BRAND EYE OPENER: Loreal Makeup Remover Vs Maybelline Makeup Remover

This is a comparison between the Loreal and Maybelline eye and lip makeup removers. But this post is more of an eye-opener as to how big brands are befooling customers and ripping us of money.

Exactly a month ago when I was reviewing L'Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Eye and Lip makeup remover, I did some research on other similar products in the market. I discovered that L'OREAL and MAYBELLINE makeup removers have EXACTLY THE SAME INGREDIENT LIST, except a number mentioned in the beginning of the list.

I could not figure out what that number was and how only that number made the two products different. So I called up the L'Oreal Customer Care toll free number mentioned on the Makeup Remover bottle (1800-22-3000). The customer care rep confirmed a few details as to why I needed that information and then told me the number is for company's internal purpose. I was told a unique number is assigned to every product's ingredient list . She was still unsure and said she will get back to me.

The next day I received a call from Maybelline India from Mumbai, yes you heard it right, I was promised a callback from L'Oreal and I received a callback from Maybelline India.

To those of you who feel equally surprised, let me tell you that Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal. It was taken over by L'Oreal back in 1996. Even I was not aware of it till that day :)

Now let's take a look at the ingredient list for the L'Oreal Paris and Maybelline Eye and Lip Makeup Removers and compare:

IDENTICAL INGREDIENTS
(L) L'OREAL PARIS DERMO EXPERTISE EYE AND LIP MAKEUP REMOVER
(R) MAYBELLINE EYE AND LIP MAKEUP REMOVER

Before that day, I was biased towards L'Oreal even though it is much costlier than Maybelline. I have heard Maybelline eye makeup irritates eyes and I had never felt any irritation with L'Oreal products. Also, I have used Maybelline waterproof lip pencils which darkened the outline of my lips and I stopped using. But in this case you can see, the INGREDIENT LIST IS IDENTICAL.

Now my question is, why are they being sold as two different brands and at two different prices? Maybelline eye and lip makeup remover comes in 40 ml (Price INR 125) and 70 ml (price INR 215) packings and L'Oreal Dermo Expertise Gentle Makeup Remover comes for INR 425 for a 125 ml packing. When I calculated per unit rate, obviously L'Oreal is much costlier. Recently, the price for the Maybelline makeup remover has also been increased from INR 190 to INR 215 (for the 70ml pack).

I have used the L'Oreal Makeup remover and have read many reviews for the Maybelline makeup remover. Some said L'Oreal makeup remover is more effective as a small amount is enough to remove even stubborn makeup.  I use the L'Oreal one. While some other women swore by the Maybelline one. They mentioned that the Maybelline makeup remover is less oily and works better than the L'Oreal one.

My mind says, unless there is a difference in the % amount of certain ingredients, the two products are identical. And even if there is a difference in the composition, WHY IS IT THERE in the first place? And if that is the case, why is there a compromise in quality for a few extra bucks for which they are selling the L'Oreal Makeup Remover. All the brands in the market are ultimately owned by only a few BIG WHALES, it's just that we as customers are not aware and paying them all the money they open their big mouths for.

Thanks for reading and feel free to share your views on this in the comments.

Olay Natural White Foaming Cleanser Review

This is a review of Olay Natural White foaming facial cleanser.

The actual size is half of what you see in the pic above

Quantity: 50 Gms

Price: INR 99

Shelf Life: 24 months

Easily available online and in physical stores 

It is a clear/colorless gel and smells like orange flavor kids bath products. Comes in a sturdy travel-friendly flip-open pack.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND CLAIMS:

Its foaming gel formula help removes sebum, dust, dirt and make-up residues to help keep your skin looking radiant.

DIRECTIONS OF USE: Apply to wet face and gently massage with fingertips. Rinse thoroughly with water.

OLAY NATURAL WHITE FOAMING CLEANSER INGREDIENTS:

MY EXPERIENCE WITH OLAY NATURAL WHITE FOAMING CLEANSER:

This face wash had come discounted in a combi pack, along with Olay Natural White Fairness Day Cream - Rich. When I first used it, it stretched my dry skin like hell. I tried a few times with the same results, so it kept lying unused in my cupboard for a very long time.

