Effective & Inexpensive Makeup Removers, FTW!

When I was younger, I didn't always remove my makeup before going to bed (for shame!). But as I got older and I began to understand the importance of makeup removal and good skincare in general, I became more diligent in my nighttime ritual.

That said, I'm still a bit of a lazy butt; especially now that I tend to get home quite late. So I need products that don't require much work and I don't want it to cost a pretty penny. Sound unreasonable? I think not! Especially when I've found products that fit the bill.

Marcelle Essentials Soothing Cleansing Water

From Marcelle: A soothing, refreshing water that gently cleanses and tones skin while removing eye make-up; just what you wished for. Introducing Essentials Soothing Cleansing Water make-up cleanser, a rinse-free formula that micro-emulsifies impurities and waterproof make-up without irritating skin, gentle for even the driest and most sensitive complexions. Skin feels clean, refreshed and revitalized.

I never jumped on the cleansing water bandwagon; until now, that is. I was looking for a makeup remover that was fuss-free but 100% effective and the lovely Rae of TheNotice suggested this product. Well, I can see why she loves it so much, this stuff is good. 

It removes makeup so easily; yes, even all my eye makeup (with the exception of waterproof mascara) and it doesn't leave a residue behind. So if you are, let's say camping or on a long flight, there's no need to rinse! It also doesn't have a scent so, like the name suggests, it's perfect for those with sensitive skin. I still remember when my skin threw a tantrum a year ago and I could've really used this stuff then. 

It removes all my face makeup as well (as proven by my makeup free cotton pad after using toner) but I find that I do need to use a 2-3 round cotton pads to get the job done. But that's only because the cotton pads are so small and I need to cover a large amount of surface area...

You know, one would think this cleansing water would be boring; it doesn't have any fancy tricks or anything. But the fact that it looks like plain ol water and yet removes all my makeup like a breeze kind of amuses me. 

"How does it do that?! It's like magic!" o_O

L'oréal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towlettes

From L'oréal: When used as part of a daily skincare regimen, these cleansing towelettes complement and optimize the performance of your other Skin Genesis products. With a special embossed fabric that grips and retains impurities and even makeup around the eyes, these towelettes provide for very effective cleansing. With BHA, these towelettes naturally enhance daily cellular renewal to help provide smoother, brighter and fresher skin. Containing a natural cleansing agent, these towelettes gently cleanse skin and respect natural skin moisture balance. Dermatologist tested for gentleness, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), all skin types.

Since I'll be in the Philippines for a month, I wanted to bring wipes to keep the removal process simple. So I asked Google what the best drugstore makeup remover wipes on the market were; which led me to Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog's review of the L'oréal Skin Genesis wipes. Suffice it to say, I like what I read so I went out and bought it along with Marcelle's Cleansing Water.

First of all, I love the scent. It's on the stronger side and it does linger (like MAC's wipes), but it doesn't bother me in the least because I like how it smells. However, if you have perfume allergies, you'll probably want to skip this one. The cloths are super soft and feel lovely on the skin; it has a texture, but it's not abrasive. Most importantly, it removes my makeup pretty darn well. I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't get all of my long-lasting eye makeup (eyeliner and mascara) in one go, but I'm sure with a few more swipes & a bit of elbow grease, it'll come off eventually. I tend to not resort to that, though. In the interest of saving time and keeping the skin around my eyes from getting raw, I choose to use the Marcelle Cleansing Water to remove eye makeup instead. 

But as for the face, I find that these wipes remove every single trace of foundation, blush, what have you from my skin. I do require a rinse because they leave a bit of residue, but once I apply my toner after, I don't see any makeup on the cotton pad at all. Perfect for those especially lazy nights! Also, the packaging is pretty awesome. Unlike most other wipes, these have a lid that snaps shut which ensures that your wipes don't dry out (something that happened regularly to my Neutrogena wipes).

Lastly, who doesn't need a little help in the blemish department (if you don't, then I officially hate you. I'm just kidding no I'm not)? I certainly do and the fact that these have BHA makes my skin happy. Using these wipes in combination with my daily skincare regime has really helped my skin look clearer... At least it did for a bit. And then hormones struck -_-'. That said, even with hormonal breakouts, I did notice that the blemishes were not as big and didn't stick around as long.

