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I tried over $250 worth of Glow Recipe products and here are my thoughts

After trying 5 different Glow Recipe products, here's our no-BS review of which ones are (and aren't) worth forking out for.

Since its launch in 2014, K-beauty brand Glow Recipe has quickly become a staple in many beauty cabinets around the world. But you probably already know that, since it's all over Instagram and TikTok and it's consistently a best-seller at Mecca in Australia.

The brand specialises in cruelty-free, clean, fruit-powered skincare across a bunch of products including masks, cleansers, serums and moisturisers. There are more than 15 products available in Australia and I've tried my fair share of them. As they're not exactly cheap, I've done y'all a favour and reviewed the products I have tried, highlighting which ones are worth the moolah and which ones aren't.

If you're only here for the highlight reel, my 3 absolute must-haves are:

  • Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
  • Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
  • Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream

If you want all of the juicy details, keep on reading.


Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask | $68

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We're galloping out of the gate with the prize winner in my opinion: The Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask.

It's a breathable and hydrating sleep mask that works its magic to smooth your skin overnight. It contains watermelon (duh) to help hydrate and soothe your skin while fighting off signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Other hero ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which also helps maintain the skin's moisture levels and AHA to buff away dead skin cells and clarify pores.

The mask has a thin jelly consistency that applies easily and, like the rest of the Watermelon Glow range, it smells like HEAVEN. Unlike some other sleep masks I've tried, it doesn't leave residue on your pillow and it soaks in really quickly. Each time I use it, my skin feels smooth, plump and looks more radiant when I wake up. You can also wash the mask off after 10 minutes if overnight masks aren't your thang.

I only use this mask once or twice a week, but you can use it daily if you wish. If you're new to AHA products though, start with two or three nights a week and gradually work your way up to daily use over a couple of weeks.

Would I repurchase?

Yes. It bears repeating: YES! I've actually already re-purchased this product 3 times for myself and have gifted it to many loved ones.

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Watermelon Glow Ultra Fine Mist | $43

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Next up is the Watermelon Glow Ultra Fine Mist. As well as 84% watermelon, hyaluronic acid and AHAs, it contains hibiscus AHAs which smooth uneven texture and quench your skin. This means this product is perf to use as a toner before applying makeup, or afterwards if you want to freshen up during the day.

It's suitable for normal, sensitive or combination skin types and is essential if you have dull or dry skin. Just like its sister products, the scent is fruity and refreshing.

The highlight of this product is the consistency of the mist. While some mists are a bit abrasive to use, this one lives up to its name. It's a very fine, foggy and pleasant experience.

We reviewed this baby back in 2019, so you can check out the full review if you want a more in-depth overview.

Would I repurchase?

Yes but only if I was in a "treat yo'self" kinda mood. The Ultra Fine Mist is a beautiful product but it's a little expensive for a mist in my opinion. I would say this is a "nice to have" but probably not an absolute must.

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Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream | $43

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The Pink Dream Body Cream is the latest addition to the Glow Recipe range and dropped in Australia earlier this year. I've been using it for a few weeks now and am thoroughly impressed with the results so far.

The body moisturiser contains watermelon seed butter, which is packed full of vitamins and antioxidants that give your skin a nice li'l drink of moisture. My skin is naturally quite dry and regular shaving and/or self-tanning doesn't help. After using this on my arms and legs regularly for a few weeks, I noticed my legs felt smoother and less patchy.

I really hate when moisturisers feel greasy, but this one soaks into your skin quickly and keeps you feeling hydrated but not sticky.

Would I repurchase?

Yes, absolutely. It's one of the more expensive body moisturisers I've purchased but it's worth it. Plus, a little bit of it goes a long way.

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Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm | $49

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If you're into double cleansing (which you should be) a product like the Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm is a goodie to have in your beauty cabinet.

You only need one or two pea-sized amounts to get the job done. I love pairing this with a gel cleanser and using the balm as the first step of my cleansing process. Because of its balmy texture, it really melts away makeup that usually takes some elbow grease to remove. But you definitely need to follow it up with a gel cleanser to give your face a thorough clean.

It contains papaya seed oil and enzymes, which are rich in fatty acids, and vitamin C to keep your skin hydrated and smooth. It's also packed with blueberry extract, which is bursting with antioxidants that protect your skin against environmental stressors like makeup, pollution and other nasties that get into your skin throughout the day.

Would I repurchase?

I would, but if I had to choose one cleanser, I would go for the Blueberry Bounce instead. We'll get into why that is next.

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Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser | $52

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That leads us on to the final product in the roundup: the Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. It's a 3-in-1 makeup remover, cleanser and face mask. As I mentioned before, it works wonders on its own or when used after the Papaya Sorbet Cleansing Balm if you're double-cleansing.

As you might've guessed from the name, it contains blueberries, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Unlike some other cleansers, it's really gentle and doesn't strip your skin of its moisture along the way. This is likely because it contains both hyaluronic acid, which is the holy grail of hydration, as well as AHAs, which are really gentle exfoliating acids.

Also, a little goes a long way. One or two pumps is usually enough to remove a full face of makeup for me. If you want to use it as a mask, apply a generous layer to clean, dry skin and leave it on for 5 minutes. Then rinse it off with some warm water and you're good to go.

Would I repurchase?

100%! I love a good gel cleanser and this is definitely one of my faves that I've tried so far.

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Where can I buy Glow Recipe products?

If you want to give the Glow Recipe range a whirl for yourself, you can shop it at Mecca and Cult Beauty.

Looking for a beauty bargain? Check out all the latest health and beauty coupon codes.


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Images: Glow Recipe

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Sally McMullen is a Co-Host of the Two Broke Chicks podcast and former credit card and frequent flyer editor at Finder. Her byline can be spotted on Yahoo Finance, Dynamic Business, Financy and Mamamia as well as Music Feeds and Rolling Stone. Sally has a first-class Honours degree in Communications and Media Studies (majoring in Journalism and Professional Writing) from the University of Wollongong. See full bio

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