Nuance Salma Hayek AM/PM Skincare collection Review

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Found: Drugstore skincare worthy of a Hollywood starlet’s vanity

 Nuance Salma Hayek AM/PM Skincare collection in a light-colored backgroundphotos: we heart this

After reading about the Nuance Salma Hayek beauty blogger party that we heart this recently hosted, I was curious about the line. Created by one of the world’s most stunning actresses, affordable, and available at any CVS… on paper, Nuance sounds like a winner. But I’m a skeptic, so I wondered, would Nuance be just another mediocre line with the name of a beautiful celebrity attached to it, or would it be the real deal?

Now that I’ve tested a range of Nuance Salma Hayek products, I know the answer: Nuance is a skincare revolution, a treasure trove of high-quality treatments that won’t break the bank. Available exclusively at CVS at such reasonable prices, your only problem is going to be selecting which products are right for you.

Close up image of the packaging of  Nuance Salma Hayek AM/PM Skincare collectionCan I design geek out for a minute with the packaging? Spot varnish (the leaves on the box are a shinier texture than the rest) always gets me. ~Stef

Before I tested Nuance, my search for the perfect drugstore skincare line had been filled with disappointment. I’d found a few contenders, but they always let me down in some crucial way: shoddy packaging that fell apart, lackluster results, or – worst of all – an overabundance of cheap-smelling fragrance that seemed designed to make the products smell nicer than they were. Nuance is not guilty of a single one of these offenses. The products are so similar to those of extremely high-end lines, it’s as if Nuance didn’t cut a single corner.

 Nuance Salma Hayek AM/PM Skincare collection

Salma was inspired by her grandmother, an esthetician who dedicated her life to skin care, to create a line that combines natural and age-old Native American and Mayan ingredients into potent skincare cocktails. Nuance products contain fruit extracts and essential oils, which address issues like aging, loss of hydration, and uneven tone and texture.

Beauty secret with ingredient text description

The most powerful, unique ingredient in most Nuance skincare products is Tepezcohuite, which comes from a tree native to Brazil and southern areas of Mexico, and is prized for its antioxidant properties and ability to rejuvenate the skin.

I tested four items from the skincare line and loved every one. The black and white packaging is sturdy and modern, looking more like high-end cosmeceuticals than drugstore skincare. The products are either fragrance-free or contain a perfect whisper of scent, a vague hint of citrus that fades immediately after application. The first three products I tested (from her AM/PM line) work well as a 3-step day or night routine:

Close up image of AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Eye Treatment packaging and text description

AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Eye Treatment ($19.99) – The formula is just creamy enough to moisturize without causing dreaded puffiness or oiliness around the eyes. Contains Tepezcohuite, rice bran oil and vitamins A & E, all of which protect skin and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Watermelon, apple & lentil fruit extracts help retain skin’s natural moisture and provide antioxidant protection.

Close up image of AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Serum Concentrate packaging

AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Serum Concentrate ($19.99) – A light serum that absorbs instantly, locking moisture in and prepping the skin for moisturizer and/or makeup. Contains tepezcohuite, borage and babassu seed oils, and vitamins A & E to help revitalize, restore moisture and tone skin.

Close up image of AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Lotion packaging

AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Lotion ($19.99) – Tepezcohuite, algae extract & vitamins A & E create a lightweight, oil-free formula that moisturizes with a matte finish. The lotion is the perfect consistency – creamy but easily absorbed. My makeup went on smoothly and my skin looked radiant and healthy.

AM/PM Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, Super Serum, Super Lotion swatches AM/PM Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, Super Serum, Super Lotion

I also tested a second, heavy-duty serum:

A hand holding Anti-Aging Smooth & Firm Elixir

Anti-Aging Smooth & Firm Elixir ($19.99) – With its medicinal-looking dropper applicator, this serum is heavier than the AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Serum Concentrate, and takes a little longer to sink in.

Dispenser of the packaging pops out Press on the center of the cap, up pops the dispenser…

Anti-Aging Smooth & Firm Elixir with dropper…that operates the dropper!

