I recently found myself in a German border town, which meant I got to relive my most missed activity from my Austrian days: Raiding the local DM.

I had a flight to catch so I did not get to collect all the pretty skincare things my grabby hands desired, but DM’s section of recent product releases contained a few things that caught my attention. There are a few old favorites that I stocked up on as well.

The Cool, New Stuff

Balea Reinigende Maske mit Hyaluron & Algen-Extrakt

• “Cleansing Mask with Hyaluronic Acid & Algae”
• Value: €0.95 / Mask

There are 2 – 3 uses in this wash-off mask pod. It is a cooling gel with a fresh scent. I think oilier skin types might really enjoy this extra boost of hydration since it is very lightweight, but benefits were minimal on my dry skin.

Balea Tuch Maske Cool Camel

• Advertised Claims: Cooling moisture & Contains almond oil
• Value: €0.95 / Mask

This is a limited edition item, however I think it can be skipped entirely.

It is the driest sheet mask I have ever tried, it felt like the mask was barely saturated in serum. The entire mask was absorbed in less than 10 minutes on my skin. The mask is a medium-weight cotton, but I found the fit peculiar. The large eye holes came down to my cheek bones & it minimally covered my chin.

This is not a bad product so I would not dissuade someone from trying it, but there are far better sheet masks from other brands at DM that I would recommend over this. My skin really did not feel more hydrated after this mask because the essence was so minimal.

Nivea Fresh Natural 0% Aluminium [ACH] Deodorant

• “Long-Lasting Freshness” with 48 Hour Protection
• Value: €1.75 / 40ml

Stick deodorants are commonplace where I grew up, but spray-on or liquid roll-on deodorants dominate the Western European market. There do seem to be a few more options for stick foundations in Southern France, but they are typically heavily fragranced that are targeted towards athletic men.

I was excited to see this on the shelf because roll-on deodorants never seem to last well on me. This is an imperfect stick deodorant, it seems to melt in warm temperatures & it leaves white traces behind. I absolutely love the benefits so far though, it has gotten me through a Mediterranean spring day with no need to re-apply.

Lavera Basis Sensitiv Zahncreme mit Bio-Kamille & Naturiumflourid

• Contains: Organic Chamomile & Natural Fluoride
• Value: €1.85 / 75ml

I am not a vegan, but I do use natural toothpaste & I try to decrease the amount of animal products I use. I was not overly impressed with this toothpaste, my teeth did not feel entirely clean after use. It is not a bad product & I will not have a problem using the entire tube, I just prefer other natural toothpaste brands like Tom’s of Maine or Trader Joe’s.

The Classics

Balea Aqua Feuchtigkeits Serum

• “Aqua Moisturizing Serum”
• Value: €2.95 / 30ml

I bought this on recommendation from a friend, I have tried this about a dozen times & I am still trying to form an opinion on it. It is nice, but nothing exceptional for my skin. It is a nice layer of moisture, though it never seems to fully absorb into my skin so I can feel the albeit lightweight layer on my skin. It might be a nice moisturizer option for oilier skin types or anyone located in a humid climate.

Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara

• Value: €3.25

I have coveted this mascara for years. There are several different versions of this mascara, but this is the only one I continue to repurchase. I have long, but thin & straight lashes. This mascara has a wet formula that adds volume without clump & holds a curl very well. I cannot recommend trying this mascara enough if you have similar lashes to mine!

Essence Make Me Brow – 02 Browny Brows

• Value: €2.45

This is my favorite eyebrow gel of all time! It adds volume to the hairs & holds them in place for 5-6 hours on me. This is one of the few cool-toned brow gels I have been able to find on the market, plus cannot beat the low price!

Essence Matt Matt Matt Lipstick – 02 Perfect Match

• Value: €2.25

I like this lipstick, but it definitely is not as matte as I anticipated. It is a creamy formula with a satin finish that did not emphasize lip lines or dryness on my lips. I did purchase a pink-nude color, but I did not notice any issues with bleeding. The lipstick wears very well & fades gracefully. I would be interested in other colors if the shade range is ever expanded, this was the only color that peaked my interest.