Dang, remember when seeing Boots at Target felt exotic? It seems more skin care and beauty brands from the UK are landing on US shores, yah? Case in point — Simple Sensitive Skin Specialists Cleansing Facial Wipes ($6 for 25 wipes), a UK cult beauty fave now available at Duane Reade drugstores.
I can see why Brits love this product. It’s oil- and alcohol-free and doesn’t contain any perfumes or dyes. The package is convenient, and the sticker closure stays firmly shut after opening (huge plus!).
I like that these wipes lift away foundation, powder, lipstick and most eye makeup without leaving a sticky film on my skin. However, the package says the wipes also lift waterproof mascara, but when I used the wipes to remove Shu Uemura Precise Volume Waterproof from my lashes, they left behind plenty of product. I also tried removing Chanel Exceptionnel, a non-waterproof mascara, and the results were the same. In both cases I ended up using Lancome Bi-Facil to finish the job.
One more thing — the wipes also felt scratchy and weren’t as soft as L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes when I rubbed them against delicate areas like my lash line.
Simple Sensitive Skin Specialists Cleansing Facial Wipes
Price: $6
Use: As a makeup remover and cleansing wipe
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: C+/B-
Although Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes didn’t remove all of my makeup, I still think they’d be great for people sensitive to oils, dyes, perfumes and alcohol, you still might like these wipes. Also, you might dig ’em if you prefer a more textured wipe.
And because it’s rare to find a wipe that doesn’t leave a sticky film behind, I still plan on keeping a pack around to cleanse my neck and arms when I’m too lazy to do a truck stop shower when I get home late from clubbing.
Tough Tuesday
Hey, ladies. El Hub and I got some not-so-great news from Hawaii this afternoon. His mom will have to go in for another unexpected operation in the next few days. I will still be heading to Florida for my BFF’s wedding, but it’s looking like I’ll be flying solo without El Hub and returning home the day after the ceremony.
I’m finding it’s hard to be funny in print when you’re feeling sad, worried and overwhelmed.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Holly says
November 18th, 2008 at 4:17 pmHi Karen,
Im so sorry to hear about your mother in law, I guess in situations like this all you can do is try to keep positive that everything that can possibly be done is being done and keep on supporting each other 🙁
I used to use Simple wipes because they were one of the few things that didnt sting my eyes but I found that I had to rub them too much to remove my eye makeup and also they are pretty expensive for a basic drug store brand so I switched to using plain old Johnson and Johnson baby wipes and a seperate eye makeup remover and I find them to be easily as good!
Luv J says
November 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pmKaren.. we’re all sending you *HUGS*.. this is the best part of you.. willing to share these moments with your readers.. we are all after all humans with the same issues and concerns. I’m sure most of us can relate. We wish your family the best..
Shiny says
November 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pmKaren,
So sorry to hear the news. Hopefully spending some time with your close friends will help you take your mind off things even if only for a couple hours.
*Big Hugs*
Sandy says
November 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pmHi, Karen
You have all my best wishes for your MIL. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery. I know it’ll be hard for you to enjoy yourself at the wedding with all this going on, but I am hoping that you’ll have fun anyways on your friend’s special day.
Take care!
Jen says
November 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pmKaren,
The past few weeks have been very scary for me. I went for a breast ultrasound yesterday and they found something. It turned out to be a cyst but further research needs to be done. I can imagine what your family is going through and no words can make it any better. Please know that even if it is hard to believe that a bunch of strangers are feeling for you and your family… we are. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
**Big Hugs**
ps. If you need ANYTHING while in South FL… please feel free to let me know.
Jen
Karen says
November 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pmHi Holly,
Thank you for the good advice. We’re hanging in there.
Regarding the wipes, baby wipes are a really cost effective way to remove makeup. I learned that trick from my theater friends a few years ago. 🙂
What are you using for eye makeup removal these days?
Karen says
November 18th, 2008 at 6:25 pmHi Luv J,
Many hugs back to you. Hope you had good day today…
Karen says
November 18th, 2008 at 6:25 pmHi Shiny,
I hope so. I’ve known Jen for over 20 years so it will be a very happy day.
Hope your week is going well. 🙂
Karen says
November 18th, 2008 at 6:26 pmHi Sandy,
Thank you for note. I’ll pass along your wishes. Take care of yourself too and have a good rest of your week.
Karen says
November 18th, 2008 at 6:26 pmHi Jen,
Oh, sweetie. How are you holding up? I am thinking positive thoughts for you.
And thank you for your offer… it means a lot. 🙂
KK says
November 18th, 2008 at 7:25 pmKaren my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ((((((((BIG HUGS))))))))
Lots of good vibes coming your way!!
xoxo
Shefali says
November 18th, 2008 at 8:05 pmHi Karen –
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law and I really hope everything works out. I’ll be thinking and praying for you and your family.
Glosslizard says
November 18th, 2008 at 8:17 pmOh, I’m so sorry! Still thinking positive thoughts, and here if I can be of any help!
