The most popular type of cleanser in Ireland is, hands down, the makeup wipe. It's easy to see the attraction: they're quick and handy to use at the end of a busy day when you're fit for nothing but falling straight into bed. If a face wipe is the only thing that will prevent you from having a pillowcase that resembles the Shroud of Turin in the morning, then a face wipe it is.
But there is another option, which is just as quick – and suitable for even sensitive skin: Micellar waters. Glug some of the liquid onto a cotton pad and wipe your face clean. If you’ve got heavy eye makeup to take off, press the saturated pad against your eyelid for a minute or two to soften caked-on mascara before wiping it off. There’s no need to rinse with water.
How do they work? Well, they’re essentially oil cleansers. Tiny droplets of oil “micelles” are suspended in water and because of this oil and the fact that there’s no alcohol in the ingredients (makeup wipes are usually loaded with it) they are kinder to skin.
The original of the species, Bioderma (buy online for €15.90), kicked off the craze with premium French brands such as Caudalie, Darphan and Decleor all getting in on the act with pricey offerings.
But it was the introduction last year of L'Oréal's Skin Perfection Micellar Water (€6.69), which hit the supermarket shelves to a loud fanfare, that made micellar water a cost effective option.
Micellar Water is a still a quick fix: don’t replace your regular cleanser with it because it just doesn’t get down and dirty with those pores. But for emergencies it’s better than the dreaded wipe, so make sure you always have a bottle handy.
Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals
(€14.90, 200ml)
Ladylike and lightly scented, this is a soft, gently cleansing water that’s perfect for sensitive and reactive skin.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
(€6.29, 400ml)
Garnier rsays you’ll get 200 uses from this enormous bottle and I think it’s just as good as its pricier counterparts. If this isn’t an incentive to ditch the wipes I don’t know what is.
Payot Eau Dermo Micellaire(€20.50, 200ml)
From the Sensi Expert range, this cleanser is formulated to be kind to the most sensitive skin while effectively removing makeup.
No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water for Normal/Oily Skin(€11.75, 200ml)
Enriched with zinc to provide oil control and put manners on any outbreaks that might be looming.
Aisling Loves . . .Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow In Metallic Emerald (€44)
Green eyeshadow is a St Patrick’s Day necessity in my book and they don’t come better than this cream-to- powder shadow. Rich pigment creates intense colour and shine and as it includes a mini eye primer it will stay welded in place all day.
