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My Top Five Cleansers
If you read my last post on Why double cleanse? (Click here) you will know that using a oil or milk cleanser is the next step in taking your makeup off at the end of the day. Personally when I double cleanse I like to think of it like this. My balm cleanser needs to be cheaper than my second cleanser as I am putting on the balm cleanser first which needs to be good enough to break down makeup nothing more. The second cleanser is what I spend more money on as this one will be nourishing clean skin and you will reap more skin benefits with this one.
These are the 5 cleansers that I have tried and my thoughts on them.
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil £16
This all-in-one, non-comedogenic (wont block pores) cleansing formula emulsifies with water to become a cleansing milk. This does claim to help dissolve difficult-to-remove makeup but I cannot confirm that as I would not waste this gorgeous product on taking my makeup off. Saying that it doe gently remove any last trace of makeup and impurities – without over-drying. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Cleansing Oil not only leaves skin fresh and clean, but also balanced and soothed.
This cleanser leaves your skin feeling prepared for optimal night-time replenishment as this cleanser is made from an aromatic blend of pure botanical oils: Squalane, a planted-derived lipid with a natural affinity for skin; evening primrose oil, rich in Omega-6 Fatty Acids; and lavender essential oil. I was very impressed and also the price point is good on this product. Definitely give it a go.
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser £66
This one is PRICEY! It is a multi-vitamin cleansing oil that claims to breaks down buildup and dissolves makeup. Now I would never dare disrespect this product and use it that way as its a waste of money. I would much rather slap this product and all its goodness on ma face to reap the benefits of this one pricey product. It is lovely. It smells and without stripping the skin leaves it soft and supple feeling. I would not though purchase again as it is smashing product but is not worth the price tag.
Liz Earle Cleanse and polish, Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse, Kiehls Midnight Recovery cleansing Oil, Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser, and Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel.
Sarah Chapman London Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse £44
Another eye watering price for a cleanser, this one intrigued me as I had read some good reviews and felt really sucked in by all the buff I read on it. This intelligent omega-rich cleanser is formulated with collagen-stimulating peptides, skin-normalising vitamin A and potent skin-defence antioxidants to effectively remove all face and eye make-up, deep clean, condition and brighten. This intelligent aromatic infusion works deep into the pores to melt impurities and remove make-up, including waterproof mascara. Wow that is saying something! I feel it can do all that, but I kept thinking as I massaged the product into my skin each night- “its £44” and for me if I have the cash to spare spending it on my face is a investment. What if you don’t have the spare cash to splash and you are currently on a budget? Then save your money as there are cheaper alternatives that would do a similar job.
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel £31
Now this one is GOOD! Its the only gel formulation which did put me off slightly as I prefer oils but as soon as it emulsify’s it turns into oil. Oskia really worked hard on this formulation to give you that real ILLUMINATING VITAMIN MELTING CLEANSER! This product is great for all skin types, particularly combination, normal, dull, dry, Acne scars, pigmentation, and blemished skin. It melts beautifully into skin to quickly and gently remove impurities and makeup while actively illuminating and nourishing to reveal balanced, clean, fresh, radiant skin that feels soft and smooth.
If your budget can stretch to this price then give it a go, its worth it.
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish £16.50
This cleanser I have used sporadically since I was I was 16 years old. It was released back in 1995 and has proved time and time again that it is a real contender for getting your skin super clean, packing a punch with all the essential oils and vitamins. Enriched with cocoa butter to soften, smooth and moisturise, and rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus to tone, soothe and purify – this rich, indulgent cream deeply cleanses to instantly remove daily grime, pollutants and make up, even stubborn mascara, to leave skin feeling comfortable, balanced and exceptionally clean.
Used with the pure cotton cloth it gently exfoliates, lifting away dead skin cells to reveal smoother, clearer and brighter-looking skin. I cannot recommend this enough. The fact that I have been using it on and off for the last 22 years says a lot! I use it for a while then get I lured into something else and I always go back to it because for the price you get real value for money.
That was my round up of cleansers that I have used over the last year. I hope you found it helpful and informative. See next week will probably be a video Im not sure yet as I am struggling to get into a routine at the moment.
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Why Should You Double Cleanse? Balm Cleansers Try and Tested
Balm Cleansers – I introduced this step into my night time routine about 3 years ago. I cannot stress enough how my skin has benefited from using a Balm cleanser, and that if you wear makeup day to day then doing a double cleanse at night is a MUST.
