Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse Review

Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse ($24) is a new solid cleansing oil slash cleansing cream duo that was created in collaboration with youTube guru, Caroline Hirons. If you’re currently a fan of Korean Beauty and skincare you’ve likely run across hundreds of articles about the miracles of double cleansing. What is double cleansing? Double cleansing is a method (and trend) in Korea and other Asian countries where you remove your makeup with a cleansing oil or cleansing balm and follow up with a secondary cleanse using a cream or milk-like cleanser to add moisture back into the skin where it may have be stripped during the initial removal process. The secondary method may also help in removing any left over makeup or film left behind from cleansing balm or oil.

Let’s take a look at the new Pixi Double Cleanse!

I’m a fan of Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm so, when I saw the new Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse I was quite excited as it seemed like they took the original cleansing balm and paired it up with a cream cleanser in this new duo. Turns out that isn’t the case as the formulas are different. Caroline’s version lacks fragrance and also contains a host of other ingredients that the original formula didn’t and I could be wrong but this version contains no alcohol where as there was some (low on the list of ingredients) in the original. Also, they worked a lot different in my opinion but I’ll get into more details about this shortly.

This comes in a split pot that features the balm on one side and the cream on the other. I’m little unsure of the size. The box reads 2 x 50 ML and it proceeds to say 1.69 oz. I’m confused if each side is 1.69 oz each? 50 ML=1.69 oz and 1.69 x 2=3.38 oz so, I’m making a big assumption here that it is in fact 3.38 oz in size. That would mean it’s a little bigger size than the original cleansing balm which was 3.04 oz but keep in mind it is $4 more in price since the original was $20 bucks and this version is $24. Target does in fact list it was a total of 3.38 oz so, I’m going with that!

I think the packaging is up for debate. You’re either going to love it or hate it. I like it in theory. I love the idea of having two products in one place which I use daily anyway. It’s a space saver and it’s travel friendly. But if I’m being practical it can get a little messy when you’re washing your face and water is involved etc….!

The original formula reminded me a lot of Lush Ultrabland in the fact both have the same removal process which I’ll tell you about shortly. It has the same thick balm-like texture we’ve seen from products like Clinqiue Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, Banila Clean It Zero, etc..but where as these formulas break down and emulsify, Pixi’s formula is meant to be worked into your skin and removed with a wet, warm wash cloth. The new version recommends the same removal process but I actually thought it broke down well with water and rinsed away the way a normal cleansing balm formula does. So, I’ve been using that method for removal. But you can always use a wash cloth should you wish. The original version actually leaves sort of a hydrating balminess behind on face but this version did not. It rinses clean away. The balm was created for you use on dry skin and water or a wet cloth is meant to be used later after you’ve massaged it in to fully remove your makeup. Removing with a wash cloths does have its benefits since you can follow up directly with the second step of the cleansing process. If you remove with water you’ll have to dry your face to follow up with the second step of the double cleanse.

The second step would be to use the cream cleanser. I don’t feel like the balm strips my skin or makes it dry but some people might feel it leaves behind a balminess on their skin. This is where the cream portion of the double cleanse is handy as it’ll add hydration but also remove any balminess or left over makeup that the balm didn’t remove. One thing to take note of is neither the balm or the cream cleanser has any fragrance.

Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse is a rather nice introduction to double cleansing. I think the packaging is innovative and unique but can be a little messy in practice. None the less, as a dry skin girl, I really liked this makeup removal method. I typically double cleanse with cleansing oil and a cream cleanser or sometimes a cleansing balm and a cream cleanser. I like the idea of having both products in easy reach of each other and also, felt like Pixi’s formula never stripped and did a excellent job removing all makeup easily.

This one gets a Muse Approval.

Get it now at Target, pixi.com, or target.com.

Tried it already?

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