The texture of this is lovely, it's really smooth and melts into my skin beautifully....
I love the way this cleans my skin and the way it leaves it feeling smooth, plumped and moisturised after use. I do however have a couple of bug-bears with this product. The first is the smell. It's not necessarily a 'bad' smell. It's very spa-like and I'm sure some would find it nice and relaxing, but to me something about it smells a bit sour, and god forbid you ever get any in your mouth... yuk!
Aside from the smell, the other issue I have with this is that it isn't very effective as an eye makeup remover. Some would argue you should use a separate eye makeup remover anyway, but I'm the first to admit... I'm lazy when it comes to cleansing and in an ideal world, I would like a cleanser that 'takes it all off'. This doesn't. It doesn't do a bad job of removing, but it doesn't quite get it all and I find it leaves a bit of a residue on the eye area.
Overall. I love this as a cleanser, and will very happily use up the remainder of my little sample (which FYI is 20g, approx. 1/5 of the full-size 105g, which I would estimate to last me around 3 weeks, so the full size should last about 15 weeks when used once a day) but I don't think I will be purchasing a full size. Partly because it's priced at £39, and partly because I think I may finally cave and end up buying the over-blogged-about Emma Hardie alternative. I've tried to avoid it but there are just so many rave reviews out there, I might just have to give it a whirl when this runs out.
Do any of you use a cleansing balm? Which is your favourite?
Hmmm this is pretty expensive and if it's not perfect... I love the Emma Hardie one, I would so recommend you try it! xoxo
ReplyDeleteLAST DAY TO ENTER! 100 Follower Giveaway: Essie, Urban Decay, Soap & Glory, Lush!
Try Clinique's cleansing balm - it really takes everything off, and quickly :)
ReplyDeleteI have never used a cleansing balm. Neither have heard of the Emma Hardie one. Let us know when you test it out and if it's nice for sensitive skin.
ReplyDeletepersonatalist@blogspot.com
I've never tried a cleansing balm before I usually just stick to liquid and cream ones :) I don't think I could justify the price though !
ReplyDeleteI've not used a cleansing balm the idea if a balm on my face is a bit strange to me haha
ReplyDeletealittlebitsunshine.blogspot.co.uk
I really like this but I think it's breaking me out :(
ReplyDeleteThis to me is just a product that I'd never use. It just doesn't interest me in the slightest. I have a lush obsession and use Angels on Bare Skin and everyone just keeps complimenting me on how good my skins been looking. I do have to use a make up remover first but at under 7 quid for the cleanser, I see no problem buying a second product!!
ReplyDeleteNicky
zeeblikesit.blogspot.com
xx
I really need a cleansing balm!
ReplyDeleteSeaside Beauty
xxx
I've never used a cleansing balm or an Elemis product, it looks so smooth even gel like. I'm with you on the the eye front, for £39 it should atleast take off everything! x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I'm really disappointed this doesn't take everything off :( I'm desperate to try the Emma Hardie one :))
ReplyDeleteRebecca x | Ze Makeup | Bloglovin
This sounds lovely! Shame it doesn't get off eye make-up as well!
ReplyDeleteJamie-Lee | Glitter Infatuation | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog!
This looks interesting....I am a fan of cleansing balms so maybe worth a try in the future.
ReplyDeletehttp://MillieMagpie.blogspot.com
Haha! I love the part where you talk about the smell of the product, too funny! Since it's rather pricey I doubt I would pick up this product because I'm rather sensitive to anything that smells/taste weird near my lips. :) Great review, it put a smile on my face!
ReplyDeletexoxo -B ♡
http://msberrystylish.blogspot.com/
I really want to try out a cleansing balm because I've heard such great reviews about them!
ReplyDeletehttp://nowisbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
This looks so nice, I really want to try it but it is so expensive! xxx
ReplyDeleteMaddy from UNSTITCHEDD
♥
I hate the Emma Hardie alternative. It really broke me out! I think its because its packaged in a tub? Either way its terrible for me! I came so close to buying the Elemis version might have to give it a little go.
