As a dry-skinned gal through and through, I've turned to Drunk Elephant's skincare products time and time again—the virgin marula oil, the brand's hero ingredient, and my skin just seem to agree with one another. As a fan of the Protini Polypeptide Cream and Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil in particular, I've already established a trusting relationship with the brand—I trust that the products actually work and won't irritate my skin. And, as an added bonus, the packaging is aesthetically pleasing and looks great on my vanity.
So, when I heard that a foundation was on the brand's horizon, I was intrigued to say the least—and, given my past experiences with the brand, my hopes were high. While the skincare-infused foundation category is far from new, with brands like Armani, Dior, Outside-In, and more having already dabbled, I wondered: could Drunk Elephant, the brand widely considered a pioneer in the clean-clinical skincare movement, create the end-all, be-all of skincare-infused foundation? Of course, I had to test out the Kamo Triple-Peptide Multi-Use Serum Foundation for myself.
The Product:
My Skin:
I write so much about how dry my skin is, from head to toe. That all remains true, but there are also some new developments that I'd like to share. Despite my skincare routine remaining pretty consistent, I was recently breaking out more than I had in about two years... all at once. There was a pesky under-the-skin pimple right on my nose, an open whitehead on my forehead, another on my cheek, and a couple of little pimples scattered throughout. Blame it on hormones, stress, the climate, or whatever, but I was just on a mission to get rid of them ASAP. Many Starface pimple patches later, the breakouts are gone, but as those with melanin-rich skin can relate to, scars remain. Beyond that, my skin is just seeming unhappy—it looks dull, a little red, and a little congested.
As a brand awarded cult-favorite status, Drunk Elephant didn't skimp on the skincare ingredients when formulating their first-ever foundation. This formula includes 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, 4% peptide complex, green tea seed oil, squalane, and, of course, the brand's hero ingredient: virgin marula oil. So, how exactly does Drunk Elephant's compare to other skincare-infused foundations? Well, first of all, most competitors have focused on incorporating a single major skincare ingredient, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid, for example, while Drunk Elephant aimed to create a true skincare makeup hybrid.
The brand also prioritized creating a multi-functional product: the Kamo Triple-Peptide Multi-Use Serum Foundation can be used as a foundation, a concealer, a skin tint, or mixed with a moisturizer for a minimal, sheer, skin-forward coverage.
The Results:
I went for the shade Deep 18W—a little darker than my year-round color, but perfect for the season and for achieving that sun-kissed glow that I'm embracing for the remainder of summer. I prepped my skin with face oil, as I normally do before applying makeup, and then applied the Kamo Triple-Peptide Multi-Use Serum Foundation with a damp Beautyblender. The first thing I noticed was how easy the product blended—it glided across my face so seamlessly. I only applied one coat—albeit a generous amount—and achieved a medium level of coverage. The majority of the redness that I mentioned was covered, and some of my recent hyperpigmentation was blended out. Then, I added a little blush, lipstick, and mascara, and I wore the product throughout the evening to get a sense of how it wore and how it felt on my face.
I don't say this lightly: I don't think I've ever experienced a foundation that feels so natural on my skin. Not only that, but it also leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Oftentimes, after my skincare routine jam-packed with hydrating ingredients, certain foundations end up pilling (my number one makeup pet peeve). But this was not the case with this one at all. Hours later, my skin remained glowy, and most importantly for an editor who has sort of made having dry skin her entire personality, hydrated.
Worth It?
At a price point of $42 for a 20ml bottle, this foundation falls more or less in line with offerings from brands like Fenty Beauty, Saie, and Glossier, while being cheaper than those from luxury brands like Armani, Dior, and YSL. That fact, paired with the skincare ingredients in the formula, makes this 100% worth trying, especially for those who value a product that's multifunctional and buildable.
TL;DR
Drunk Elephant just entered the skincare-infused foundation game—and has sort of already won. With a formula that includes 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, 4% peptide complex, green tea seed oil, squalane, and virgin marula oil, the brand really prioritized creating a product that's equal parts makeup and skincare. The product is multifunctional, buildable, and undoubtedly hydrating. Upon testing it, I found that one coat provided a good medium coverage and that adding a little extra to dark spots went a long way. All in all, I concluded that this foundation felt more like my skin (in it's healthiest, most hydrated form, that is) than any I've tried before—and I really don't say that lightly.