This Payot eye and lip makeup remover was a gift to me before I left for Melbourne.

Description:

With its dual-phase texture, this fragance-free formula instantly removes all types of eye and lip makeup, including waterproof products, while soothing and helping to decongest the skin around the eyes. The skin is left feeling softer, more comfortable and moisturised, without any trace of oiliness.

I have to admit, I’ve never really been keen on oily makeup removers. They’re messy and leaves a greasy residue on my fingertips. But I have to say, they do a damn good job in removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner. And the Payot makeup remover is absolutely brilliant in doing all that.

Waterproof mascara has always been a pain in the neck to remove. More often than not, a few lashes will come off when I tried removing the mascara. This makeup remover removes stubborn waterproof makeup in a flash. It also does not dry out the fragile skin nor sting the eyes. I wouldn’t say that this does not leave any trace of oiliness on the skin, as per description, because it IS an oil-based liquid after all. However, it’s easily washed off with a gentle cleanser.

The makeup remover is also suitable for contact lens wearers.

So far I’ve not seen Payot products sold in departmental stores, which lead me to believe that this brand of products is only available at beauty salons and spas.

What I like about it: Very good in removing stubborn waterproof makeup.

What I did not like about it: It’s not easily available.

Have you ever tried oil-based makeup removers? If so, what works for you? If not, try using it on waterproof mascara and eyeliner. You should find it easier to remove, thus reducing rubbing stress on your fragile eyelids.

I first read about Rootote bags on Karen Cheng’s blog. They looked so cute, and so roomy that I was raring to give it a try.

The first bag I bought was RT Medium Plain Sumiro.

I absolutely LOVED it! It’s made of tough ol’ canvas, and oh so convenient with the large inner pockets to hold my mobile phone, mints, hand sanitiser, tissues and a pen. It’s even got a Roo pocket (adapted from the kangaroo’s pouch), which is an external zippered pocket which allows easy access to your keys, wallet or mobile phone. I normally chuck my iPod and earphones in there.

I bring this with me when I’m shopping, heading to the library, meeting up with friends for lunch, etc. It’s amazing how much stuff I can put into the bag. I can never go back to using small handbags, not with the amount of junk I carry with me everyday 😉

Another Rootote I have is the RT Medium Luxe Prairie. The handles are slightly shorter than the Sumiro’s.

I’m lemming for a Tall Rootote now. Oh decisions decisions.

Shipping is free to Australia. Rootote charges a flat fee of AUD12 to Singapore, Malaysia, USA and New Zealand.

Update: Malaysian readers, you’re in luck! You don’t have to spend a great deal to get a Rootote from Australia. You can now get it from Tiny Tapir, which is a Malaysian-based website. It’s a lot (and I mean A LOT) cheaper too!

Be careful when layering Vitamin C serum with other acidic products. Vitamin C isn’t pH-compatible with retinol, and both are ineffective when worn together. Plus combining vitamin C with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) can be extremely irritating to the skin.