ReplyDeletewww.crazylins.blogspot.co.uk
I've never used such a thing and it sounds strange! I'd try it if weren't so expensive.
ReplyDeletexx K
http://www.glitzandgold.tumblr.com
never tried a cleansing balm.. this looks good though.
ReplyDelete- Janine
http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com
Fleur, forget the Emma Hardie and retry the Ren one that comes in the tub. Its not lumpy, smells beautiful and takes off all my eye makeup. My only gripe is that it can sting a little if you get it your eye, but really, what cleanser wont. Anyway, thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteElemis Pro-radiance Cream Cleanser and Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish really don't sting if you get them in your eyes.
DeleteI use the Eve Lom one and though so many hate that it has mineral oil and parabens it really has done a great job of removing all makeup and even mascara. Also, it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without the stripping feeling. I have very oily skin and it has not broken me out at all and I have been using it for about three months now. I love that it even makes my skin look radiant and clear. May be a Holy Grail for me, but first want to try one more cleansing balm that is getting amazing reviews, Omorovicza
ReplyDeleteThermal Cleansing Balm.
I've been eyeing up cleansing balms for a while, but they are just too damn expensive! Although I may have to give this one a go for days when I don't really wear eye makeup.
ReplyDelete-Elodie x
http://www.elle-yeah.com
Great review! I love Elemis and cleansing balms so this is right up my street :) ♥
ReplyDeletehttp://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk/
http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk/
I haven't used a cleansing balm before, mainly due to pricing, but I would love to try them out sometime.
ReplyDeletelifeslikearoadwetravelon.blogspot.com
xx
Great review fleur :) after watching the Pixiwoo and Caroline Horins video on the body talk channel ( a must watch) I ended up caving and brought the Emma Hardie balm and i LOVE it! you get a lot of product and it hasent broken me out (so far) maybe try it in the future :) x
ReplyDeleteI did a review of it :)
http://thevoguereadersthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/
I have never tried a cleaning balm before but this sounds really lovely! Great review Fleur:)
ReplyDeletehttp://blairbeautyblogger.blogspot.ca/
Hmm I think I'll give this one a miss and stick to the Boots botanics cleansing balm instead!
ReplyDeleteImogen - A rendezvous with you
I completely agree, I much prefer a cleanser that takes everything off. By the time I'm ready for bed, I just want to go TO bed, not spend ages faffing on with this and that. For that reason alone, I always go back to the Liz Earle cleanser, regardless of what new things I try. X
ReplyDeleteI'm yet to try a cleansing balm. I love the Liz Earl cleanser and find it really works for me, so i'm a little reluctant to stray from that! The Emma Hardie cleansing balm is really raved about..
ReplyDeletehttp://jodie-melissa.blogspot.co.uk/
I've never tried a cleansing balm before, but it sounds really good :) Maybe i'll give it a try...
ReplyDelete- shoutout to al the german readers, Fleur we love you ;)
ox Katrin
http://inbetweenblush.blogspot.de/
I love cleansing balms and for a while I was looking for a good one, but nothing really worked for me, so I decided to make one myself - a mix a couple of ingredients and in less than 10 min my balm is ready :D
ReplyDeletehttp://inbetweenandaway.blogspot.com
I used to use one, but then I just started to massage extra virgin olive oil into my skin to remove my makeup before removing with a warm wash cloth. My skin has never looked better!
ReplyDelete♥ Em from Mascara Warrior
Loved the post! Xx
ReplyDeleteI got this product as part of a gift with purchase from Debenhams and was very disappointed. The smell is very overwhelming and its not that brilliant at removing makeup. I could not justify buying the full sized version either. I would recommend anyone who wants to try it get the gift with purchase.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a cleansing balm but for that price I would expect it to get rid of everything. Its a shame that it doesn't remove eye products well.
ReplyDeleteLaura
www.lauraneuzeth.com
I've never tried any cleansing balms, I'm never really sure whether I could be bothered which it! And like you said, I prefer cleansers that take off everything - I don't faff around with three million products!
