MAC Cleanse Off Oil

*which is why "M·A·C Cosmetics" always sounded funny to me (OT, but seemed like a good time to finally mention it).

...and M·A·C certainly knows Makeup, Art, and Cosmetics (and any combination of the 3 words thereof); however, skincare is certainly not their forte.

NOTE: This is not the first M·A·C skincare product I've tried; the majority of products I've used are good, but not one has made a lasting impression. Also, this review of M·A·C Cleanse-Off Oil is based on its ability to remove BB cream ONLY (any & all other makeup on face removed w/wipes prior to use of Cleanse-Off Oil).

I discovered that the removal of my BB cream (Missha) required more time (and serious elbow-grease) than the removal of any everyday foundation in my possession. I pre-wash my face with a soap/facial cleanser (brand varies w/mood) and wash again with more soap/facial cleanser + two 1-minute-rounds with my Pretika (the poor-gal's Clairsonic). After each wash, I use facial sponges to make sure I remove every trace of soap/cleanser and until water runs clear (after the 2nd wash). Finally, I soak a cotton ball/pad with a toner (or astringent; again type/brand varies w/mood) and do a final "wipe-down". The cotton pad (usually) comes away clean. *phew* Too much work for this lazy gal! In an effort to find an easier way to remove my BB cream, I went ISO a cleansing-oil because of its reputation to "melt-away" even the most stubborn make-up. Unfortunately, most of the well-known, established and highly-recommended cleansing-oils are not cruelty-free. I've used a cruelty-free cleansing-oil by L'Occitane (from their Apple-Almond skincare line that I love!), but cleansers in the L'Occitane skincare lines are not well-known for having the capability to "melt-away" make-up: Enter M·A·C Cleanse-Off Oil.

A MA at Nordstrom gave me a sample, but the amount in the little M·A·C jar clearly wasn't enough to clean my face - so, I scored on a travel-size Cleanse-Off Oil from a member for only $5 (MSRP$10). I'm sure an ample amount of product is dispensed in 1 to 2 pumps of the full-size Cleanse-Off Oil; however, w/the travel-size I started with approx 5-pumps, went back for a several more...and again for a few more...before I was able to work-up an emulsion/"milky-foam". It seemed promising at first b/c I saw a lot of BB cream wash-away ("melt-away"?) while rinsing, but when I took my facial sponges to help remove the last traces, the sponges came away with more BB cream than expected. After another 10-or-so pumps of Cleanse-Off Oil worked into another emulsion and rinsed/sponged-away, I still felt the need to follow-up with a final round of soap/facial cleanser with my Pretika. My routine (prior to "wipe-down" with toner/astringent) had gone from "pre-wash + wash" with soap/facial cleanser to "pre-cleanse/oil + cleanse/oil + wash-again". Sometimes I'd combine the last 2 steps ("cleanse + wash-again") and use the Pretika with M·A·C Cleanse-Off Oil; sometimes alone, but usually with additional soap/cleanser.

The "BB cream v. M·A·C Cleanse-Off Oil" trial has lasted a week, and this review marks the end of the trial (as the 1-oz travel-size is nearly exhausted).

Verdict: M·A·C Cleanse-Off Oil did not help reduce the time it took to clean my face; therefore, the BB cream has won (sounds more positive than "The M·A·C Cleanse-Off Oil has lost").