Wouldn’t it be nice if you could indulge in some great skincare products that are reasonably priced and provide plenty of pampering? Imagine! It’s true! You can get luxury beauty products that are affordable. I’ve got some ideas for you!
Maelys Mini Gift Set:
Maelys has a Mini Gift Set that looks very luxurious, but they’re actually affordable. The $69 kit is housed in a reusable white tin. However, there are two designs to choose from on the cardboard over-sleeve: Naughty or Nice. Our editorial sample was the red (“Naughty”–natch)! There is also a “Nice” (in blue). Inside are what Maley calls “a trio of mini must-haves.”These are not tiny travel samples either. The set includes 1 fl. oz each of Mini B-FLEX Lift & Firm Arm Cream, Mini B-TIGHT Lift & Firm Booty Mask, and Mini B-FLAT Belly Firming Cream.
As with the other skincare products I like above, I can’t really tell you how quickly these products will work because everyone’s body and skin are different. But I can tell you what these are supposed to do:
The Products:
B-TIGHT will increase booty skin smoothness. Whether I’m on the beach or I just want to look better, I’m all over this!
The B-FLEX is supposed to help you develop a tighter, sleeker, upper arm area. Again, crepey skin is the enemy of all, so I’d give it a thumbs up. And if this is your issue, B-FLAT works to decrease the look of stretch marks and to promote a sleeker-looking belly.
All of Maleys products are free of parabens, phthalates, and SLS. They are also not tested on animals and are PETA certified. This is the perfect gift for your body-obsessed friends and family. After all, it’s a trio of treats to help you look hot! For more information visit the Maleys web site.
Luxurious K-Beauty:
I love K-Beauty Products. But the skincare brand, d’Alba combines skincare and science in luxurious formulas that are affordable. I tried two of the d’Alba products: the White Truffle First Serum Spray for $35 and the Waterfull Essence Sunscreen for $36.
The White Truffle First Serum Spary is aptly named as it is infused with white truffles from Piedmont, Italy. If you’ve read about other luxurious brands that feature white truffle extract you know that the white truffle is rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin C to brighten and hydrate your skin. White truffles are also full of antioxidants. The serum later is Italian white truffle extract, niacinamide, and chia seed extract. The Oil layer features avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, and other plant-based oils for locking in moisture and radiance.
Shake the bottle to mix the layers and use this first-of-its-kind product daily. The serum spray has a light floral scent and absorbs quickly. It feels very luxurious and it has great for your skin ingredients. Some products with similar luxury ingredients can cost you more than $300. This one is just $35–a real find!
The other d’Alba product I tried was the UV Essence Waterfull Sunscreen. It offers broad spectrum SPF 50+PA++++ and is called a “sun cream” on the elegant white and silver tube. K-beauty products are often quite innovative. This one has a light and water-like consistency and smells slightly like citrus while giving your skin a natural finish.
The actives are minerals: Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazine. This means the product reflects the sun’s rays instead of being absorbed into your skin. That’s good news. It also has good-for-your-skin ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, witch-hazel extract, green tea water, holy basil extract, and vitamin E. It’s a bit pricey, but $36 is not a lot to pay for a fabulous sunscreen that also provides nutrients to your skin. I love it!
Really Exciting Skincare Products:
I am also excited to suggest August + Monroe skincare. I tried two of their products: Wake Up Call and Calm Cream.
Wake Up Call is a new serum for your under-eye area. But it’s not just a de-puffing serum with a lightweight peach gel texture and a nifty cooling tip. It also works to give your under-eye area a base for your concealer.
As far as nourishing this delicate part of your body, Wake Up Call ($52) has a vitamin C derivative that prevents crow’s feet and absorbs hydration. It also has coffee and aloe to help depuff, brighten, and soothe. According to the press information I received, this new product sold out and had a waiting list of 3,000+ customers within two weeks of launching. Wake Up Call has its own fan club and I can see why.
As someone with super sensitive skin, I also tried the August + Monroe Calm Cream (Vitamin B3 Gel Moisturizer ($48). I don’t think this is over the top to pay for a good sensitive skin moisturizer. But you can subscribe if you love it and save a little more. The Calm Cream is good for all skin types and great for sensitive skin. It’s got a lightweight gel texture with skin-loving (and soothing) ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Ginger Root, White Willow Bark, Niacinimide, & Oats.
Balancing and Restorative:
The cream also is supposed to balance oil production and treat hyperpigmentation. The information on the August + Monroe website also claims that it restores skin texture and shrinks pores and fades scars. I can’t tell whether this is true or not as I can’t use it long enough. The ingredients are certainly proven and good for your skin in many ways. Also, I love the fact that this is a refillable bottle. A couple of pumps of the Calm Cream day and evening and I think you’ll over time start to see a difference. You can check out all the ingredients in the Calm Cream here
Check out more August + Monroe products
Clever Clover Cosmetics:
Back in 2021 advicesisters.com applauded the rebrand of Clove + Hallow. Now we’re loving some makeup items from the brand called: “Clover” by Clove + Hallow. One of their mantras is “planet first, makeup second.” The cosmetics are made in the USA with 15 or fewer clean, cruelty-free, and vegan ingredients. It’s clean beauty at its best without parabens, cyclical silicones, synthetic fragrance or flavor, talc, phthalates, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, bismuth oxychloride, formaldehyde donors, chemical SPF blockers, or aluminum salts. Of course, there also isn’t any animal testing and animal by-products, child labor, or poor working conditions. And the packaging is completely recyclable. If you wish, you can take a look at Clovers’ Ingredient Glossary.
All Products Under $25:
Clean beauty of good quality shouldn’t cost you a fortune. So one of the things I’m loving about Clover is that every single product is under $25. That’s clean beauty luxury without any compromise in quality.
I love the Pressed Silk Blushing Balm ($18) in three wearable colors. Our sample was “Heartthrob.” It’s deep rose red in the compact (made from 100% previously recycled plastic) but slides on your skin in a super sheer glowy blush that looks like you’re in love (or have just gone for a long run). The other two colors are deeper red and an earthy rose. But keep in mind that this is super sheer. Apply extra layers if you want a more intense blush — but I think you won’t need it!
There are lots of lip glosses, but the Clover Super Slick Lip Jelly ($14) is silky soft. It gives your lips a super shiny sheer tint infused with sunflower, jojoba, and castor oils. Wear it alone or layer it over another color for a super-glossy finish. It’s also nice to know that the tube is made from 100% previously recycled plastic and in a fully recyclable box. It feels so nice on your lips you will want all three colors: “Skyline” (sheer pink-red- our sample) and also “Smitten” (deep apricotty-red) and “Go To” (clear).
Eyeliner in A Jar:
We also received the All Lined Up Eyeliner ($16). It’s a liner in a little jar in black (our sample) or brown. It is housed in a recyclable glass jar and packaged in a recycled and fully recyclable box. To use it you will need an angled eyeliner brush which is not included. If you love soft, inky black (or brown) liner that you can really manage in so many different ways, this liner in a pot is for you. It’s actually easier to handle than a liquid pen because with a gel-creme formula you control how much to use. Once dry, it will last all day or night. I suggest micellar water or makeup remover when you’re ready to take it off.
For more information about Clover by Clove + Hallow visit https://cloverbyclove.com/
