A cult skincare brand by the name of Drunk Elephant was once just an idea in a woman named Tiffany Masterson's head. Not everyone gets to where she is, so we knew we wanted to pick her brain and ask her our most burning questions. These days, the neon packaging and cop-worthy merch of Drunk Elephant is something beauty junkies obsess over worldwide. With formulas that are powerful, effective, and simple at the same time, we know this gem of a brand is one that's here to stay.

We were lucky to catch up with the brand's girl boss recently, Founder and Chief Creative Officer Tiffany Masterson, and she was gracious enough to let us in on her thoughts, her humble beginnings, and her no-fail antidote to a bad day. Read on for more boss-piration!

Tiffany Masterson

Metro.Style: Tell us about what the main driving force that made you take that crucial first step for building Drunk Elephant.

Tiffany Masterson: I wanted a line for my skin that didn’t contain any essential oils, SLS, silicones, fragrance/dyes, chemical screens or drying alcohols, all ingredient categories that can hold skin back or inflame/sensitize it in some way. I found them to be problematic for my skin and when I went looking for brands that didn’t contain them, I couldn’t find any. I attribute my sensitive, red, acne-prone, problematic skin to those ingredient categories and since I eliminated them from my routine, my skin has been free and clear of any issues. In fact, my skin is predictable and balanced always. It’s amazing when I consider how I used to dread a breakout or the appearance of large pores or a terrible reaction when I tried something new. It’s all a thing of the past for me, and my customers…finally!

Tiffany with her lineup of Drunk Elephant products

MS: What challenges did you have to face and accept to achieve your goals for the brand?

TM: I had to face many challenges and I got through them by being persistent and sticking to my guns. I accepted any and all challenges because I was extremely convicted in my philosophy, I was aware that it did not exist, and I wanted to help people with their skin. I wanted to change people’s perception of their skin and their experience with skincare, giving them a fresh way to look at things. It’s not only what’s IN a product that makes it work, it’s many times what’s NOT in a product that makes it work. The absence of certain ingredients was a game-changing moment for me, yet it was foreign to many people and getting people to understand that was a challenge. Choosing bright colors, matte white packaging with neon pops of color on top, the crazy name…these things had never been done before in skincare so there was a ton of pushback and naysaying. My goal for the brand was simple: help people get rid of their skin issues and give them hope by offering something they had never tried before.

Choosing bright colors, matte white packaging with neon pops of color on top, the crazy name…these things had never been done before in skincare so there was a ton of pushback and naysaying.

MS: If you could go back to day one of Drunk Elephant, what would you like to tell yourself?

TM: Have fun and don’t worry about the small stuff. People will challenge you and there are always going to be haters. Keep your eye on the prize. For me, that meant building a brand that would help solve people’s skin issues and spreading my philosophy around the world.

'Choosing bright colors, matte white packaging with neon pops of color on top, the crazy name…these things had never been done before in skincare so there was a ton of pushback and naysaying.'

MS: How do you deal with a bad day?

TM: I take a hot bath, I watch a great show, I work, I surround myself with positive people and I hang out with my husband, kids and dogs. There’s nothing more important than family and true friends.

MS: What women's issues are you passionate about and how does your brand help out in addressing these?

TM: I’m passionate about skin. Any skin. All skin. No matter who it belongs to. My brand sets out to help every person who has skin address their personal needs, regardless of how simple or complicated they may be. We are a skincare brand and we don’t discriminate. Skin is skin and we are here to help!

Shop Drunk Elephant here.

Related Story: We Asked Drunk Elephant Founder Tiffany Masterson Our Burning Skincare Questions