Monday 7 April 2014

Battle of The Cleansing Balms (Part 2!)

For Part 1 click HERE (Includes Emma Hardie, The Body Shop, Balance Me, RMK, Eve Lom, Elemis, Ren & Monu)

Since writing my original 'Battle of the Cleansing Balm' post a few months ago, I've tried a couple more cleansing balms (one of which was highly requested) so I thought I would make a part two to update you with my new discoveries...


First up is a product that a lot of you suggested I try, or requested that I review:

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm

Packaging: Standard, purple plastic with silver lid.
Ingredients: Doesn't have a base of essential oils like many other balms. No mineral oil, fragrance or anything offensive.
Performance: It's unscented, as with all Clinique products, and that paired with the fact that this felt quite greasy in texture, put me off this balm a little. It's effective, gentle and more affordable than many of the others, but it's not a pleasure to use, and for me that knocked it back from being up there with Emma Hardie, Monu and Sarah Chapman's Ultimate Cleanse (below). If you are allergic to essential oils or sensitive to fragrance, this could be a good one to try.
Price: £21 for £125ml, available from Selfridges online here or on Clinique counters.
Overall: 6/10

Su-Man Purifying Cleansing Gel-Oil

Packaging: Nice, matte finish tube. I found the twist open/close cap a little annoying.
Ingredients: A base of sunflower seed oil, with apricot and sandalwood oils and raspberry and wintergreen leaf extracts. The ingredients read quite differently to the majority of the other balms, as the texture of the product is a gel-oil rather than a conventional balm.
Performance: I liked the different texture of this product. It's much lighter than some of the more oil-based balms and emulsifies better with warm water. It doesn't strip the skin, but it also doesn't leave any oily residue at all. I think this would be well suited to those who are worried about cleansing balms being too heavy or rich for their skin. This effectively removed all of my makeup and the squeezable tube is practical for travel too.
Price: £40 for 125ml available online from cultbeauty.co.uk
Overall: 7/10

Sarah Chapman 'Skinesis' Ultimate Cleanse

Packaging: Pretty cheap looking considering the price, it's the same type of packaging as the Liz Earle cleanser, but with a cheaper finish.
Ingredients: Very heavy on the scent front, the ingredients list has a fair few synthetics combined with a long list of oils including baobab, borage, melon, rosehip, jojoba and meadowfoam seed, combined with vitamins A & E. Free from mineral oil, parabens etc.
Performance: This was an 'instant wow' product for me. The texture is super smooth (even smoother than Emma Hardie) The pump dispenses the exact right amount of product to cleanse your face. It's an utter pleasure to use and removes every scrap of makeup from my face. It took me a while to get used to the smell, but I can honestly say this is the best cleanser I've ever used. Hands down. Although the ingredients list isn't 100% natural, this product performs beautifully. The only other balm cleanser I've tried that comes close to it is Emma Hardie's, and I have to say I prefer this. The price and the packaging are the only downsides to this product for me.
Price: £40 for 100ml, available from SpaceNK here.
Overall: 10/10

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65 comments

  1. I'm finally getting used to the concept of cleansing balms & since the only one I have at the minute is a jar of coconut oil (I didn't want to splash outnif I was going to hate them!) posts like this & the other one of these you did are invaluable! I would love to see posts like this about other products e.g. Moisturisers or face oils or say...sheer foundations :)

    Sally
    http://www.wheelingalong24.com

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  2. Enjoyed these two posts - very helpful in deciding which cleansing balm to try next!
    Have you tried Merumaya's Melting Cleansing Balm? It is the first cleansing balm I've ever used and I quite like it.
    x

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  3. These all sound really good, but I particularly love the look of the Sarah Chapman one! x
    Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD | YSL Lipstick Giveaway | The Little Deer Sunglasses and £20 Voucher Giveaway

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  4. I've never tried a balm cleanser before so I would like to give them a try but maybe cheaper versions though, great post.
    Hannah xo

    wink-beauty.blogspot.com

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  5. Really curious about Sarah Chapman balm then :-)))
    www.mademoisellenature.blogspot.com
    x

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  6. I am so hooked on my exuviance one that I think I might never quit. But it's really good!

