Review: Boots BotanicsEye Makeup Remover

I feel like all i've done recently is talk about eye make-up removers (looking at my previous posts this isn't necessarily true!), but as i've mentioned before, i'm always on a quest to find my 'holy grail' products in each category (preferably from the highstreet and therefore inexpensive/affordable!), and eye make-up removers are no different.

If you remember, i've 'recently' tried one from Asda Skin System (liked at the time, but now a bit so-so!), one from Superdrug's own range (not dissimilar to the famous Bioderma Crealine H20, and gets extra plus points for being vegan) and most recently this little number, the Boots BotanicsSoothing Eye Makeup Remover.



I had heard various things about this makeup remover (on blogs etc of course), but as I am trying my best to source/use products that have not been tested on animals, I had opted for products which I knew hadn't been tested on animals - the Superdrug makeup remover being a prime example.

The verdict is still out on the Botanics range and all Boots own-brand products as a whole in terms of animal testing - Boots state in their FAQ section that they do not test on animals, but, as shown on nottested.co.uk, their policies are somewhat ambiguous (don't state that both their ingredients and finished products are not tested on animals).

Botanics have two eye make-up removers in their range: a 'nourishing' organic cream and this 'soothing' liquid.

The Botanics range combines active plant extracts in carefully balanced formulations to give you the right product for your skin type. Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover effortlessly removes eye make up even waterproof mascara while also comforting and soothing the eye area, containing soothing Iceland Moss with high sugar content which helps to hydrate and calm skin as well as cleanse . Plant extracts at levels that really work, combined and formulated for unbeatable product performance. Naturally. Authenticated by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

After becoming accustomed to the Superdrug Simply Pure eye make-up remover which was essentially just like water in consistency, this is an oil-based remover which is made up of two parts (shake before use).

You don't need to soak or even dampen a cotton wool pad - it doesn't seem to permeate the cotton wool (and therefore confusingly the pad still feels dry) but rather sits on top, ready to go - just simply tip out your required amount (I find a little goes a surprisingly long way) place the pad over your eyes, leave for a second or two (literally - I have no patience for any longer than this!) and voila!

I tend to rub my eyes (bad I know) with a cotton wool pad anyway out of habit, but with this I genuinely don't think i'd need to - it literally makes your eye make-up slide off. I have used it with a variety of eye make-up products (including waterproof mascara and Duo eyelash glue) and have yet to find a product that it doesn't power through. No more panda eyes in the morning hurrah!

I have come to associate strong, synthetic/perfumed smells with a certain 'sting'/irritability factor, but this has no smell and does not/has not (as yet) irritated my eyes in any way. Some people may find it leaves a little bit of an oily residue (being oil based) but I usually find this disappears of its own accord.

Packaging

The liquid comes in a 150ml (recyclable) clear plastic bottle with an aluminium screw-top lid. This may not necessarily be the most practical means of dispensing the product (a slip of the hand can mean spillage if you're not careful!), but it's simple and one which I prefer to a pump, for example.

The clear plastic also allows you to see when the two seperate liquids have been suitably shaken up.

Price

This retails for £3.05 and is frequently on special offer along with the other Botanics products - a bargain!

Where can I buy?

As the name suggests, Boots Botanics products are only available in Boots - both instore and online.

The good news however is that you can usually find a Boots almost anywhere - including at airports - and for all you international beauty lovers (in America anyway) Boots products are available in Target and CVS stores as well as over 600 shoppers drug mart locations.

Have you tried this? Or do you have any other eye makeup removers you'd recommend?