So...

If you're looking for inexpensive makeup removers that get the job done, I cannot recommend these two products enough. I've been using both religiously ever since I bought them about a month ago and they have yet to disappoint. Drugstore brands have been really stepping up their game these last few years and Marcelle & L'oréal have well and truly hit the mark with these products. They'll definitely be packed in my suitcase for my month-long trip, you can be sure of that!

Marcelle Essentials Soothing Cleansing Water (200mL) - $14.99 CAD

L'oréal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes (25 wipes) - $10.99 CAD

What makeup remover are you using right now?

Summer Skincare

I knew that my skin wasn't going to stay the same. After all, I live in a place where I get to enjoy all four seasons (sometimes all in one day :p). The thing that's irritating, though, is finally getting the handle of what to use for my skin and then having it change again so soon after.

These last few weeks have been a bit of a struggle for me, skin-wise; I've been working pretty long days and it wouldn't be a problem if I worked in an air-conditioned office. No, there's no AC where I work and I find myself having to run around so much that sweating has become my frienemy.

At the moment, I find myself getting oily after a 2-3 hours so my skincare focus this Summer has been oil control. I still prefer to keep my regimen simple, so here are the 3 products I've been using as of late:

LUSH Herbalism Cleanser

From Lush: We believe in the benefits of herbs on the skin, which is why we call this cleanser Herbalism. Massaging a preservative free, clay-based, herbal cleanser into our skins gets us quite excited. This one is specifically designed to help absorb excess oils and leave the skin looking less shiny, making it great for skin on the oily side. We put calming rose and chamomile in to soothe and ground almonds for a gentle exfoliation, helping clear up troubled spots. Once you try this, you'll believe in the power of herbs, too.

Yes, it looks monumentally weird and slightly gross (only slightly because I'm used to it :p), but I'm really enjoying it! It's a bit of work for a lazy lady such as I, having to scoop up the product, add water, then mixing it into a paste... But put up with it because I like this cleanser so much. 

It leaves my skin feeling fresh, smooth (the ground almonds lightly exfoliate my skin each time I use it) and never tight or dry. Let it be known that this cleanser smells a tad funky; the name Herbalism should clue you in. But it's definitely a scent you get used to and it doesn't linger at all. It's not offensive, just... Different. 

The wonderful thing about Lush's cleansers are the fact that you only need to spend what you want to spend. They will cut up a piece for you that corresponds to your budget. 

I think I'll definitely be bringing this cleanser with me (and perhaps Angels on Bare Skin, as well) to the Philippines. Knowing that I'll be gone for a month, I definitely need to stick to the tried and true.

LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

From Lush: Tea tree is extremely soothing and can work wonders on troubled or oily skin. We've also added juniper berry and grapefruit waters to refresh and tone with natural oils. 

Tea tree - it's antibacterial, antifungal and particularly effective against the types of fungi we call yeasts. It controls spots with a mild antiseptic. 

Juniper berry oil has many properties, some of which are very beneficial to the skin. The antiseptic quality of the oil is very good for helping oily, spot-prone and acne skins. 

Use this throughout the day to help tackle blemishes and lift your spirits.

Probably one of my favourite Toners. It's light, it doesn't make my face feel tacky, it's alcohol-free, and it makes my skin feel nice & refreshed. It's definitely not a fussy Toner; it doesn't promise you the world on a platter and I can't say it even does absolute wonders for my skin. It's just a simple skincare product that is a pleasure to use.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser

From Liz Earle: Light and gentle, this easily absorbed moisturising lotion is ideal for combination, oily or problem skin. This finely balanced blend of naturally active skin-conditioning ingredients includes borage oil (a rich source of the essential fatty acid GLA), echinacea, hops, avocado oil, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and natural antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin E to replace lost moisture and help protect your skin, leaving it soft and smooth with a naturally healthy glow. 

I've tried Liz Earle's Skin Repair Moisturiser before but it was getting too heavy for me as the days got warmer and warmer. Thankfully, they have a light version of this moisturizer, which has been serving me well this Summer. It's everything the original Skin Repair is, just in a lighter formula. It still goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling moisturized, but not tacky.