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  7. The Sarah Chapman Cleanser sounds lovely! x

    SophiesMakeupBlog

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  8. All of these sound great, although the last one is so pricey and unfourtunatley not in my budget haha! x

    Beauty Soup | UK Beauty Blog

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  9. I'm currently using the ultimate in budget cloth cleansers- Superdrug's Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser. Its amazing..

    http://livelifelaughter.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. Really surprised with the Clinique review, it's one of my favs

    pearlsandsparkle.blogspot.com

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  11. I really like the look of the Clinique cleansing balm. My cleanser is almost finished so may have to purchase one of these!!

    Laura from Maquillage Magic

    maquillagemagic.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. That Sarah Chapman offering sounds absolutely incredible. I've taken to using my Clinique cleansing balm as a "pre cleanse" since it is very effective at dissolving all of my makeup.
    Amber
    Lovely Notions

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  13. Just so you know i think Clinique have discontinued their balm. I went to buy it in debenhams and she said they aren't doing it anymore. And it isn't available from boots either :( Its my favourite!

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  14. I love these kind of posts,they are really helpful! x

    http://loudoesbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

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  15. I really enjoy the Cliinque cleansing balm but I tried the Body Shop camomile cleansing butter too which I found to be a great cheap way to try out the idea of balms. Love them both! But I think I'd pick the Clinque one now, my skin just seems to like it better!

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  16. I currently use the Melvita cleasing oil, my next try will be a blam, your reviews are always helpful! Xo, Alexandra
    www.glamoclock.com

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  17. Wonderful beauty! Thank you for sharing this review!

    xo

    www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com

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  18. Loving the comparison view, always nice to see similar products up against each other. The Sarah Chapman one sounds amazing.

    Kristy | http://itsablondiiething.blogspot.co.uk/

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  19. i love your blog fleur! I've recently just made one thanks to your inspiration:) if anyone would please check it out that would mean so much! :) wiyld.blogspot.co.uk

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  20. I loved this post. I would really enjoy a post like this comparing other skin care items, oils, and foundations

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  21. http://desireechoo.blogspot.sg/ I've blogged about a mini giveaway that I'm having! :)

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  22. I would love to try the Clinique one, but maybe I should try a slightly cheaper one first haha ;-) Great post Fleur!

    Holly
    originofholly.blogspot.com

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  24. I use the clique cleansing balm and have loved it so am surprised at your score for it. Would love to try something different now as nearly finished tub. Sarah Chapman looks great but way out of my price range so on hunt for different cleanser.

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  25. Great post!! Thanks for sharing.
    L x
    Http://workingmumy.blogspot.com

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  26. Ive heard amazing things about the Clinique balm and its on my to buy list!!!!
    Stevie
    VintageAndVans

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  27. I would love to try the Clinique one..

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  28. I love the Clinique one but then I haven't tried any other! Great post

    http://lux-rose.blogspot.co.uk

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  29. ahhh seems like this is a case of you get what you pay for!

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  30. I'm intrigued to try the Clinique balm heard many mixed reviews! This one was very helpful! Good comparisons, helps make decisions when choosing a cleanser!

    Zoe from Hello April | http://helloapril-blog.blogspot.co.uk/

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  31. i've been uhhming and ahhing about the sarah chapman cleanser and I didn't want to risk spending the money without seeing the results...I'm glad you've given it a 10/10, it instils a bit more faith in me! X
    www.tamsinamy.blogspot.co.uk

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  32. I was really intrigued with the clinic balm. Glad I came across this review fleur!

    www.itskristiee.blogspot.ca

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  33. Wow, that Sarah Chapman option sounds incredible! Have been dying to try her line. Thanks for the reviews, Fleur! xo

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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  34. Fleur, you inspired me to send a formal suggestion to QVC in the states to _please_ consider carrying Emma Hardie. I saw that her skincare is available at QVCUK, so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to eventually find the line here, too! Thanks for reviewing these, and especially for including the information about the ingredients. Much appreciated!

