The S List

Removing our make-up should not be as hard as perfecting that winged eyeliner. This task should be easy as we need to do this all the time. There are tons of make up removers in stores from high-end to mid-range price also there are different types like cleansing oil, micellar water, gel type, cream, etc. With all these, two have stand out considering the price, availability, and functionality. Korean make-ups are known for their cute and pastel makeups, everything is dewy and shimmery while Japan are all kawaii and known for their mascaras, fake eyelashes, eyeliners and eyebrows. Obviously, they are all about enlarging or enhancing their eyes.

With these trends, I decided to battle two make-up removers from the two countries. Will be talking about their claims, formula, performance, and price and in the end, only one will stand out. Alright, let's all get ready to rumble!

I've got a lot of make up removers from Biore, Etude House, Tony Moly, Neutrogena, The Face Shop, Skin Food and the likes but these two that we are going to battle are what I am reaching out for nowadays. Both are from the drugstore and the prices fall into mid-range.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND PRICE

For Japan, we have the Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion which I have reviewed here. It claims to be a cleanser, toner, moisturizer in one. It removes make-up instantly and leaves the skin moisturized. It comes in 4 variants: Age Care (for matured skin), Moist (for dry skin), Sebum (for oily skin), Bright Up (for dull skin).

It has a water like consistency, very runny and it has a slight smell. It is alcohol and paraben free. It feels very light on skin and doesn't leave my skin tight or dry. It is really moisturizing and gentle at the same time. It cost 419 pesos at Watsons.

On the other hand, Too Cool For School Sitkoza is from their ZA line. It is an oil-free cleansing gel, contains cherry blossom extract and Damask rose of flower extract. It has a jelly-like consistency which sinks fast onto the skin. It has a cool refreshing feel and has a nice mild scent. I forgot how much it costs but it is I think around 600 pesos.

PACKAGING

Now let us move forward to the packaging of the products. The Bifesta has a pump bottle which is made of plastic. It is nice and sturdy and I like that it is on pump. It makes everything more hygienic and it never leaks even if I turn it upside down. It also has like a "stopper" which clips it so that even if you accidentally push the pump, it won't release any product.

The Sitkoza is on a tube packaging. I have to make sure that I apply just the right amount of pressure when squeezing it or else I will end up with more product on my hand. The cap is pretty strong it doesn't fall off or anything and it makes that "click" sound which means that it is already closed.

PERFORMANCE

Top to bottom: 1. Shawill Waterproof Volumizing Eyeliner Pen, 2. Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edgemeister , 3. Benefit They're Real Mascara, 4. K-Palette One Day Tattoo Brow Pen, 5. Maybelline Gel eyeliner, 6. Maybelline Color Studio Eyeliner, 7. Ofra Long lasting Liquid Lipstick in Laguna Beach, 8. Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me Lip and Cheek Mousse in The Morning After, 9. Avon Ultra Color Matte Lipstick in Matte Mandarin, 10. Too Cool For School Lunchbox BB Foundation

Using Bifesta:

Using Sitkoza:

Both did a great job in removing make up however, Bifesta failed to removed Shawill Eyeliner Pen while Sitkoza didn't completely removed the AVON Ultra Matte Lipstick which as can be seen in the picture, it still has a mark. Both didn't removed very well K-Palette Eyebrow tattoo pen which still can be seen in the pictures. Sitkoza did a good job in removing all the eye make ups but failed in removing lipsticks while Bifesta had a hard time removing the eyeliner pen and did an awesome job in removing lipsticks. Both has its ups and downs.

THE VERDICT

Too Cool For School Sitkoza may not be as popular as the Bifesta but it is a great product indeed. Its packaging is very cool and unique with the skull and silver lines on it plus it is travel-friendly. It has a nice yet mild scent that leaves on the skin for a while.It is hydrating, very light on the skin,does not contain any harmful chemicals and oil-free. It does a pretty job on removing eye-makeup products even the Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edgemeister which is very tough to remove properly. However, it does sting my eyes a little bit and rubbing it near the eyes are a bit painful. I guess it is because it is not fragrance-free. What I like about this is that it contains almond oil, olive oil, cherry blossom extract and other ingredients that moisturizes the skin deeply. It leaves the skin hydrated and clean.

