Affordable Direct to Consumer Beauty: MaeLove Review

If you’re looking for affordable and effective skincare, then this Maelove review is for you. I’ve been using Maelove products for my morning and evening skincare almost exclusively since mid-May. A few times, I’ve shared them on my Insta stories and, each time, a few of you reach out to let me know that you love these budget-friendly, effective, and clean(er) products.

But, for the rest of you, consider this your introduction to your new favorite skincare brand.

What Is Maelove?

Maelove is a direct to consumer beauty brand that is able to offer high-quality products at affordable prices ($28 for a serum that includes Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid!). They’re a startup that focuses their investment in their business on product development, working with established labs and conducting extensive consumer research.

Think of them as a company that works with science, actual clinical research, and prioritizes products that are the simplest iteration possible of something that works.

My Maelove Skincare Routine

I’ve incorporated Maelove as the base products in both my morning and evening routines. Like I mentioned, Maelove’s products are made with simple, effective ingredients, which I think has played a large part in a total absence of breakouts over the past 2 months.

And, here’s a word to the wise: if you decide to try out Maelove’s products, it makes sense to buy the bundles since you’ll save about $20 off list price. You can get all three creams for $64 or all three serums for $64.

Morning Routine

My morning routine stays pretty much the same each day. I start off by applying the Eye Enhancer and the Glow Maker Serum. I then let those dry for a few minutes before applying the One Cream moisturizer. Lastly, I always apply a sunscreen, even if I don’t plan on leaving the house (hey, Maelove, want to make a sunscreen next?!).

Evening Routine

While I do still use a retinol every few evenings, I was pumped to incorporate a glycolic acid into my arsenal with the Night Renewer cream, a high potency AHA that’s designed to help your skin resurface over night.

After washing with an oil cleanser, I apply the Hydrator B5 Gel Serum and the Eye Enhancer. Then, every other evening, I let that dry for a few minutes before applying the Night Renewer Cream. On the evenings when I don’t use the Night Renewer cream, I apply a retinol, then the serum, then a moisturizer.

Maelove Review: Simple, Effective Products

The main takeaway from my Maelove review is this: these products are at an amazing price point and they work. They’re a bit more expensive than the products you’ll find at the drugstore, but they have simpler ingredients. And, they’re a lot less expensive than what you’ll buy at Sephora.

Glow Maker Serum ($28)

The Glow Maker Serum packs in pretty much every active ingredient you want in a serum: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, and, a new to me ingredient: Ferulic Acid, which apparently boosts the efficacy of the vitamin antioxidants. It has a consistency that leans more liquid than gel. This hydrates and brightens, so I use it every day…and I’m particularly excited to use it on days when I’m feeling a bit dull or like my skin looks like it could use a pick-me-up.

One Cream ($28)

The only product that had a slight con for me is the One Cream. Don’t get me wrong, I love it on. It keeps my skin hydrated from when I put it on around 7:30 AM until I take it off around 10 PM. But, because it’s so hydrating, it’s thick. I have to make sure I really rub it in or I’ll end up with “pilling” — you know, when a moisturizer or serum will form little tiny excess product balls on your skin. It’s annoying, but, as long as I rub this in super thoroughly and don’t use too much, I’m good to go.

Eye Enhancer ($28)

I love a hydrating eye cream, though, really, who doesn’t!? The gel texture on the Eye Enhancer is a nice, refreshing take on an eye cream that leaves the delicate skin around your eyes hydrated. And, that’s what really matters when it comes to eyes: hydration. Or, at least that’s what my derm tells me!

Hydrator B5 Gel Serum ($28)

I love that this Hydrator Serum has a true gel consistency because it means I don’t waste a drop — I can use the dropper to apply it directly to my face (you know putting it in your hand first wastes product, right?!) and dab it into my skin without losing any to accidental drips. It’s a lightweight serum that is super hydrating and leaves you feeling dewy, hence why I use it at night with my stronger products. Also, since using this with my retinol, I’ve had no issues with over-drying.

Night Renewer ($28)

Okay, I mentioned in my evening routine that this is a glycolic acid cream, which is a type of alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA (does anyone else remember the alpha hydroxy commercials that some mainstream skincare brand use to always run when we were kids?! guess these ingredients work!). The point of an AHA is to encourage skin renewal — think of it like a peel you leave on to let it work. Use this regularly and your skin will feel smoother, brighter, and more glowy.

My Final Takeaway on Maelove

So, after 7 weeks of using Maelove products, I can confidently say that I’ll be purchasing these products when I run out. I believe in the beauty blogger world, they call them empties. Yes, these will definitely be empties that will be reordered ASAP.

At the end of the day, I’m totally willing to splurge on skincare if it works. But, if there’s an option that’s more budget-friendly, made with simpler ingredients, and that is truly effective, I’m here for it. So far, Maelove’s products have ticked off all three of those boxes for me and I’m going to keep on keeping on with these.

Thank you to Maelove for sponsoring this post! They were so kind to send these products my way and, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am so grateful to the brands that make www.heatherbien.com possible!