    Allie from Buttons and Bees Beauty
    www.buttonsbees.blogspot.com

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  35. I enjoyed this post a lot. I really want to try a cleansing balm unfortunately I've no idea where to get my hands on Sarah Chapman or Emma Hardie products in Canada. Im sure the internet will help solve this problem for me though, definitely going to look in to it.

    -Miranda
    www.michamelly.com

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  36. love!
    xx
    daniella
    simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com

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  37. Thank you so much for this! I have wanted to try a cleansing balm for a while but have been so daunted by choosing between so many options! This helped so much :) x

    peonified.blogspot.com

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  38. The Sarah Chapman Cleaner appears to be lovely! All of these audio excellent, although the last one is so expensive and unfourtunatley not in my price range! Thanks.

    http://spoiledyouagain.com

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  39. I find your skincare and foundation recommendations are invaluable. Everytime you genuinely recommend a product that is top notch I buy it, and every time i'm so impressed. On a side note, if anyone's got a cuppa in their hand, I filmed a vlog yesterday of shopping, eating and a bit of haulin' :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBQVQrwVw0I

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  40. I love the Clinique one! I'm oily and suffer with spots and this has made my skin so much better, I can go out the house without makeup on and feel confident. Highly recommend

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  41. I've heard such great things on the Clinique balm but I've been loving coconut oil to remove my makeup and cleanse! A lot cheaper too:)

    http://beautyandsabine.blogspot.ca/

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  42. You need to try Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm. I tried this as it was mentioned by Caroline Hirons in her blog and it is fantastic! You definitely need to try it!

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  43. I have used the Clinque Cleansing balm and know what you mean by that greasy felling on your face, I'm currently loving the the body shop silky cleansing oil.

    Debasree from All She Needs

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  44. Love these reviews! Pretty much the only way I'll actually commit to a purchase!!

    http://www.labellemama.com

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  45. anything clinique is fab in my eyes!
    http://my--socalledlife.blogspot.com.es/

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  46. I've never tried anything strictly referred to as a cleansing 'balm' but I love the body shop's cleansing gel which is basically the same except it goes from gel to oil rather than balm to oil :-) I still really want to try the real thing though!
    www.makeupmountain.blogspot.co.uk

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  47. Good reviews now I know which cleansing balms to try xx

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  48. this is really helpful! I've never really used specific cleansing balms but I'd definitely want to try the Su-Man product!

    Maisie- thatmagpielook
    x

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  49. Love the sensitivity of Clinique! Lovely review. Looking forward to more! (:

    <3 Carsla
    Founder & CEO of Connect-the-Cloths
    www.connect-the-cloths.com
    http://blogspotter.co/connect-the-cloths/
    A stylist, foodie, & writer's blog in development.

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  50. You should try Spiezia Organics facial cleanser - best cleansing balm I've ever used and its 100% organic! :)

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  51. If anyone wants to try the Sara Chapman cleansing balm you can enter DISCOVER20 to get £10 off at SpaceNK.

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  52. i really wanted to try the clinique balm, but maybe ill have to go for another cleanser after this review! great psot :)

    http://lustingafter.wordpress.com/

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  53. Hello everyone! I set up a blog today and I wondered if anyone would kindly check it out, I only have 2 posts but I will posting another blogpost later. - amelialovestoshop.blogspot.com - amelia xo

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  54. I love your blog Fleur. I am looking for other peoples blog to read! Check out mine Ill check out yours :D

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  55. I love the Clinique one!

    http://glassow.com

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  56. Great review! I like how you give them points so you could compare them!

    christinesbeauty.blogspot.com

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  57. I've never used a cleansing balm, but now I'm intrigued! :)

    The Oxford Owl

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  58. I've never tried balm cleansers but they seem great I'll give it a try!

    songsberry.blogspot.com

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  59. Sarah Chapman's better than the one from Emma Hardie? Need to try that one out! I like the idea that it comes with a pump rather that in a pot.

    http://aliceyeh.pro/

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  60. I started off with the boots botanics cleansing balm and now want to get more! Check out my blog http://secretbeautyjournal.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

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  61. Have you ever tried the Oskia Cleansing Balm?
    Word on the street is that it's better than Liz Earls', so I was wondering if you think it's better than Sarah Chapman's.

    Thanks!

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