Oh, the pink packaging, the adorable photo of the polar bears, and the slick title font… THE FONT! — is that Helvetica Neue Ultra Light?!
Reacting to this perfect storm of marketing cuteness, I just impulse purchased these $12 Bear Naked Makeup Wipes by Josie Maran.
I tried to resist — honest, I did — but part of the proceeds go to the Polar Bear SOS Initiative. How cool is that?
With 30 wipes per package, the cost breaks down to about 40 cents a wipe — a little on the expensive side, but you’re mostly paying for what you don’t get…
That is to say, these wipes come without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals and phthalates. 🙂 They’re biodegradable and feel oh-so-gentle on my skin, too, thanks to a soothing blend of aloe vera, chamomile, cucumber and vitamin E.
And Tabs likes that they’re 100% cruelty free.
The faint fragrance I detect from them smells like grapefruit to me, yum!
I tried them on a full face of makeup — foundation, powder, mascara, liquid eyeliner, the works. They feel pillow soft, like the tips of an angel’s wings, and moisturizing, working exactly like I want them to, with one exception…
Eye makeup. One wipe gets most of the job done (around my face and lips), but they aren’t quite up to the task around my eyes. I really have to RUB to remove regular ‘ol mascara (much less waterproof) and liquid liner.
Their strengths aside, I’ll probably stick with Bliss Lid + Lash Wash for hard-to-remove eye makeup.
But, everything’s a compromise, right? I love the feel, fragrance and composition of these wipes. I wouldn’t hesitate to give them as gifts to friends who wear mostly foundation, blush and lipstick. Plus, there’s those cute polar bears. DA BEARS! Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have you hit your local MAC counter today? If you do, check out the new All Ages, All Races, All Sexes and MAC in Lillyland releases, and let me know what ya think. 🙂
Sonja says
January 7th, 2010 at 5:32 pmThe polar bears suckered me in too. I like them but was also disappointed by their ability to remove eye makeup. I normally like Jose’s stuff but am going to pass these along to a friend who uses less industrial strength mascara (is it me or are mascaras getting harder and harder to remove?).
.-= Sonja’s last blog post… Sugary drinks and packing on the pounds =-.
Arianne says
January 7th, 2010 at 5:37 pmHahaha Karen you crack me up! DA BEARS! They r teh Qte!!!
I haven’t tried this, but I have tried MAC Wipes, and ones by Alcone that I prefer waayyy more than MAC’s. However, they are both expensive.
I really wished Canada’s Costco carried the Kirkland wipes, which I heard are amazing. *sigh*
.-= Arianne’s last blog post… Wimpy Lashes Rejoice! =-.
Noraa says
January 7th, 2010 at 5:42 pmI use Dove towelette, but it still prefer washing my face w/ soap.
.-= Noraa’s last blog post… Shrimp sushi roll =-.
leslie says
January 7th, 2010 at 6:11 pmthat is great, but i honestly think that eye makeup needs it own wipe and not just one for the face and eye will do.
Rebecca says
January 7th, 2010 at 6:27 pmI adore the packaging! But they’re a bit too expensive for my taste, especially if you have to rub. I feel like with the amount of rubbing I do as is I’m going to do some kind of permanent damage to the skin around my eye D: The Bliss Lid & Lash Wash looks good though, I’ve been meaning to give that a try.
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Quick Take: M.A.C. Volcanic Ash Exfoliator =-.
amy says
January 7th, 2010 at 7:00 pmI have been curious about this item since I saw it at Sephora. The Polar Bears on the packaging just warms my heart. I love to keep a pack or two of wipes around, they are so convenient. My current favourite “wipes’ are Aveeno Positively Radiant Dual Texture Pads. They are moisten with cleanser on one side and the other side are textured for exfoliating. The MAC wipes are great but I like this Josie Maran’s supports a great cause wildlife preservation.
.-= amy’s last blog post… NOTD American Apparel Nail Lacquer Peacock =-.
DonnaN says
January 7th, 2010 at 7:45 pmI’ve been using Soap & Glory’s Off Your Face, which I’ve liked mainly because I’ve had no breakouts. These by Josie Marin seem like they’d work equally as well, but a put pricier that what I’m using now.
But those Polar Bears…….SUUUUUUE CUUUUTE!!!!
Toni says
January 7th, 2010 at 7:46 pmI have been wanting to try some of Josie Maran’s products, but the closest Sephora to my home doesn’t sell it. I’d have to order online. They do seem a bit pricey though compared to others I have heard about.
I have never used makeup wipes. Is it better to cleanse with wipes and then follow with regular cleanser? Right now, I just use my face wash.
Jen says
January 7th, 2010 at 8:31 pmThese are cute and I may give them a try… but there’s NOTHING like MAC wipes!
Happy Friday Eve Karen! 🙂
.-= Jen’s last blog post… It’s like we are “new and improved†newlyweds! =-.
Aleksis says
January 7th, 2010 at 10:05 pmYeah that really is the only thing that sucks about using wipes, but I LOVE bi-facil for removing eye makeup anyway so I’ll have to try them!
.-= Aleksis’s last blog post… What do I eat? Take a look inside my fridge and pantry! =-.
NINA says
January 8th, 2010 at 5:44 amTemptation stay away from me!!! Why is it that when ive found a good face cleansing routine, something always comes along to tempt me away from it???
I currently use a cleansing oil (Kracie) and then follow it up with a microfiber cloth + Biore Ice Cleanser wash. Im quite happy with it because I dont need a cotton pad or a wipe — to use the cleansing oil – I just put some on my fingertips and rub it over my eyes and face; then the microfiber cloth is machine washable and reusable. Its I guess my little way of using less paper.
I will TRY not to stray from my routine but that packaging is just too cute to resist — POLAR BEARS, seriously????
Deconstruction says
January 8th, 2010 at 8:07 amI have tried wipes in the past (mostly in my office bathroom before I go out for the evening and want to reapply makeup) but I am never as satisfied as just plain old washing my face with soap and water.
.-= Deconstruction’s last blog post… Facial Sale at Lia Schorr (through Groupon) =-.
HC says
January 8th, 2010 at 8:53 amwhere can you find these? I love polar bears..!!
Vanessa H says
January 8th, 2010 at 10:15 amAww, bears! That’s all I needed to see!
.-= Vanessa H’s last blog post… TGIF Survey =-.
Amanda says
January 8th, 2010 at 11:50 amjust my 2 cents…I have these and like them! I’m not a huge wipe girl, but need something when I’m camping and these are great. Love that they are biodegradeable and they don’t bother my sensistive skin. I”m really liking Josie Marin-I have 2 lipglosses and they so FAB.
I will also agree whole heartedly with your Bliss remover rec-that stuff rocks. I totally love the gel consistancy (I like lancome’s remover, but have started disliking the oily feel….). I’ve bought and re-bought Bliss several times. It’s a hidden gem!
Anastasia says
January 8th, 2010 at 1:07 pmAt 40 cents a wipe, I will definitely be passing! Cute packaging tho 🙂
bella says
January 11th, 2010 at 12:23 pmThese are always so cute, but I can’t get past the price. It’s hard for me to imagine spending that much money on something that goes on my face and goes straight to the trash. Lately I’ve been using Dermalogica’s oil “precleanse” and then my regular cleanser with a washcloth. No complaints thus far.
Joyce says
March 14th, 2010 at 9:08 amHi I just wanted to say I heard Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Jojoba oil is a good cheap eye makeup remover. Just throwing it out there I guess? Keep up the good work, especially your reviews on cheap makeup from Target! They’re the bomb. 😀