Okay, so last year I either read about Influenster on reddit.com/r/makeupaddicts or I got an email asking me to join, I can't remember which. At first glance, the website did not seem at all legit. I thought I had just given my website to some company that was going to spam me for life. But I filled out some super easy surveys and then kinda forgot about it.
Well, lo and behold, I have received not one but TWO Voxboxes (their beauty box) filled with free (yes, FREE) goodies. Good goodies. Soap, shampoo, some Mentos gum that turned out to be my favorite gum EVER, some lipgloss, concealer...all kinds of good stuff.
So now, they have re-vamped and re-released their website. And it looks 10x better. Seriously. It looks legitimate(No offense, but it looked way sketchy before). So I'm urging all my girlfriends who love free stuff (be it beauty or not) to sign up with Influenster. It's an awesome way to try new products before they hit the shelves (like those "new" press on nails? Yeah, I tried those first. They suck) and let the companies know what you really think about the products.
Go to Influenster to sign up! It will take 5 minutes (or less, if you type fast) and it's totally worth your time.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Let's talk about EX...foliation.
Oh, EXFOLIATION! My favorite part of my skincare regime, right beside slathering my skin in some decadent moisturizer and falling into bed. Far too many women skip exfoliation when it is one of the easiest and can be one of the cheapest beauty routines to maintain.
Exfoliation falls into three main categories: manual, enzyme, and chemical. Lemme break them down for you.
Manual Exfoliation (Scrubs, brushes, washcloths): Manual exfoliation is probably the easiest and cheapest of the 3 types of exfoliation. Seriously, how hard is it to gently rub your face with a washcloth as you wash your face? There are so many other types of manual exfoliation though, that I'd rather use the washcloth for makeup removal or washing in the shower.
Scrubs: Scrubs tend to fall into 2 categories, those made with "natural" ingredients like sugar, salt, and nut kernels or "beads" which are smooth and smaller than the "natural" ingredients. They both have their pros and cons and here are the big two that I often read about:
1) Scrubs made with "natural" ingredients can be too rough on the skin, causing micro tears and damage to the skin like broken capillaries.
2) Scrubs made with "beads" run the risk of having their exfoliating product get into the water table, as they do not break down like salt, sugar, etc.
This is my take on it. We pour a lot of things down the drain that are going into septic & sewer systems. I mean, I pour acetone down the drain. Where else am I going to pour it? I would much prefer to use a product that is gentle on my skin than one that might do damage over time or immediately.
If you are really into the idea of using a natural product for exfoliation, may I suggest baking soda mixed with a creamy cleanser (Cetaphil is great and low cost at $9.19 for 160z at Drugstore.com). Use about 1/2 of a tablespoon of baking soda mixed with the cleanser 1-2 times a week for a low cost and effective exfoliation. If you're still into natural but have the money to spend, I have used and liked Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser,($32.92 for 4 oz). which is vegan and smells like lemon cake. I seriously wanted to eat it.
For scrubs with beads, there are TONS out there, so it's really up to personal preference and what type of skin you have. I have used a bunch over the years. I continue to use Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Clear Scrub ($7.99 for 4.2oz at Drugstore.com), which has not only the scrub but salycylic acid as well (which falls into chemical exfoliation). It's like a power combo for your face. It may be a little harsh for some people, as it does have a strong menthol odor.
Now, my FAVORITE form of manual exfoliation would be the Clarisonic Mia, $114 on Amazon.com. I purchased this little device shortly before Christmas and I have to say that it lives up to all the hype. Smaller pores? Yep. Smoother skin? Yep. I am using less foundation than before because my skintone is more even. It truly is the best investment I have ever made in my skin. Check out this video from Good Morning America, earlier this month.
There are definitely cheaper options out there- Olay (Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleaning System, $26 on Amazon.com), Neutrogena (Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System, $19.89 on Amazon.com), and Dove (Dove Skinvitalizer Facial Massager, $9.37 on Amazon.com) all have their own versions. I have used Dove's version and it's....well...it's...ok. There is no comparing it to the Clarisonic. Also, all 3 of these options use batteries. The Clarisonic is rechargeable and fully sealed so you can use it in the shower.
