** Sorry I missed you yesterday, bellas! Wednesdays are always terrible, because of my deadline for the jobby job. But then finally after deadline, I had a dentist’s appointment. Remember my Superbowl tooth situation? I finally got my permanent crown yesterday. Woo hoo! I can chew gum again! OK, back to your daily dose.
One of my favorite Nina Simone songs haunts me every night before bed.
You see, my nightly ritual — have dinner, watch The Daily Show and Colbert, then stay up writing the next day’s Afrobella until like, 3:00 in the morning — leaves me so deliriously tired that it’s all I can do to tumble into bed sometimes. And it’s awful to go to sleep with a face covered in makeup residue. It’s like asking for zits. Hence the song.
Click and listen — It’s not ’cause I wouldn’t. It’s not ’cause I shouldn’t, honey. And you know darn well that it’s not ’cause I couldn’t. It’s simply because I’m the laziest gal in town…
Aww yeah, sing it Nina.
Believe me when I say that I can sleep in till afternoon when I have the weekend downtime (I live for Saturday morning), and I’m in an ongoing battle with my sedentary nature. But for the most part, it’s not so much that I’m lazy, it’s just that I’m burning the candle at both ends and burning myself out in the process.
I was sick of giving myself breakouts and blackheads, but inevitably too tired to make it to the sink to wash my face. My sort-of solution? Convert my bedside table into a mini-dresser of makeup removal items so I can lie in bed and cleanse my face as I fade out for the night. Brilliant!
Needless to say, these circumstances call for high quality makeup removers. I don’t need a runny liquid in a badly designed bottle that’s going to drip all over when I try to apply it from a reclining position. Nor do I need some dried out makeup removal pads that fail to properly cleanse my face. So here’s the skin-saving skinny on some of my favorite makeup removal products.
Sitting in a prominent position on the side table is good old Pond’s Cold Cream, but with a twist. I’ve got the Pond’s Clear Cold Cream, and it looks like aloe vera gel. And looking at the official Pond’s site, it seems that the product’s been discontinued. Hmmm. They’ve now got a full line of brand new cleansers, but Pond’s isn’t stupid. Good old cold cream will always be their star product, because it works like a dream. I’ve always loved the stuff. If you have dry, tight skin, or you’ve been bombarding your face with drying acne prevention products, slather some on at night, wipe off your makeup, and treat your face to the cooling moisture that remains. It’ll remove your eye makeup, powder, foundation and lipstick, but if you’re looking for a one-swipe-and-it’s-all-gone kind of remover, my advice to you is to keep on looking. I usually need to use two applications of Pond’s before the cotton pad comes away clean. Perhaps the deep cleanser and make up remover works better? I’ll find out and let ya know.
I’ve been holding on to my Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover for a while, because I love anything Kiehl’s makes. It’s guaranteed good stuff. This creamy cleanser works great on my eye makeup, and it is quite a gentle product. But sometimes it makes my lashes feel a little gunky and clumpy and not totally clean, so I went ahead and bought the Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. It leaves my lids and lashes feeling super clean — the bottle features the proud boast that it “removes waterproof mascara,” — and it brings me the closest to that “really, I just washed my face” feeling. But, it’s a really thin liquid and if I’m lying in bed with my eyes practically closed, I’m most likely to spill this stuff everywhere. So I like the Rimmel a LOT as an actual cleanser, but for my purposes, it isn’t the best purchase.
For my purposes, the absolute best makeup remover on the market is Boots’ No. 7 Quick Thinking Wipes. They’re soft on my face, but strong enough not to tear when I use them, and thanks to the sturdy plastic flap, the wipes stay moist and don’t dry out like every other wipe I’ve used. I can let my head sink back into my pillow and wipe of all the makeup of the day. Plus, I get the added satisfaction of seeing all my makeup residue completely wiped away. Love this stuff, and for $6.99 at your neighborhood Target, they can’t be beat! If you’re like me and you’re the laziest gal in town, these wipes just might be your new BFF.
