Today I had one important question for my can of Physicians Formula Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads ($7): Is the doctor in the house?
Seriously, this can has *so many* good things going for it I don’t know where to start!
This might just be me, but I get an outdoorsy girl vibe from the packaging, like a gang of cute ponytailed camping chicks trekking through the woods wearing waterproof mascara and gloss. Fo’ reals, it emanates waves of potential drugstore beauty greatness. I mean $7? Dressed like that? Are you kidding me!?
So what stands out when I look at the can? How about all of the ingredients the pads DON’T contain. Physicians Formula left out the harsh chemicals and synthetic preservatives, colors and fragrances, and they did it without animal testing. Yup, they’re even cruelty-free (Tabs approved).
As for the pads…
Made from 100% natural, biodegradable fabric, they feel velvet soft against my eyelids, and the lavender scent soothes my savage beast.
All the right ingredients for a fantastic, blow-your-mind drugstore product, right?
Well…
Since picking this up at Target a few days ago, I’ve given these pads many, MANY chances to win me over, but they’re just not up to the task when it comes to the long-lasting stuff I love to wear.
On most days I wear at least one long-wearing eye product, like a primer, gel liner or a waterproof mascara. Unfortunately, removing these products is a HUGE challenge for these pads, requiring at least two of them and a ton of elbow grease for each eye.
Really, they’re better at shifting my long-wearing makeup around than actually removing it. I tried to follow the directions, placing the pads on my eyes, then waiting a few moments before using them to gently wipe my makeup away, but instead of ending up on the pad, my makeup mostly slips beneath, above and beside the skin around my eyes.
All of that said, if you don’t wear long-wearing eye products, you’re golden. The pads should do you right. When I took the “long” out of the makeup equation and stuck to regular eyeshadows and non-waterproof mascara, they actually did okay. They may not remove my makeup as gracefully as some of the other drugstore removers I’ve tried, like Almay’s Eye Makeup Remover Pads, but they still get the job done, and they do it naturally. 🙂
I didn’t get to do my dance of makeup joy over these, but I still have to give Physicians Formula props for making a green product and keeping it affordable. Now, if they’re able to elevate its eye makeup removing game, I’ll climb aboard. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: C-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rebecca says
Aww, I was so ready to love these! Too bad they don’t work very well 🙁 I’ve been looking for a really good makeup remover lately, but it seems like the only ones that really work for me are the ones that have that greasy after-feel which I *hate*. Any suggestions?
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… I am original =-.
Rae says
Aww 🙁 The tin is so cute, and the free-of list is fantastic… it sucks that these were disappointing! Going over what the pads DO contain, though, there really isn’t anything that *should* remove makeup. Fail! That’s basically an ingredient list for a natural toner.
What are you favorite makeup removing wipes, Karen? I know you’ve reviewed a ton of them, and I can’t seem to recall which ones you liked the most — would it be the Almay ones you mentioned, or something else?
.-= Rae’s last blog post… Those darn elusive Viva Glam bags =-.
Aleksis says
I love my bi-facil..I don’t think anything will ever beat it!
.-= Aleksis’s last blog post… Her lips are perfect! =-.
Niki says
Darn it! I was so hoping to find something to replace my beloved Neutrogena eye pads – since they seem to be discontinued. Don’t you hate it when they discontinue products and don’t tell anyone, you just can’t find them anymore? I didn’t mind paying the jacked up price for those babies, they were precious gold. The hunt continues. Thanks for the review!
.-= Niki’s last blog post… Swatchfest: Sinful Colors – Part Two =-.
Deathica says
They’re not that bad if you wash your face and then use them to get what washing missed. I wonder if the lotion is any better – I’ve only tried the pads.
Deathica says
Oh and speaking of target – I was just there and the new sonia kashuk brush sets are awesome! I picked up the 4 piece travel set and love the feel of these brushes – they’re so soft. I’m liking the wooden handles a lot and it all came with a little cork makeup bag to store em in!
Francesca says
I usually don’t wear long lasting eye make up, usually it’s just liquid eyeliner- would these do the job then?
.-= Francesca’s last blog post… he may be gone, but we’ll remember him always. =-.
mkdallas says
Bummer! I’m a huge fan of the Almay Non-Oily Eye Makeup Remover Pads but got all excited about a potential new HG product here. Thanks for delivering the unvarnished truth…I will cross these off my list and save the $$.
Kizzy-online says
Oh, that’s too bad 🙁
amy says
That is too bad that these don’t work for you, but I do think it is meant to be used for quick and simple makeup. Have you tried Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads? They are relatively large pre-moisten pads, dual textured: one side for cleansing and one for exfoliating. The are larger too at 8 cm, so you may have more luck in removing more makeup. They take off my MAC Fluidline quite well, but waterproof mascaras, I would still need a eye makeup remover.
.-= amy’s last blog post… NOTD NARS Nailpolish in Saratoga =-.
scarlettholly says
I’ll definitely try the aveeno ones amy. Skipping the physicians formula ones which I was super excited about. I’m always looking for a super make up remover.
.-= scarlettholly’s last blog post… Peaches and Cream and Nice Melons: A Fruity Round Up of Peach Shadows =-.
NubianJ says
I can put magic marker on my eyes and my Purity cleanser as well as extra virgin coconut oil will take it all away without rubbing or scrubbing my eyes to death.
denise says
In agreement…but I think you were kind with the grade you gave this item. What an utter waste of my money and time. Did nothing but smudge makeup everywhere and I had to use another remover. Ugh.
Kristina Wells says
There are too many pads on the market now; i would prefer it to be a bottled content as the pads run out too quickly, does this company also produce the bottled formula?