Enzyme Exfoliation: Enzyme exfoliation is the most gentle of all 3 types and is great if you have sensitive skin. This type of exfoliation uses enzymes found in fruits like pineapple, papaya, even pumpkin (ok, not a fruit!) to gently lift dead skin. These types of products are very popular in Asian countries and are starting to catch on here. This Meishoku Detclear Facial Peeling Gel ($21.50 on Amazon.com) will last a long time, as a little bit goes a long way. The enzymes "slough" off the dead skin, kind of like using one of those dry skin creams on your feet to slough away the dead skin. Only it's on your face and much more gentle.
Jurlique is a company known for their use of natural and organic products in their skincare. Their Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator will set you back a little more ($38.90 for 1.7oz on Amazon.com) but I can not say enough great things about this product or any other that Jurlique makes.
Chemical Exfoliation: The most common types of chemical exfoliation are done with Beta and Alpha Hydroxy acids. While both of these exfoliants are good for acne prone skin, they both have their advantages for normal or dry skin as well. A common Beta Hydroxy acid is salycylic acid, which is found in a boatload of drugstore brand products. I LOVE salycylic acid for getting rid of blackheads and preventing hormonal acne on my chin. It works great as a surface exfoliator. There are claims that Alpha Hydroxy acids work at a slightly deeper level than Beta Hydroxy acids, helping to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. I find that Alpha Hydroxy acids are sometimes too harsh on my skin and can cause tingling and burning. No matter what type of chemical exfoliant you use, it is of the utmost importance that you wear a moisturizer with SPF. Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun and prone to burning.
A great at home exfoliant using a Beta Hydroxy product is to use crushed (uncoated) aspirin as a mask. Simply fill a shot glass about 2/3 of the way full with crushed aspirin, fill with distilled water to the top of the shot glass and wait for aspirin to dissolve. Once it has dissolved, add jojoba or grapeseed oil to the top of the shot glass and then apply to your face (or body, anywhere that is acne prone) for about 10 minutes and then use a gentle circular motion to work the mixture outward before rinsing.
Alpha Hydrox makes a line of products available at Ulta, Target, Rite-Aid, etc that are affordable and get good reviews. My favorite product that I have used with Alpha Hydroxy acid in it is TimeBalm Skincare White Tea Rose Face Cleanser ($22 for 6oz on Amazon.com). This amazing cleanser has both Alpha Hydroxy Acid as well as Glycolic Acid in it. After two uses, I could feel a softness in my skin I hadn't felt in months.
There's absolutely no excuse not to exfoliate your skin at least once a week, when it can be done cheaply and effectively. Exfoliation helps rejuvenate skin, helps us look younger, fresher and keeps our skin supple. Go slough some off today!
Cheers!
Exfoliation falls into three main categories: manual, enzyme, and chemical. Lemme break them down for you.
Manual Exfoliation (Scrubs, brushes, washcloths): Manual exfoliation is probably the easiest and cheapest of the 3 types of exfoliation. Seriously, how hard is it to gently rub your face with a washcloth as you wash your face? There are so many other types of manual exfoliation though, that I'd rather use the washcloth for makeup removal or washing in the shower.
Scrubs: Scrubs tend to fall into 2 categories, those made with "natural" ingredients like sugar, salt, and nut kernels or "beads" which are smooth and smaller than the "natural" ingredients. They both have their pros and cons and here are the big two that I often read about:
1) Scrubs made with "natural" ingredients can be too rough on the skin, causing micro tears and damage to the skin like broken capillaries.
2) Scrubs made with "beads" run the risk of having their exfoliating product get into the water table, as they do not break down like salt, sugar, etc.
This is my take on it. We pour a lot of things down the drain that are going into septic & sewer systems. I mean, I pour acetone down the drain. Where else am I going to pour it? I would much prefer to use a product that is gentle on my skin than one that might do damage over time or immediately.
If you are really into the idea of using a natural product for exfoliation, may I suggest baking soda mixed with a creamy cleanser (Cetaphil is great and low cost at $9.19 for 160z at Drugstore.com). Use about 1/2 of a tablespoon of baking soda mixed with the cleanser 1-2 times a week for a low cost and effective exfoliation. If you're still into natural but have the money to spend, I have used and liked Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser,($32.92 for 4 oz). which is vegan and smells like lemon cake. I seriously wanted to eat it.