Miss QQ says
November 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pmHi Karen. Take care! My thought are with you and your family.
Marisol says
November 18th, 2008 at 8:55 pmKaren I am so sorry to hear about your MIL. Please know that I will be thinking of you and your family during these difficult times.
“Tough times never last, but tough people doâ€
Marisol´s last blog post.."Our girl is coming home…"
Marissa says
November 18th, 2008 at 10:16 pmKaren, don’t worry about being funny on your blog. I think we’re all more concerned with how you and your family are doing.
Holly says
November 18th, 2008 at 10:56 pmHi Karen,
Im actually now using a Garnier gentle eye makeup remover which I LOVE! It is really very similar to the Chanel eye makeup remover which I love but its just sooo expensive! Then on my face I am using Clarins pure melt cleanser mainly because it literally just lifts all my makeup off without any rubbing at all.
I still always have baby wipes in use though for lazy nights when I cant be bothered getting out of bed to remove my makeup and particularly for quickly cleaning my 209 brush after fluidline so that it doesnt go hard!
Erica says
November 19th, 2008 at 1:49 amHey Karen!
I’m so sorry to hear that about your mother in law. I dont know if you or your mother in law are big readers, but you should check out It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong. Its supposed to be extremely inspiring, and I am sure you and your mother in law would find interest to this book. Let me know if you do decide to check out this book, I have yet to read it but have heard such great reviews. And, all of your readers understand what is going on, so don’t even worry about anything. We are here for you! 🙂
Anna says
November 19th, 2008 at 3:34 amHi Karen,
Oh, so sorry to hear about your MIL unexpected op. Thinking of all of you and dont worry about having to be funny, we all understand. Sending you positive vibes and thoughts. I know exactly how you’re feeling and most of us more or less can relate to what you’re going through as a member of family. Its a tough time, stay strong,but dont feel the need to be strong all the time, cry/be upset when you need to, you’ll feel a tiny bit better.
A rainbow will always appear at the end of the storm.
All my thoughts, prayers and best wishes.
Anna
Jian says
November 19th, 2008 at 5:20 amHi Karen,
I hope your mother in law’s operation will be a success, and that she’ll recover well afterwards. I know it’s a hard time for the whole family, and well, just say together and be strong! Also I bet she wouldn’t want you to be worried and depressed about her, would she?
And about the Simple cleansing wipes, I really dislike the Simple line. I tried the eye-makeup remover as well and it really irritated my eyes because it wouldn’t remove mascara or eyeliner so I had to rub really hard.
Bisbee says
November 19th, 2008 at 5:32 amSo sorry to hear about the additional operation – but stay positive! Better they should find that she needs further surgery sooner rather than later – best to use the “big guns” as early as possible for the best recovery!
Hope you enjoy the wedding…even solo. Take care!
Daya says
November 19th, 2008 at 8:59 amHi Karen,
I hope all goes well for your mother in law. Many prayers to you and your family!
Daya
Adina says
November 19th, 2008 at 9:55 amHi Karen,
While I don’t write in often, I just wanted to drop you a quick comment to wish you the best in this difficult time. Hang in there, here is to hoping things get better for you and yours very soon.
Hugs,
Adina
Judy says
November 19th, 2008 at 10:10 amHi Karen,
I’m thinking of you and wishing your mother-n-law the best of luck. Try to enjoy the wedding – I’m sure your BF will understand if you’re not 100% in party mode.
Take care!
Judy
Karen B says
November 19th, 2008 at 10:42 amOh no, that’s awful about his mom. I’ll burn my white good-luck candle for her. I hope everything’ll be alright. *hugs*
Karen B´s last blog post..What colour today?
Lydia says
November 19th, 2008 at 11:42 amHi Karen,
I send you hugs <3
Lydia´s last blog post..NEW Holiday Shades + Glamour Magazine Bonus & FREE Shippingâ€
Megan says
November 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pmI am so sorry to hear the news Karen. I hope that both you and el hub are able to be there for her, and be strong for one another. I also will keep her in my prayers. One of my coworkers was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She went through treatment and initially had received positive news, but recently found out it has spread to her brain. She’s only in her 30s and is a single mother of 2. This is why breast self-exams and Susan G. Komen Foundation are soooooo important.
“If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell.” ~Lance Armstrong
Thumper Too says
November 19th, 2008 at 3:58 pmI’m so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Sending you good thoughts…
Thumper Too´s last blog post..San Francisco, California
Joods says
November 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pmKaren…sending you big hugs. And keeping your mom-in-law in my prayers.
Victoria S says
November 20th, 2008 at 6:39 amSorry about the news. You are all in my thoughts.
Ellery says
November 20th, 2008 at 7:16 amI used to use these wipes before I started using my Korres wipes, they’re really good but I agree with you that they’re not very good for waterproof makeup.
I hope everything goes well with his mom and that you guys are okay. 😀 Good thoughts!