May 5, 2008

the Balm: Balms Away Eye Makeup Break-Up Review

Here’s an interesting little product you might want to try for yourself, Balms Away Eye Makeup Break-Up from the Balm.

You might be wondering why I am recommending you a $19 USD tin of what appears to be Vaseline.

I guess in a way this has the same benefits that simple, cheaper Vaseline does however I definately like this much better than your average run of the mill jar of petroleum jelly!

What is Balms Away anyway?

Basically it’s a very emollient jelly eye makeup remover that’s packed full of Vitamins, Sterols, Lipids, and most importantly moisturizing goodness for your eye area!

I normally use Sephora Eye Makeup Remover which runs me about $8 USD. It’s the best remover I’ve come across that takes it all off with a nice low price tag. Lancome’s Bi-Facil is another favorite of mine but at $26 USD I cringe to purchase it!

So why shell out $19 USD for this tin?

Simply, because it works.

For one thing it’s a large tin at 2.2 oz and since you’re only using a very small amount it should last you a while. Secondly, the moisturizing benefits alone really make me happy! My under eye area seriously needs as much moisture as it can get right now and after massaging off my eye makeup with this my eyes feel so very soft and my lashes conditioned. I experience less lash breakage as well since I’m not tugging around with a cotton ball drenched in eye makeup remover.

How’s it work?

Simple.

Take a tiny amount, close your eyes and massage. Wipe clean with a cotton square or some tissue. One swipe should get it all. I choose to rinse with warm water after I swiped it away with cotton. That’s it, Bob’s your Uncle! Eye makeup all gone and fresh, moisturized eyes in it’s place!

The texture quite reminds me of Vaseline. It’s a jelly formula that glides onto your eyes easily. That temporary feeling of cloudy eye vision when I’m using an oil based remover is easily avoided with this. It clearly states on the directions to keep your eyes closed when using but I did crack them open a little to locate my cotton squares and after removal I didn’t experience temporary blindness or cloudy vision which totally made my day as I really hate that feeling!

I like this. I know it’s rather expensive but I’m on the bandwagon for a repurchase when I’m finished with this tin! It’s fragrance free for those of you who aren’t too keen on scented products! It removes heavy duty eye makeup including waterproof mascara which is a big plus for me!

Pros:

  • Removes heavy duty eye makeup including waterproof mascara!
  • Less tugging while removing your makeup! Gentle massaging gets everything off!
  • Less lash breakage!
  • Packed full of goodness for your eye area!
  • Conditions Lashes!
  • Moisturizes your entire eye area while it removes your makeup!
  • Love the retro packaging!

Cons:

  • Price is a bit much but worth it in my humblest opinion!

All in all I’m rather happy I spontaneously purchased this. I know the price is a bit much but in the long run I’m thinking it’s worth it.

Balms Away Eye Makeup Break-Up is most definately Muse Approved for purchase!

Tried this?

Love it?

Want to try it?

What are you using to remove your eye makeup?

Tell the Muse!

30 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Adina

    You know, i saw this at my local sephora and almost bought it, but I was a bit iffy on how well it works. The texture is definitely softer than vaseline imo.

    Great find izzy and thanks for the review 😀

    i keep meaning to write some reviews for you! I promise to do that soon 😀

  • MandyPandy

    Hmmm… I’m intrigued. I wonder if you could use it for the rest of your face as well…

    It looks really emollient (which is a good thing) and luckily it doesn’t cloud up eyes, as I wear contacts.

    I’m sorely tempted, though it’s kinda pricey for a ‘theBalm’ product.

  • the Muse

    hey adina! Missed you!

    It works very well. I’m shocked as I expected crap to be honest. The texture is alot smoother and softer than regular old vaseline.

    You’re most welcome! my pleasure to review it!

    Take your time I know how busy a person can get. I’m a professional at being busy lately 😉

    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hey mandy!

    mmm if you’re dry skinned why not!? Have you tried Lush Ultra Bland? Works the same way as this. I swear by it. But it clouds my vision so I stick to using it on my face!

