TRIED AND TESTED: The exxy, new Drunk Elephant hair and body range dividing the internet.

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your weekly review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Senior Lifestyle Writer Amy Clark reviews the new, exxy hair and body care range from cult brand Drunk Elephant.

So… we need to have a chat about Drunk Elephant.

At the end of March, the cult skincare brand known for its high-end active skincare products and bright coloured packaging released their first-ever range of hair and body care products. Of course, the internet lost its mind because almost anything Drunk Elephant makes turns into us handing over our hard-earned cash.

WATCH: You can watch Amy’s full review of the new Drunk Elephant products below, post continues after video.

 

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My honest thoughts about the new @drunkelephant hair and body care range now available at @meccacosmetica @meccamaxima. The short version is they smell like marzipan and it’s not my jam but watch the vid to see A) what the texture of each product looks like, B) how I enjoyed using each one and C) whether I think it’s worth the money ✌????????

A post shared by Amy Clark (@theamyclark) on Apr 10, 2020 at 8:13pm PDT

But this time, it’s a bit different because these products have legitimately divided the internet, and good people like you and me.

Why? Because even though there’s never been a better time to find some solace and me time lathering up with fun, new beauty products in the shower, the products in question are very expensive ($58 for a scalp scrub expensive). And in these times more than ever, you’re going to want to know you’re getting your money’s worth if you’re in a position to be able to treat yourself with bougie beauty products.

The new range available at Mecca consists of a shampoo and conditioner, scalp scrub, detangling spray, body wash, body moisturiser and natural deodorant.

 

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A post shared by Drunk Elephant (@drunkelephant) on Apr 5, 2020 at 11:00am PDT

 

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A post shared by Mecca Cosmetica (@meccacosmetica) on Mar 27, 2020 at 7:04pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Drunk Elephant (@drunkelephant) on Apr 16, 2020 at 5:00pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Drunk Elephant (@drunkelephant) on Apr 19, 2020 at 9:00am PDT

It’s hyped for a few reasons: a) Because, Drunk Elephant and b) the brand worked with Chris McMillan, the man behind Jennifer Aniston’s famous ‘Rachel’ cut in Friends, to formulate the hair products.

Like all Drunk Elephant products, they’re made without what the brand calls the “Suspicious 6” – silicones, essential oils, chemical screens, SLS (sodium laureth sulfate), drying alcohols, and fragrance/dyes. They’re also formulated with many of the same active ingredients you’d put on your face, like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), squalane and marula oil.

OK cool, but what are the products like to use, do they work and are they worth your money? Let’s break it down.

Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo, $40 for 235ml.

 

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A post shared by Jami (@skinsitive) on Apr 19, 2020 at 11:48am PDT

What the brand says: “The hardest working shampoo you’ve ever tried: this innovative formula cleanses both the hair and scalp, feeding each strand with rich nutrients and proteins.”

What I thought:

First off, all of the new Drunk Elephant products smell like marzipan. Or an almond croissant (but in my opinion, not in a good way). Even though it’s just the natural scent of the ingredients and it does fade away, it’s extremely polarising and might be enough to put you off using any of the products at all.

That said, I’ve heard other people love the scent, so it really is personal preference.

The shampoo is a light, thin texture that does foam up surprisingly well for a product without chemical surfactants (these make your shampoo foam up). The shampoo left my hair feeling squeaky clean but no more than any other shampoo I’ve tried. Including less expensive ones.

Drunk Elephant Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner, $40 for 235ml.

 

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#cocominoconditioner = creamy, buttery, and nourishing.⁣ ⁣ Have you tried #drunkelephant hair? What’s your favorite? ⁣ ⁣ #texturetuesday via @purelysteph

A post shared by Drunk Elephant (@drunkelephant) on Apr 21, 2020 at 9:00am PDT

What the brand says: “This deliciously rich marula butter and coconut amino acid infused conditioner works to detangle, strengthen and repair all hair types.”

What I thought:

Despite the scent, I do rate this conditioner. It’s glossy and thick and looks like whipped coconut cream.

It also contains a couple of ingredients that ‘fight frizz’ and promote shine, diheptyl succinate and polyester 11. I enjoyed using this product and felt it left my hair feeling soft and silky. But again, not any more than I enjoy using other conditioners at higher, lower and the same price.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub, $58 for 177ml.

