While I bang on a lot about cleansing oils, I am really aware that for some reason they tend to be a cleanser type mostly supported by mid- to high-end brands and that it's hard to buy one under €30. A bit like gel eyeliners, eh? Thankfully, that seems to be coming good, and I was also pleased to spot this Nip + Fab Clean Fix Facial Cleansing Oil on a recent Boots Liffey Valley foray.
A relatively new brand, Nip + Fab comes to us courtesy of Maria Hatzistefanis, the founder of Rodial. She wanted to create a range that was mass-market and affordable, yet which performed. There are lots of other bits on offer too, including some anti-cellulite products with big claims, but as a fan of oil cleansing, this is what I picked up.
€14.95 for 150ml makes it a much more affordable alternative, but is it any cop? Firstly, it smells absolutely delicious. That's thanks to neroli and mandarin essential oils I reckon, which are included to soften and purify. The main ingredient here, as it is with all these sorts of products, is mineral oil.
Advertised
In use, this works. The dispenser pumps out a generous amount, meaning one press is enough for a full face. It lifts all makeup including mascara, emulsifies well and cleans skin quickly. It's also got really nice, clean-looking packaging. All good. And in fact, there's only one thing wrong with it: it stings the BEJAYSIS out of my eyes.
Not quite as bad as the time I got some Origins Checks and Balances in my eye and it hurt so much and watered so badly there was a big string of eye-drool hanging out of it, but it's not nice. And it's probably down to the fragranced oils too, I sadly suspect. Take 'em out and we'd get on fabulously. Though I might not smell so nice. Gah.
So, in summary, this is very effective at makeup removal but you do need to be careful around the eye area, meaning you will need a separate remover - which kind of defeats the purpose a little. If you just want to use it for basic cleansing and you're not gonna be rubbing it into lashes, then it'll be fine. Me? Nah, it's been shelved and the Shu Uemura's back on the sink.
