I Tried the West&Month Firming Face Essence for a Month—Here’s the Honest Tea

By Emily R. | Updated October 2023

Listen, I’m going to be totally real with you. A few months ago, I hit that stage where I looked in the mirror after a long night of scrolling through TikTok and realized my face looked… well, a bit like a crumpled linen shirt. You know that look? The “I haven’t slept enough since 2019” glow? Yeah, that one. My fine lines were starting to set up permanent residence around my eyes, and my skin felt as dry as a desert cracker.

I’ve tried the $150 serums. I’ve tried the “miracle” creams that smell like a French garden. But honestly? My bank account was screaming, and my skin wasn’t exactly looking $150 better. So, when I stumbled upon the West&Month Firming Face Essence, I was skeptical. It’s affordable, the ingredients list is simple, and it promises a lot. But does it actually deliver? I decided to put it to the test for 30 days so you don’t have to.

First Impressions: The Vibe Check

When the package arrived, I wasn’t expecting much. But the bottle feels sturdy, and the dropper is actually decent (I hate it when droppers are all flimsy and don’t pick up any product). The first thing I noticed when I squeezed a drop onto my hand was the texture. It’s not that thick, gloopy stuff that sits on top of your skin. It’s silky smooth. It has this buttery texture that just melts in.

There’s almost no scent, which is a massive win for me. I can’t stand it when face products smell like a perfume counter—it just makes me worry about my sensitive skin reacting. The West&Month Firming Face Essence felt cooling and immediate. My skin just drank it up. No stinging, no redness, just a “chill” feeling.

What’s Actually Inside? (The Nerd Stuff)

I’m not a scientist, but I’ve spent enough time reading skincare blogs to know what to look for. This essence relies on two main workhorses: Glycerin and Hydroxyethyl Cellulose.

Glycerin is like that reliable friend who always shows up. It’s a humectant, which basically means it grabs moisture from the air and shoves it into your skin. Hydroxyethyl cellulose sounds scary, but it’s really just there to give the serum that amazing texture and help it form a light, breathable barrier on your face. Together, they aim to replenish moisture and smooth out those annoying little crinkles. It’s not trying to be overly complicated with 50 different chemicals, and honestly, I think that’s why it works for most skin types.

My 30-Day Journey: The Results

Week 1: The Hydration Hit
For the first seven days, I didn’t see a huge difference in my “wrinkles,” but my skin felt so much softer. You know that tight feeling you get after washing your face? Gone. I started using 4 drops every morning and night after my toner. It became my go-to base before moisturizer.

Week 2: The Brightness Factor
Around day 10, I noticed I was using less concealer. My complexion looked a bit more “awake.” It wasn’t a drastic change, but that dull, greyish tint I usually have in the mornings was fading. The “brighten complexion” claim on the bottle? Yeah, I was starting to see it.

Week 3 & 4: The Game-Changing Moment
This is when I really fell in love. I have these fine lines right where my foundation usually creases by 2 PM. By week 3, I realized my makeup was sitting much smoother. The skin around my eyes looked plumped up. It’s not a facelift in a bottle (let’s be real, nothing under $30 is), but it definitely blurred those lines to the point where I didn’t feel self-conscious about them. Is West&Month worth it? At this point, I was a believer.

How It Compares

I wanted to see how this stacks up against some of the other serums I’ve had in my cabinet. Here’s a quick breakdown of why I’ve been reaching for the West&Month one lately.

Feature	West&Month Firming Essence	Typical “Luxury” Serum
Price	$27.99 (Affordable)	$80 – $150 (Ouch)
Texture	Lightweight, Silky	Can be heavy or oily
Absorption	Instant (Fast)	Varies (Sometimes tacky)
Key Focus	Hydration & Firming	Complex active blends

The Honest Pros & Cons