 

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A post shared by Mecca Maxima (@meccamaxima) on Apr 18, 2020 at 7:02pm PDT

What the brand says: “A supercharged blend of AHA and BHA acids that break down and dissolve dead skin cells and styling product buildup for a nourished, flake-free and balanced scalp.”

What I thought:

The scalp scrub is the range’s hero product and it works differently to other scalp scrubs out there. Yes, the paste has little granules in it to physically scrub your scalp, but the formula has AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) in it that chomp on dead skin cells for a deeper cleanse.

You also apply this product on dry hair 10 minutes before jumping in the shower like a mask to give the acids time to do their job. I enjoyed using it BUT, like with a lot of scalp scrubs I’ve tried, I felt like I needed to use half the tube to cover my scalp in enough product. It’s also the most expensive product in the range.

Drunk Elephant Wild Marula Tangle Spray, $40 for 120ml.

 

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A post shared by Candance (@mycadenceofbeauty) on Apr 21, 2020 at 11:56am PDT

What the brand says: “A weightless detangling mist that smooths and restores natural movement in hair, improving manageability and shine.”

What I thought:

There’s really not much to say about the detangling, heat protecting spray. You apply it to damp hair like you normally would, and my hair felt soft after blowdrying. It’s lovely. I’m not sure it’s worth $40 though.

Drunk Elephant Kamili™ Cream Body Cleanser, 240ml.

 

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A post shared by Meredith???? (@xgracex98) on Apr 21, 2020 at 1:05pm PDT

What the brand says: “A luxe cream body cleanser that gently cleanses, replenishes and soothes the skin leaving it feeling silky soft.”

What I thought:

One of my favourite things about body washes is the scent, and I didn’t enjoy using this product for that reason.

This body cleanser (it’s a body wash) cleaned my skin and did a good job of removing my antiperspirant. It also doesn’t strip your skin of moisture and contains nourishing marula oil, which is full of fatty, plumping omega acids. Personally, the fragrance bothers me too much to use it every day.

Drunk Elephant Sili™ Body Lotion, $32 for 240ml.

 

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A post shared by EMILY.CO (@miimiis_makeup) on Apr 21, 2020 at 12:41am PDT

What the brand says: “A supercharged body lotion that’s a dream to apply and supports the skin’s barrier while it soothes and strengthens.”

What I thought:

This body lotion works harder than ones you’d find at the supermarket because it contains skincare ingredients like squalane, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and omega plant oils.

The texture is lightweight and it sinks in without leaving a residue on the skin. If you’re really into applying body lotions, you’ll like using this one. Otherwise, stick with your current go-to.

Drunk Elephant Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream, $26 60ml.

 

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A post shared by Lisa ????️‍???? (@murderingjellybabies) on Apr 21, 2020 at 8:54am PDT

What the brand says: “A first of its kind for Drunk Elephant, this natural deodorant cream is formulated to soothe and moisturise the delicate underarm skin, while keeping odour at bay.”

What I thought:

Because I don’t wear natural deodorants, I asked my natural deodorant-loving beauty writer friend Jess to try it for me.

She says: “Smells like marzipan, which I like personally, but I wish it worked better. It’s not very effective and I’m not a heavy sweater. I would only wear it on non-stressful lounging around at home days because I don’t think it stopped my BO.”

Final verdict on the Drunk Elephant hair and body range…

When it comes down to it, the main reason these products are so expensive is because you're paying for the brand name, the little elephant on the front of the bottle and the signature bright packaging. That, and the 'clean' formulas with skincare ingredients you won't find in body products on supermarket shelves.

Do you need these products? Absolutely not, just in the same way none us truly need any beauty products.

But if you're a big Drunk Elephant fan or just love being a part of big, buzzy beauty launches and have the cash to spare, go for it. In my opinion, the scalp scrub is the best product in the range. And they will look incredible in your shower. Otherwise, save your money.

Feature image: Supplied/@kristiny_mireny.

Have you tried any great, affordable beauty products lately? Tell us about them in the comments below!

You can catch up on our previous Tried and Tested reviews here:

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• TRIED AND TESTED: I slept in this $7 hair mask and woke up with the softest hair of my life.
• TRIED AND TESTED: The $50 sparkly Sand & Sky 'Body Sand' with a 10,000 person waitlist.
• TRIED AND TESTED: I tried 7 cult setting powders in 7 days to see which ones stay all day.
• TRIED AND TESTED: A celeb spray tanner gave me his 7 tanning commandments. They're game-changing.
• TRIED AND TESTED: "I tried the Kardashian-style wig that genuinely looks like real hair."