A few months ago, I happened to use it again, when I could not find my regular face wash, and I am glad I retried it! It is a very good product and a great wash to remove makeup residue. You need a very small amount of this as compared to the normal face washes available in the market. This was the primary reason it was earlier drying me out: I was using more quantity just like other face washes.

As for making you fair and radiant, it does leave my face a little fair like I have bleached, but I don't believe facewashes actually do that. It simply cleans your face thoroughly.

Caution: Only a little more than a small drop is enough for face and neck. I do not use daily.

USING OLAY FOAMING FACE WASH FOR MAKEUP REMOVAL

I use it as a follow up to makeup remover. After removing makeup with L'Oreal Gentle Makeup Remover, a thin oily film is left behind. I wash my face with Olay Natural White Foaming Cleanser and only then I feel sure all makeup is completely gone. You can also use it as an after-step of oil based makeup remover.

It spreads easily and thoroughly cleans my skin, leaving a very cool, clean and refreshed feeling. The moment you touch this gel, you can feel how different it is from regular cheap face washes. It foams only when you rinse away with water and removes easily. Do not use around eyes.

If you have oily skin, or an oily T-Zone, it should work very well for you. If you have dry or combination skin, it should still work good for you in summers, when skin becomes slightly oily with sebum. Else do not use daily. I have personally found it does not dry out dry skin when there is some oil or cream on the skin.

It is worth a try.

L'Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Gentle Lip and Eye Makeup Remover Review

L'Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Gentle Lip and Eye Makeup Remover Review

This is a review of L'Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Gentle Lip and Eye Makeup Remover for waterproof make-up. This is a suitable product for contact lens wearers. It is fragrance-free and absolutely irritation-free.

I LOVE this makeup remover! Read on to know why :)

PRODUCT CLAIMS:

L'Oreal Paris GENTLE lip and eye-makeup remover is a unique formula which instantly removes the most tenacious eye and lip make-up, even waterproof. So gentle it is suitable for sensitive eyes.

Quantity: 125ml

Price: INR 425. I had bought for INR 403.75 but medplusbeauty.com has now removed the discount.

Shelf Life: 30 months

Availability: Easily available online, and offline in major cities.

L'Oreal Dermo Expertise Gentle Lip and Eye Makeup Remover is a bi-phased makeup remover, meaning it has both water and oil, to effectively dissolve away and gently clean heavy and waterproof makeup. There are numerous similar makeup removers available in the market from various brands like Maybelline, L'Oreal, Neutrogena, Lakme absolute and premium brands like YSL, Lancome, Chanel and many more.

INGREDIENTS:

Full ingredient list is present. Isopropyl Palmitate can be an irritant to some. I have very sensitive skin and it feels mild on the skin exactly like water.

WHY USE A MAKEUP REMOVER?

As you need a clean and even surfaced canvas to paint beautifully, you need a clear skin base to apply makeup and enhance your beauty. Therefore, while makeup helps you look good and increase your self esteem, it is equally important to clean that makeup before going to bed, so as to maintain a healthy canvas of skin to do makeup on every time.

If you do not clean your makeup properly every night, you may soon end up with endless skin problems and increased skin pore size.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH L'OREAL GENTLE LIP AND EYE MAKEUP REMOVER:

I was earlier using Biotique Bio Almond Oil makeup cleanser. While it was effective and had no chemicals, it was a time consuming regimen to follow on a daily basis. So I decided to buy this.

It made my life easy and I can now remove all Eye, Face and lip makeup within a few seconds, without any mess. This makeup remover did some magic. It leaves my lips baby soft and amazingly clean in a single swipe, it is so gentle! My lips no longer chap, which makes me think some chemical makeup residual was previously affecting my lips.

It needs 2-3 swipes to completely wipe off stubborn waterproof mascara, so I rest the lids against the cotton for a few seconds and it comes off immediately. It cleans waterproof eye pencil in a single swipe.

