Sparkled Beauty

I am still wondering sometimes why cleansing balms do not get the raves that they deserve, compared to cleansing oils.

Balms do just as good of a job if not better than oils in removing makeup and impurities from your face and leaving the skin so soft. It is also in a solid form (only melts when it comes to contact with the skin), much less messy to use and to store, super convenient for traveling.

The first cleansing balm I tried was The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous cleansing butter, and it was really hard to try others after. Yes, it is that good!

The Community Fair Trade camomile water used in this cleansing butter is made with freshly cut flowers, steam-pressed and cooled by Norfolk Essential Oils, a family-run co-operative in England, to produce essential oil.

The texture almost feels like coconut oil when it is solid, smooth, soft to the touch and fast to melt. The scent is clean, slightly floral but very gentle.

Instructions: Apply to dry face and massage into skin, rinse off with warm water or remove with a wet muslin cloth for a more thorough cleanse.

Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate (skin conditioning agent), Synthetic Wax (binder/ emollient), PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate (skin conditioning agent), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil (emollient), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (skin conditioning agent - emollient), Caprylyl Glycol (skin conditioning agent), Tocopherol (antioxidant), Fragrance, Water (solvent), etc.

A little illustration of how the balm works its magic. These are swatches of a liquid liner, a lipstick and a long wearing liquid lipstick, with the balm being massaged on for a few seconds.

At this stage, the liner holds on the best while the lipstick does not stand any chance but they all wash off so fast once rinsed off under the water. No trace left behind!

I am half way through my current jar (the pic above is of the brand new backup), and have no intention of stopping. I heard it is also a great cleanser for your makeup brushes and beauty blenders but have not had the heart to try it :)

The balm is 2.7oz/ 76g/ 90ml, $16, suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers. Catch a 50% off or B3G3F sale at The Body Shop for it.