For scrubs with beads, there are TONS out there, so it's really up to personal preference and what type of skin you have. I have used a bunch over the years. I continue to use Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Clear Scrub ($7.99 for 4.2oz at Drugstore.com), which has not only the scrub but salycylic acid as well (which falls into chemical exfoliation). It's like a power combo for your face. It may be a little harsh for some people, as it does have a strong menthol odor.
Now, my FAVORITE form of manual exfoliation would be the Clarisonic Mia, $114 on Amazon.com. I purchased this little device shortly before Christmas and I have to say that it lives up to all the hype. Smaller pores? Yep. Smoother skin? Yep. I am using less foundation than before because my skintone is more even. It truly is the best investment I have ever made in my skin. Check out this video from Good Morning America, earlier this month.
There are definitely cheaper options out there- Olay (Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleaning System, $26 on Amazon.com), Neutrogena (Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System, $19.89 on Amazon.com), and Dove (Dove Skinvitalizer Facial Massager, $9.37 on Amazon.com) all have their own versions. I have used Dove's version and it's....well...it's...ok. There is no comparing it to the Clarisonic. Also, all 3 of these options use batteries. The Clarisonic is rechargeable and fully sealed so you can use it in the shower.
Enzyme Exfoliation: Enzyme exfoliation is the most gentle of all 3 types and is great if you have sensitive skin. This type of exfoliation uses enzymes found in fruits like pineapple, papaya, even pumpkin (ok, not a fruit!) to gently lift dead skin. These types of products are very popular in Asian countries and are starting to catch on here. This Meishoku Detclear Facial Peeling Gel ($21.50 on Amazon.com) will last a long time, as a little bit goes a long way. The enzymes "slough" off the dead skin, kind of like using one of those dry skin creams on your feet to slough away the dead skin. Only it's on your face and much more gentle.
Jurlique is a company known for their use of natural and organic products in their skincare. Their Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator will set you back a little more ($38.90 for 1.7oz on Amazon.com) but I can not say enough great things about this product or any other that Jurlique makes.
Chemical Exfoliation: The most common types of chemical exfoliation are done with Beta and Alpha Hydroxy acids. While both of these exfoliants are good for acne prone skin, they both have their advantages for normal or dry skin as well. A common Beta Hydroxy acid is salycylic acid, which is found in a boatload of drugstore brand products. I LOVE salycylic acid for getting rid of blackheads and preventing hormonal acne on my chin. It works great as a surface exfoliator. There are claims that Alpha Hydroxy acids work at a slightly deeper level than Beta Hydroxy acids, helping to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. I find that Alpha Hydroxy acids are sometimes too harsh on my skin and can cause tingling and burning. No matter what type of chemical exfoliant you use, it is of the utmost importance that you wear a moisturizer with SPF. Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun and prone to burning.
A great at home exfoliant using a Beta Hydroxy product is to use crushed (uncoated) aspirin as a mask. Simply fill a shot glass about 2/3 of the way full with crushed aspirin, fill with distilled water to the top of the shot glass and wait for aspirin to dissolve. Once it has dissolved, add jojoba or grapeseed oil to the top of the shot glass and then apply to your face (or body, anywhere that is acne prone) for about 10 minutes and then use a gentle circular motion to work the mixture outward before rinsing.
Alpha Hydrox makes a line of products available at Ulta, Target, Rite-Aid, etc that are affordable and get good reviews. My favorite product that I have used with Alpha Hydroxy acid in it is TimeBalm Skincare White Tea Rose Face Cleanser ($22 for 6oz on Amazon.com). This amazing cleanser has both Alpha Hydroxy Acid as well as Glycolic Acid in it. After two uses, I could feel a softness in my skin I hadn't felt in months.
There's absolutely no excuse not to exfoliate your skin at least once a week, when it can be done cheaply and effectively. Exfoliation helps rejuvenate skin, helps us look younger, fresher and keeps our skin supple. Go slough some off today!
Cheers!
