Okay, so if there is one thing I have learned blogging about beauty over the past 10 years it’s that you don’t need to break the bank to have great skincare products.
I’ve tried items that are $10 and items that are $300 and truthfully, although the $300 products contain more luxe ingredients, they pretty much all do the trick for me. Over the years there have been so many new brands released which promise amazing skincare without the department store prices and one of these brands is Good Molecules.
Good Molecules is a U.S. skincare brand that is super affordable and contains ingredients that are backed by science. They publish a nothing-to-hide ingredient list on the side of each box so you know exactly how much they use of each ingredient in every product. Oh, and did I mention it’s super affordable too? Their products aren’t sold in any stores here in Canada (and even then, the stores they do sell them in in other countries is super limited), but you can order online through the Good Molecules site.
The brand recently reached out and sent over a box of goodies to try them out and the first thing that struck me was how cute the branding was. I’m a sucker for good packaging and great branding, so I knew automatically that I would love these items.
Starting first with the Niacinamide Brightening Toner ($14 USD), this toner is great for promoting bright, even skin and less visible pores. It’s an alcohol-free formula and contains brightening ingredients to make skin appear healthier, look less dull, fix uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores.
Like the name suggests, it contains niacinamide (also known as Vitamin B3), which targets uneven skin tone, dullness, and pores, as well as strengthens your skins barrier function. It also contains naturally derived arbutin to improve the look of hyperpigmentation, as well as licorice root extract to soothe inflammation. Lastly, it also contains Vitamin C to protect skin against free radical damage and promote collagen production.
Now that your skin is prepped for the rest of your skincare routine, go in with their Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($6 USD). This serum, great for morning and night, is formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and make it appear more smooth and supple.
This is a great serum to use in your everyday routine (even if you use other serums, this is great to mix in), since it’s very lightweight and will help keep your skin hydrated all season long. I love including hyaluronic acid products into my routine and for only $6, this is something that won’t break the bank.
For nighttime, take a look at their Overnight Exfoliating Treatment ($6 USD). This serum, applied before bed, contains a blend of 10 per cent alpha and beta hydroxy acids to help resurface and renew skin. It’s great for combatting anti-aging, as well as blemishes on the skin.
The formula contains AHAs and BHAs, which are both exfoliating agents. The AHAs work on the surface level of your skin to remove dead skin cells and allow for cell regeneration for smoother and more textured skin. The BHAs (which are also known as salicylic acid) are great for acne and sun damage as it can penetrate deeper in your skin and pores to remove excess sebum and dirt.
Apply this serum at night a few times a week and wake up with more luminous skin.
Lastly, to moisturize, take a look at their Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer ($12 USD). This moisturizer smoothes, hydrates, and preps your skin for makeup. It contains a blend of macadamia seed oil, shea butter, and a naturally derived silicone alternative to hydrate, strengthen, condition, and protect skin from environmental stress, all whole providing a perfect canvas for your makeup.
I love this moisturizer since it’s very pleasant to apply. It glides on the skin and fills in pores and any lines and wrinkles, making it perfect as your base for the rest of your skin. I also find the formula to be really nourishing and lightweight. I like to apply this in the morning and then wait a few minutes to allow it to absorb into my skin before going in with my sunscreen.
As you can see, the prices for these products really can’t be beat. Even as I was writing this post and looking these items up, I couldn’t get over how affordable everything is. If you spend $35 on the Good Molecules site, the items ship for free as well (not sure about international shipping though). I love how you can get a whole regimen for basically $35, which is not even the price of a serum at Sephora.
I also want to add that the products are cruelty-free and most of them (if not all) are vegan as well.
Have you tried out Good Molecules?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
It’s tough being a blonde.
Okay, I know total first world problems, but seriously it can be tough keeping your blonde looking vibrant and fresh. If you have blonde hair, you know the feeling of looking and feeling fabulous when you first leave the salon and then a few weeks later your bright and shiny blonde hair is looking brassy and just all around not cute.
Well, not anymore.
If you invest in making your hair blonde then it makes total sense to invest in some amazing blonde haircare products. You don’t need to break the bank to get these kinds of items, but if you want to splurge on some really luxurious goodies, then look no further than Kerastase.
I’ve been using Kerastase’s Blond Absolu line for years now and recently they sent over three new products to try out in the range.
First up is the Blond Absolu Le Bain Cicaextreme (C$46), which is a shampoo that cleanses and strengthens damaged blonde hair.
Now the packaging of this product is kind of confusing since it comes in a jar similar to a hair mask, so I was quite surprised that it was in fact a shampoo. Suitable for all hair types and textures, if you suffer from dry hair, lack of lustre, and damage and split ends/breakage, then this is for you.
Apply this to damp hair, wait a few minutes, then rinse. The formula contains a hyaluronic acid duo, which adds deep hydration to the hair, as well as edelweiss-in-oil to add softness and help with hair recovery. I also want to note that it also has a pleasant floral scent, which is a real treat in the shower or bath.
For the best results possible, follow up with a deep hydration mask once a week at least. You’ll find with regular use of this, your damaged blonde hair will start to look more luxurious and softer.