    It’s very soft and goes on wonderfully well plus I’m not tugging my eye to remove which I like.

    The price made me wince a bit as I’m not for spending $19 on makeup remover. I love bi-facil but refuse to shell out $26 for a makeup remover.

    but this seemed it would last alot longer than liquid. that of course remains to be seen though!

  • Taryn

    Ooh, I’m going to try this! I love my Origins Clean Energy cleansing oil, and it works fine for most makeup, but sometimes I need something stronger for mascara.

    Oily cleansers are better than water-based ones anyway, because they require less tugging around the delicate eye area, which hopefully results in less wrinkles and creping.

  • Bjooti

    I love The Balm overall, so I think I might just have to try this one. Thanks for the tip off.

  • Paige

    I’ve got to share…I’ve been using Aromafloria’s Stress Less Bath & Body Massage Oil ($13 for 9 fl. oz.) to take off my eyemakeup. It doesn’t burn my sensitive eyes or make them blurry. It rinses clean too. Although, with my oily skin, I always follow with a cleanser. I began using it out of necessity since I was out of my regular makeup remover (Caudalie’s Cleansing Water – very good but more money). I’ve used it for about a month and I’m extremely happy – no breakouts. Yea! I love finding a product that can multi-task cause I use it in my bath and after shower. Plus, it comes with a hygenic pump.

  • Gee

    EEK!! The price kills me…I might just have to stick to vaseline on the account of being broke, lol.

    I hear Bi-facil IS good, but my gosh, could they charge anymore for it??

  • Jackie

    i can’t believe that you like the sephora eye makeup remover. I have been using it for a while, and i hate it. I always have to follow up with something else, because it dosen’t get everything off. I have been on a search for a good eye makeup remover, I may have to try this one.

  • LithiaBlack

    Wow, I need to try this one!
    My new mascara is a real pain in the *ss to remove in the evenings I’ve tried everything from jojobaoil to regular eyemakeupremover to soap and it won’t budge. Maybe this one will work. I really hope so for the mascara it’s great in all other aspects than the removing part.
    Now to the big task to find it…no Sephora in Sweden :/

  • the Muse

    hey taryn!

    How does the origins smell? Curious minds!

    I normally use purity. I have about a gazillion japanese oil cleansers but always rich for purity.

    We can hope for less wrinkles 😉

  • the Muse

    hi bjooti!

    You’re most welcome! Love to hear what you think if get this 🙂

    I like the Balm too 😉 they make pretty good items at a not too bad price!

  • the Muse

    hey nicole!

    it is indeed but it feels a bit softer to me!

  • the Muse

    Good morning paige!

    I had to look this up as I never heard of it. Looks good. Does it smell fresh or hard herbal?

    As per your rec I just ordered this off a website 😉 I’ll write a review on it once it arrives. I’m curious as I adore something multitasking that I can use both in and out of the shower!

    Thanks!

  • the Muse

    hey gee!

    true 🙁 $19 is a bit too high I agree!

    Bi-Facil is fruits from the god. It’s awesome. Sadly $26 USD is a bit too much to pay for a freaking eye makeup remover!

  • the Muse

    hi Jackie!

    It’s not so much like just something that works and is cheap 😉

    It removes pretty much everything including hardcore japanese mascara. Shocked you aren’t experiencing the same benefits!

    I’ve been searching for a good eye makeup remover too..one that’s cheap and works. Failed to find anything better than Sephora brand.

    Bi-Facil is freaking amazing but the price of $26 makes me cry in agony.

    This is good. Curious how long it’ll last me though!

  • the Muse

    hi LithiaBlack!

    It’s rather an interesting product 🙂

    Hardcore Mascara is easily removed with Lush Ultra Bland. Def give that a try too!

    Aw damn 🙁 life without Sephora must be hard. But you have Lush right?

