heimish All Clean Balm

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm Review

Good thing I was patient. Good thing I gave this a second chance. The heimish All Clean Balm has become my favorite cleansing balm tried to date. But credit should be given in part to the company for tweaking the packaging (and possibly formulation) of a beloved product of many to be even better.

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm packaging

memebox's description:

Aromatic and free of parabens, fragrace, or artificial pigments, Heimish's hypoallergenic All Clean Balm will relax and de-stress you as you massage your day's makeup and buildup away. Infused with Coconut Extract and Shea Butter, the balm melts into your skin and emulsifies with water to wash away dust, dirt, and even your heaviest makeup without an oily residue. It also moisturizes and soothes skin with natural botanical extracts like Freesia and Iris, so you won't be left tight and dry.

Directions
Step 1. Spread 3-4 scoops on face with DRY hands
Step 2. Massage in a circular motion with fingertips on point makeup
Step 3. Wash it off with tepid water like rubbing

Ingredients
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE, POLYETHYLENE, PEG-8 ISOSTEARATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (LIME) FRUIT EXTRACT, FREESIA REFRACTA EXTRACT, IRIS VERSICOLOR EXTRACT, JASMINUM OFFICINALE (JASMINE) EXTRACT, LILIUM TIGRINUM EXTRACT, LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM EXTRACT, NELUMBIUM SPECIOSUM FLOWER EXTRACT, NARCISSUS PSEUDO-NARCISSUS (DAFFODIL) FLOWER EXTRACT, ROSE EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL OIL, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) OIL, PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS FLOWER OIL, AMYRIS BALSAMIFERA BARK OIL, CITRUS PARADISI (GRAPEFRUIT) PEEL OIL, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL, MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL, JUNIPERUS MEXICANA OIL, BOSWELLIA CARTERII OIL, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) FRUIT OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN

Balm 120 ml

Heimish (Korean retail): ₩18,000
oo35mm: USD $20.99
OHLOLLY: USD $19.00
StyleKorean: USD $18.50
Jolse: USD $18.00
YesStyle: USD $17.16

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm renewal

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm old versus new tubslavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm new lid closeup

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm spatulas

Packaging

Opaque white tub with a flip top lid. The diameter of the jar is larger than average but has a shallow height; this is a design choice I appreciate as I would rather have the option to comfortably use my knuckles to scoop over my fingertips and nails.

Not long after I bought my first jar of All Clean Balm to try, heimish re-released it in this current packaging. I had mentioned how I would love to see a brand incorporate a flip-top lid in my Banila Co. cleansing balm review and lo-and-behold someone finally did it! Not that it had anything to do with my sole comment; these small changes probably take ages to plan and execute. But still, I'm sure enough people voice their thoughts that heimish decided they had to take action. I can say this is my favorite cleansing balm, to date, based solely on the packaging. There's no more fuss over handling a jar, a separate lid, and a spatula while juggling a scoop of balm in my palm.

Besides the most obvious change, heimish also switched up the spatula as well. The newer one, left in the photo above, is a tiny bit longer and the scoop portion is a larger, more circular paddle shape instead of the lean and oblong one from before. The new touch lets me scoop out more product in one go.

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm new balm closeup

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm swatch old versus new

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

The cleansing balm, old and new, is white. Both have a solidified coconut oil-like consistency; the new one is much smoother straight out of the tub than the older balm though. After body-heat is added in and some massage action takes place, there is no discernable difference.

I was the most turned off by the scent of the original All Clean Balm—some days it smelled citrusy, some days it stank like smelly feet. After months of using the older tub, the latter scent was a more prevalent than the former. Due to that one reason alone, I never thought I would repurchase this product ever again. Luckily, the newer version doesn't have that rancid smell at all. It doesn't have a scent period.

I am not sure what it was since the ingredients list seems to be the same. Maybe they adjusted the essential oil amounts? Maybe I got a dud? Then again...Bestie C used the older version of the cleansing balm as well and said she never thought it smelled bad, let alone stink like feet.

lavlilacs heimish All Clean Balm before and after

How I Apply

1. Scoop an appropriate amount (varies depending on how much makeup I had put on my face).
2. Massage it gently all over. Focus on crevices and areas with higher concentration of colors.
3. Sometimes wet my hands a little and emulsify the balm.
4. Continuously splash my face with water to fully rinse dissolved makeup and balm away.

