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. :)

Spotlight | Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip and Eye Remover.

While walking along the streets of Hongdae last spring, the little man and I chanced upon a group of seemingly overzealous tourists flocking towards the Innisfree store. Curious as to what the hoopla was about, we followed suit. Imagine my surprise when I saw '50% off' pennants displayed all over the store.

Apparently, there was a sale event happening that weekend - 50% off on all items if you purchase with a credit card. I'd be crazy if I didn't grab this opportunity to shop at a huge discount, so I joined the crowd of crazy shoppers - one hand armed with a shopping basket, the other hand clutching Yue's hand tight.

After about thirty minutes of swatching, sniffing, and testing products, and another thirty minutes of falling in line at the checkout counter, we emerged from the store with a bagful of cosmetics and just a tiny dent on my credit card. And by tiny I mean 19150 won, or a little over Php 800. Not bad, right?

Among my purchases is the Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip and Eye Remover, a hypoallergenic makeup remover enriched with apple extracts. Originally priced at 8000 won, this product was marked down to just 4000 won (around Php 180) during the sale event.

Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip & Eye Remover.

It comes in a 100mL plastic bottle, with product description, usage directions, and list of ingredients written in both English and Hangul.

Comes in one size only - 100 mL.

Here's a more detailed product description from the Innisfree website:
"Soothing and refreshing lip and eye makeup remover easily removes all types of point makeup without subjecting skin to unnecessary stress that may only lead to lines and wrinkles. Extra gentle formula contains botanical extracts and nutrients that nourish and condition skin while dissolving even long wearing mascara to leave it perfectly clean."

English and Hangul text at the back of the bottle.

For those who are wondering, point makeup refers to eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lip color.

Directions for use + list of ingredients.

Like most of the makeup removers that I have used in the past, the Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip and Eye Remover also has a dual-phase formula. As such, you have to shake it well before pouring an adequate amount on a cotton pad. Just four or five drops of this product usually works for me.

Comes with an easy-twist cap.

Now what I love about this makeup remover is its ability to remove waterproof makeup without the vigorous and continuous rubbing. Waterproof eyeliner and mascara can be a pain to remove at times, but with this product, I just leave the doused cotton pad on my eyelids and let it absorb all the gunk on it. I reckon it's the Kaolin powder working its magic; apparently, this ingredient is excellent at sebum absorption.

Just a few drops will do. The liquid is actually colorless.

I also love its gentle formula - it does not sting the eyes, and does not irritate the skin. Also, I find its consistency less oily than the makeup removers from Etude House and The Face Shop.

Goodbye, makeup.

However, I am slightly disappointed that this product does not reek of apples. I was actually looking forward to the fruity, zesty scent upon opening the bottle, but alas, there was none. My initial thought was perhaps I got an expired product amidst the shopping chaos, but the date on the bottom of the bottle says otherwise. Oh well, not my first time to buy a fragrance-free makeup remover, when one of the reasons why I bought it was for its scent. Lol.

Expiration date.

Nonetheless, I'd still recommend this makeup remover especially for those who are fond of using waterproof makeup. I'll definitely be buying another bottle (or two) when I return to Seoul. Hopefully, I can chance upon another sale event by then. :)

Spotlight | Etude House Lip & Eye Remover.

After having our passports renewed at DFA Alabang two weeks ago, I made a beeline for the nearest Etude House store, located at the ground floor of ATC (that's Alabang Town Center, in case you didn't know). I was supposed to buy a box of Bubble Hair Coloring, but alas, they do not have Wine Red in stock! I didn't want to leave the store empty-handed, so I ended up buying this Lip & Eye Remover instead.

Lip & Eye Remover.
Sounds scary, I know. Haha!

The product sounds scary, I know. Haha! That they should have named this 'Lip & Eye Makeup Remover' was my first thought when I saw this product. The grammarnazi in me wanted to insert a caret and add the word 'makeup' as I was paying for this bottle at the cashier.

Product description.

Anyway, if you pay attention to the product description on the bottle, you will know that it's supposed to remove makeup and not exactly your eyes or lips.