Monday, January 23, 2012
How to: Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes can be expensive but can allow you to apply your makeup or skincare products like the pros do. Unless you have duplicates of your brushes, you're going to want to wash them at least once every one to two weeks, with a spot clean in between. Even having duplicates of most of my brushes, I still wash mine fairly frequently because I have my favorites that I use all the time. Cleaning your makeup brushes is important because it can prevent acne, breakouts and having your skin look like this:
My method for cleaning my makeup brushes is easy and inexpensive.
Step One: Proceed to your kitchen (or wherever you have adequate counter space) with all of your dirty brushes and a clean towel.
Step Two: Get two bowls. Fill one with about 1/4 inch of olive oil and the other with a small squirt of either baby shampoo or regular shampoo plus 1-2 drops of dishwashing detergent. This last ingredient is the one that you need to use the LEAST amount of because it can be drying. Add some warm water to the bowl with the soap, but don't fill the bowl FULL. You don't want the water to come above the ferrule (metal part) of the brush because this can cause rusting.
Step Three: Swirl a dirty brush in the olive oil for 20-30 seconds. The olive oil helps to break up the pigments from the makeup, the oil from your skin and the general crud on the brush. Then, swirl the brush in the soapy water. Following that, rinse the brush in lukewarm water until all the soap is gone. You may have to replace the olive oil and soapy water depending on how dirty your brushes are and how many you have to clean.
Step Four: Fold your towel lengthwise and place your brushes so that the end with the bristles hangs off the folded end of the towel. You don't want the water to run back into the ferrule, but you don't want the towel to absorb the water from the bristles either, because it's going to slow down the drying process. Drying can take 1-2 hours for synthetic brushes and up to 18 hours for a good quality brush.natural hair brush.
Spot cleaning your brushes can be done using a makeup cleansing cloth (Pond's Cleansing Wipes are great for this) or a spray specifically designed for this (M.A.C. makes one as does Bobbi Brown and several other cosmetic companies). Simply wipe the brush on the cleansing wipe or spray and wipe on a towel or kleenex.
Cheers!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Makeup and Lighting
For the majority of women (and men), grooming takes place in the bathroom. Let's face it, it's a convenience thing. You have access to water, soap, a large mirror (usually), counter space (hopefully) and lighting. However, the bathroom is possibly one of the worst places (IMO) to do your makeup, plucking or even bleaching. My reasons being:
1) The lighting is usually above you. Like, way above you. This can cast a shadow that you may not notice. Ever notice how professional makeup mirrors are built? The lights go all the way around or 3/4 of the way around the mirror. This illuminates the face from all 3 sides, preventing shadows and making sure that there is adequate light from all sides.
2) Moisture. Do you have a lot of powder makeup? Do you consider your makeup an investment? 'Cause I sure as hell do. Ever think about how bad moisture can be for your makeup? Yeah. When I had to store my makeup in the bathroom, I used plastic storage units to try to keep it as dry and as far away from water as possible. But steam has a funny way of getting everywhere. If you have the option of moving your makeup out of the bathroom, it will extend the life and quality of your makeup.
3) This is just a personal thing, but yeah, the toilet. I mean...it's unavoidable. And I know that there are a lot of tests/studies that say that there are few germs from the toilet that end up on your toothbrush. But......there are a lot of germs in there. And keeping my makeup brushes in there was seriously starting to freak me out.
So, yeah, the bathroom is probably not the best place to do your makeup. If you have the option of doing it somewhere else, what lighting should you choose?
Makeup mirrors, such as this Conair 3-panel Mirror w/4 light settings (Amazon.com $29.99), have been around for years. I had one has a teenager. And they are pretty great. You have 2 different magnifications, one for "Hey, I'm applying eyeshadow" and one for "OHMYGOD THOSE ARE MY PORES?" You have the 4 light settings, "evening," "home," "office," and "day." It's a nice option and is budget friendly.
But what do those settings even mean? Shouldn't the point of putting on makeup be getting it on so that it looks great no matter what light you may be in? Taking a cue from my tattoo artist, I pulled my old Ott Lite out of storage and set it up on my vanity behind my magnifying mirror.