Thoughts & Recommendations

Had I not tried the renewed version, I would have recommended people to steer away from this product. The smell was that bad and that persistent. However, the scent is a non-issue now and I only have good things to say about the cleansing balm.

  • The price point is good. (around USD $20 plus or minus)
  • Amount of product is highly generous. (80ml is standard, 100ml is generous, 120+ml is abnormal)
  • The flip-top lid is very convenient. LOVE!
  • Works well without stripping my skin. Doesn't leave a film.
  • Potentially good for sensitive skin; formulated without mineral oil, color, parabens, and fragrance.

There are only a few things I could see being a nuisance to people.

  • Isn't the best at removing fresh waterproof pen eyeliner or lip products that stain. I won't hold that against it because the balm works well enough on worn-out makeup at the end of the day. Even the highly popular Banila Co. Clean It cleansing balm didn't work against the same eyeliner and tint.
  • Can give me cloudy eyes but I find that unavoidable since the balm emulsifies once it meets water and my eyeballs aren't dry. The cloudiness goes away after some rinsing.
  • Has a ton of essential oils. Some people are reactive to it. I did not to this product.

The chances of repurchase, again, is very high with the packaging change and scent-free formula. It is inexpensive for the amount given and most importantly, effective. I've shopped around for new cleansing balms to try next and didn't realize how much less product most other brands offer for sometimes double the price or with less expensive ingredients as bases (such as mineral oil). I think all skin types would like this but may not be right for those sensitive to essential oils.

MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover

I think I can safely say I have a growing affinity for matte lip products; they leave little to no tackiness and feel as if I had applied nothing onto my lips while being insanely pigmented in color. But the ones I have tried so far have been on the pricier end of the spectrum, ranging USD $20+ per stick of pigment.

The sensible side of me has kept me from splurging on more of the JUNGSAEMMOOL High Color Lipsticks. The frugal side of me took the chance to stack coupons and deals in order to test different colored matte lips. Maybelline's SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in 15 Lover seemed to have a big fanbase, judging solely by number ratings, and the muted pink shade looked perfect for everyday wear.

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover packaging tube
MAYBELLINE's Description:

SuperStay Matte Ink™ Liquid Lipstick gives you a flawless matte finish in a range of super saturated shades.

Ink your lips in up to 16 HR saturated liquid matte. SuperStay Matte Ink™ features a unique arrow applicator for precise application and is available in a range of super saturated shades.

Directions
1. Apply liquid lipstick in the center of your upper lip and follow the contours of your mouth.
2. Glide the liquid lipstick across the entire bottom lip.

Ingredients
DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, ISODODECANE, NYLON-611/DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, C30-45 ALKYLDIMETHYLSILYL POLYPROPYLSILSESQUIOXANE, LAUROYL LYSINE, ALUMINA, SILICA SILYLATE, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, LIMONENE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, PARAFFIN, BENZYL BENZOATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CITRONELLOL, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR CI 45410 / RED 28 LAKE CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 15850 / RED 7 CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES CI 45380 / RED 22 LAKE CI 15985 / YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 42090 / BLUE 1 LAKE CI 15850 / RED 6 CI 17200 / RED 33 LAKE MICA] F.I.L. D197345/2

Lipstick tube 5.0 ml / 0.17 fl. oz.

Maybelline (MSRP): USD $9.49

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover opened

Packaging

Comes in a sturdy opaque plastic tube. One end is colored to match the liquid lipstick. There is a click-lock protrusion to stop anyone from over-tightening the tube. The applicator is arrow-shaped and hollow in the middle.

Since the applicator is bulbous in shape and there is a stopper bit near the top of the tube, it takes a slight tug to release the wand portion of the lipstick from the bottle. When done too quickly, liquid lipstick can fly out. When done slowly, the stopper acts as a scaper of sorts to slightly remove excess product from the tip.

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover hand swatch

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover lip swatch buildability closeup

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover pros transfer test

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover cons sticky test

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

Maybelline doesn't describe any of the colors of this line on their website. Lover, in my eyes, fall in the dusty rose color category. It leans cool-blue in most situations, purple in certain lighting. When applied in a light, very light, layer the blue tones aren't as apparent.

The liquid lipstick is very sticky and tacky. I saw it the moment I tried to pull the applicator wand out and was greeted by a string of dangling lacquer. No matter how thin or thick a layer I apply, the lipstick never fails to act like a glue keeping my lips together.