If you guys have any recommendations for foundation, moisturizer and primer that can really stand up to hot (think 30°C / 86°F) and humid weather, please hit me up in the comments! I'll be in the Philippines for a month and I don't want to look like a hot mess.

Do you change your skincare regime for the Summer?

A Bit Of A Rebuttal For Ms. Westwood (Not That She'll Ever Read This)

"Let me put it this way. It seems to me, that her image is 'ordinary woman.' Therefore, high-street shopper. And I just think she should be an extraordinary woman, wherever she gets her clothes from. It doesn't meant you are an elitist, it means you are an exceptional woman. Why not be exceptional? Your clothes communicate something about you."

- Vivienne Westwood on Kate Middleton

Here's the thing: there are countless exceptional women in the world who can only afford "high-street." Does this somehow diminish them? Last I checked, ordinary and exceptional had nothing to do with clothing. After all, hasn't it been said that it's "not about what you wear, but how you wear it?"

An ordinary woman doesn't become extraordinary because her dress tag says Vivienne Westwood (or insert-any-other-designer-label-here); similarly, an extraordinary woman doesn't become ordinary because she's wearing Topshop/Forever21/Target/Whatever.

Michelle Obama, a woman who is extraordinary in her own right and not just because she's married to the President, is still pretty frickin' exceptional even if she wears pieces from Target or J. Crew.

*Edit*
My slight indignation has nothing to do with Kate Middleton but at the comment directed at her. You can replace the name Kate Middleton with any other and I wouldn't think any differently. My issue is Westwood's apparent belief that ordinary women shop on the high-street ("her image is 'ordinary woman.' Therefore, high-street shopper). Again, I say, some truly extraordinary women can only afford high-street fashion. Where an exceptional woman buys her clothing should and does not diminish her.

Just my two cents... Have something to say about this?

Hit me up in the comments! =)

Keep Your Hands Clean & Smelling Lovely With The Body Shop's Hand Cleanse Gels

Clean hands are always in style, but sometimes there are no sinks or random bodies of water to wash your hands with. I love hand sanitizers, but there was always an aspect that I didn't like: Purell dried my hands out too much, President's Choice left a film on my hands, One Step smelled funny...

Thankfully, with The Body Shop's Hand Cleanse Gels, there is no need to concern myself with such things.

From The Body Shop:

Best if you want to: Cleanse hands without rinsing with a hand gel that contains no Triclosan. 

How it works: Rinse-free cleansing, no Triclosan, portable size, scented.

For those of you who don't know what Triclosan is, it's "an antibacterial and antifungal agent" that is commonly found in hand sanitizers and has been said to be harmful to aquatic life. So what's the problem, if it's a rinse-free cleanser? Well, think about it, nobody ever just uses hand sanitizers. Sooner or later, you will wash your hands with water. Now, if you've been using a hand sanitizer that contained Triclosan throughout the day and then decide to wash your hands, the traces of Triclosan that are still on your hands will go down the drain. Because these hand cleanse gels don't contain any Triclosan, they are not harmful to marine life, which is always a plus in my book!

One thing I'm not fond of with regards to this product is the cap. It doesn't close tightly enough for my liking which means I'll dig through my purse and find the lid unsecured. It's a bit annoying, but I find that the sanitizer's gel consistency keeps the product inside unless the bottle is actually squeezed (unlike, Purell, whose more liquid consistency means the product just seeps out). I actually shook the hand cleanse bottles with the top facing downward and no product came out! I love that, but I'd still prefer if the cap stayed closed.

Other wonderful things about these hand sanitizers are their incredible scents (I picked up 2 Mango's, one Pink Grapefruit and one Satsuma), their non-drying formula, and their price: they are $4 a pop but right now, The Body Shop has them on promotion for 4 for $10 CAD. Oh, and going back to the scents, I love that the scent definitely sticks around but it is in no way overpowering. I can be pretty sensitive when it comes to fragrances, but these are not offensive in the least. The Mango scent, especially!

