Simple Skincare Micellar Cleansing Water: Hype or Love at First Swipe?!

I've heard a lot of hype over the Micellar Cleansing waters lately. I had yet to purchase one and I was lucky enough to win Simple Skincare's Micellar Cleansing Water in a blog giveaway recently. 

I had heard about the one by Bioderma for some time and just recently started hearing about other brands, some more affordable, coming out with their own Micellar Cleansing Waters.

Since I've never tried this type of cleanser before, I have nothing to compare it to but I definitely don't need that to be able to determine whether or not this product works.

The product:

-no artificial perfume or dyes
-contains no animal derived ingredients
-is non-comedogenic
-is hypoallergenic
-no need to rinse
-hydrating
-198ml bottle

I was pleased to find that there is no fragrance and this is suitable for sensitive skin. I saturated a cotton pad as instructed and wiped off my makeup at the end of the day. Not only was this effective but it was so gentle and soothing to my skin and didn't bother my eyes. It says you can gently wipe around closed eyes, but not to get in your eyes (most products, even eye creams, say this.) I definitely agree with the hydrating claim. I have dehydrated/combo/oily skin and this didn't dry out my skin at all, it left it very comfortable. Oily skin gals may not even want to use a moisturizer after.

Love at first swipe? My initial reaction when I first tried this and looked at the cotton pad was "Woah, does this thing have some kind of superpower?!" I was shocked at the amount of makeup on the cotton pad. I flipped the cotton pad over once it was full of makeup and used the other side. Afterward, I took a makeup wipe to see what was left on my skin and there was practically nothing left behind! I also put makeup wipes to the test to compare; After using a makeup wipe to take off my makeup, using both sides, I then took a cotton pad with the Micellar Water and there was a lot of makeup left behind by the wipes. This was a great way to compare and really spoke volumes. Now, some may prefer to follow up with a quick wash after using the Micellar water, but you can definitely just use the Micellar water, especially on those lazy/tired nights.

I am pleasantly surprised and really impressed by the gentleness and effectiveness of this as a makeup remover. I find the Micellar Water to be more gentle and more effective than any makeup wipe I've ever tried! Plus, I kept looking at the bottle and thinking, I have a feeling this is going to be more cost-effective than using makeup wipes too! It looks like it's going to last for a long time, the level is barely going down and I really saturate those cotton pads. And, being that this product is also fragrance-free and more gentle and effective than my wipes, I think I've found a replacement for the wipes! (I think I can hear my skin thanking me now!)

I'm so glad that I was lucky enough to win this product in a giveaway as I'm not sure I ever would have bought into the hype of the Micellar Cleansers and purchased one. I can definitely say that I am SOLD! And, I'm a tough sell! 

Now, if only they'd come out with this Micellar water in a pre-packaged wipe! Maybe it's out already and I haven't heard, but I think that would be great for travel. ;) ;)

This retails for approximately $6.99

Here is a link to the Micellar Water on Simple Skincare's website if you'd like to get more information: http://www.simpleskincare.com/our-products/product/micellar-cleansing-water.html

Have you tried this or any other Micellar Waters? What's your experience?

Cruelty Free, Affordable Lipstick Dupe! #Review

I'm always on the lookout for cruelty-free, affordable dupes in makeup, skincare, hair care, really in anything!  My go to lip colour is usually a nude, nude-pink or something along that line. And, quite by accident I found a dupe in a nude-pink shade that I adore!

Here they are side by side:

Pictured on the left is the cruelty-free dupe, which is Essence Long-lasting Lipstick in Nude Love (11). On the right we have CoverGirl's Lip Perfection Lipstick in Honeyed (258):

Here are the swatches on the back of my hand. As you can see they are quite nude in colour.  The swatch pictured on top is the one by Essence, it is slightly rosier than CoverGirl's (pictured below.) Neither are matte, they both have a similar sheen.

As a test, I wore one on my top lip and the other on the bottom and I could not see a difference at all. The feel on the lips was similar, CoverGirl's may have felt slightly more drying.  They also wore for the same amount of time on my lips, I did not find either of them long-lasting. They both wore like a typical lipstick (IMO). They would need to be re-applied, which I really don't mind- these are the kind of colours I can kind of "slap-on-and-go." Also, the Essence lipstick lacks that infamous CoverGirl scent that many are not a fan of.

The Essence Long Lasting Lipstick is only $2.99 and can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. (And this colour "nude love" goes quite nicely with many of the Essence creamy lip liners that are only $1.49 each. I often wear this lipstick with their liner in "nude"- Gorg!)

The CoverGirl lipstick retails for approx. $8.99

I would love to hear if you have any cruelty-free affordable dupes!

xo Amy