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Here’s the thing. My prescription for perfection has always remained remarkably consistent: Cleanliness is next to gorgeousness.
All of which is to say: You need to get your fundamentals right by sudsing up and scrubbing down. Why risk the heartache (and face-ache) of pitted pores and pimples, all because you aren’t being meticulous about makeup removal at the end of the day?
The solution is simple: Splash out on a superior skincare cleanser. Any #DieDieMustTry obsession du jour to recommend? Glad you asked. When it comes to makeup remover, micellar water’s the way to go.
first, a quick primer on this hugely hyped and relatively new kid on the beauty block. Micellar water gets its exotic name from the science behind the product. The main component are minuscule “micelles”, or oil molecules suspended in a “shell” of water. Rubbing releases the micelles, instantly sopping up grime and grease on your skin. And unlike regular oil-based cleansers, this next-gen, non-foaming solution boasts the kind of “slip” and shine-free finish you’d expect from a water-based product.
Intrigued and raring to give it a go? Click through as yours truly dishes the dirt (so to speak) on a terrific trio of top-notch micellar waters all perfectly purse-friendly at 30 bucks per pop, too. Frugal folks, rejoice!
This drugstore darling is supercharged with a dynamic duo of apple seed extract and vitamin PP, both of which promise to drench the desert of your dermis with moisture: Simply saturate a cotton pad, swipe it on, then wipe off for wobbly tofu skin. Use this as you would any cleanser and with some luck, your skin should be feeling supremely soft, pleasingly plump and pore-free.
Want to maximise your mileage? The gentle dirt-dissolving surfactants in the formula also means this micellar water lends itself well to all manner of Buzzfeed-ey beauty hacks. Made a makeup mistake in the form of sullied shadow or eyeliner with a less-than-fab flick? Try this top trick that’ll save you from tears and tragedy. Dip the cottony end of your bud in this micellar water, press the wet tip onto the superfluous smudge on your eyelid, then sweep out and up towards the temples in one deft, decisive move. Easy-peasy. No more stray streaks in sight!
One last thing. Friends and regular readers alike will know there are a couple of everyday brands in my beauty stable that I hold to exceptionally high standards, and Bioderma is most certainly one of ‘em. Oh, and FWIW, my beauty buddy and makeup maestro Larry Yeo is also an enthusiastic endorser of this particular micellar water. Make of that what you will!
Mm, there’s a lot to love about this pretty pink product, which comes shot through with a carefully calibrated blend of botanical soothers the likes of Rose of Jericho and hollyhock.
The cool lotion-like consistency of this skin-softening salve, for one, is very reminiscent of the latest trove of Korean toners, and can indeed be used, toner-style: Simply pat on with cotton pads, AM and PM, to comfort, contour and condition your complexion. Props to the fine folks toiling away at Crabtree & Evelyn’s R&D division for absolutely nailing it, texture-wise!
On to results. A month’s use appears to be bestowed upon me a noticeably brighter visage, even when I’ve been pulling all-nighters in the office. Stash this for SOS use next to your bed for nights when you can’t be arsed to drag yourself to the bathroom for your standard six-step drill.
Another big beauty bonus: The product more than passes the smell test. Slapping on this subtly scented salve – ravishingly romantic and redolent of roses, natch – is ridiculously relaxing, especially when it’s hot as blazes outside.
Bottomline? I’ve torpedoed my way through two tubes and counting of this watery weightless wonder, and won’t be letting up anytime soon. Because hey, anything that allows me to go from lethargic and lacklustre to divine and dewy in seconds is #DieDieMustBuy in my books.
Prone to pimples? Don’t let the pore-clogging potential of your CBD workplace “fog up” your face. The trick is to zero in on soap-free solvents, which are less likely to cause the skin irritation which can boil over into blemishes.
Enter Eucerin’s excellent Dermo Purifyer Acne & Make-up Cleansing Water, which touts itself as a triple-duty cleanser, makeup remover and toner in one. Amped up with an arsenal of acne-alleviating actives and moisture magnets like gluco-glycerol and hyaluronic acid, this multi-tasker promises to pacify parched skin and decongest pores at the same time.
Tried-and-tested vote of confidence: I’ve discovered that this cleanser does an ace job of clearing my complexion of loathsome lumps and bumps. Final verdict: After using this for a meticulous month or so, I’m happy to report that my skin is pretty much as poreless, porcelain and perfect as it can possibly get. (Shameless, I know.)
Right, then. I trust that these face savers have piqued your interest. Happy beauty shopping, and cheers to clearer (and cleaner) complexion!