Directions for use and product ingredients listed on the back.

"Gentle, yet highly effective, this double formulated lip & eye remover easily and instantly dissolves all traces of make-up for a soothing and moisturizing effect on the sensitive eye & lip area without any irritation." - so goes the product description.

After shaking.

It's a dual phase product, so you have to shake it well before using. 

Comes with an easy-twist cap.

Apply a few drops (about three or four will do) on a cotton pad, then wipe it on your face, starting with your eyes and lips. This product smells a lot like baby oil, which some of you may find a bit off. I'm not crazy about the scent, but I don't hate it, either.

A few drops of the product on the cotton ball.

It does a good job of removing makeup, even those hard-to-remove waterproof mascaras. It does not sting the eyes, and it does not feel greasy on the skin. However, this product does not work too efficiently with shimmery eyeshadows. There were still hints of shimmer on my eyelids when I removed my makeup using this product. Not that I wear eyeshadow very often these days, especially with this hot and humid and weather in the Philippines.

All that gunk off my face.

What I love:

- Gentle formulation.

- Non-greasy.

- Doesn't sting the eyes.

- Removes waterproof mascaras.

- Affordable price (Php 198 - the cheapest among all the makeup removers that I have tried).

What you might not like:

- Struggles with shimmery eyeshadow.

- Personally, I am bothered by the name of the product. Haha! 

Spotlight | Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths.

I was never a big fan of cleansing tissues, mostly because I like going through the whole intricate process of removing makeup (i.e. wipe the gunk off with makeup remover, wash my face with my favorite cleansing foam, rinse). Yeah, I'm OC like that.

Also, I used to think cleansing tissues aren't at par with its bottled counterparts (ergo, liquid makeup removers) in terms of removing all the dirt, grime, and gunk off your face. However, these Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths from Cetaphil made me think otherwise.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths are pre-moistened cloths that remove dirt and makeup without drying or irritating the skin. These cloths are soft and gentle, and they're safe even for the most sensitive skin. They're unscented, and that's a plus if you don't like overly scented skincare products.

Safe for sensitive skin!

Ingredients, plus directions for use.

This product is perfect for days nights when you're too lazy to go through the entire process of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. These cloths require no rinsing - meaning, you can just wipe this on your face and go straight to bed! And thanks to its mild, soap-free, and non-comedogenic formula, you get clean and moisturized skin without having to worry about residues that can clog your pores.

Convenient packaging.

Tamper-sealed.

Soft and gentle tissues!

To use this product, simply lift the lid to remove cloth. Gently wipe your face, including the eye area, to remove makeup and impurities. No need to rinse afterwards. Close lid securely after each use.

Cleansing cloth folded in three parts. They're pretty long and stretchy in actual.

All that gunk from my face!

I love that these cleansing cloths come in a handy, resealable packaging. They're perfect on-the-go, and you know that I'm always out and about - especially now that I can drive on stick. I've come to love this product so much that I keep a pack in my vanity table at home, one in my bag, and another in the the glove compartment of our car. Talk about being on-the-go! :)

Freshness on the go! :)

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths sell for Php 235 per pack, each containing 25 disposable cloths. Cetaphil products are available at leading drugstores (Watson's, South Star) and supermarkets nationwide.

Get to know more about Cetaphil by visiting their official website and liking their Facebook page. :)

Spotlight | Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion.

I can't believe that the last time I featured a makeup remover in my blog was January of last year. That means I have stuck to one brand of makeup remover for the longest time without even realizing it!

But thanks to one of my mommy friends at school (who's just as addicted to makeup as I am), I was able to break the monotony and try a new brand of makeup remover. She gave me this bottle of Bifesta Cleansing Lotion, which I have been using for a little over a month now.

Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion.

This water-based makeup remover is available in four variants - Bright-up (for dull and flaky skin), Moist (for dry and sensitive skin), Age Care (for mature skin), and Sebum (for combination skin). It comes in a sturdy and reusable plastic bottle, and is available in one size only (300 mL).

Cleansing Express.