ReplyDeletewww.erinjaine.blogspot.com
Not impressed :(
ReplyDeletehttp://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/crown-brush.html
This does sound quite nice however I'm with you with Emma Hardie, I can see myself caving soon too! Uh oh!
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
A Little Boat Sailing
I haven't tried a cleansing balm, unless you could count Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish, which I haven't been using and I miss it desperately right now. Have you ever tried the Eve Lom one? I've heard it was the first cleansing balm out there. I've thought about trying the Emma Hardie one but I'm so nervous about it because I'm really quite acne prone and don't know if I want to risk my skin on something so expensive.
ReplyDeleteMana
Fashion and Happy Things
I have been dying to try a cleansing balm for ages! I feel like it takes me forever to get through cleansers and I can't buy another until I've finished the one I'm using! I think I would rather try the Ultrabland one from Lush or the Emma Hardie one :) lovely post and pictures
ReplyDeletehttp://mercuteify.blogspot.com/
I'm not using any cleansing balm. Yet.
ReplyDeleteI've been overly curious to try one but they're impossible to find in stores around here so I have to really get into the internet opportunities from now on.
xx
kazetime.blogspot.com
I love the RMK cleansing balm! :D x
ReplyDeleteI will have to try the Emma Hardie one!
ReplyDeletecontemplatingandanticipating.blogspot.ie
Lush Ultrabland!! It is perfect - seems to have all the positives you are mentioning here plus it removes all makeup...even waterproof mascara (no it really does) and its so much cheaper than most
ReplyDeleteonebrushbeauty.blogspot.co.uk
I do like this product but i don't think it is worth the hefty price tag that comes with it x
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I really want to try a cleanser balm type thing. They look really cool.
ReplyDeletexx
daniella
simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com
i still can't leave my super balm by clinique.
ReplyDeleteThe Chic and Cheap Blog
The Chic and Cheap Blog on Facebook
The Chic and Cheap Blog on Instagram
Bloglovin
I use both the REN & the EH & both are smooth as silk & work wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a superbalm before
ReplyDeletehttp://chloesstrangeworld.blogspot.co.uk/
Your lucky you can try so many different products and your skin its fine! My skin freaks out when I try to change things!
ReplyDeleteMaddy @ www.BeautyBanterBlog.com
I recommed a brand called la roche posay, for more sensitive skin. I love the cleansing gel! smells lovely, feels nice on the skin and I think that its always good to use products for sensitive!
ReplyDeleteI do use a cleansing balm. It's the Clinique "Take the day off" one and I think it is amazing. I wanted to try the Emma Hardie one but since I am from Switzerland, it's quite hard to get so the Clinique one is a great alternative. (This is my first comment ever on your blog, I'm a little bit excited haha:) ) xx, Maureen
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try the Clinique "Take the day off" cleansing balm as an alternative as the Emma Hardie blam is quite elusive to obtain in the US.
ReplyDelete<3 Carolyn
I'm really interested in trying a cleansing balm and love the idea of them but I feel like this one might be a little too heavy for my skin. Tempted to try the REN one though as I do love my current cleanser from them.
ReplyDeletepoppywithlove.blogspot.com
Emma Hardie is the very first cleansing balm I have tried. It smells amazing and it does the job well. Leaves my skin feel really nice after. I was afraid to try the balm as I have combination skin. But I find that using EH, my skin is more balance especially my t-zone has become less oily.
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love the Emma Hardie one, its smells AMAZING and leaves skin feeling lovely.
ReplyDeleteSounds good :) Quite pricey though xxx
ReplyDeletehttp://jeminixlife.blogspot.com
it sounds really nice, i'd love to try it!
ReplyDeleteI am using the Merumaya cleansing balm at the moment! really enjoying using... although it doesnt remove eye make up as good as other cleansing balms used and does leave my eyes slightly stingy / vampire like!
ReplyDeletebeautyfairyblog.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI got this product a little while ago, and stored it ina drawer. Now you've inspired me to take it out and give it a try once again! I might even review it! Thanks !
ReplyDeletewww.theinsideoutbeauty.com