SPOTLIGHT: Make-Up Removers

It's strange for me to admit as someone who really likes putting on and wearing make-up, but I also look forward to taking it off at the end of the day. There's something really satisfying about getting all that gunk off and being left with a clean, make-up-less face. Though I should say that I always cleanse with Kiehls Calendula Cleanser afterwards to make sure absolutely no residue is left. My skin is sensitive and acne-prone so insufficient make-up removal will guarantee me a pimple or two. 

Prior to these I've tried cleansing creams for my face, and deluxe sample sizes of Lancome Bi-Facil (very effective, but left an oily residue) and Clinique Take the Day Off (effective and less oily, but it stung) for my eyes, but I never found a remover I liked until I tried these. I also added a little bit of what the product is in general, so you guys can choose which kind of remover you'd like to try if ever you're in the market for one. 

Cleansing Oil: Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil

I talked about this product in my cleansers post (a lot has changed since then!) and as you can see, I have very little left. I need to purchase another one soon because I love using cleansing oils the most for removing everything on my face. For days when I have a lot of make-up on or when I want a really thorough clean, I use this as it effectively removes everything in a cinch. This is especially good for removing anything waterproof such as mascara. 

For those with oily skin, don't be afraid of using cleansing oils because if you remember from your science lessons - like dissolves like. A lot of the make-up we use contains oils in it, so using an oil to removes it in a faster and more gentle way versus regular soap. Fun fact: I've read that using oils balances the sebum on your face and reduces it! I can't say much about this claim though since I don't use cleansing oils daily anymore.

Micellar Water Solution: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution for Sensitive Skin

I was very interested when I first heard about cleansing waters, and my friends Alex from The Red Eyeliner (A very familiar name now, I'm sure, since I've mentioned her in nearly every post. Check her review on the Sebium variant here) and Tari from Tari in the Morning have used and raved about Bioderma. From what I understand, cleansing water is supposed to contain tiny oil particles (called micelles) which gently but effectively removes your make-up without being irritating or needing any harsh rubbing. It apparently also acts as a cleanser and toner, and works on all skin types.

I got this in my Impulse Haul and I really like it for days when I can't be bothered to use a cleansing oil, or when I want to take my make-up off immediately before starting home work. Honestly, I like it but I'm not in love with it, so I'm not sure if I would repurchase. I will continue to use it though and  we'll see if my opinion will change. I wouldn't recommend it for removing eye make-up unless you're patient or not wearing anything waterproof, because it involves a lot of waiting, rubbing, and tugging, which is why I got the next item!

Dual-Phase Remover: The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover

This kind of make-up remover is usually formulated to effectively remove waterproof make-up. It's a dual-phase remover because the bottle usually contains an oil to dissolve and remove stubborn, waterproof mascara and eyeliner, while the aqueous solution gently removes any residue. It just requires a good shake before usage. Dual-phase removers are great when you're trying to save up on the amount of cleansing oil you use, or when you want something that removes very stubborn eye make-up easily.

I got this a few weeks ago after seeing Amelia Liana's blog post on it and I love it. I just soak a cotton pad, place it on my eye with my lashes against my eyelid for 10-15 seconds, and 90% of my waterproof eye make-up is gone. It involves absolutely no rubbing and tugging and it also doesn't sting my eyes or leave an oily residue. I was scared that it would be heavily scented, but I found that there was no scent at all. This is something you'll definitely be seeing in my favourites post for this month because I'm not going to stop using it!

There you have it! While I do like all of these products a lot, I'm definitely open to any suggestions or recommendations, so please leave a comment below! Next on the list of removers to try - cleansing balms!

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