Why use Balm Cleansers? If you wear makeup and just washed your face once, nine times out of ten your skin will still have makeup residue left on the skin. Reason being is that makeup now is super long wearing. You have your 24 hour foundations, and primers that could last for a lot longer. With this in mind it would be a good idea to maybe introduce a balm cleanser into your night time routine, as you will really see a difference in your skins texture and overall radiance. These are the five that I have been using over the last few years and two in particular I have used over and over again.
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm £47
This by far is a Superior product with a hefty price tag to match! There is nothing that this balm cant shift with a cocktail of essential oils, removes makeup effortlessly and smells very restful. I felt instantly relaxed and that my skin was getting a real treat, but this is taking off my makeup, do you really want to spend that much on a product that is just going down the plug hole? I wouldn’t purchase this again only because of the price tag. Save your money.
Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm £18
This balm cleanser for me is a nice middle of the road. This is a balm to oil. Its creamy in texture, rich in Almond oil, shea butter, and vitamin E and is really giving the skin all it needs. It takes off stubborn waterproof mascara with ease and I found my heavy coverage foundation broke down well. Its a nice one to start with in my opinion, and is at a good price point too.You wont be disappointed.
Clinique Take the day off £24
This Balm Cleanser transforms from a solid Balm to a oil, so waterproof mascara better be afraid as it cuts through, no problem. I have bought this 3 times but to be honest I have used my Boots points the last two times to purchase it. Had I been paying full price maybe I wouldn’t of got it again, but it does do exactly what it says on the tin and is a really nice product.
Ponds Cold Cream £3.25
I have it on good authority and by saying that I mean my mum! that Kylie Minogue uses this product. This by far the cheapest of them all but by no means cheap in standards on how the cream performs. It has a thick consistency, feels very cold on the skin and removes makeup well, although tackling waterproof mascara did not come off as easily as others. If you don’t wear waterproof mascara then it would be ideal cheaper alternative.
I have bought this one multiple times, which I think speaks volumes. To be fair if its good enough for Kylie then its good enough me!
Pixi and Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse £24
When I first received this product I was excited to use it as I had used previously Pixi Nourishing Balm cleanser and found it to be amazing. I had high hopes. Unfortunately for me this product fell flat on its face for me. It has two parts, one luxurious cream cleanser and the other a solid balm which turns to oil. The solid balm removes eye makeup and does break down heavy makeup. Its the cream cleanser that bugs me as it doesn’t feel that luxurious. The packaging is annoying when you take it travelling. The cream cleanser migrates over to the solid balm and becomes a mess. I believe that this has been rectified in the latest models but I am not aware to what effect. In my opinion this is not a product I would purchase again.
Finial Thoughts
If you can introduce a balm cleanser into your routine then the winners for me is the Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm if you wear waterproof mascara or Ponds cold cream for those who do not. I hope that gave you an insight on why you should double cleanse and what product would be best for you.
Look out for next week on my review on Cleansers.
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In Need Of A Makeup Refresh?
I want to tell you about a fantastic service that we provide here at Richard Hall Styling. It’s our Makeup Consultation Service, but with a twist. We have all been in the situation where we get bored of our makeup. Maybe we have done the same look for the past 20 years and just do not know how to get out of the rut. Or, we could of just started a family and we are going back to work and need a quick and speedy makeup look for the morning, or what if you are at the age where you have started wearing makeup and you just don’t know your BB cream from your CC cream? Then this service is a great opportunity for you to be able to sit back and allow us to talk you through what look you would like to achieve and what products you need to accomplish the desired look. Let me give you a quick run down on what to expect in the 90 minutes we would spend together.
- We will sit down together looking through your current Makeup and chatting about how you use them and maybe how you can use them differently.
- We decide on two looks, normally a Day and and a Night look, or if you want to perfect your base or just do a smokey eye the skys the limit.
- I will then show you how to apply your desired look and also teach you how to apply correctly to give you the confidence on how to apply your makeup yourself.
- At the end you will receive a Face Chart that I will have written down all that we have talked about, products used and products you could buy.
This is by far one of my favorite services that we provide as it is such a great feeling to empower women with confidence on how to apply their makeup better and to make them feel amazing. If you would like to see me in action demonstrating this service click on the link to watch the video. If you would like more information please feel free to call the Salon on 01772 497914 or you can visit our website and book on line.
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