shu uemura Cleansing Oil A/O

image from Sephora.com

Price: $32 for 150ml, $72 for 450ml (15.2oz)

What they say:
"For aging concerns

Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O is the #1 selling shu uemura Cleansing Oil in the world. A premium anti-oxidant skin purifier that thoroughly cleanses the skin while protecting it against the internal and external aggressions associated with skin aging."

What I say:
While this isn't love at first sight, this is love at multiple glances, and with second thoughts.

I first came across shu uemura Skin Purifier High Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O (man, that's a mouthful) after many online bloggers and review communities convinced me that oil would, in fact, not destroy my face, if I was careful, and that this stuff is basically gold in a bottle.  With these thoughts in my mind, I stalked up to a shu uemura counter in Nordstroms, and asked about the oil.  Not only did they give me a pamphlet, they also gave me two samples to try (each one, with how little I use at a time, lasts me about a week, if only used at night).

Samples in hand, I headed home, and tried this.  Now, I knew how to use it, since I had read the reviews: dry hands, dry face, rub in, little water, emulsify, rinse off.  That's what I did, the first time.  It left a film.

I hate film.

So I put this to the side, and was glad I hadn't paid for a full bottle.  Reading more reviews, though, it turns out that even those instructions were wrong (Side note: don't do what the bottle instructions say.  Too much waste, and it doesn't work as well).  You put a little water on your hands, emulsify, repeat, and when the white is mostly gone, then you rinse.  I tried this, and it worked.  Still a little film, but nothing I can't handle.

So, I went to step 2, the makeup test.  Does it remove makeup?  Yes.  Does it remove waterproof?  From what I can see, yes.  Does it do all this without the watering eyes of doom?  Again, yes, but a small note, this can cause your eyes to get... cloudy, I guess is the word I'm looking for.  Doesn't hurt, but it can be annoying.

Last thing I noticed, it does, in fact, help clear my pores.  Since the oil can get into the pores, it can cause the stuff in them to come out.  And since it emulsifies with water, it doesn't remain in them when you're done.  Gross, when stuff is coming out (TMI, I know), but still, whatever helps.

Scent: I haven't really noticed one, since I'm not looking, but I have been told there is one.

Bottle: Great!  No leaks, you can see how much is left, and the pump is very handy.  I kept my small bottles for travel, and the nozzle fits perfectly inside, so that's a bonus.

So there you have it!  This stuff is quite good, and I have since bought a full bottle of it.  Now, the downside of this is that it is pricey.  That's why, in my lemmings post earlier, I said I wanted to try the NYX version, to see how it stood up against the titan.  Is it worth it anyway?  Personally, that really depends on your budget and how often you are planning on using it.  I use it maybe a couple times a week, and I can say that my bottle will last me for at least a year.  When you break it down, that's really cheap, and so I would say worth it.  If you are using it twice a day, though, and are using the full recommended 4-5 pumps (I'm using something like 1, maybe a little less), then even the big bottle will be drained quickly.

Regardless, if you are interested in trying this, or any shu uemura, oil out, I really recommend going to the counter.  I can't say for certain you will get as much as I did, but even one sample should last long enough for you to see if you will react.  (Maybe that's why they gave me so much, is that I told them I was worried about breakouts... hmm..).

4/5

Jane Iredale Magic Mitt

 image from janeiredale.com

Price: $15 for one mitt

What they say:
"Magic Mitt quickly and completely removes makeup using NO cleanser
• This cleansing process promotes the health of the skin because it does not affect the skin's natural acid mantle
• When this beneficial barrier is intact, it aids the skin in protecting itself from harmful and invasive bacteria
• Not only will your skin thank you for using Magic Mitt, but you will also save yourself minutes at the beginning and end of each day"

What I say:
This is indeed a "magic mitt."  I have used this to take of mascara (non-waterproof), liquid foundation, primer, and also cream foundation (with cream blush!).  While it claims that you can use it with just warm water, I always pair it with my usual nightly cleanser, since I'm lazy, and doing it in two steps just adds more time.  I tried using a cream eye makeup remover afterwards when I tested the removal of mascara, and nothing more came off, so it must be doing something right!

How you use this is you take the mitt, get it wet with warm water, and gently rub in small circles all over you face, like you would do with an exfoliator, or when you are normally cleansing with a washcloth.  The little "hairs" or fibers of the cloth break through the barrier of oil that makeup creates, and allow water and cleansers to get through.  Since the surface tension of the oil that bonds the makeup is broken, it just comes right off.