Now if you're the kind of person who hates going through the long, elaborate, and oftentimes tiresome process of removing makeup, washing your face, toning, moisturizing, etcetera, etcetera - then this product is just for you!

Comes in a 300 mL bottle.

More popularly known  as Cleansing Express, the Bifesta Cleansing Lotion is a one-step makeup remover. With just two or three pumps on a clean cotton pad, this product melts and removes oil in makeup, cleanses the skin, and tightens pores all at the same time. If you're feeling lazy, you can just leave this on your face, skip the rinsing, skip the toning, and just proceed to moisturizing. Well, I still choose to rinse this off my face out of habit, because I'm OC like that. Haha! :)

Here's a detailed, step-by-step instruction on how to use the Bifesta Cleansing Lotion:

Click the image to enlarge.

Now here's my cotton pad doused with two pumps of Bifesta Cleansing Lotion. The liquid is actually clear, and it's mildly-scented, too. It's gentle on the skin and doesn't sting the eyes, which is a plus for me.

Two pumps of the Cleansing Express!

It does a good job of cleansing the skin and removing non-waterproof/regular makeup like BB Cream, powder, eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow, and blush. However, this product doesn't work too efficiently with waterproof eyeliner and mascaras - especially mascaras. Well, this product is water-based, after all, so I really can't complain.

All that gunk off my face!

If you wear light and washable makeup, this product is right up your alley. But if you wear heavy makeup on a daily basis, this product may not be the most economical choice as you'll need more than just three pumps to get all that gunk off your face.

Overall, I love how this product is affordable and easily available, and how it removes makeup without irritating the skin. I also like the fact that it contains green tea extract, which rejuvenates the skin, and hyaluronic acid which brightens and smoothens the skin.

The Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion sells for Php 419 per bottle and is available at Watson's and other leading drugstores.

Have you tried this product before? What's your favorite brand of makeup remover? :)

Spotlight | The Face Shop Green Tea Phyto Powder in Lip & Eye Makeup Remover.

After emptying my current bottle of makeup remover, I decided to visit The Face Shop here in SM San Pablo (oh yes, we have TFS here in the boondocks lol!) to see if they have a makeup remover that will perform just as good as the brand I previously had. I saw at least four different kinds of makeup remover in stock, but I settled for the Green Tea Phyto Powder for two reasons: 1) I like green tea, and 2) it's the cheapest among the bunch. Haha.

The Face Shop Green Tea Phyto Powder in Lip & Eye Makeup Remover.

Here's a brief description of the product, which you can read directly from the bottle.
"A lip and eye makeup remover with green tea which mildly and thoroughly removes super strong, water-proof makeup on sensitive skin around the eyes and lips without any stickiness or oiliness." 

Hooray for English text!

You know I'm a huge fan of waterproof mascara. (I actually wouldn't wear a mascara if it's not waterproof.) And this kind of makeup remover seems right up my alley. Plus it contains green tea, which protects the skin from sun damage and slows down skin aging.

Hangul at the back.

It has a dual-phase formula (much like my FOA Makeup Remover), so you have to shake it fully before you use it.

Dual-phase formula.

Apply a few drops on a cotton pad and place it on parts to be cleansed. Leave it on for a moment before you wipe it off. Then rinse with lukewarm water afterwards.

Comes with an easy-twist cap.

True enough, this product removes makeup pretty well. Even my hard-to-remove Fairy Drops mascara was no match for this cleanser. So yeah, taking off all that gunk on your face is just a breeze with this baby.

All that gunk on my face. :)

Don't expect it to smell like Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea, though. (Which I did. I was expecting a whiff of that oh-so-familiar green tea scent as soon as I opened the cap, but alas, there was none. Lol.) This product is fragrance-free, which is great for those who dislike overly-scented skincare products. 

What I love:

- Gentle formulation.

- Non-greasy.

- Non-drying.

- Safe for sensitive skin.

- Removes even the most stubborn, waterproof mascara.

- Affordable price - Php 325 (around $7) for a 100mL bottle.

What you might not like:
- None that I can think of. :)

Thinking of giving this product a try? Check out this list of The Face Shop branches to see if there's a store near you.