Right, so back on the Trilogy Everything Balm post I promised to test out whether or not this product can be used like as a cleansing balm. This is not a suggestion made on the packaging but in the wake of a new era in cleansing, the balm now seems to be very real option. Yes, there is a new era in cleansing. And I think that this balm might just be up for the challenge. So in the name of being a bit experimental. I've tried it out.
Before we go on, let me present to you by means of a bullet pointed list how my current cleansing routine goes. I am alternating between the 'Usual' and the 'Alternative'. The 'Usual' is as follows:
- Superdrug very cheap "natural" eye make up remover (it isn't really natural but it doesn't have parabens in and it doesn't sting so that's why I'm using it but I'll be straight with you here, I have suspicions about it, result pending)
- Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
- Liz Earle Skin Tonic
- Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream
- REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel
And the 'Alternative' goes:
- Superdrug very cheap "natural" eye make up remover
- Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser
- Bit of Trilogy Everything Balm
- Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream
- REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel
So then. The important bit in the above scenario is what happens between Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser and Bit of Trilogy Everything Balm. Sounds mysterious.
Well, at first I was removing make up with Chamomile Cleanser and then rinsing with water as it says on the pot. Often I would introduce a flannel at this point or a muslin cloth for extra but gentle exfoliation. So, water, rinse, pat dry. Then, warm a bit of Everything Balm in my hands and lightly lay over entire face before proceeding to the Neal's Yard and the REN.
But cleansing with Chamomile Cream was taking ages and I was going through whole farms worth of cotton wool pads. And although I like it- it was kind of dragging my skin a bit. Now I'm 27, I won't lie. I'm getting worried about 'the state of things on my face' aka Ageing. Therefore I decided I needed a New Cleansing Technique- the Balm.
Neal's Yard do a very luxurious Wild Rose Cleansing Balm, but it's a bit steep at £30-odd and I already own the Trilogy Balm. I'm sure it's similar. Why not give it a whirl?
So cleansing routine 'Alternative II' goes like this:
- Superdrug very cheap "natural" eye make up remover
- Bit of Trilogy Everything Balm but all over my face to dissolve make up
- (hot water + flannel or muslin cloth)
- Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream
- REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel
Well, the results were very impressive. I would like to present you a graph of my findings but I'm not sure how to plot either axis so I will describe. I was not faffing around for ages with bits of cotton wool stuck to my face. I was not dragging the skin around my precious eyes, which have seen far too much rough handling to make a good story, and I was very pleasantly satisfied with the removal of the day's grubbiness. Wonderful. The balm is so gentle, very silky (loving this word), really dissolved the cake of foundation I was wearing and was very easy to remove with a hot cloth. My skin felt so comfortable after this, not tight, not just a tiny bit tight, not squeaky, not sore, not red, not oily, not dry. Just comfortable and light and fresh. With definitely no need for moisturiser which is a first. But as you will see from the above set of bullet points, I continued in the rest of my routine and when I woke up next morning I felt slightly less worried about 'the state of things on my face'.
So, after that very scientific experiment, I can recommend the Trilogy Everything Balm does indeed have one more use. A very lovely and very simple cleansing balm. Well done Trilogy.
Trilogy Everything Balm £10.50 for 45ml available at Naturisimo
Neal's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm £35.25 for 50g available at Neal's Yard online and in store.
