Spotlight | Human Heart Nature Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm.

Cleansing is the most basic step of any skincare routine.
For me, it's cleansing twice in the evening - after an entire day of wearing makeup and spending the most part outdoors, exposed to dust, dirt, and pollution.

Double cleansing starts off with a cleansing oil or micellar water to break down the makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil on the surface of the skin, followed by a water-based cleanser for a deeper, thorough cleansing. This has been part of my bedtime routine for years now, and I must say, double cleansing plays a huge part in keeping my skin smooth and 'pore-less' (save for the days before and during my monthly period).

Now if you're the type who finds it too much a bother to cleanse your face twice, or have ultra-sensitive skin and fear that double cleansing might 'over-wash' your skin, then this product is right up your alley.

Human Heart Nature Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm.

Human Heart Nature recently launched an array of new skincare products, which includes the Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm. It's a solid balm that liquefies upon contact with the skin and melts away dirt, residue, and even long-wearing, waterproof makeup.

Product details at the bottom of the tub.

If you're familiar with Banila Co's Clean it Zero (aka the holy grail of cleansing balms and the first step of my double cleansing routine), you'll be glad to know that this product does pretty much the same thing - at half the price AND sans the mineral oil.

Comes with a small spatula.

The Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm is made with pure virgin coconut oil which easily breaks down waterproof eye makeup and even long-wearing matte lipsticks. It doesn't strip the skin of its natural moisture. Instead, it nourishes and hydrates the skin as you cleanse, making it a softer and smoother canvas for the rest of your skincare routine.

Here's what it looks like.

This cleansing balm also contains castor seed oil, known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects; sunflower seed wax, which is rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants; and mimosa flower wax which soothes the skin, makes the complexion glow, and gives this product a sweet, warm, and powdery scent.

A little goes a long way. :)

To use, simply scoop a small amount of the balm using the tiny spatula that comes with the tub. Apply it on the skin and gently massage it on your face to remove your makeup.

Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm vs. Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner
and Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in TooLips.

As the product melts away your makeup, it also breaks down into a silky oil which you can wipe off with a cotton pad and rinse with just water. 

A small scoop on the back of my hand.

The balm emulsifies as you rinse and leaves the skin with a soft, milky feeling like a cleansing oil would. However, it does not add any excess oil nor does it make your skin look like a greased pan. 

Massage it to melt away your makeup...

I love how this balm removes makeup in a jiffy. Even Clio's Salon de Cara - one of the most resilient mascaras that I have used to date - melted away in seconds with this cleansing balm, making this whole makeup removing/cleansing process a lot easier for me. 

Tadaaa! Look, clean skin!

Sure, I still rinse my face with a water-based cleanser afterwards, but there was this one time that I was too dead-tired to go through the entire ten-step skincare routine that I hit the sack as soon as I removed all that gunk off my face. Thankfully, my face did not suffer from breakouts or irritation, nor did it feel dry or flaky the morning after.

Another thing that I love about this product - aside from the fact that it's made with all-natural ingredients - is its travel-friendly, no-spill solid formula. I can easily slip this into my carry-on without having to worry about the size (each tub weighs 40 grams), or liquid spills in my luggage.

This cleansing balm has definitely earned a spot in my skincare routine! Definitely buying another tub once I finish this one, though I don't think it will be anytime soon. :)

The Human Heart Nature Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm retails at Php 345 per tub and is available at the Human Heart Nature online store and Human Heart Nature branches nationwide.

Spotlight | Clio Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover.

I fell in love with Clio's eyeliners after my first-ever trip to South Korea, and have not used any other eyeliner brand since. I was so enamored by the Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner that I make it a point to stock up on this HG eyeliner whenever I'm in Seoul.

The brush liners, I have noticed, are almost always sold in sets with another Clio product. Last year, they were sold together with the Backcomb Cara Mini. This year, the brush liner comes as a set with the Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover, which I got for 14000 won (around Php 600 or $12).

Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner + Microfessional Lip & Eye Remover.

The Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover comes in a smaller, 30 mL bottle - perfect for your carry-on bag when traveling. Its full-sized version is a whopping 150 mL bottle which usually retails for 12000 won (around Php 530 or $10).

Clio Microfessional Lip & Eye Remover.

Back of the bottle.

Clio describes the Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover as an 'ultimate deep cleanser that thoroughly removes even the toughest makeup' and rightly so, as this product was able to remove almost all traces of the Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara - one of the most resilient waterproof mascaras that I have tried so far - on my eyelids. And without vigorous scrubbing at that!

Comes in an airline-friendly 30 mL bottle.

With the Clio Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover, all you have to do is to place the doused cotton pad on your eyelids and other parts of your face with heavy makeup on (such as the brow gel on your eyebrows or the kiss-proof matte lipstick on your lips), leave it there for at at least ten seconds to let the product 'melt' all the gunk on your face. Gently press the cotton pad, and sweep the area clean.

How to use the Clio Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover.
(Click to zoom).

Like most makeup removers, the Clio Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover also comes in a dual phase formula. However, this product boasts of the Purifying Complex, a special formulation of Moringa Oil, Camelia Sinensis seed oil, Eucalyptus leaf extract, and Nelumbium Speciosum flower extract that cleanses, soothes, and moisturizes the skin.

Easy-twist cap.

What I love most about this product is its essence-like texture which leaves the skin soft and smooth without the greasy feel. Among all of the makeup removers that I have tried (and if you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have tried a plethora of both Asian and Western brands), this one has the silkiest consistency of all. It doesn't leave any oil residue on the face, and has a mild and gentle formula that doesn't sting the eyes or irritate the skin. It also has a light, fresh scent which was a nice surprise. I was kinda expecting this makeup remover to be fragrance-free, just like the ones that I have used in the past.

All that gunk!

I enjoyed using this makeup remover so much that I plan to go full-size, even if the price is a bit steeper compared to other Korean makeup brands. I might get a jar of their cleansing balm too, as I have heard a lot of nice reviews about the product. :)

Sneak Peek | Banila Co. x Pink Panther Holiday Collection.

As we enter the colder, blustery month of November, expect a flurry of new products and Yuletide-themed collections from our favorite makeup and skincare brands. Christmas, after all, is just 47 days away! Wow, where did the rest of the year go?!

Korean cosmetics brand Banila Co recently dropped teasers of their upcoming holiday collection, and boy oh boy, we're in for another cartoon collaboration! This time, it's with Pink Panther, one of my favorite cartoon characters when I was a child! (Insert the classic Henry Mancini theme!)

Photo credit: Ceci Korea.

The Banila Co. x Pink Panther Collection includes the cult favorite Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm and the Clean it Zero Cleansing Foam with Pink Panther pictures printed on it. Pink Panther's even wearing reindeer antlers, you know, for the Christmas-y feel.

Photo credit: Nylon Korea.

The Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm comes in an ultra-size 180 mL jar and retails for 25000 won (around Php 1062). The Clean It Zero Cleansing Foam, on the other hand, comes in a 100 mL tube and sells for 18000 won (around Php 765).

Photo credit: Marie Claire Korea.

The two items can be bought as a set - housed in this pink gift box - with the Pink Panther towel hair band as freebie. Great gift idea, isn't it?

Photo credit: Beauty Talk App.

The Banila Co. x Pink Panther Holiday Collection will officially hit Korean stores on November 18th! Hopefully, they'll still be available when I fly back to Seoul next month! :)