So definitely pick up these gems, especially while they're still on promo! While you're at it (and while they've got an awesome sale going on), pick up some other awesome Body Shop items: their eyeshadows are lovely and I like their Earth Lovers shower gels as well.

Have Dry Lips? Korres' Lip Butters Will Come To The Rescue!

My lips are dry.

Not Sahara dry, but dry nonetheless.

However this is the driest they've ever been. In fact, they are so dry, that if I go a day wearing lipstick or lipgloss, the outer edges of my lips get chapped and flaky. I don't think it's a reaction to the lip products (except for Plushglass. Oy >.<) because it's happened all of a sudden. Needless to say, I've been needing lip balms quite a bit in the last few months.

That said, I like my lips to look polished. So if I'm going to wear a lip balm all day, it must be tinted! I swear by MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioners, they are my HG lip product. But, as a beauty blogger and as a beauty product junkie, I wanted to branch out and try different brands.

I was always intrigued by Korres' Lip Butters and was pretty sold on it after reading Jenny of My Funny Valentine's post about the Mango Lip Butter. Still, it wasn't until recently that I finally purchased my first two: Jasmine and Wild Rose.

According to Korres, Lip Butters are "a rich, buttery lip balm that melts on the lips and offers a shiny, tinted finish."

Key Features & Benefits:

• Rich butter leaves lips deeply moisturized, supple and kissably soft
• Formulated with natural oils and extracts to soothe and condition lips
• Packed with a shiny, juicy pop of colour
• Petrochemical free
• Ideal for dry lips

Lip Butter's have an moisturizing factor. Like my well-loved MAC TLC's, these babies go on smoothly and you can just forget about it. They're tackier than Tinted Lip Conditioner's, which means you'll get some hair stickage going on, but it's definitely nowhere near lipgloss standards. 

You don't need to slap on a ton, either. I just pat my finger into the pot and it's enough to coat at least a third of my lower lip (and my lower lip's pretty thick). As for staying power, it's nothing phenomenal. However, since it's a tinted lip balm, reapplying is a breeze. 

Jasmine

(note: Jasmine is a pale, sheer shade of pink; so what you're seeing 

is my natural lip colour but a tad paler)

Wild Rose

I definitely prefer Jasmine over Wild Rose, but it's simply because I just love Jasmine's scent. I was sincerely hoping that Wild Rose would smell like their amazing Wild Rose Moisturizer (whose scent I also adore), but it doesn't. Disappointment =(...

As for Jasmine, I really wish it had more colour. Coz here's the thing: when it comes to makeup products, I like 'em pigmented. I guess there's a time and a place for the sheer stuff; but generally, my attitude is this: if I can't see it, then why bother? That doesn't apply to base products, of course! Anyway, Jasmine is pretty sheer. It lightens my pigmented lips; which I don't really like, to be honest. BUT, I still love this Lip Butter so much because it smells absolutely di-vine! 

As for Wild Rose's shade, it does look a bit intimidating in the pot but as you can see in the photo above, it's totally wearable. It would be perfect for the Fall, me thinks! Like I mentioned, I'm disappointed that it doesn't smell like the moisturizer, but for those of you who generally find most scents offensive or have some sensitivity to scents, I think this product will be best for you. It does have a slight fragrance, but it virtually disappears after a few seconds or so. 

The Korres Lip Butters retail at around $15 CAD at 6.2 ml while MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners are $18 for a 15 ml pot. I definitely feel like I'll use up the Korres products faster than I have gone through a TLC, but the Korres line has a bigger colour range. That said, as far as product performance goes, I recommend and love both!

What's your favourite tinted lip balm?

All About Eyes - It's Electric!

Products Used: 

NYX HD Eyeshadow Base

NYX Single Eyeshadows - Matte Turquoise, Tropical & Jazzy Pink

Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner Pen - Jet Black

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil - Zero 

L'oréal Voluminous Mascara - Carbon Black

The sun was shining and I was in the mood for colour. Then I remembered the new NYX eyeshadows I got at IMATS/online and decided to take them for a spin.

