For Your Eyes Only: Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover

Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover ($24.00 for 2.5 fl. oz.) is a creamy, opaque white gel-based remover that works best applied onto a cotton round or toner sheet, then held against the skin for a few seconds and finally, wiped away. Initially, I thought this product was for the whole face, because it says makeup remover, not eye makeup remover. Even the online descriptions of this product don’t suspend that belief–they say it’s a makeup remover designed for removal of even the “longest-lasting products” that’s “good for your skin.”  (I tend to associate skin care benefits more to the whole face than just the eyes!)

Though I recognize I’m a bit skeptical of much of the miracles promised by various skincare products, I’m even more skeptical of cleansers and removers that make promises, too. Products like cleansers and removers are not on skin very long, so it’s hard to believe they would be able to provide any long-term benefits. Urban Decay’s remover includes several ingredients, and one is noted to “revitalize collagen production” while others (various oils) will moisturize and replenish. When it comes to directions, I’m glad I waited for this product to go online, because the back of the tube left me clueless–did I use water, did I use it everywhere, how much, when, what!

Again, the best way to use this, based on my testing, has been on a cotton round or toner sheet, pressed against the eye for 10-15 seconds, and then wipe away the makeup. It does a good job of removing the bulk of my makeup, but I do feel like it leaves my eyes a little cloudy. There is no greasy residue or feel afterwards, but the cloudiness necessitates rinsing with water, so then there is definitely no product leftover to sink into my skin and revitalize or moisturize anything. I needed about a pea-sized dollop for each eye. It will remove face makeup, too, but you’ll end up going through this little tube rather quickly if you do so!

If it’s for eyes, it’ll last you a lot longer, and therefore the $24 price tag stretches out over a much longer time period. It does remove long-wearing products without much fuss, feels nice against the skin, and doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue–but it did make my eyes a bit cloudy and may require a second cotton round to remove a few streaks of makeup left behind (which just feels wasteful, so I rinsed off). Good, not great.

The bottom of the tube says “demaquillant yeux,” but as a U.S. brand – should I really have to know French to decipher what the product is supposed to do?  Oddly enough, I did Google translate it last night, and I didn’t include the accented E – so it translated to just “makeup remover,” but when you include the accented E, it translates to “eye makeup remover.”

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Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette ($48.00 for 0.141 oz.) is warm, neutral palette with only a hint of coral but mostly variations on brown.

The all-over base shade is a soft pinked champagne beige with soft gold micro-shimmer. Next, the lid shade is a soft coral-orange with faint gold micro-shimmer–this is the only coral shade of the five but love how it doesn’t lean too orange. The crease shade is a red-based, warm medium-dark chocolate brown with very subtle bronze micro-shimmer. Though I can’t imagine anyone highlighting their brow with it, the highlighter shade is a smoky brown taupe with gray tones and a metallic finish. The liner shade is a dark, smoldering brown with bronze flecks of shimmer that works well wet or dry; when used wet, the color is richer and the shade has more of a metallic finish.

my thoughts on the formula: The texture of Lancome’s eyeshadows are very smooth–soft, silky–and all of these shades were excellent in terms of pigmentation. The rich colors, blendable texture, and mix of textures gave this palette a cohesive feel.

I’m disappointed in the quantity provided in the palette, though. Lancome’s Color Design Quads come in at 0.16 oz. and their Color Design Eyeshadow singles at 0.0458 oz., which works out to be $263/oz. and $371/oz. respectively. This palette is $340/oz., which makes it more expensive ($48 vs. $42) with less product (0.141 oz. vs. 0.16 oz) than the Color Design Quads.

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Coral Crush Eyeshadow Palette

All-Over Base, Lid, Crease

Highlighter, Liner (Dry/Wet)

On-the-Go Makeup Fixers

MAC Cleansing Tips ($14.50 for 30) are my absolute favorite when it comes to easily fixing any minor application mistakes.  They’re basically dual-ended cotton swabs that have been soaked in makeup remover and are individually packaged (though each sheet has ten, you just tear them off individually).  One side is the usual rounded swab, while the other is tapered and more precise.

I actually really, really love these.  They work so well for cleaning up under the eyes when you work with shadows that have fall out, but they’re great for touching up during the day if you happen to be testing one smudger of an eyeliner, too!  They remove everything without a fuss.  Since they’re individually wrapped, you can just toss one into your purse when you need to (e.g. a special occasion), too.

So, I did not pay attention to how much these run you when I originally purchased them.  These wonder-swabs don’t come cheap!   They end up costing about $0.50 a pop!  Even the small package of MAC Wipes are cheaper ($0.40), while the bulk package of MAC Wipes are half the price ($0.26).  This is so saddening for me!    This is a great product, but it’s not something one should use often at that kind of cost.

They do work incredibly well to clean-up any faded or smudged eyeliner if you’re out and about.  I’ll continue to purchase them as I need to, but I will make myself only use them when I’m on the go or traveling–no more using those at homes.  Gotta go the extra step and use my own swabs and separate makeup remover, LOL!

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 30/30
• Value: 4/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: If you use them sparingly, they can be an excellent time-saving, space-saving tool to have in your evening bag when you want to look your best. Just don’t use them by the dozen!

AVAILABILITY: MAC Cosmetics

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Makeup Removing Wipes: Soap & Glory Style

Soap & Glory Off Your Face Cleansing Cloths ($6.99 for 25 or $0.28/cloth) are slowly becoming one of my favorite makeup removing wipes! Each sheet is well-saturated but not overly so, and the cloth itself is soft and thick enough not to fray or pull when used. It has a slight floral scent, but it’s subtle and I don’t find that it lingers for long. What I like most about these sheets is how refreshing they are. While they’ll get off the majority of your makeup (but may struggle with the most long-lasting products, like MAC Liquidlasts), I really love these for a face wipe-down post-gym, because they have no sticky residue or leave your skin feeling parched.

Ingredients: Amyl Cinnamal, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glucosamine HCL, Algae Extract, Urea, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Ceteareth-12, Benzoic Acid,Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium ydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Aqua (Water)

The branded packaging is cute, and I like that it has the plastic flip top — it makes keeping your wipes moist way easier than if it simply had a sticker flap. By the by, if your wipes (of any brand) ever dry out, put a little water (maybe 1-2 oz.), close it up, turn it upside down, and wait a day. I’ve been known to forget to close a package or two, and this technique always saves me from having to throw them away! (And yes, they work just as well as they always did!)

My still reigning favorite for all stubborn makeup are MAC Wipes (slightly cheaper, when bought in bulk — $0.26 each), but I think these are better for my post-workout needs, as they feel a little more refreshing. For swatching and removing swatches, I’ll stick with my MAC Wipes as they remove even stubborn makeup quite well.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  If you can track these down (always sold out at Target; plus Soap & Glory is moving out of Target–said they’ll be in other doors in the U.S. in the fall, but no real word yet…), they’re definitely worth a try.  They remove makeup well without leaving behind any sticky residue–instead, they leave you feeling clean and refreshed!

Availability: Soap & Glory

Makeup Remover Wipes: Let’s Talk Korres

Korres Pomegranate Cleansing & Make Up Removing Wipes ($12.00 for 25 wipes) are a rosy-floral scented makeup wipe that will remove makeup decently but doesn’t get off every trace of it.

These wipes don’t get the job done when it comes to long-wearing, water-resistant, or otherwise “stubborn” makeup like mascara and eyeliner. I also found that my pack seemed a little dry, so I put a little water in it and turned it upside down (my trick for keeping wipes moist!). The best part about the Korres’ wipes is that it’s a non-greasy, non-oily makeup remover, so it won’t leave you feeling greasy nor do you need to rinse after you use one.