Speaking of masks, the perfect one to use is their Blond Absolu Masque Cicaextreme (C$72). This restorative deep-conditioning treatment will keep your colour looking vibrant and prevent your hair from damage. It also contains hyaluronic acid and edelweiss-in-oil to add hydration to your hair. The texture is a white gel-in-cream that is designed to strengthen fiber structure to reconstruct post-bleach hair.
With regular use, you’ll find hair is more hydrated and full, less frizzy, more resilient, and just all around healthier and happier. You can use this either weekly or daily depending on the status of your hair. Although it is on the pricier side, so I would recommend maybe doing it once a week to really extend the life of the product, but it’s a good product to invest in if you are blonde.
Finally, to complete the trio, apply the Huile Cicaextreme (C$62) to hair, which will help to strengthen sensitized, lightened, or highlighted hair.
This serum can be applied to towel-dried or dry hair and is a lightweight serum that helps to strengthen post-bleached hair by boosting its resistance to external aggressors, such as pollution, as well as add shine.
This serum works to hydrate and plump hair, reduces post-bleach sensitivity and hair porosity, and seals split ends for softness and shine. It also protects hair from heat up to 230 degrees and provides 72 hours of frizz control.
These products are designed to be used together for the best treatment for blonde hair. Kerastase is a more expensive brand (as you can see from the prices of these items). It is really good though and I do use their products often. What I really like to do is use their items once a week and then maybe switch it out for something more affordable on other days, so these last a little longer than usual.
If you are investing in making your hair blonde though, I do recommend picking up some items and splurging a little to make sure that your hair is healthy, shiny, and as bright as it can be. Yes, these are expensive, but so is maintaining blonde hair. You might as well spend the money now rather than later when your blonde is looking brassy and dull.
Do you use Kerastase products?
Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my honest own.
Like this post? Check out these related ones:
Okay, so we all know Benefit is known for their brow products, but just as famous are their iconic Box O’ Powders.
The brand has a number of blush and bronzers in their collection and they all come in a little box which opens up to reveal the product and a mirror and mini blush to apply it. They have a number of shades available but the most iconic is definitely their Hoola bronzer.
Now if you love their blushes, bronzers, and highlights then you’ll love what they just released. Launched on April 13, 2021 is their Fouroscope collection (C$48 each, valued at $126), which is made up of three palettes which feature bronzers, blushes, and highlights. There are three palettes to choose from and each contains four shades, including never-before-seen exclusive colours. Each palette also has two full-size products and two minis.
Benefit Fouroscope Earth Angel Palette.
Up first is the Earth Angel Palette, which is made up of warm rosy nude colours. This palette includes a full size of Hoola, their iconic matte bronzer, and Honey Moon, which is a sunset pink blush exclusive to this palette. It also has minis of Cookie, a golden pearl highlighter that gives you an incredible glow, and Georgia, a golden peach blush.
Benefit Cosmetics Fourocope Air Goddess palette.
Next up is Air Goddess, a soft peachy glow palette. This palette is the only one of the three that doesn’t include a bronzer, but if blushes and highlights are your jam, then you’ll love this. You get full sizes of both Dandelion, a baby-pink brightening face powder and Georgia, a golden peach blush, as well as minis of Blaze, a peach-pink highlighter and Solstice, a berry blush. Both Blaze and Solstice are exclusive to this palette.
Benefit Cosmetics Fourocope Fire Queen palette.
Finally, Fire Queen is great for those who have more tanned or a darker skin tone. It includes full sizes of both Hoola and Soulstice, as well as minis of Blaze, a peach-pink highlighter, and Starlette, a candy pink blush. Starlette, Soulstice, and Blaze are exclusive to this collection.
I really love these palettes since Benefit’s face products really are incredible and give you incredible colour payoff which just melts into your skin. Also, the value for these is amazing since you get over $100 worth of product for under $50. A full size of one of their face powders alone is $40, so for only $8 more you get another full size product and two minis (which are also pretty substantial as well). Even if you have some of these colours already and love them, I would recommend picking one of these up since the quality of the powders is amazing and truly every palette features shades that are really wearable (there’s always one shade in a palette that just doesn’t get worn, but I find with these, all the colours are really stunning).
Now, speaking of Hoola, if you are a ride or die then you’ll be excited to know that in honour of the iconic bronzer’s 20th anniversary, Benefit has released a new Hoola formula.
The Hoola Glow Shimmer Powder Bronzer for Face (C$40) launched on May 4 and is a limited-edition offering. This joins the Hoola family, which already includes the original, as well as Hoola Lite, Hoola Caramel, and Hoola Toasted.
Hoola Glow is the same Hoola shade we all know and love but this time with a superfine pearlessence finish to give you a lit-from-within look. I love a good shimmery bronzer and this version of Hoola really helps to achieve that. I also find this kind of finish in a bronzer to be so perfect for summer.
I really love all these releases from Benefit and love when they come out with new face products since the formula is so amazing and just melts into your skin. I highly recommend picking up one of the new palettes since the value is amazing and the shade range is incredible. The hardest part is choosing which one to purchase since they’re all so stunning.
Have you purchased any of Benefit’s new face products?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
Like this post? Check out these related ones:
