My first job after graduating college was at McGraw-Hill Book Company in New York City. I was wide-eyed and ready to conquer the publishing world. What I didn’t count on was the number of other recent college graduates who were hired and ready to battle each other to be noticed and promoted. So I dug down deep to win the war, sometimes following the crowd to places I had no right being in on such a paltry starting salary.
Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingale’s and Bonwit Teller were some of the stores we frequented on our lunch hour.
The cosmetic counters were our favorite places to roam, and it was there that I’d spend most of my paycheck. I spent a ridiculous amount of money on cleansers, exfoliators, toners and moisturizers that the pages of Cosmo told me I absolutely had to use to avoid wrinkles and cellulite.
What was I thinking?
Over the years I’ve gotten away from purchasing expensive skin products, and these days I also think it's important to read the ingredients on labels to make sure they’re as natural as possible.
So I was thrilled when I received some special swag at this year’s Bloggers at Midlife (BAM) event from Albertini International. I don’t usually get excited about swag but this was very different.
Valorie Albertini is the passionate creator behind Albertini International. A skin expert who spent 25 years testing and developing skincare and hair products for major manufacturers, Valorie noticed her own skin changing while going through menopause. She decided she had to find a solution by creating skin care products that would be geared for women in midlife at a price that was affordable. Along with her longtime friend Janice Petit de Mange, Albertini manufactures:
“Skin Care for Women Old Enough to Know and Young Enough to Care!”
My gift bag from BAM contained three lovely sample sizes of their products:
Rough Love Body Scrub
Don’t you love the name? I hadn’t used a body scrub in years so I couldn’t wait to shower up and try theirs. This exfoliating and detoxifying treatment, with its fragrant rosemary and eucalyptus oils, is said to remove impurities and hydrate the skin.
I followed the directions on the label, using it in the shower after cleansing while gently massaging the scrub in a circular motion, then rinsing it off with warm water. I use it 2 to 3 times a week, focusing on my roughest spots (elbows, knees and the bottom of my feet.)
I found Albertini’s promise of removing dead skin cells to provide softer and smoother skin to be true. I love the new feel of my skin, and the smell of the scrub reminds me of being in a spa. I highly recommend trying it.
Photo Credit: Albertini International
Warm Love Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask
I haven’t used a mask in years but I know it’s important for good skin care. The promise of removing old skin cells and stimulating new cell growth was something that, in midlife, is important for all women with our ever-changing skin.
At 56 years old my skin is definitely changing, so the promise of purifying and brightening it was something I wanted to put to the test. I was happy to learn that the pumpkin (that I was initially hesitant about) was combined with papaya and pineapple enzymes.
The directions called for using the mask after cleansing your face and prior to moisturizing. I used it in the shower after drying off my face, massaging it for a few minutes (you can leave it on longer for increased benefits.) I was glad to feel how thin the mask felt on my skin, not thick and heavy like some masks do.
The results? My face feels silky smooth and I love the smell. I am thoroughly sold on Warm Love!
Photo Credit: Albertini International
Divine Skin Hydrator
Created for women over 40, this product is an in-shower body moisturizer to help us restore our skin’s natural moisture by rehydrating and smoothing rough, dry skin. (I felt like this product was made specifically for me!) I loved that it was unscented, something that’s important to me since many scents give me a headache.
You can use Divine in the shower after cleaning and rinsing (including your hair), but I use it (as they also recommend) after getting out of the shower on my damp skin. I slather it all over my body and it feels smooth and gentle.
I adore this product! My skin feels softer than it’s felt in years. It feels like the old days when my skin had a youthful luster to it. It doesn’t get any better than that. This is one product I will continue to use.
Photo Credit Albertini International
The ladies of Albertini generously sent me two additional products to try.
Tint Plus Tinted Moisturizer
When I spoke to Janice on the phone she said she looked at my Facebook profile photo and decided to send me the medium shade of their tinted moisturizer. She was absolutely right. I am particular not only about the moisturizers I use but also the color of any tint. (Don’t you hate seeing women wearing tints that look orangey?)
Developed for aging skin with the added benefits of being oil free and SPF 20, this moisturizer provides lightweight coverage without seeping into creases or fine lines. I used it on my cheeks, around my nose and on my chin and forehead. It did the trick.
The directions say you can use your regular makeup over this product and they were right. My skin felt s-m-o-o-t-h and my makeup easily glided over the light foundation. I thought I’d need to use a little extra foundation but it wasn’t necessary.
I love the look and feel of Tint Plus Tinted Moisturizer. I’d recommend it to all women. It helped me start my day feeling more confident about how my skin looked and felt.
Photo Credit: Albertini International
Pure Love All Natural Facial Cleanser
The newest addition of the Albertini line, I adored this cleanser from the start. I felt good knowing it had an antioxidant blend of olive, argan and jojoba oils to wipe away my makeup and cleanse my skin. I use it in the shower with dry hands and massage it into my face and neck when they're dry. It quickly rinses away under warm water and my face and neck feel clean and soft. Easy, peasy.
Photo Credit: Albertini International
Take a look at the Albertini International website to discover the entire line of products available for the face and body geared to women in midlife. You'll be glad you did!
Photo Credit: Albertini International
I am happy to provide one lucky winner with a gift bag containing a full size Divine and samples of Rough Love, Warm Love and Pure Love! Leave a comment below and one winner will be chosen at random by Wednesday, June 17.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Albertini International. I received compensation and free products but all opinions, as always, are entirely my own.
Cathy,
Sorry, but I was somewhat put off by your endorsement of a commercial product. This did not speak to me and is not what I expect from this blog. But I realize that others may find it informative.
I love reading about new products Cathy, especially those geared to my age group. I am a busy person as you know, so how else would I find out about self care items unless others do the research and share the information? Thank you! Reading about something positive that will make me feel good is always welcome.
Cathy,
Thanks for sharing some new products you enjoyed. It's important for us to take care of ourselves in every way! Spiritually and literally! Can't wait to give you a hug and feel your new skin.
This stuff looks very interesting and I can't say I've heard of it before. Thanks!
I have to say I wasn't put off but just because I need. And I just don't even know where to start and winning this would be a start 🙂
I think these sound great. I'd love to win the sample and try them!
An endorsement from you would lead me to believe these products as wonderful as they sound. Count me in for the drawing!
I am your age, Cathy, and always on the lookout for natural and effective skincare.
I appreciate your review as there are too many products available and it is daunting to choose one. Thank you for introducing a new product geared to us post menopausal women!
These products sound fantastic! My skin has definitely changed as I've gotten older and could use a little TLC.
I've been using this line for a few years now. Absolutely love it! It's my favorite gift to get and give my girlfriends! Shannon, age 41.
As another menopausal woman with MS (37 years-!) any sincere helpful advice is appreciated. Will investigate.
I have used Rough Love, Divine, and Tint Plus. I can honestly say I love all three products.
I've been blessed with good skin and until midlife never worried too much about it. As I've gotten older I've experienced many changes in my skin and not just my face. These sound like they are designed for women of a certain stage in life and that's great to know. I will check out their website! Nice review.
Thanks,
b
Oh, I recently gave up using apricot scrub because my 50-something-year-old skin found it too harsh. The Rough Love scrub looks appropriate for my needs. Thanks for the info!
Oh, that pumpkin product sounds divine! I'd be delighted to win ANY of this. Count me in. Thanks, Cathy!
I loved the products we got from the conference! I need to get some more of some of it I've run out!
I've been using all but the new cleanser and LOVE them all, especially Divine on my heals - no more dry cracking and the tinted moisture. I never used a foundation because they felt so heavy and fake but this moisturizer is none of that. It is light, gives just the right coverage and my skin feels so, so smooth. I would love to receive even more product before I run out!!! Thanks
I'm going to pretend that all these wonderful sounding products really know no age limit and would be equally happy to serve the face and body of an 80+ grandmother. So with that assumption, I submit my name for your drawing! (With smiles)
I love the sound of these. The warm pumpkin scrub sounds yummy. I am always on the hunt for great skin care products for my aging skin. I'd love to win!
I'm not put off because if you really like something, I trust your opinion.
Great review! I am always looking for new products post-menopause.
Saw this info on your Midlife Blvd post. I have been searching for a great oil based cleanser. I'm going to check this out. My skin has gone from dry to "Kalahari Desert" this year and I'm on a quest to find products to help combat this.Thanks!
I was excited to try these products when I got back from BAM and was so impressed. I have been looking for skincare products that are specifically for middle aged women.
That pumpkin does smell amazing too! Excellent review.
I share your enthusiasm for these products, Cathy. I tried out the free samples I got at BAM and was pleased with he results. As our skin ages we need to find the right products and these fit the bill nicely!
Perfect timing for this! Just this morning, I was looking at the changes on my face and wondered how I could have skin that looks like it could break out like a teen while I have feet that I look like I've never worn a pair of shoes in my life.
Excited to check out this line. Thanks for the tip!
It all sounds fabulous, and I LOVE the design! I'm all about natural these days.
I definitely need to exfoliate about seven layers deep on this middle-aged hide.
As a former beauty editor I'm always interested in learning about new products. I also like the scent of pumpkin.
Sign me up! It’s great to learn about a product created by women for women of our age, and that it sounds like an easy, affordable, and effective skin care regimen is intriguing to me as well. (And if you were using Albertini when we I saw you in Indianapolis, I am definitely going to try this product!!)
I think we all have gotten sucked into buying very expensive cosmetics at some point in our lives. Most don't really deliver what they claim so it is always great to get a recommendation for products that do the job and are not going to break our bank. Thanks for sharing via #mlblvd !
Cathy , I enjoyed reading your blog . I found it very interesting. I just turned the big 50 ! It is a gift and a true blessing. I haven't been on the web as of lately . So much has been going on . I would love the chance to win this lovely gift set ! Keep on writing !
All the best , Elyssa
Everyone of these look great, and I would love to nurture my divine goddess with all of it!
Yay! Who doesn't need free skin care?
Products sounds lovely. Having just turned 60, I'm always looking for new products to keep my skin looking vibrant.
I am always open for new and better products. Things so change as we get older. I would love to try them. Thanks so much for the review!
I loved the samples from BAM but I didn't get a pumpkin mask. I got two of the moisturizers and that was probably necessary! LOL From your descriptions I think the facial cleanser sounds amazing and I love your description of the mask. I know you don't often do sponsored posts, and so when you do I pay attention. Thanks for entering me in the contest!
I'm always looking for new skin care products. I know how much time and effort continually goes in to R&D so sign me up! I'm definitely going to try the tinted moisturizer. Thanks for a fun and interesting post!
You had me at, "at a price that was affordable," so I'd be willing to try this product. Just recently I saw an ad for a moisturizing product that was ON SALE for $54 from an unbelievable $500. I'm hoping it was a typo. Anyway at nearly 64, I'm always looking for ways to save my skin. Great review!
My skin is ALWAYS my first priority so I would love to try these products. Thanks for including me in the drawing. Take care, Beth Havey
Thanks for letting me know about this line, it sounds great!!!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for this one!!!!
This is one product I would love to win!!
These sound really nice! Would love to give them a try. Thanks for reviewing and giving us a chance to win 🙂
Cathy, I've heard fabulous things about these products! Thanks for providing the opportunity for someone to try them. Pick me! 🙂
Interesting to see this here today. I am behind on my sharing paybacks. I love the pumpkin mask. Very impressed. I used it several times after I got it and sorta forgot about it, although I planned to buy it. It feels good, smells good and leaves my skin glowing. I used it for before my daughter's birthday last weekend and I even see the gleam in the photo taken of us. Interesting to know your work history, Cathy!