To start off, I applied NYX's HD eyeshadow base all over the lid, even past the brow bone. Then I patted Matte Turquoise all over the lid, from the lash line to the brow bone for a more opaque, vibrant colour. Next up, I applied Jazzy Pink onto the lower lash line and faded it out past the Matte Turquoise shade. Then I applied Tropical onto the outer corner and blending it towards the center of the brow bone with a fluffy blending brush; it was awesome seeing this pretty purple-ish shade when the coral and the blue mixed together. I used Eyeko's Graffiti Eyeliner pen to line the upper lash line and the inner third of the lower lash line, exaggerating the inner point a little bit. Then I lined the upper and lower water lines with Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero. To finish up, I curled my lashes, applied mascara to both top and bottom lashes, and groomed my eyebrows. Et voilà! A simple, bright, and fun look for the Summer!

I forgot to take photos with my camera, but here is a full look for you guys! I wore Revlon Colorstay Foundation, Revlon PhotoReady Concealer, Lancome Star Bronzer in Éclat Bronze, and NYX Matte Lipstick in Angel.

Hope you guys like this look!

Monthly Favourites - July 2011

I can't believe we're past the halfway point of 2011 already! July was an awesome month for Call It Beauty; the blog celebrated it's first birthday, I went to IMATS for the very first time, and I was able to purchase some pretty awesome things.

Anyway, we've come to that point in time where I get to dish about my favourites for the last month. Here are my picks:

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I think I'm probably the last person on earth who got this palette. Nevertheless, she is finally mine and I have been using these shadows every day since I got them. The shadows aren't too soft, but they're still really smooth; I love that I don't feel like I'm wasting product because I don't get a lot of excess when I tap the shadow with a brush. Lately I've taken to using Sin all over the lid, Virgin on the inner corners, and a combination of Naked/Buck to give more depth to my crease. I've also created a sultry smoky eye with it, which I've worn on a couple of occasions. 

MAC Mineralize Blushes in Feeling Flush & Warmth of Coral

Gorgeous colour, awesome staying power (Feeling Flush more so than Warmth of Coral). These blushes apply so beautifully on the skin; it's smooth and never patchy. You really don't have to do much work with these babies. Also, they're quite pigmented, which is something I always look for in my makeup products. Read the full review here. 

Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner Pen in Jet Black

Creates an even line very easily, is a true black, stays put for hours... I literally cannot find anything wrong about this amazing product; It has replaced all other eyeliners for me. Read the full review here. 

MAC Cremesheen Glass in Geo Pink

This Cremesheen Glass is so wearable, it feels lightweight on the lips and doesn't feel tacky at all. I love that you can wear it then forget about it, it's not a high maintenance product or colour and you can just slap it on and it will still look good. Read the full review here. 

Sinful Colors Professional Nail Polish in Cream Pink

Less cream and more highlighter pink, this nail polish looks so pretty with a tan! I just love how bright it is and the satin finish makes the colour look less barbie doll. The formula's great, too: it dries easily and you only need 2 coats for full opacity.

Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I've been struggling with oil control for the last month or so. My face used to be combination/oily, then it became very dry/sensitive, and now it's normal/combination. I feel like I never know what to do when it comes to skin care and by the time I get a handle on things, my skin up and changes again! Frustration abounds, I tell you! Nevertheless, these oil-absorbing sheets by Clean & Clear definitely help a lot and I love that it removes excess oil without damaging my makeup. I shudder to think how awful I'd look without these babies in my purse.

MAC Lipstick in Vegas Volt 

If you can't already tell, I've been obsessed with coral and melon shades lately. It's the perfect summer shade, no? I bought Vegas Volt a while ago and it's just gorgeous! I love wearing it with Warmth of Coral or just plain ol bronzer. My lips are quite dry, so I definitely need to wear some sort of balm underneath, but that's pretty much the same for practically every lipstick I find myself wearing. 

EcoTools Retractable Kabuki Brush

Super soft, super affordable... If you need a retractable kabuki and are strapped for cash, get this EcoTools brush! As I've mentioned before, I've been dealing with oily skin for about a month and after I blot, I touch up with some mattifying powder and of course, I use this brush. It's small and is very lightweight, which makes it perfect for throwing in your purse! Read the full review here.

What are your July Favourites?