Well, it’s official — my skin and I aren’t getting any younger, and since we love long-wearing eye makeup, both of us were ready for the jelly that is Urban Decay’s new Meltdown Makeup Remover ($24), a creamy gel designed to whisk away waterproof eye makeup while moisturizing the delicate skin around the eyes.
The products contains a bunch of nifty-sounding ingredients like antioxidant-rich cranberry and raspberry seed oils, sea whip extract (similar to coral, also known as sea fan; the extract has anti-inflammatory properties), kukui nut oil (a powerful Polynesian humectant to aid with hydration), oat oil (to encourage collagen production) and beta carotene (to smooth and reduces the appearance of wrinkles).
I noticed the scent immediately as it’s…interesting — like eau de vanilla, funky musk, workout shoes and college dorm room incense. Not an award-winning fragrance, but I think the creamy texture, which feels almost like a lotion and spreads easily across my lids and lashes, makes up for it.
I pitted Meltdown against several long-wearing eye makeup products this week and found that as long as I was patient and forceful, it generally removed everything. Two pea-sized dollops on a cotton ball take care of long-wearing gel eyeliner, two coats of waterproof mascara, primer, concealer and eyebrow makeup from a single eye, but I really have to massage it in to remove every last bit of product from my lashes and lids.
I don’t think I’ll try to use Meltdown again to remove makeup along my water lines, however, as when I got it too close to my eyes, it left a slightly cloudy film that temporarily blurred my vision. It cleared after I splashed some water in my eyes, but I don’t want to have to deal with that every time I remove my eye makeup, ya know? To the product’s credit, at least it didn’t sting.
Urban Decay says Meltdown isn’t greasy, and I’d agree with that. It’s certainly not as greasy as oily eye makeup removers like Lancome’s, but I do think it leaves a slight film/residue behind.
I like Meltdown, but I can’t say I’m in love. Using it requires a lot of effort for my impatient @ss, LOL! But it is an option if you’re determined to go cruelty free (I assume sea whips/sea fans are not considered an animal). The product successfully removes heavy duty stuff as long as you’ve got the elbow grease to spare.
PRICE: $24 for a 2.5-oz tube
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to Sephora, Ulta, select Macy’s stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Heidi says
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:16 pmDoesn’t sound like the thing for me either, as my @ss is on the impatient side as well! I’ll stick with my current fave – derma-E’s Eyebright Makeup Remover. It works really well for me.
Jessi (Lacquered, Painted, Polished) says
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:19 pmI wear contacts so I HATE anything that leaves a film over my eye. Pretty much any heavy duty makeup remover I’ve used does it so I’ll just stick with my cleansing oils. Cleansing oils are usually so expensive but I really love the Lumene one from CVS and its inexpensive too.
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dani@callitbeauty says
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:41 pmooh, this sounds awesome! i’m currently using a drugstore eye makeup remover and it doesn’t remove waterproof mascara or eyelash glue as well as i would like. i know you said it blurs your vision but that doesn’t really concern me… unless it should? is that blurriness harmful to the eyes?
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Amista says
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:42 pmBest makeup remover i have EVER used is LUSH – Baby Face. Removes everything like a dream + moisturizes and never leaves a cloudiness in my eyes (AVONs makeup removers do that to me)
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Vijaya says
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:49 pmI’ve been looking for a good cruelty free makeup remover, so this is definitely in my near future. Thanks for the review, as always!
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Shann says
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:22 pmOoh..been thinking about getting this since I heard about it. Thanks ever so much for the life-saving review! Guess I’ll stick to my ~H2O+ oil-free one for now. Pricey, but easy-breezy. 🙂
Rae says
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:25 pmThe packaging. THE PACKAGING! <3
(Still, though, I'd rather use a great product in decent packaging than a decent product in great packaging, lol)
Jeni says
April 3rd, 2011 at 12:31 amI like the idea of a creamy eye makeup remover, but the way you described the scent scared me, and the blurry eyes thing is really scary! I’m still on the search for the perfect eye makeup remover that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Tyne says
April 3rd, 2011 at 1:38 amThanks for the review i was thinking of buying this even though I’m pretty happy with my lush ultrabland I think I will stick with it I’m lovn it!
Nina says
April 3rd, 2011 at 7:49 amwhen i saw that product, i thought it looked interesting. its cruelty free – so i assumed it would also be gentle on my eyes. my eyes are pretty sensitive so i cant handle the cloudy film that you experienced. this is a pass for me! 🙂
Kim says
April 3rd, 2011 at 10:41 amIck on the smell! I’ve yet to find a really good remover that I like. I’m working through my sample of Lancome’s Bi-Facil and it’s OK. Leaves a residue and filmy eyes, as you mentioned. I generally revert back to the jar of Ponds, which is pretty much the same.
Christy says
April 3rd, 2011 at 11:23 amaww that’s a disappointment 🙁 I think I’ll stick with my MAC eye makeup remover & Fresh soy cleanser 🙂
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Krista says
April 3rd, 2011 at 11:28 amAs a zoology student I’d just like to point out that Sea Whips/Sea fans actually are considered animals. Like coral they are built up into colonies of invertebrates that work together. They aren’t actually plants, though they look like plants. Just an F.Y.I. At least this stuff doesn’t sting or feel greasy!
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Helena says
April 10th, 2011 at 2:08 pmI was about to say…ha ha.
Trina J Makeup says
April 4th, 2011 at 9:48 amThe packaging is irrestible, ingredients are a plus, but I can’t get over the smell. Only good smells on my and my clients’ face.
I’m sure UD will work to improve the smell at some point 🙁
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