Recently I ran out of my favorite makeup remover, Lancome Bi-Facil, and thought I'd take a more affordable one for a whirl. I picked up a package of Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads ($4.94), which were reasonably priced considering that you get 80 pads in one container.
Almay makes these pads in oil-free and moisturizing versions, and I hemmed and hawed over which one to choose. In the end, since the pads were going on my eyes, I went with the moisturizing formula. A better name for the product might be Greasy Time Fun Pads, because, lemme tell you, these things are very oily. They'll leave a bit of oil on your eyes, which might be annoying if you wear contacts. I always blot up the excess oil with a cotton pad, because I don't want to have oily eyes.
So why is it that I still like these? To find out, read more
These pads are oily, but I think that's a fair tradeoff, just because they work so well at removing eyeliner, waterproof mascara and shadow. Usually I can get all of my makeup off with just one pad, and I don't need to rub. Because the skin around the eyes is so fragile, I like being able to gently remove any color. Plus, this morning, I used a pad to quickly clean my eyeliner brush—and while that's no substitute for a proper cleaning, it kept my Fluidline from drying on the brush.
So, should you buy this? That depends. If you can work with the oiliness, you'll be rewarded with an inexpensive and effective makeup remover. (Just be sure to wash your face afterwards.) If you absolutely hate feeling oily, don't even bother. The oil-free version might be up your alley, but since I haven't yet tried that, I can't speak to its effectiveness. But all in all, these pads are a bargain.
Vera Wang
Princesse Tam-Tam
Goldsign
$5 and it works?
1How can you go wrong
Ooh, I'm absolutely in love with the oil-free version of this! I never feel greasy after using them and they really do work. The only downside is that the pads aren't very big - so if I have a lot of eye makeup to remove, I need to use a few of them.
But considering the price, it's great!
(Note: I'm actually not sure about how effective this is at removing waterproof mascara. It might not be that great for that.)
2Interesting...
Cheaper than what I normally use...
3I like the non-oily version, I use them everyday.
4I should try this becauce my Waterproof Diorshow is a pain to take off.
5I've used both oil-free and moisturizing, and I like the moisturizing ones better (but yes, I do need to blot the oil off my eyelids with a tissue afterwards, then wash my face). The oil-free just didn't work as well for taking off waterproof mascara, I found.
6I have been using the oil free Almy eye make up remover for YEARS. I am a contact lens wearer so I don't like using the oil one. I heart them so much!
7i have contacts and still love these. they are the best deal and actually get the waterproof mascara off without having to scratch your eye area. just be sure to dab off the oil later.
8Honestly, the BEST eye makeup remover I have ever tried is Nivea Visage gel remover...it's creamy and not oily AT ALL. It takes off everything, even super-stubborn eyeliner and waterproof mascara. I think it's so much better than any of these pads and also better than some more expensive brands I've tried, like Clinique.
It's only about $6 too.
If you haven't tried it ladies, you should...I bet you never use another one!
9I did a review on this a few weeks ago. I like that it takes everything off but I hate having to deal with the oily film afterwards on my lids and underneath my eyes.
It makes a kick ass lipstick remover though.
10I have used everything in the price range of $25-$.99 cents when it comes to eye make-up removers. This product is amazing! I love it and it does not leave your eyes greasy and never irritates my eyes. I love love love this product.
11I have used everything in the price range of $25-$.99 cents when it comes to eye make-up removers. This product is amazing! I love it and it does not leave your eyes greasy and never irritates my eyes. I love love love this product.
12They are so freaking oily! I feel like a bird in an exxon accident after using them!
13THIS IS JUST TOO FUNNY NOT TO POST.
14I was putting off taking off my makeup until absolutely seconds before I went to bed because I was so caught up reading BellaSugar. Then, I see this and it's the exact thing I'm about to use. Haha, way to rub it in my face unintentionally.
I totally adore these. They do such a good job of cutting through any mascara and eyeliner without a lot of rubbing and tugging. I'm a contact lens wearer, too, and I still love these.
