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Taking the beauty world by a storm, US skincare brand Drunk Elephant is deemed a ‘millennial’ attractor, thanks to its colourful packaging and clean, compatible ethos. Acquired in 2019 by Japanese beauty giant Shiseido, the brand—founded by Tiffany Masterson in 2012—continues to reign in sales from its younger generation consumers, yet it does also appeal to different age ranges depending on the product. Launching its well-loved annual gift set extravaganza, the Drunk Elephant 4.0 Trunk has made its debut—here’s what we thought.
All images courtesy of CSP Times.
4.0 Trunk: The Products
Arriving in a sleek, minimalistic suitcase, the ‘Trunk’ is kitted with some of the ultimate bestsellers from the Drunk Elephant collection, including:
T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial 50mL
Beste No. 9 – 150 mL
A-Passioni – 30mL
Protini – 50mL
B-Hydra – 50mL
C-Firma – 30mL
TLC Framboos – 30mL
Virgin Marula – 30mL
Shaba Eye – 15mL
Umbra Sheer – 90mL
A closer look
We tried each product from the Drunk Elephant 4.0 Trunk to see if the skincare benefits were as accurate as they claimed. Designed to cater for every need, the products range from cleansers to ultra-hydrating moisturisers. The set contains everything you need to make skin healthy and happy—plus, it takes seasonality into account, ensuring that the products can be rotated depending on the season. Essentially, it’s an all-you-need skincare kit.
T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial™
Babyfacial™ (HK$650) is designed to resurface skin clarity and improve overall skin texture and tone for a lasting, youthful radiance. Using 25% AHA and 2% BHA, the chickpea flour facial felt smooth on the skin and left a cooling effect which felt very refreshing. The ‘babyfacial’ effectively yet gently exfoliates the pore lining and gets rid of dead skin cells. With my rather lazy skincare routine, this once-a-week ritual works best with the Virgin Marula Oil for a glowing complexion.
Rating: 7/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
One of the best parts about cleansers, in my opinion, is when it can actually thoroughly remove all traces of makeup. Curated with an innovative formula, Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser (HK$250) does exactly that, while also removing excess oil, pollution and general daily grime from the face. The gentle ‘jelly-like’ consistency felt easy to work with and it’s now a part of my nightly routine.
Rating: 8/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
A-Passioni™
Using 1.0% vegan retinol with nourishing, superfood-rich ingredients A-Passioni™ (HK$580) aims to dramatically diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The hero ingredient, the retinol, is supposed to restore bounce and resilience to skin texture and tone. I applied this in gradual doses, from once a week to twice a week and so forth until it became a nightly routine. The package comes with a mini B-Hydra for an extra shot of hydration and Vitamin B. Having really dry skin, this helped to restore skin balance after only a couple weeks.
Rating: 7/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
Protini™
Deemed as a breakthrough protein moisturiser, the Protini™ (HK$535) comes in a generous tub with a unique push-down function to get the product out. Although this product requires patience, the results are notable after a few applications—especially with my typically acne-prone skin. The overall result improves the appearance of the skin and gives it a dewy finish.
Rating: 10/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
B-Hydra™
This B-Hydra™ serum (HK$375) works wonders with its cool-as-gel application. Ultra-hydrating and compact in a sleek bottle, the product helps to improve skin texture. It delivers steady hydration throughout the day, although, in the hot, humid Hong Kong weather, we’d recommend re-applying it throughout the day.
Rating: 7/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
C-Firma™
Packed with Vitamin C, this C-Firma™ serum (HK$625) comprises complex l-ascorbic and ferulic acids to reveal a brighter complexion. I applied this in the day—although the consistency was hydrating and smoothing, I couldn’t see a major difference in results.
Rating: 6/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
TLC Framboos™
With a funky name like that, I was intrigued to find out what the benefits of the TLC Framboos™ (HK$705) would be. The high-tech AHA/BHA gel is designed to resurface dull, congested skin by lifting away dead skin cells. The overnight serum was a quick fix to my sun-damaged skin, bringing a more uplifting, glowing complexion to my otherwise pale face. We all need some TLC, after all.
Rating: 8/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
Virgin Marula™
The holy grail of Drunk Elephant—in my eyes—Virgin Marula™ (HK$315) is a luxury facial oil which can be used with pretty much every product in the kit. Designed to be a self-proclaimed “rehab” product for the skin, the oil is rich in antioxidants and omegas 6 and 9, to help nourish and restore the skin. Using the pip of the marula fruit, the pure, refined oil is super-absorbent and is appropriate for all skin types—even the most sensitive faces.
Rating: 10/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
Shaba Eye™
The Shaba Eye™ serum (HK$470) is formulated with a powerhouse of ingredients to help tackle major signs of ageing. Easy to apply and refreshing to the touch, I’ll be adding this to my daily routine.
Rating: 7/10
Image courtesy of Drunk Elephant
Umbra Sheer™
Defend and protect the skin with Umbra Sheer™ (HK$285), a 30SPF sunscreen for everyday use. Although the product is easy to absorb into the skin, we think that there are other products on the market that also do the trick without the hefty price tag. However, it’s great for sensitive skin thanks to its all-natural properties.
Rating: 6/10
So, is the Drunk Elephant 4.0 Trunk worth the hype?
The simple answer is yes. If you compare the price of the Drunk Elephant 4.0 Trunk and all the products included, it works out to be a better deal than buying them individually. Granted you may not love all the products, but with the all-inclusive skin types ethos, you won’t have to worry about sensitivity issues. It’s no secret that the high-end price may set some back, but if you’re looking for an all-in-one, multi-seasonal solution, it does work out to be worth it. Plus, the compact suitcase makes a notable companion on short-haul flights or as a simple carry-on—when we can travel again, of course.
The Drunk Elephant 4.0 Trunk is priced at HK$3,515 in Hong Kong.
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