The blue oily layer floats on top of the white aqua layer. Like all bi-phased makeup removers, you need to first shake the bottle vigorously to activate the product (mix the white and the blue layers to bubble up).

This is how it looks on shaking and mixing the two layers

The two layers separate again after a few seconds, so you need to shake every time you want to take out more remover, which becomes a pain.

It leaves an oil-like non-greasy film on the face, which requires cleaning with cleansing milk or face wash. I simply wipe with a soft paper tissue and follow with Olay Foaming face wash which removes makeup residue. You can use any face wash or cleansing milk of your choice and not necessarily the L'Oreal Dermo Expertise GENTLE cleansing milk recommended on the bottle.

This is an important follow up step as some makeup residue may still be sitting on your face in that oily layer, especially in the case of foundations and dissolved mascara.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TEST:

1. Chambor Stay-on Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil (TOUGH)
2. Maybelline Colorstay 18 hr lip gloss (TOUGHEST)
3. Deborah Milano Kajal
4. Revlon Colorstay Lip Pencil Maroons (TOUGH)
5. L'Oreal Paris Gel Eyeliner Black (TOUGH)
6. Maybelline Waterproof Lip Pencil Wine Red
7. Viviana Feisty Fairy Lipstick (TOUGHEST)

Single Swipe with a Q-Tip dipped in this makeup remover

(L) Even the toughest Makeup is gone in 2-3 swipes with cotton ball dipped in makeup remover.
Can you see the shiny layer left?
(R) After washing with Face Wash

THE VERDICT:

Most bi-phased makeup removers have almost similar ingredients. Buy any that gives you good value for money for the quantity provided and has the least harmful chemicals. This one should last me quite long.

Biotique Bio Almond Oil Soothing Face and Eye Makeup Cleanser Review

This is a review of Biotique Bio Almond Oil: Soothing Face and Eye Makeup Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin.

Quantity: 120 ml / 4.2 Fl Oz

Price: INR 149

Shelf Life: 3 Years. Since this is an ayurvedic formulation, there is no 'use within these many months of opening' limitation.

Easily available online and in pharmacies/drugstore.

Biotique Bio Almond Oil was the first 'official' makeup remover I had bought. I have it for almost 2 years now. I have hardly worn any makeup on face in the past few years, except eye makeup. So this bottle has lasted me really really long. Like most ayurvedic formulations, the color of the oil has darkened with time, but product quality is still the same.

The oil is dispensed through a hole in the mouth dart, but need to seal with cellotape while travelling, to prevent leakage. May easily spill.

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION AND CLAIMS:

I have thrown away the outer cardboard packing long back, but this is what the package description says "ALMONDS are the earliest and most nutritious of the entire world's nut crops, rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants. This soothing cleanser is blended with nourishing almond, safflower, sesame, neem and staff tree oils to dissolve heavy face and eye makeup easily and gently. Leaves skin silky-fresh."

Organically pure and preservative free

Dermatologist tested for safety

No animal testing

BIOTIQUE BIO ALMOND OIL INGREDIENTS:

Even though it is named bio almond oil and the goodness of almonds is asserted on the pack, it is actually a blend of a few essential oils, majorly castor oil, in the base of sesame oil (as you can see in the pic above). Almond Oil is more of a motivational ingredient, which is just used as a marketing strategy to motivate people to buy it under the impression of an almond based oil.

Kusumbhi (Carthamus Tinctorius) = False Saffron or Safflower Seed Oil 3ml

Arandi (Ricinus communis) = Castor Oil 32.4 ml

Neem (Melia Azadirachta) 2.16ml

Soya (Anethum Sowa) 18ml

Badam (Prunus amygdalus) = Almond Oil 3.6ml

Surajmukhi (Helianthus Annuus) = Sunflower Oil 14.94 ml

Malakanguni (Celastrus Paniculata) = Black Oil plant or Intellect tree 0.9ml

Til Tail (Sesame Indicum) Q.S.