15I bought these a few months ago. They worked great but super oily. I like my mary kay remover much better. Gotta love the pink lady.
16I use the oil-free moisturizing ones (or at least, I think they're moisturizing - I KNOW that they're oil-free though) and they are absolutely fantastic.
As gross as it is, I like that they're white so I can see what I'm cleaning off. I even use them in the morning before I wash my face to get off any left behind gunk.
17i tried these and they are effective but i hate the oiliness
18i might give the oil free version a whirl
I love these - especially the moisturizing ones. But ONLY before I go to bed. Otherwise, you do have oily eyes, and reapplying make-up is not good
19I'm intrigued. I might just have to pick a pack of these up later today and try them out!
20same, i did not know which to try and I made the same mistake.
21Same feeling. So, I squeezed out the excess oil and it was much better. But, I would not buy it again.
i use these , except i use the non oily ones and it takes everything off!
22i've been using them forever and they seem to last just as long
I thought most people took out their contacts first and then removed eye makeup? Do I have that backwards?
23I've used the oil free pads for about 3 years now, and I have to say, they work really well. I bought the moisturizing ones once by accident and, like you said, it was like rubbing oil onto my eyes. I've never tried the more expensive brands b/c the Almay pads work so well.
24what if you blot the pad with a cotton ball to soak up excess oil before you apply it to your face?
25I just might have to check out the oil-free version. Thanks for the heads up!
26I just finished a container of these and I'm not sure I am going to buy them again. They are sooo oily, and I wear contacts and it gets into my eyes and is a pain in the ass. I have to wipe my eyes with a wet cloth afterwards. I used to use the L'Oreal liquid remover, just blotted on a cotton ball. I liked that better. ps Brooklynbee, I have to keep my contacts in because I am blind as a bat without them!
27I swear by the oil-free version. They work great, and they are safe for contact users like myself.
28I use the oil-free version and I LOVE them!
29i adore the oil free version, they are great!!!!!!!
30I love these. I have been using them for years, they also do a good job taking off lipstains. They are wonderful!
31I use the oil free version, of these and i prefer the oil free. I used the moisturizing pads and i couldnt stand the oil all over my eyes. It was too irritating!I couldnt see at al afterward, even after washin my face! Yuck i didnt like them!
32You're not joking, they are seriously greasy. I can't use it because one of the things I like to use my makeup remover for, is to run it under my eyes to pick up any loose powder after I apply my eye makeup. And, the oil-free ones don't work as well, in my opinion.
I think Sonia Kashuk's Eye Makeup Remover is a better drugstore substitute for Bi-Facil.
33I agree with you, Bella, it's worth the oiliness to cut through any and all mascara, waterproof or not! The other bonus is that these pads take off any lipstick, even the long-lasting ones that dry on (the oil-free ones won't do that). Blotting them on a tissue is a great way to cut the amount of oil, or I just squeeze them out before using them. I use a separate oil-free makeup remover for touch-ups!
34You know, I just use baby oil. I just splash a small amount on my hands, and rub it gently on my eyes right before i wash my face. Works like a charm.
35I do as you Lovaajin. Oil is the perfect eye make up remover. I switch up on the essential oils that I use sometimes just to keep my face or rather eyes refreshed. Some oil and $.99 facial pads from Target or CVS and I'm good!
36I use Cold Cream (don't know the brand off the top of my head) to remove my make-up along with cotton pads. It works great and is cheap!
37my mom has these and i used them onced, they kind of bothered my contacts, the left my skin really oily, got all my makeup off and left my skin soft an hour later. i just use the oil free ones and they work great
38Brooklynbee....I wear contacts and, even though I do take them out first, most removers leave an oily film that gets into my eye & later effects my contacts.
I use Almay's oil free/sensitive eyes version & it's great at getting my waterproof mascara off as well. This is the only one I've found that doesn't effect my contacts.
39I use these EVERY SINGLE DAY! They work so well and are so easy to use. I actually prefer the oil-free ones to the moisturizing ones though, they leave less of a greasy film behind.
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