An Ott Lite is a full spectrum light that is energy efficient, produces low heat and shows colors as true to life. What better time do colors need to be true to life than when you are applying them to your skin?
Now, Ott Lite makes a makeup mirror (Ott Lite Makeup Mirror, $60.16 at Amazon.com) that gets decent reviews (biggest complaint is some warping on the stronger magnification) and provides full spectrum lighting, all around the face. I think I've found what my next purchase will be. Review to follow!
Cheers!
1) The lighting is usually above you. Like, way above you. This can cast a shadow that you may not notice. Ever notice how professional makeup mirrors are built? The lights go all the way around or 3/4 of the way around the mirror. This illuminates the face from all 3 sides, preventing shadows and making sure that there is adequate light from all sides.
2) Moisture. Do you have a lot of powder makeup? Do you consider your makeup an investment? 'Cause I sure as hell do. Ever think about how bad moisture can be for your makeup? Yeah. When I had to store my makeup in the bathroom, I used plastic storage units to try to keep it as dry and as far away from water as possible. But steam has a funny way of getting everywhere. If you have the option of moving your makeup out of the bathroom, it will extend the life and quality of your makeup.
3) This is just a personal thing, but yeah, the toilet. I mean...it's unavoidable. And I know that there are a lot of tests/studies that say that there are few germs from the toilet that end up on your toothbrush. But......there are a lot of germs in there. And keeping my makeup brushes in there was seriously starting to freak me out.
My horrible lighting in my 80's wallpapered bathroom. Ignore my "product."
So, yeah, the bathroom is probably not the best place to do your makeup. If you have the option of doing it somewhere else, what lighting should you choose?
Makeup mirrors, such as this Conair 3-panel Mirror w/4 light settings (Amazon.com $29.99), have been around for years. I had one has a teenager. And they are pretty great. You have 2 different magnifications, one for "Hey, I'm applying eyeshadow" and one for "OHMYGOD THOSE ARE MY PORES?" You have the 4 light settings, "evening," "home," "office," and "day." It's a nice option and is budget friendly.
But what do those settings even mean? Shouldn't the point of putting on makeup be getting it on so that it looks great no matter what light you may be in? Taking a cue from my tattoo artist, I pulled my old Ott Lite out of storage and set it up on my vanity behind my magnifying mirror.
The Setup.
An Ott Lite is a full spectrum light that is energy efficient, produces low heat and shows colors as true to life. What better time do colors need to be true to life than when you are applying them to your skin?
Here you see my tattoo in the regular ol' lamp from my bedside table. This is probably the photo I would post on a site like facebook or email to a friend because the my skin looks nice and you can't tell where I need touchups.
This is a photo taken under my Ott Lite. You can clearly see where I need touchups, where I have blemishes on my skin and the skin has a plasticy look to it, which it has in real life (due to healing). But look at the colors! They are vivid and true to life. That yellow is EXACTLY how it looks when I look at now.
Cheers!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Road Test: Makeup Removers
No matter how tired, inebriated or sick I might feel, I NEVER fail to remove my makeup before I go to bed. Sleeping with makeup on is right up there with wearing underwear two days in a row-it really grosses me out and I can't stop thinking about how icky I feel. Over the years, I have tried a myriad of makeup removing products. Some are designed for just eyes, some are designed for your whole face. No matter what product I use, I always follow up with a face wash (using my trusty Clarisonic Mia) and moisturizer to make sure that I'm getting every trace of makeup off my skin and going to bed hydrated and ready for 8 hours of beauty sleep.
1. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $5.89 for 4.2oz at Drugstore.com: I usually pick this eye makeup remover from Target or Ulta but sometimes it's hard to find. I like the formula of this remover for touch-ups or removing fallout during makeup application. It doesn't leave an oily residue and removes black eyeliner and heavy eyeshadow easily. That said, it doesn't always want to get the tiny flecks of pigment eyeshadow that will often fall off my brush or my eyelid during application. The price is great and the bottle is a great size for travel.