    Ultra Bland works just as well 😉

  • LithiaBlack

    Yes, we have Lush. I love Lush, their soaps are awesome! (My favourites are Honey I washed the kids and Sultana of soap :D)
    I have’nt tried Ultra Bland but now I have a perfectly good excuse to stop by my nearest Lush again!
    I hope they still offers samples for their skincare range…

  • the Muse

    hi again LithiaBlack!

    Me too me too 🙂 HIWTK’s is a fav of mine! Smells so yummie I wanna eat it 🙂 And Sultana is gorgeous too!

    Ultra Bland is fab for removing cosmetics and eye makeup! It’s not good for oily skin though. Best used with dry or combo skin as it’s very emoilent so you have to be careful!

    They do offer samples 🙂 Go in and browse and just kindly ask for a sample of ultra bland 😉

    w00t!

    And come back here to tell me if it works for you hehe!

    Curious minds!

  • Paige

    Hi Muse..okay I have it on the back of my hand sniffing it:)I’m not so good with describing scents but I’ll give it a go…to me it’s not overpowering, soft…doesn’t have a strong “oily” smell (if that makes sense). You do have a hint of lavendar and something under that seems fresh like a cross between light floral and citrus, pleasant. I did check out the properties of the oils listed and none are known skin irritants which is good. The majority of ingrediants are oils with a few unknowns…just realized I should probably look those up, huh?;) You should be able to find this at a local CVS. One to two pumps have worked well on getting my waterproof mascara and primed shadows off. Hope this helps!

  • GirlyGal

    Great packaging! I wonder how it would be for contact lens wearers. Also, does it have a vasoline-type odor?

  • the Muse

    hi paige sorry about my delayed reply!

    My comments are swamped 🙂

    that makes sense totally as some cleansers do have that strange “oil” scent!

    It sounds delightful! LOL it’s ok I’m not always conscious of what I put on my face 😉

    I actually purchased it online! Was easier than hunting for it 🙂

    Thanks darling! I’m going to give it a whirl when it comes! Will let you know what I think 😉

  • the Muse

    hiya girlygal 😉

    How are you!?

    I’m not sure about contact lens wearers…hmm good question! It doesn’t have a vasoline odor which is a plus as I can’t stand the weird scent of vasoline 😛

    I’ve used it the past week or so and it’s been working really well 😉

    I like how soft my eyes feel afterwards. I need as much moisture as I can get lately as I’ve been so very dry under my eyes 🙁

    Happy Weekend!!!!!!!!! See you soon!

  • Kate

    Hey I see that everyone is worried about the price of this- I’ve had my tin for almost a year, and it’s not even halfway gone! I use it almost every night, and I’m actually worried more about the shelf life than running out. I love it because even after going out with heavy mascara, eye shadow, and glitter, this gets my face clean and fresh with no rough rubbing at all!

    Definitely worth the higher price- you’ll spend less in the long run!

  • Jessica~

    hey muse!
    i love love love your blog!
    i just have a question, does this actually take off your MJ mascara??? it’s so hard to take off for me, and if this does take it off easily, then i’m getting it =D

    • the Muse

      jessica I’ve never had the drama of removing MJ mascara. So many people tell me they have a hard time with it but mine has always removed easily with this or any other remover I have in my stash 🙂

  • Lauren

    I picked this up for 5 bucks at TJ Maxx today! I’m so excited to try it after you gave such a good review!

  • Donna

    I know this is an old post, but I’m pretty sure you read all the comments anyway…

    I found this at Marshalls in some kits for different eye colors. It comes with two shady lady shadows, an over shadow, and the cheater mascara for only $9.99! So now is the time to stock up and you get some other goodies with it! Except…I got two of the kits (Brown eyes and Smokey kit) and wanted to see if I could find the others. I went to TJMaxx in a nearby town and the same kit is $24.99 and that’s marked down on clearance while the cheaper price at Marshalls is their regular price. So check Marshalls!