True to its name the SuperStay Matte Ink dries matte. There is an initial sheen if applied in a thicker manner but it eventually becomes shine-less.

There is a scent. I can't quite pinpoint what it is but it is definitely not an unpleasant one. I want to say it is like shea butter but that isn't an ingredient on the list.

How I Apply

Gradient // Scrape off most of/all the excess product from the applicator. Lightly swipe the arrow-shaped tip onto the inner portions of my bottom lip only. Smack my lips together to distribute some color onto the upper lip. Feather out the edges with my fingertips.

lavlilacs Review MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover lip swatch buildability face

Thoughts & Recommendations

One thing I know for sure, I love the color of Lover when applied in a light-handed manner. Pink without being overbearing. It is my ideal MLBB shade (if that is still a thing in the beauty world).

The other thing I really like about the formulation is the lack of transfer. I don't have to worry about dirtying mugs, reusable bottles, scarves nor think about reapplying lip color. It only comes off when I eating something oily.

That said, the formulation is also the downfall. I have adjusted to my lips sticking together throughout the day. But the same tackiness makes it difficult to reapply. New layers are always uneven and blotchy. At the same time, the thicker the initial layer the more gluing power there is. Plainly said, don't apply a lot if you talk a lot.

While I can agree with Maybelline on the "saturated shade" part of their description, "16-hour wear" is a bit of a stretch. I am assuming they tested that on someone who did not eat or drink anything with even a tiny bit oily. The SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick does stay a very long time—the lipstick is difficult to blend once it has settled. But when it meets oil, bye-bye!

My biggest pet peeve with this particular product though is the way it wears off on my lips...in flakes. It always looks like peeling paint after a meal with the inner lip areas the most naked. Paired with any of the cons I mentioned above, it is impossible to remove without carrying around extra makeup remover and unideal to reapply more color without starting with bare lips.

This wasn't a bad buy considering the price I paid (nearly half the suggested retail). I had a bit of a learning curve. Once I got over the hurdle, it didn't feel as terrible. I reach for this tube of liquid lipstick often now just because of the color alone. If high color pigmentation and transferability is most important, go for it.

Daily Look | Dusty Rose

lavlilacs 2018 PMAD daily makeup look, dusty rose

I wanted to share an update on how Project Make a Dent was going but realized many of the products don't look much different from my first post since it's only been two months. The next best option was to show how I have been incorporating the chosen items into my makeup routine during this time period.

Dusty rose was a trending makeup look a while back on YouTube. I was always a little apprehensive towards one-color trends because it felt kind of tacky, like wearing head-to-toe in one color and becoming a walking crayon sans the costume. It might look chic if white, gray, or black; anything else takes someone more fashionable than me to pull off. Throw a pink shade into the mix and it could easily make my face look blotchy instead of put-together.

Somehow, one day I played around with the colors I forced upon myself this year and the monochrome theme didn't look as bad as I imagined it to be.

lavlilacs 2018 PMAD daily makeup look, dusty rose eyes

lavlilacs 2017 2018 PMAD daily makeup look, dusty rose - products used details

There hasn't been a big change in the steps of my morning routine. The biggest changes from December's "Daily Look" post is a few product removals and a bunch of color swaps.

On this particular day, I still started with a light layer of Clio Kill Cover Pro Artist Liquid Concealer in Green. I followed with a layer of just the foundation in the VDL MULE Ultimate Cover Palette in A03 that was set with a dusting of Kate Lasting High Coverage Powder Foundation in OC-C, focusing mostly on the eye area and T-zone. Afterward, I applied the bronzer shade from MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish in Pink Power under my cheekbones and temples of my forehead. I used the Milani Minerals Blush in Sweet Rose on top of my cheeks and lightly over my eyelids. For highlight, I opted to use Urban Decay in Virgin.

I applied Urban Decay in Toasted all over the lid as well to add a bit of shimmer and textural contrast to the eyes. It is barely noticeable but I swept the Hustle shade close to the lash line on the outer corner of the lids, to give my eyes more depth...I think? Then I curled my lashes and applied Clio Hitch Eye-King Mascara in Volume, lined my eyes with L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte-Matic Waterproof Eyeliner in Deep Brown, and filled in my brows with JUNGSAEMMOOL  Refining Color-Bony Brow in Smoky Bony. The finishing touch is always a light coating of Maybelline Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Lover on the innermost part of the lips.

What do you think? Not bad or tacky? Should I continue this series when I change up my look for the warmer months?