I haven’t really tried this yet, but an amiga of mine at the office swears by Albolene. Apparently Wendy Williams loves the stuff, and it supposedly works as a quickie instasweat desperate weight loss method as well as a quality makeup remover. Hmmm. Have any of you tried it? Do you like it, or do you love it? Let me know — I’m always on the lookout for something new!
I use Ponds cold cream as well. To me, it’s the best makeup remover as it deep cleans as well as removes the most stubborn makeup, while leaving your skin hydrated and soft. It’s also great for those with sensitive skin. Since using it, I think I started just over a year ago..I haven’t had ANY breakouts. You wouldn’t believe where I even got the idea… from RuPaul’s book that I found in a dollar store!! And you know he needs something heavy duty to remove all that fabulousness that is his makeup.
Oh yeah last tidbit.. I remove my Ponds with a warm, white facecloth. I find that it works much better than a cotton ball or anything like that. As with a facecloth you get mild exfoliation as well.
congrats on your black weblog awards! i voted for you for everything:-). love the blog, hate that you’re burning yourself out. have you given any thought to a staff? guest columnists? something to keep you in it to win it?
Ponds is a great makeup remover. I also use it with a warm, wet washcloth. It’s a staple in my arsenal but you have piqued my interest in the Boots towelettes.
Berrybrowne, I never thought I would… but sometimes I do think of adding a person to the Afrobella team. It’s A LOT to do by yourself, and originally I envisioned it just as a platform for my writing, but it’s tough balancing it with a full time job that’s demanding. But it has to be the perfect, right person, and I still don’t really like the idea. This is my baby! Can I share my baby with someone else?? I don’t know…
What I’m doing for now is cutting back on the pressure I put on myself. If I’m up late trying to write and my eyes start burning because I’m so frickin’ exhausted, I lay down the keyboard and step away from the computer. If that means I won’t have time for a morning post, alas. But I can’t keep up the pace EVERYday. I’m just happy that regular readers like you keep coming back and supporting what I do!
Removing makeup…
By nature…I’m a naturalist when it comes to makeup. A little tinted gloss, mascara, dusting powder, some eyeshadow…and oh yes! those brows have got to be perfectly arched! I’m one of those ebony-skinned women who believes that heavy makeup is not really necessary for those of us with deep hues….in my opinion anything extra makes us look kinda clownish.
One time I got some foundation from MAC. In the store it matched. Hmph! must have been the strobe lights blinding me…Cause when I got that foundation home that makeup look’d a hot and steamy melted mess! Well I returned the product and the makeup artist had the nerve to tell me that I should put the foundation not only on my face but on my neck! For a more even appearance of course…well….I decided that that was way too much work all in the name of appearing flawless. Damn that …loves the flaws…!
.With that said, it’s why I know nothing about makeup remover. I do believe in cleansing rituals and I have used everything under the sun for my combination skin. From Noxzema, Witch Hazel, Ambi for Hyperpigmentation, Black Soap, Oil of Olay to expensive arse 3 Step Prescriptives and Proactiv for those guaranteed breakouts that I get during my cycle.
Bella…what I’d like to know is does you skin get in a rut with one product or is it ok to switch up products on the regular? And truly…how do you even know a product is working? And can you recommend a product for combination skin? Let’s face it….there are a zillion beauty products marketed to women’s insecurities every day. Much of them overhyped all in the name of capitalism. Could the solution be as simple as some Ivory Soap and slapping on a little Vaseline or Shea Butter… and calling it a day? LOL..
Have a good day Bella.
Ponds is good for sensitive skin? If so, may give it a try. Afrobella, I’ve seen good reviews about Albolene, but never purchased because of the ingredients; MINERAL OIL, PETROLATUM, PARAFFIN, CERESIN, BETA CAROTENE. I
OMG, I started using Pond’s cold cream because I was too lazy to actually get up and wash my face. It’s handy because it doesn’t require water, so you can just slather it on while you watch tv and wipe it off with a cloth. Easy for the lazy like me! But it works like a charm, and if you’re at all dry it cures that quickly.
I’m always tempted to buy wipes, but I always stop myself, thinking it’s wasteful–what’s your take on it?