Now, here's another great part about it: to clean, you just clean it like a washcloth!  Brilliant!  Why so brilliant?  Because you can clean it on the go, and since it's not a liquid/gel, you can bring it on a plane with you, no problem.

I got mine at a local beauty supply shop, but I know drugstore.com and dermstore.com carry it.  It is normally $15, so I say, unless you are buying really expensive makeup-remover, it is probably a good idea to wait until you can get this on sale.

I still haven't tried this with waterproof mascara, since I hardly ever wear that, but I do know it took off my waterproof sunscreen, so it might work well with the mascara as well.

5/5

Clarisonic

 

image from clarisonic.com

Price: $149 the Mia, $195 for Classic, $225 for PLUS, Single Brush Head $25

What they say:

"Clarisonic is the sonic technology proven to gently yet effectively loosen dirt and oil to clear your pores. The Clarisonic Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth your skin. In just 60 seconds a day, the Clarisonic micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing.

Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing Benefits

• Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle enough for twice daily use
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles"

What I say:
I originally got the Classic a few years ago as a gift, back before they lowered the prices.  This is a good brush.  I wouldn't say it's the end all be all of facial brushes, but I do think it is nice, and might be worth getting the Mia (the cheapest) if you have the money.

Some things about this.

1) This does help with exfoliation.  I combine my mild exfoliator with my brush, and it really really really works.  So much that I only do this about once a week, maybe a little longer.  I don't know how well this removes makeup, since I use oil cleanser and I don't mix it with this brush.

2) You can get the same effect, in a way, with a electric toothbrush.  In fact, you can use your own toothbrush, and just dedicate a brush head for your face.  You might also get a similar effect with a hand brush (the ones that you used to be able to buy at The Body Shop).

3)  The brush heads should be replaced every 3-4 months... Honestly, I go longer, I just sanitize it every now and again.  If it doesn't look like it's worn, I keep using it.

4) I'm not sure about the newer versions, but the older versions you have to look at the front of the device after use to see if it needs to be recharged (the lights flash), or you have to remember how many minutes out of its maximum you have used up.  This can be a little annoying.  It also take a long time to charge, but it holds charge well.

5) So far I cannot say it reduces pore sizes, reduces wrinkles, or gets rid of oily/dry patches.  I think this is more a marketing ploy, but I could be wrong.

6) It is completely waterproof!  That right there might be an incentive for some of you, since you can multitask and clean your face while in the shower.  Also, if you dedicate a head, you can use this on your body, which is nice.

So there you have it.  It is a decent brush, and might help with claims beyond its cleaning ones, but honestly, I doubt, if it does it at all, that it helps a great bit.  If you want to see how this works, get an electric toothbrush and try that out.  Granted, the head on this is much much larger, so less stress in one area, and it is faster to clean your face, but it will give you a decent idea.

So do you need this?  No.  Is it nice to have?  Yes.  Is it worth its price?  I don't think it is.  The Mia is the best deal, so go with that one if you are looking at all.

3/5

MAC Cleansing Wipes

 

image from macpro.com

Price: 45 Sheets US $18.00, 100 Sheets US $26.00

What they say:
"Swipes away makeup, smudges, dirt and grime, pronto! Oversized, luxurious, super-saturated with special M·A·C cleanser infused with protective vitamin E. Hydrates and nourishes highly efficiently. Extremely refreshing. Totally addictive. Slickly packed, re-sealable, ready to go!"

What I say:
These are refreshing, I'll give them that.  They also do take off some makeup, some grime, and some dirt.  Notice I said some.  These are your garden variety emergency wipes.  You know, and probably use, the type.  They sit on your bedside table, waiting for the day (or night, or morning) that you don't have time to take off your makeup, or wash your face, before you will fall asleep.  For that, I thank them, and will continue to use them (or at least, this species), but I cannot say they are perfect.

For one, look at the price.  100 sheets for $26 is the cheapest you will get these (unless you CCO, or have a PRO card), and while 26 cents might not seem like a lot per wipe, you can get much the same as these for cheaper.  Also, the size of the wipe itself could be bigger.  You are constantly stuck with the indecision to take another wipe out when you only need a little more, or just deal with the last of the grime that you /could/ get off with these because your current wipe is dead.

The smell is okay, and the wipe texture is fine, but I feel that, for the price, both of these could be a little nicer.  Maybe a little softer for the wipe, and less like a thin hanky, and smell... well, personally, I don't really want to be smelling much of anything before I try and call it a night, since I am trying to fall asleep.

Should you buy these?  No, not unless you are a name brand person, or you just can't get to a drugstore.

3/5 for price.