you have it on.
I think no discussion of Drunk Elephant can go without their flagship product, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. I love to use it to top everything — even lip products. Or, if I’m super sleepy and lazy, it does wonders on its own. It’s pure oil that “Contains greater concentrations of polyphenols than dark chocolate or green or black teas, which means a powerful antioxidant defense.” You apply it with a dropper.
The trunk includes 4 sachets of products, including award-winning Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser. This clear cleanser is silky, soothing, gentle, yet effective. It is fragrance free. When you want a simple cleanser — no other action going on to conflict with your treatments — this is the product you want. It’s refreshing! It has mild surfactants and emollients and no essential oils. BalIt’s suitable for all ages. There’s also the facial oil, Lala Retro Nourishing Whipped Moisturizer, Ceramighty AF Eye Balm and D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops. You must tuck these into your wallet or purse, because no matter what disaster befalls you, you can at least have a gorgeous complexion!
Luxe & Down-Home Cuisine/Culture/Travel/Style 