The powerhouse ingredient here is oil from the sea buckthorn plant, packed full of essential fatty acids and nutrient-rich vitamins. In fact, sea buckthorn oil was known in ancient Asian civilizations as liquid gold for its ability to soften, smooth and rejuvenate skin. Other active ingredients include O2 complex with ginseng extract, which provides antioxidant protections, and vitamins A, C & E, which condition skin.

Beauty Secret Text Ingredients

Pros:
Extensive line of products offers something for every skin type
High quality products at drugstore prices
All products are dermatologist tested, non-irritating, not tested on animals, and paraben free
Can be found at any CVS or online at cvs.com

Cons:
Products do not contain SPF, so be sure to add protection for daytime

we heartsters – is your skin glowing like Salma’s thanks to the Nuance line?

Melissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock ‘n’ roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pup Zeus.

Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.

Author

  • turboterp

    Melissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock 'n' roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pup Bellarina. skin tone: NC20 skin type: dry to normal favorite beauty product: skincare

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15 Comments

  1. I tested two of Salma’s products and was impressed! Classy design yet practical! I thought the box design is super pretty, you’re right @stef! How cool that we can get this at CVS and not go home broke!
    First, my thoughts on Nuance Salma Hayek Anti-Aging Smooth & Firm Elixir
    This product rings true to its name. I love good skincare and know what works and doesn’t for my skin.. I love that this has so much “good stuff” in it. It has vitamins A, C & E, sea buckthorbotanical complex that defiantly smoothes away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to even my skins texture. Hello, only 20 bucks! Immediately, you will feel and see how well it works.
    I’m also as impressed with Nuance Salma Hayek AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Serum Concentrate. Bring on the serums!
    I went a bit nutty when I saw the dispenser for this. Its something I wish most of my bottles of skincare had. This concentrate has Tepezcohuite which really helps even out skin tone and makes it feel, well, conditioned and smooth. My skin is dry so the borage and babassu seed oils work some magic to relive my sensitive side and It’s non-irritating! Best of all, not tested on animals and is paraben free!
    I like to use these together. Just mix both the elixir and the concentrate for amazing results in the morning and at night. I’m hearting this line! Get it while you can.. It’s flying off the shelves! Great review!

    1. I never thought of mixing the serums together. You’re a skincare visionary, @irene ! I was also SO happy when I read that Nuance does not use animal testing.

  2. I think I’m going to pick up the Super Lotion the next time I hit CVS. I’m about to run out of my fav lotion which is too expensive for my budget right now and I’m loving Nuance’s Brightening BB Cream. Overall impressed with the reviews of heard of Nuance in general!

  3. @Stef –spot varnish is something I’m totally obsessed with. I lovelovelovelovelove it. I kind of felt bad throwing away the box…

    I tested out the AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Lotion. The price seems a bit high to me, but it does perform more like a mid-range product than a drugstore product. The lotion feels like it might be too rich for my oily skin, but is easily absorbed, drying down to a nice matte finish. It didn’t affect my foundation (no oxidizing, no shine, etc) nor did it cause breakouts, which scores this moisturizer major points. The packaging is simple and well designed (a nice good quality pump). While I don’t use moisturizer frequently, I do like this quite a bit. Four and 1/2 stars.

  4. I’m a firm believer in homeopathic ingredients to nourish and protect. These products sound wonderful! Antioxidants are essential in preserving skin from the damage caused by free radicals; not only have they been found to fight lines and creases, but they may also protect the skin from damaging effects of the sun. Vitamins A, C, and E are present in the most pricey skin care–so glad to see them in here. Sea buckthorn has been touted as an exceptional moisturizer. Kudos to Salma Hayek for developing a truly effective (and attractive) line which is also affordable. And kudos to you, Melissa, for the excellent information. We’ll probably see it in Pittsburgh around 2015 . . . darn!

    1. I’d like to second your kudos, @gigi ! Nuance is truly an effective and affordable line. And remember, even if you can’t buy it in person in Pittsburgh, you can still find the products on cvs.com.

  5. I tried the AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Eye Treatment and I’m a fan! I don’t usually use eye creams but as I’m in my early thirties, I probably should have started years ago to ward off damage. This has a really nice formula, very smooth and not too thick-which is good because you’re supposed to be gentle on your eye area. (I’m an eye rubber. It’s a problem. ) I didn’t detect too much of a scent and it was gentle and didn’t sting when I inevitably got it in my eye. It’s too soon to see definite difference, but it does moisturize extremely well. I’m excited to try the others in the line, especially the serum. I think Nuance is one of those lines that flies under the radar: the product is great and the price is even better. Four from me!