I’m so loving this blog, because I too wear makeup and love to read about all of the product reviews. It seems like the sandman comes down on me to make me extra sleepy when it’s time for me to wash off my makeup at night. I used to use Neutrogena’s foaming cleanser and astringent to wash away the makeup. But that’s too many steps to carry out when I’m half-sleep. Plus, I still wasn’t getting all of the makeup off. I just hate to see makeup on my bedsheets and pillows.
Now as soon as I come home I’ll wash my face with the Neutrogena foaming wash. But later at night around mid-night, I’ll use Dove’s cleansing cloths for sensitive skin to clean away the remainder of the make-up. I can tell whether I succeeded in cleaning off all the make-up by looking at the cloth. The cloths aren’t too expensive and can be found at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and discount retail stores (Target, Walmart, etc.). Afterwards, I follow-up with Neutrogena’s moisturizer, which is non-comedogenic. So far, my face is really liking this treatment.
Okay, I’ll share the best makeup remover in the world with you––Huggies Baby Wipes. Yep, baby wipes. They’re reasonably priced and remove make-up like a dream. They also do well if you need to ‘freshen up’ your armpits in a pinch. (Hey, I’m a busy writer/SAHM, I do what I have to do.) My days typically begin at six when the little guy gets up, and it doesn’t end until 1 am when I usually finish my three hours of writing each evening. I don’t have the time for time consuming beauty rituals. Baby wipes are the champ!
i also tell my clients who say they are too tired for nighttime beauty routines to place their eye cream or nighttime moisturizer on the night stand… mine is permanently right next to my alarm clock!!!
That’s so ironic that you write a post about cold cream, when just the other day my esthetics class at the Aveda institute was talking about the orgin of cold cream. That sutff is great. Did you know that it was the FIRST makeup compound EVER!. Ponds pateneted the cold cream sometime around 1906 so this is definitely a beauty staple.
I’m co-signing on the baby wipes. They do work amazingly and are cheap when you consider how many come in a packet. But, if you wear waterproof mascara, it helps to use some makeup remover first and then swipe with the baby wipe.
I first rememeber Pond’s from my grandmother’s dressing table. She was never big on makeup, but she swore by moisturizers! Like most things, if the elders love it, it has to work! After trying all the fancy expensive stuff that broke my face out, I remembered ponds. It works like a charm! It’s even good for those who have exema. When you use a good moisturizer, all you need is a little bronzer, mascara & gloss- girl you are good to go! Other beauty on a budget products that work are: the Aveeno baby line and St. Eves scrubs & serums.
ponds made an oil control cream (in markets in India, that we found in some stores here in Little India in NY & NJ) that worked on THE OILIEST skin, in the worst humidity.
sadly, it looks like the company no longer makes it at all.
Is it possible to subscribe to your blog?
Huh. Maybe I ought to try Pond’s too. I’m using these makeup wipes (like baby wipes), but my waterproof mascara takes FOREVER to come off.. and it doesn’t come off all the way either *sigh*
I’ve been using the Ponds Cold Cream to remove eye makeup for years, too, but I take it off with a wet wash cloth, at the sink, and then wash my face (with a cleanser more suited to the rest of my face). It’s a great makeup remover, but I don’t know how you ladies use it without water. It always leaves my eyes feeling oily and filmy if I don’t wash at the same time!
My first time at your blog, Afrobella – linked from Faking Good Breeding – love your style & tone.
Ponds is good. Albolene is better!! Have tried them both and hands down Albolene is the best. Amazing, as it liquifies on the skin taking with it every, and I mean every trace of makeup along with it. Use a moistened wash cloth with warm water and your skin will thank you for it. Leaves no residue and skin remains soft and hydrated. Love, love love it….
I also swear by the Boots wipes.They remove everything! I have combination skin & I keep mine in the kitchen. When I come home from work, I use it right then before I even get near that bedroom!
Oooh that is so smart to use the wipes right when you get home from work! I am going to have to try those.
I use pond’s in the colder months. I live in a really dry climate and this is the only thing that made my face feel moisturized. I put the cream on and take it off with a warm washcloth. I go through those washcloths, lol. Then I put on nightcream.
Can you do a post on at home face peels?
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