Review: Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Make Up Remover Gel

A quick review on a product I discovered over the past two weeks when raiding my mum’s makeup and beauty stash!  When I visit my parents to stay for a few days, I never bother taking much makeup or many beauty products with me as my mum always has plenty of new things for me to try! 

On a recent visit, I discovered the Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Make-up Remover Gel.  This makeup remover is one I have overlooked until now, despite having previously tried several of the products from the Boots Essentials Cucumber range.  It has a gel consistency which is not too thick, (so it is easily dispensed) and  when applied with a cotton pad, it removes stubborn mascara easily, although I haven’t yet tried it with waterproof mascara.

One of the main issues I have with many eye makeup removers is that they leave a greasy, oily film around the eye area and I am pleased to report that there was no oily residue with this product.   It has a slight scent of cucumbers, although nothing too offensive, and is quite soothing to the whole eye area, although be careful not to actually get it in your eye as it will sting a little, so this is perhaps not good for those with very sensitive eyes.  I do prefer liquid makeup removers such as the Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make up Remover but this is a useful alternative to have in my rotation and at this price I can’t really find much bad to say about it!

Verdict

A good, hard-working remover which effectively removes everyday eye makeup and mascara.  Those with very sensitive eyes should approach with care, but it is very soothing and even my moderately sensitive eyes had no major issues with it.  It will not replace my beloved Garnier, but it is a great budget product that I was pleasantly surprised by.  I have already purchased my own bottle!

4/5

Price-  £1.42

Where to Buy - Boots

Mini Haul!

A quick post to show you some of the products I have accumulated over the past week or so and what you can look forward to seeing reviewed over the next couple of weeks. 

A-England Polishes in Tristam and Guinvere

I haven’t tried any A-England polishes before so I’m looking forward to trying out both of these and doing some swatches /NOTD posts for you. I love discovering new brands!

Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blond Shampoo

I was getting particularly fed up with the Naked shampoo I have been using (review coming up, but I guess you can tell what my thoughts are already!) so went back to an old favourite. This keeps my coloured hair looking bright and shiny without weighing it down and gets rid of any product build-up. 

Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make up Remover

Another repeat purchase. I’m onto my 3^rd bottle of this and haven’t found anything better so far. It works wonders on my eye make up without stinging my sensitive eyes.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub and Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I love the scent of both of these and I’m looking forward to seeing how they work! 

Victoria

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Review: No7 Cleanse and Care Eye Make-up Remover

A staple of any make up addict’s products is a hard-working eye make-up remover, and as I wear some form of eye makeup most days, I tend to get through make up removers quite quickly!

I purchased the No 7 Cleanse and Care Eye Make-up remover when Boots had one of their frequent £5 off No7 offers and I am always loathe to let these go to waste! The usual price for a bottle is £7.25 but at only £2.25 with the voucher I thought I would give this a go!

The bottle contains 100ml of liquid and has a pump for dispensing the correct amount of product. That is if it works! My pump managed about 4 days before resolutely giving up and refusing to work any more. This meant that in order to use the product, I had to unscrew the cap each time, and this also resulted in the rather tricky management of how much liquid came out! It was mostly either too much or too little – never exactly the right amount!

Now that I have got that packaging grumble out of the way, what about the actual product? Well I have to say I wasn’t overly impressed with this. It is a dual mixture product which you need to shake before applying and if I had realised this before purchasing it, I’m not sure I would have purchased it, as I find these formulations tend to be on the greasy and oily side. It took a couple of wipes to remove my makeup from each eye and afterwards, I was left with an oily residue on my eyelid and my eye area which I am not overly fond of. I also found out it fogged up my vision slightly for a minute or so after using, although my eyes did not sting, so in that respect it would be suitable for those with sensitive eyes.

Verdict

I would wholeheartedly not recommend this product, unless you especially like oily removers and you have sensitive eyes. The packaging and formulation of the product were both major fails for me and even at the price of £2.25 with the No 7 voucher, I found this poor value for money. If you are looking for a cheap make up remover, I would recommend either the Simple Conditioning Eye Make up Remover one or Garnier Clean & Fresh Gentle Remover, both of which are excellent products which are gentle enough to use on sensitive eyes, yet manage to remove all traces of make up.

(A very generous) 2/5

Price - £7.25 (or £2.25 with No 7 voucher)

Where to Buy - Boots

December Empties!

 

Despite being away for 2 weeks of December, I don't think I have done too badly with getting through my stash last month.  Although Christmas and sale shopping has increased it again...!

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo - A great cleansing shampoo that I have been using several times a week. I bought it as it was SLS-free and I have been trying to use less chemicals in my beauty routine. However I won't be repurchasing as although it was fine, I don't think it is HG material.

Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make Up Remover - a repurchase and I will be buying this again.  It removes my make up very effectively whilst being gentle at the same time.  It doesn't sting, cloud my eyes or leave an oily residue which makes it a winner in my books!

Marks & Spencer Almond Hand Cream - I can't remember when I got this but it has been lurking around for ages as I found it too greasy to use on my hands as it doesn't sink in easily.  I've been using it on my scaly elbows instead and I am glad to have finished it.

Green & Spring Indulging Shower and Bath Foam - A nice relaxing rose fragrance which I used as a shower gel rather than a bath foam.  It was pleasant but I didn't feel that it was unique enough to warrant buying a full-sized bottle.

Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash - I have a feeling this came with an ASOS order some time ago.  Nice to use but not remarkable, although it left me skin feeling soft and not dry like some shower gels can.  There was no discernible scent which may be a plus for some people, but I like my morning shower to have an invigorating scent to wake me up!

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub - I reviewed this here and it was pleasant but not 'scrubby' enough for me, plus I found the scent a little overpowering (I'm never happy!).

DP London Handcream - this was a sample I was sent a wee while ago.  It did the job and sank in easily but was not interesting enough to make me want to purchase the full size, especially as I have several handcreams on the go at the moment.

Dermologica Age Smart Lip Renewal Complex - I didn't feel this did much really, perhaps there wasn't enough contained in the tube to form a proper option and to test it fully but I did get about a week's application.  As it is meant to help prevent the signs of ageing and minimise contour lines, I feel I may be a bit younger than the target age group for the product. 

Tom Ford Violet Blonde EDP - This was a sample that I fell in love with almost instantly.   I'm hopeless at describing perfumes so I won't attempt to, however if you get a chance to spritz this, do so as I have had so many compliments on it.  It is now one of my current favourites along with Prada Candy and I received a full-sized bottle for Christmas.

Victoria

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