Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

I really wanted to like this, I tried so hard. I’d read the reviews already posted on it.. and I prepared to be amazed! But sadly it was not to be.

It started off well, I mean no one can argue with Clinique packaging, all those glossy boxes that just scream luxury..sigh… and then..

This product comes in a pot, so that kind of got me offside to start off with. It’s a big pot to be fair (125ml) so I would imagine it will last a while, and frankly if you’re shelling out $68 slides for a cleanser you’d want it to! I’m just not a fan of the pot and especially in the Shower where I tend to use my cleansers. You’ve got to take the lid off, excavate the product, get the lid back on the product while you’ve got cleanser on the other hand, without it tipping off, and then put it somewhere…god! Just put it in a pump bottle will ya?

Anyhow when you take the lid off you see that the product although it’s called a cleansing “balm” actually looks like solidified oil. You dig down into it and then when you rub it on your face it melts and turns oil like and you’re off.

So that was ok, but ultimately the question needed to be did it do what it said it would? I'm happy to report, It certainly did – it claims to quickly dissolve tedious face and eye make up (check) and it left my face feeling wonderfully soft and not at all tight (check).

The thing is, the product is fragrance free. Now for many of you reading this that would be a bonus. For me a big fat negative. I don’t like my products to be overly fragranced, but to me I love that heady smell in the shower when you’re using a shampoo or cleanser that has a fragrance you love and the steam drives it up and your whole shower experience is enhanced. To me the product was a very functional and I just didn’t get what all the palaver was about.

At $68, it's really expensive I think for a functional cleanser, a product you wash off, that gives you no sensory experience. I even wondered if it was the price that put me off, and I concluded that if i'd loved it I wouldn't hesitate to pay the money, but even if this product was a more affordable $25 I still wouldn't buy it, I just didn't click with it.

In summary the experience for me was like dating a really rich, older guy, with a great job, and nice shoes that gives you everything you want and fawns over your every move. You really want to like him because he’s so nice and looks the total package but…. there’s just no spark there!

Oh Clinique you've outdone yourself again...

I'm a massive Clinique fan, most of the time I just can't get enough of the amazing skincare and makeup they have. I already use the clarifying lotion and dramatically different moisturiser, so this was a great addition to my skincare routine.

I was incredibly excited to trial this cleansing balm and see if it really does live up to it's claim of "taking all the day off"..... And my verdict is that it certainly does!

From the moment I set eyes on the packaging, it just looks like pure luxury. Clinique's packaging is always lovely and has a signature style. The cleansing balm is in a purple circular tub, teamed with silver lid and silver writing. The tub was a lot bigger than I initially expected it to be, and looks like it would last a long time (which is a relief considering the hefty price tag).

The formula looks and feels like hardened coconut oil. It is firm to touch and I was very intrigued how this would work to take off my makeup, as I've never used anything of this consistency for makeup removal. The balm is fragrance free, perfect for my sensitive skin.

Due to it being in a tub, I searched my bathroom cabinet to find something I could scoop the formula out with, so it would be more hygienic than my fingers. (I decided to use a small lid of a small night creme I had finished in order to scoop it out). I do prefer my cleansers being in pumps, however due to the consistency of this product I don't think it would be possible.

After I scooped a small amount out, I then distributed a tiny portion of the solidified cleanser dotting in areas over my face, such as my chin, my eyes, forehead and cheeks. Then, in circular motions I started massaging every area over my face - whilst doing this the formula melts and does all the hard work of "taking off the day". It feels lovely on the skin, and so nice to give yourself a little face massage. I then use a warm flannel to ensure all the residue is gone from my face.

The formula is just so gentle, yet so effective- no stinging or tight feeling on my sensitive skin, which is a definite plus. Also, after using this my dry skin feels silky, super soft and hydrated. My skin can be reactive to other cleansers, yet not with this. So, if you have sensitive skin this would be a fantastic product for you to try.

What I love about this cleanser is after a long tiring day, this does the most fantastic job of taking off all your makeup - no fussing around using a cleanser as well as a eye makeup remover. This cleanser does it all! Other cleansers aren't able to remove long wearing foundation, stubborn eye makeup and mascara or it takes ages for the makeup to budge. This cleansing balm just easily dissolves the makeup with no effort at all.

So, Clinique thanks again for making yet another fantastic product. Although this cleanser is pricey it would have to be the best cleanser I have ever tried (and I've tried lots!)

Five out of five stars.

I probably would never have bought this, due to the hefty price tag, but oh, I'm so glad that I got to trial it! It is an absolutely lovely cleanser, and so nice to use.

The packaging is the only part I'm not completely sold on. It looks very sleek and expensive, with the clear purple pot (which is plastic, so won't smash easily if you drop it... ahem), and a reflective silver lid (also plastic). It's something that definitely looks good sitting on the bathroom vanity, as well it should, given the price you pay for it! However, the main downside that I personally find with the packaging is that, because you have to scoop the product out, it can get unhygenic pretty quickly. I've been using a little plastic spatula/spoon, which has been avoiding that, but it is a wee bit of a pain. However, due to the consistency of the balm, I don't think that there's really any other way it could be packaged - it's too solid for a squeezy tube or pump bottle. So although I don't love that aspect, I can live with it!

The balm itself is white and solid, and completely unfragranced (which is a huge plus in my books - it means that it doesn't sting my eyes at all, although obviously it can cause a bit of temporary blurriness if I rub it in accidentally). However, it's very easy to get it out - it melts when you touch it, much like coconut oil and it's actually quite soft and easy to scoop out.

I've been using about a 20 cent size blob (such a descriptive word!), which is plenty for my whole face. I just dab it around, and then gently rub it over my skin. Because it turns into an oil so quickly there is no pulling or tugging, even around the eye area, and it feel really relaxing and nice - such a luxurious way to end the day!

This doesn't exactly emulsify (at least in a visible way), but it does rinse off with warm water. I'm okay with doing this if I'm in a rush, but I do prefer with this to use a warm damp cloth, as I feel like this is the most thorough way of getting it all off.

In terms of effectiveness, this absolutely blitzes through makeup. It even takes off my lip stains and stubborn mascara (Collection Does It All) with basically no effort. If I follow it up with a toner, there's usually no makeup left on the cotton pad, which is pretty impressive.

This cleansing balm leaves my skin feeling amazing. Not tight or dry, but not oily, or like it's left a residue. If you have dry/sensitive skin, I think this would definitely be worth checking out.

Overall, I love this. I'm not sure if I'll be able to justify the price tag very often, but if I can I will definitely repurchase this. It's made taking my makeup off something that I actually look forward to!

I received this in my Mecca loop box recently and couldn't wait to try it! I love balm cleansers and usually go for the heavy types that need a face cloth to remove them, rather than those that emulsify. Whilst this one does emulsify, it is still satisfying to remove with a flannel. It melts quickly into the skin and once removed it leaves you with clean, smooth and supple skin. This was a pleasant surprise as other Clinique cleansers leave my skin feeling stripped. My tiny 15ml pot lasted me a good ten applications as you only need a small amount (less is definitely more with all balm cleansers!) so this probably works out good value if you buy the bigger tub. I don't know if I will be able to bring myself to buy it though. I kind of find it wasteful to spend a lot of money on cleanser when you rinse it off (plus I still go in with a second cleanser after this). I may well still be tempted though.....