  6. Excellent review! I also tested the Anti-Aging Smooth and Firm Elixir and am a big fan. The hefty bottle and the cool dropper seem much higher end than the price, and the formula is smooth, light, and nourishing. I am curious to see what long-term changes happen on my skin (fine lines, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation issues, etc.) In the short term, though, I feel like my skin appears more glow-y and a touch firmer. Plus, it just feels really soothing. I will also say that I LOVE much of this line–the Hydrating Balm in Rose Petal is delicious–smells like fresh, natural roses and is super rich and moisturizing.

  7. I tested out the AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Eye Treatment and I’m a big fan. With a nearly 3 month old baby at home my dark circles would require nuclear weapons to make a difference. But! With the Super Eye Treatment helping to take care of those tell-tale creases and puff that lack of sleep creates my circles are less noticeable by proxy. I’ll take it!
    I do notice a subtle fruity scent, but nothing bothersome. It absorbs beautifully, doesn’t make my eye makeup melt, and as @Lyssachelle said, it doesn’t sting when it inevitably gets in my eyes. (Hey, we’re tired! Moisturizer shouldn’t require precision.)
    All in all I give the AM/PM Anti-Aging Super Eye Treatment 4 stars. Nuance is one to try!

  8. I tested the Anti-Aging Super Serum Concentrate and am also a big fan. The packaging and pump dispenser are spot on perfect. I love the scent – very subtle and exotic fruit, maybe? I’ve had no sensitivity issues, it soaks in wonderfully well and even seems a little moisturizing, although I do generally use my moisturizer over the top. It’s too soon to tell if it’s improving my skin tone or wrinkles drastically, but I think I appear a little brighter and tighter. I’d really like to try the Nuance moisturizer over the top to see what the combo is like, so I’m thinking of checking that out when mine runs out. The price is definitely unbeatable. I’m looking forward to trying out much more from this exciting line!

  9. After testing AM/PM Anti-aging Super Serum Concentrate and AM/PM Ant i-aging Super Eye Treatment I want to assure everyone these products ar e worth all of the hype. I believe these are better quality than many department store items I have purchased. I understand why CVS is having a hard time keeping this on the shelves. Salma knocked this one out of the park when she made an affordable skincare that is accessible to everyone.
    I don’t want to repeat all of the points that people have made. I do love the fact that these product have pumps that helps with portion control and preventing wasted product. I recommend starting with a ½ pump.

  10. I tested the Anti-Aging Super Eye Serum and am very impressed. I’m trying to get in the habit of using moisturizing products, but before using this hadn’t found anything specific for the eyes. This absorbs quickly and mixes well with my concealer; in fact, I think it makes it look way more natural! Would definitely buy this again and would consider using the other products in the line.

  11. I tried the eye treatment, the anti-aging serum and the ant-aging lotion. I thought all three of these were perfect for my oily skin. The serum isn’t too thick or oily or silicone-like as is often the case (many serums seem to clog my pores, suffocate my skin and make me break out–even the most expensive ones). Likewise, the lotion is light enough for my skin but still keeps me well hydrated. The eye treatment is rich but not mask-y and absorbs quickly and well (I hate heading to bed with still-glossy creams and lotions under my eyes …this belly-sleeper is sure most of the unabsorbed stuff ends up as anti-aging treatment for my pillowcases).
    Also, as mentioned, the fragrance is so subtle and dissipates so quickly that it almost isn’t there. My only complaint would be the lack of SPF in the day/night lotion. If its going to be versatile enough for anytime, SPF should be a no-brainier for anything with an “anti-aging” label.
    All in all, really amazing–AMAZING–for a drugstore brand. Seriously.
    And I love the packaging, too!

  12. I have been testing the serum and I am loving it! I was super nervous to try it at first. I was worried that it would break me out, as I have very sensitive skin. But this stuff is fantastic! I have experiences no problems at all. But I am starting to see some improvements in clarity and texture. I totally recommend anyone giving this drugstore gem a shot!

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