I actually like these more for a post-workout wipe down than removing my makeup (just because I do often wear more long-wearing products). They’re extremely refreshing, and since they’re not at all oily, it takes care of your skin without adding anything to it. Really gives me a clean feeling without the tightness.

Price-wise, the Korres’ wipes work out to be just under $0.50 each, so they’re a little pricier than I’d like. At the end of the day, though, say you used this nearly once per day, it works out to about $12 a month as a cost–not necessarily make-or-break, you know? Less than a MAC Lipglass! I wish they’d have a better closure device on the Korres’ wipes, but it’s just a peel-back sticker/closure that you press close (which just isn’t as secure as something with a “click”).

My favorite wipes for makeup removing are MAC Wipes (available for $26 for 100, works out to be $0.26 each), because they’re effective without being drying. However, they’re not designed to be used around the eyes (no, seriously), and I know that I can’t use them for eye makeup removal, because they’ll burn/sting around the eyes.  Korres’ wipes don’t burn around the eyes, so that is a huge difference between the two for me.

MAC Wipes, though, are one of my beauty blogging staples (along with an awesome camera!), because it’s so easy to remove even stubborn eyeliner that’s been stuck on your arm for hours.  I tried Korres for this task, but it just couldn’t get everything off as cleanly or smoothly as MAC Wipes.

Korres’ Wipes are decent, but they’re not superb.  They work well if you wear more minimal makeup or stick with less long-wearing makeup.  One sheet will remove the majority of my tinted moisturizer.  They smell lovely, too, with that rose-ish scent (I know, it’s supposed to smell like pomegranate, but I get a lot of floral when I sniff it!) and didn’t irritate my skin (always a plus!).

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 24/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 3/5

Recommendation: If you need something to help refresh you after a workout at the gym or you only wear a little makeup, these are nice to have in your arsenal.

Availability: Beauty.com, Korres, Nordstrom

Affordable Skincare: Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Cleanser

Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Cleanser ($6.99 for 5.5 fl. oz.) is a foam-based cleanser that feels lightweight, doesn’t dry out skin, and removes most makeup.

This review is one of those short and sweet kind, because the product itself is really simple.  Like many Aveeno products, it’s not about frills, it’s about meeting a need.  If I had to compare this to another high-end brand, I’d consider this similar to Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple (Foaming).  This one comes in a bottle-shaped container with a pump to distribute the foam cleanser.  I find one or two pumps is all I need to feel clean.

It is advertised as a makeup removing cleanser, not just a cleanser, and it’s unfortunate, because it doesn’t quite remove all makeup.  Whenever I have a makeup remover, I test it against the long-lasting power of MAC Fluidline.  This removed some, but it didn’t remove all.  It does remove the majority of my makeup (eyeshadow, non-waterproof mascara, foundation), but it’s not necessarily the best choice for heavier or more long-wearing products.

I do, personally, prefer to remove heavier makeup with an oil-based makeup remover (like Lancome’s Bi-Facil) before I do my nightly cleanser, so it’s not a big deal for me.  It’s just something that does take away from this product’s score, since it doesn’t completely live up to its claims.

It smells like something soft and clean and a little sweet–it reminded me of baby shampoo, to be honest.  When I was trying to describe it, all I could think of was baby shampoo as my descriptor.

Bottom Line: This is an affordable cleanser that works well for daily dirt and grime and light to medium makeup.  If you’re looking for a cleanser to remove heavy eyeliner, you may want to look elsewhere.   I actually really liked it, and I was pleasantly surprised by it overall.  I’ll probably be switching over my boyfriend over to this from Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple when he runs out.  (Well, I’m going to have to see if Aveeno offers a foaming cleanser in this product line that doesn’t have “makeup remover” on it!)

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 26/30
• Value: 10/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: For an easy, lightweight cleanser that works well on daily dirt and build-up, this one is worth checking out!

Availability: ULTA

MAC Cleanse Off Oil ($21.00 for 150ml) is my new best friend. When I heard my favorite MAC girls gushing and I mean, GUSHING!, over Cleanse Off Oil via Twitter all during Fashion Week, I knew I had to try it for myself. Despite being a huge MAC fan and collector, I must admit I tend to overlook their skincare, though I’ve been pretty happy with the skincare products I’ve tried by them (hello, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator!).

The description off of MAC’s website lists Cleanse Off Oil as, “An industry-strength oil-based makeup remover that’s gentle on the skin. Botanically formulated with oils of olive fruit, evening primrose and jojoba seed and absolutely 100% mineral-oil free. Massages onto the skin to loosen all makeup, including waterproof mascara. Emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water: rinses off easily, no tissues required—and no residue! Protects with vitamin E. Skin softening and conditioning.”

Nick Gavrelis, VP of Product Development for MAC, tells us that Cleanse Off Oil was originally developed for their Asian Markets as a quick, makeup removing oil that “quickly and thoroughly dissolves all traces of make-up, cleanses and conditions skin and can be emulsified in contact with water then rinsed off completely.” He tell us the best way to apply it is to massage it to “blend well” with your makeup. Then, simply rinse off with lukewarm, as “emulsifying” the oil with water.

Cleanse Off Oil is designed remove all makeup, including waterproof mascaras. It contains several different oils (including jojoba, rose hip, olive, and evening primrose), while being mineral oil-free, all working together to really break down your makeup. I have to tell you that I think Cleanse Off Oil might actually be one of the reasons my skin is on the up and up lately. It really does clean and break down makeup, whether it’s fluidline or foundation, and it rinses away with water.

I’ve tried the Oil Cleansing Method using a mixture of olive oil and another oil (I’m blanking on which one), but I didn’t love the way it felt on my face. It was just too thick, too oily–it felt like it even when I had rinsed it off. Cleanse Off Oil feels like a very thin oil when you initially massage it into your face, but any oiliness goes away as soon as you rinse it away. My skin felt clean and soft, but it didn’t have that stripped feel that some cleansers can leave. It is SUPERB in removing makeup from eyes to lashes to lips — it’s better than my go-to eye makeup remover Bi-Facil. I recommend everyone check this product out! Try it with Liquid Last Liner to be truly amazed

When I asked MAC Senior Artist Tiffany Johnston why she can’t get enough of the Cleanse Off Oil, this is what she said:

“I LOVE this product! I use it to breakdown and remove all my makeup (including airbrush and waterproof makeup), I also use it on my bodypainting brushes. It brings my dual fibre brushes back to white! I also use it to shave my legs!”

So now I am off to see if I can get some of my slightly-stained white-bristled brushes back to their original state! Wish me luck!

Who else knows the joys of Cleanse Off Oil? (Anyone not impressed by it?)

Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes ($6.49) make cleaning your face easy as 1-2-3. I do prefer to follow my nightly skincare routine, but sometimes I’m already half asleep and would rather just crash. It’s nights like those that I keep a package of cleansing wipes on hand. Simple Skincare is a popular brand in the UK, and it recently launched its products here in the U.S.

The Cleansing Facial Wipes do a great job of removing stubborn makeup and lip gunk without leaving any oily residue. It’s actually supposed to cleanse and tone your skin simultaneously. Even when I’m not feeling totally and utterly lazy, I often reach for one of these to remove heavier eye or lip makeup — it just makes my cleansing process more effective. I get to wipe off a bunch of makeup and dirt rather than massaging it into my skin like a traditional liquid cleanser, you know?

Simple wants to give Temptalia readers a chance to try these out! 25 lucky Temptalia winners will receive a pack of Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes. Submit your entry by leaving a comment in this post–you can say anything at all, but you gotta say something so we can count your entry.

All entries must be submitted by March 16th, 2009 at 11:59 PM PST. That’s it! This contest is only open to U.S. residents only (must have a U.S. address).

Winner has been chosen, thank you for trying!

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