2. The Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $14.50 for 8.4oz at The Body Shop: This is a longtime favorite of mine. Wearing contacts means that I have to be careful about what I put around my eyes. I love this product for removing heavy eyeliner that I've used for tightlining my upper or lower lids as it doesn't sting if I happen to get a little in my eyes. Unfortunately, I usually have to use quite a bit of this stuff to remove eyeshadow, especially if I'm wearing it on top of a primer. The price is another factor, particularly when I'm using a lot of it at a time. It doesn't leave a residue on my skin, so again, this one is great for touch-ups during makeup application.
3. Almay Moisturizing Make-up Remover, $4.89 for 4oz at Target: I've used this product on and off for years, probably since I realized that I was waking up with mascara smears under my eyes and it looked like I had been punched in the face. Eighteen years ago, there weren't as many options for eye makeup removers are there are now. I was happy with this product. Now I realize how greasy it leaves my skin and that it often gets in my eyes and burns like the dickens. Not only that, it does a poor job of removing mascara, whether it's waterproof or just run of the mill regular formulation. If I have to use this in a pinch, I will. But personally, I'm not crazy about a film of oil all around my eyes.
4. Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover, $18 for 4.2oz at Clinique Counters or online: Another rather expensive makeup remover, this product has it's place in my arsenal. What I love- you only need a little bit to remove waterproof mascara, lipstick, heavy eye makeup. What I hate- again, a greasy film around my eyes. This product is not great for use during makeup application to remove mistakes or touch-ups. Clinique makes another formulation, the Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $27.50 at Clinique Counters, that is WONDERFUL for removing full face makeup, especially if you have dry skin. A little bit goes a long way- I've had the same tub for about 7 months and I've used maybe half of it. I don't use it every time as it's kind of messy, but it will break up your foundation, eye makeup, etc in about 20 seconds and doesn't leave a greasy residue like the liquid remover.
5. Pond's Wet Cleansing Evening Smooth with Camomile and White Tea Towelettes, $4.69 for 30 ct pacakge at Target: So you come home from a night out and you're tired and the last thing you want to do is spend a long time standing in front of the mirror making sure that you got every bit of eye makeup off and messing with cotton balls and getting the screw top off a bottle and oh great, you dropped the top behind the toilet... I'm a big fan of these texturized wipes. One side is slightly rougher than the other (and when I say rougher, it's not really rough at all, just more nubby) and one wipe will get off all of my makeup. I still wash my face afterwards but in a pinch, you could moisturize and fall into bed. They smell great and the camomile and white tea formulation is very soothing to your skin. Another perk- you can use these to do a spot clean on your makeup brushes in between deep cleans. Dual purpose!
6. Eye Makeup Remover by Nars, $25 for 3oz at NARS counters or online: This is a new product to me and I don't know that I will purchase it (I got a generous sample with a purchase of some makeup). I will say that the bottle needs to be shaken very well before use and that you need a very tiny amount to remove a LOT of eye makeup. It is expensive and I can't see myself buying it on a regular basis. I didn't feel that it made my skin particularly greasy or oily but there was a slight residue left behind. The price is a definite negative for me. I'd rather spend that money on a great moisturizer or some new eye makeup!
7. Olive Oil, Any Grocery Store: I find olive oil to be handy to keep on hand for deep cleaning my makeup brushes, making scrubs, for use on my cuticles- it has a ton of uses. It does make a great eye makeup remover but to me, it has some negatives that prevent me from using it unless I'm in a pinch. I find that it often ends up on my contact lenses, leaving a smeary residue that is really disgusting. It definitely leaves a residue on my skin as well, which is difficult to remove. I don't like leaving it on my skin as I feel that it's too heavy to use as a moisturizer on the delicate skin around your eyes.
There are a lot of eye makeup removers out there- M.A.C, Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Lancome, every makeup line seems to have their own product. Of course, a lot of it comes down to preference and skin type. Remember, removing your makeup and keeping your skin healthy and clean makes for more youthful skin and a healthy appearance.
Cheers!
1. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $5.89 for 4.2oz at Drugstore.com: I usually pick this eye makeup remover from Target or Ulta but sometimes it's hard to find. I like the formula of this remover for touch-ups or removing fallout during makeup application. It doesn't leave an oily residue and removes black eyeliner and heavy eyeshadow easily. That said, it doesn't always want to get the tiny flecks of pigment eyeshadow that will often fall off my brush or my eyelid during application. The price is great and the bottle is a great size for travel.