Smells a little like castor oil but I also smell some sweet notes very similar to the Biotique Nyctanthes Hand Cream.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH BIOTIQUE BIO ALMOND OIL MAKEUP REMOVER

I have started using face makeup from last year. It easily dissolves heavy face and eye makeup with gentle rubbing, without making much effort. Even though it feels heavy while rubbing in, surprisingly it is a very very light oil, without any stickiness. It effectively removes even waterproof and water resistant makeup. Does not drip, does not create any mess while removing makeup. Skin feels really clean, moisturized, soothed and soft after washing. Leaves a cool sensation on the skin, which I really enjoy.

1.Revlon Colorstay Lip Pencil
2. Chambor Stay-on Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
3. Maybelline Color Stay 18 hr lip gloss
4. Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
5. Viviana Fiesty Fairy Lipstick
ALL HEAVY DUTY MAKEUP

It completely melted away everything except 4 and 5.
But then it never claimed to remove heavy duty lip makeup

HOW TO USE BIOTIQUE FACE AND EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

The instructions tell you to apply on damp cotton or washcloth and wipe, but I  find this method a little harsh on my skin. Moreover, you would like to clean any makeup residue in the remaining oil on the face.

I rather take some oil in my palm and gently rub into the skin (just like cream) to dissolve face makeup. For eye makeup, I rub around and on the lash roots with my pinky/smallest finger and let the oil work for a few seconds. You need to be careful lest you may end up with the molten eyeliner or mascara residue getting into your eyes, or blurred vision due to oil.

Then I wipe with a soft paper tissue and follow it with Olay Natural White foaming Cleanser, which removes all the residual makeup effectively. 

You can use any good face wash to remove the oil and it gets washed out easily. 

That's it. Apply a toner to close the cleansed skin pores.

Even though this cleanser is for Normal to Dry skin, people with Oily skin can also use it, as the oil is not heavy and as long as you wash it out with a good face wash. 

A very very affordable chemical-free makeup remover and especially good during cold weather.

Read: L'Oreal Dermo Expertise Gentle Lip and Eye Makeup Remover Review

REMOVING MASCARA AND HEALTHY LONG LASHES NATURALLY

HOW TO REMOVE MASCARA?

Before you start removing your eye make-up, first remove your contact lenses if you wear them. Now take a small pool (8-10 drops) of plain coconut oil or almond oil or any other makeup removal oil in the center of your palm.

Dip your pinky (smallest) finger in the oil. Place the finger near the center of your eyes and close your lids. Your finger tip should touch the roots of your lashes but not the inner layer of your eye. Sweep your finger gently left and right to remove the mascara from the base of the lids.

Close your eyes and apply more oil to the upper side of the lashes near the eye lid. Gently melt all the mascara with your pinky finger till you can feel soft mascara free lashes on your finger. Repeat on the other eye.

By now you will look like a panda :-) with big black circles around your eye. Gently press down some soft tissue paper to let it soak the blackened oil. Wipe clean the remaining oil.  Do not rub harshly. Once clean, wash your palms and pat them dry.

Finally, to remove any chemical that may have been left in your eyes, take a small pool of rose water in the middle of your palm. Bend your face towards your palm bringing your eye right above the rosewater pool. Then simply take your head back in one light jerk, making the rose water fall right into your eye. Else use a dropper to put in 2-3 drops in each eye.

This will sting a little, so be patient. This is a very important final step.  After a few seconds, you will see some black chemical accumulated near your tear duct. Simply clean it with tissue or a clean cloth.

You have now successfully removed the mascara from the outside and from within your eyes.

WAY TO NATURALLY LONG CURLY LASHES

Apply or gently massage in some pure petroleum jelly (Vaseline) into the roots of your eyelashes with your pinky (smallest) finger every night. See the magic of beautiful long lashes in a few months ;)

You can also train your lashes to curl up naturally by exerting pressure on the lash tips with your index finger. For more details, refer to my other post on curling lashes here. Just use petroleum jelly instead of mascara and follow the same curling technique to eventually train your lashes to curl up. Please note that this is a tried technique but definitely needs patience and continuous effort.

All the best!