But my heart is still for Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion. It may not removed the Shawill waterproof eyeliner pen but it does a better job in removing lipsticks. It is also a multi purpose product that serves as a cleanser, toner and moisturizer all in one. It does not contain any alcohol and is very gentle even on the eye area. I haven't experience any stinging or irritations in using this. It is almost unscented and very light on the skin as if I am just applying water on my face. It is also pack with moisturizing properties including hydraulonic acid. It also helps in improving my skin's texture and in controlling the oil of my skin. It is also cheaper for 419 pesos and is available almost everywhere like in Watsons, Supermarkets, and Department Stores.

And that's it, the winner of our first ever beauty battle is: Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion. :)

Happy monday everyone! How was your day? Mine was good, I did a make over for my two lovely friends for our exhibit at school. I am happy that it turns out beautiful and they also love their looks. It feels good when people appreciate your work right? I can't wait to play with make up again.

Speaking of make up, I have my deeper thoughts about Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion which I have reviewed here. It is my first make up remover from Japan, before I only have local make up remover and a few from drugstore brands but now I know why other bloggers rave about this. It is not just a make up remover! More about that later, for now let us talk how it works.

L-R: Maybelline Colorshow eyeliner, Happy Skin shut up and kiss me lip and cheek mouse in The Morning After,Too Cool for School Hot Girl Lip Sticker in 5, Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Laguna Beach, Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edge Meister in Black and The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion

It removes almost everything except for Majolica Majorca and Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss me. There are still lines visible in person but in picture it doesn't show that much. I only used one cotton pad for this and after using another one, all the make up was gone.

I don't have to put an effort to remove my make up with Bifesta Cleansing Lotion. It does its job with just a swipe and only a minimum effort is required, I no longer have to rub my face with the entire solution to make sure it gets all the makeup. Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion feels like water on skin like I am just swiping my face with a cotton ball soaked with water. It does have a slight smell which I can't describe very well, the scent is not bad though. Aside from removing make up effectively even my hard to remove waterproof mascara, it also have some benefits and other uses too.

It is actually a 3 in 1 product as it cleanses, tones and moisturize your face. Perfect for lazy days and nights when you just want to remove your make up and call it a day. It is actually called "Cleansing Express". There is no doubt there, it really does remove my make up and dirt within a minute. Aside from being a good make up remover, it also moisturizes the skin. It is hydrating and it leaves my skin soft and supple. For almost a month of use, I also recognized that it helps in controlling the sebum on my face. I have a combination skin, my cheeks are normal to dry and my t-zone is oily. I know that this helps in controlling the oil along with the other products that I am using.

This is what I like to use during my lazy days. I like to call it the "all in a bottle" because it really is for me. It doesn't just remove make up but also helps in improving my skin. I no longer have to worry going to sleep thinking that there might be still some make up residue on my face. The only problem that most of the users encounter is that it is fast to consume for just about 1 to 2 months. Even if I am using this for at least 5 times a week, it is still half full. My tip for you is if you have a full make up on your face, use a cleansing wipes like Nivea or the latest in the market, Biore instead of the plain cotton pad. It doubles the power of removing make up and gives added moisture on your face. Also, sometimes when I don't have make up but I want to use it instead of washing my face, I pump it on my hand and massage it on my face.

If you are looking for a great make up remover that is mild, light, and works really well, try Bifesta Cleansing Lotion and available in 4 variants. :)

BATTLE OF THE MAKEUP REMOVER: KOREAN VS. JAPANESE BRAND

A MAKE UP REMOVER THAT FEELS LIKE WATER