2. The Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $14.50 for 8.4oz at The Body Shop: This is a longtime favorite of mine. Wearing contacts means that I have to be careful about what I put around my eyes. I love this product for removing heavy eyeliner that I've used for tightlining my upper or lower lids as it doesn't sting if I happen to get a little in my eyes. Unfortunately, I usually have to use quite a bit of this stuff to remove eyeshadow, especially if I'm wearing it on top of a primer. The price is another factor, particularly when I'm using a lot of it at a time. It doesn't leave a residue on my skin, so again, this one is great for touch-ups during makeup application.
3. Almay Moisturizing Make-up Remover, $4.89 for 4oz at Target: I've used this product on and off for years, probably since I realized that I was waking up with mascara smears under my eyes and it looked like I had been punched in the face. Eighteen years ago, there weren't as many options for eye makeup removers are there are now. I was happy with this product. Now I realize how greasy it leaves my skin and that it often gets in my eyes and burns like the dickens. Not only that, it does a poor job of removing mascara, whether it's waterproof or just run of the mill regular formulation. If I have to use this in a pinch, I will. But personally, I'm not crazy about a film of oil all around my eyes.
4. Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover, $18 for 4.2oz at Clinique Counters or online: Another rather expensive makeup remover, this product has it's place in my arsenal. What I love- you only need a little bit to remove waterproof mascara, lipstick, heavy eye makeup. What I hate- again, a greasy film around my eyes. This product is not great for use during makeup application to remove mistakes or touch-ups. Clinique makes another formulation, the Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $27.50 at Clinique Counters, that is WONDERFUL for removing full face makeup, especially if you have dry skin. A little bit goes a long way- I've had the same tub for about 7 months and I've used maybe half of it. I don't use it every time as it's kind of messy, but it will break up your foundation, eye makeup, etc in about 20 seconds and doesn't leave a greasy residue like the liquid remover.
5. Pond's Wet Cleansing Evening Smooth with Camomile and White Tea Towelettes, $4.69 for 30 ct pacakge at Target: So you come home from a night out and you're tired and the last thing you want to do is spend a long time standing in front of the mirror making sure that you got every bit of eye makeup off and messing with cotton balls and getting the screw top off a bottle and oh great, you dropped the top behind the toilet... I'm a big fan of these texturized wipes. One side is slightly rougher than the other (and when I say rougher, it's not really rough at all, just more nubby) and one wipe will get off all of my makeup. I still wash my face afterwards but in a pinch, you could moisturize and fall into bed. They smell great and the camomile and white tea formulation is very soothing to your skin. Another perk- you can use these to do a spot clean on your makeup brushes in between deep cleans. Dual purpose!
6. Eye Makeup Remover by Nars, $25 for 3oz at NARS counters or online: This is a new product to me and I don't know that I will purchase it (I got a generous sample with a purchase of some makeup). I will say that the bottle needs to be shaken very well before use and that you need a very tiny amount to remove a LOT of eye makeup. It is expensive and I can't see myself buying it on a regular basis. I didn't feel that it made my skin particularly greasy or oily but there was a slight residue left behind. The price is a definite negative for me. I'd rather spend that money on a great moisturizer or some new eye makeup!
7. Olive Oil, Any Grocery Store: I find olive oil to be handy to keep on hand for deep cleaning my makeup brushes, making scrubs, for use on my cuticles- it has a ton of uses. It does make a great eye makeup remover but to me, it has some negatives that prevent me from using it unless I'm in a pinch. I find that it often ends up on my contact lenses, leaving a smeary residue that is really disgusting. It definitely leaves a residue on my skin as well, which is difficult to remove. I don't like leaving it on my skin as I feel that it's too heavy to use as a moisturizer on the delicate skin around your eyes.
There are a lot of eye makeup removers out there- M.A.C, Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Lancome, every makeup line seems to have their own product. Of course, a lot of it comes down to preference and skin type. Remember, removing your makeup and keeping your skin healthy and clean makes for more youthful skin and a healthy appearance.
Cheers!
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