~ Simple says... ~ (Simple Cleansing Eye Make Up Remover Pads)

Member Name: blue_ashleigh

Product:	Simple Cleansing Eye Make Up Remover Pads
Date:	22/08/08 (347 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Work well, refreshing, alcohol free... and on offer!

Disadvantages: Still need to rub to remove mascara

I've become increasingly aware that my skin may not stay so elastic and wrinkle free for much longer and so have been on the look out for products that may help keep my skin looking 'youthful'. I tend to use water and lots of rubbing with a towel to remove my eye makeup, but apparently you shouldn't rub your eyes, as the skin will stretch and bag (eeek!). So, when I saw the bargain offer of two simple products for £4 in Sainsburys, I couldn't resist! The eye make-up remover pads are normally £3.75, which I wouldn't pay because I'm a poor student (sniff sniff), but to get a pack of them AND a pack of face wipes (which are more face friendly than the £1 scratchy wipes from Poundland!) for £4 is a blooming bargain in my books.


~ Packaging ~

The wipes come in a reasonably small plastic packet (10x8x1 cm to be precise - I just found my ruler today when tidying, I'm not a freak! Honest!) It looks pretty much like the one in the picture, although the design is ever so slightly different and more colourful. The pack can be opened by lifting a resealable sticker, much like you get on most face wipe packs. The sticker doesn't lose it's stickiness over time either which is good, so your remaining wipes are kept very fresh even as you near the end of the pack.

The size of the pack means you can carry them with you, if you so desire. I can't imagine I would need them with me very often, but I am going to my best friend's wedding next week and so I think I could use some of these so I can redo my makeup after the ceremony! You get 30 pads in a packet, so a pack should last you about a month presuming you use one every day. At first I thought I may need to pads, one for each eye, but actually you can get away with only using one for both.


~ A little about Simple ~

You've probably seen the advert - "Simple says - never use harsh chemicals, colours, or perfumes. Simple says - Settle for only the purest possible ingredients. Simple says - Trust the natural goodness in all our products on even the most sensitive skin. Simple says - Natural beauty comes from goodness." Basically Simple claim to be "experts in sensitive skin" and their products are natural and don't contain colours or perfumes. This means that their products shouldn't irritate or sting your skin. All their products are dermatologically tested and approved. Also, the Simple skincare range "contains no animal derived ingredients", which is definitely a bonus, although I can't find anywhere saying it's products aren't TESTED on animals. If you're worried about that I would contact them (0121 712 6523). Simple are part of Accania Health & Beauty Ltd.


~ The pads ~

The pads are approximately 7cm in diameter (ah the wonders of the ruler!). One side of the pad has slightly raised square bumps and the other side is smooth. It doesn't say to use on side over the other but I tend to use the bumpy side first and then the smooth side to get rid of the remaining make up.

The pads are quite moist - not too soggy but not dry either. Even after using a pad on both eyes, the pad will still be damp, which shows there's enough moisture in them. The pads feel a little like a cotton pad which has been soaked in 'stuff'! The pads have a definite smell to them, but it's not overwhelming or a chemical smell, they just smell a little like cucumber - quite a fresh smell.

The pads are designed to remove all make up, even water proof mascara. The pads contain no oil, and more importantly no alcohol so they don't sting or dry out the skin around your eyes.


~ Using the pads ~

Apparently you should "gently wipe pad over the eye lids and around the eye to remove makeup". I found that I still needed to rub quite a bit to remove my mascara. Removing eye shadow and foundation was done by simply wiping the pad over my eye lid a few times, but this didn't remove my mascara. I had to rub my eyelashes (an acquired art!) a good few times with the pad before all my mascara had been removed - and I don't even wear waterproof mascara, just a few coats of black mascara. However, my eyes weren't sore after I'd removed my make up. They were a little red, but no where near as red as when I use a normal face wipe over my eyes. Also, I find that sometimes my eyes sting a little after removing my make up, but that wasn't the case with the Simple pads.

The pads aren't made of a scratchy material, they're quite smooth, and so glide over your eyes easily. If you use the completely smooth side after removing the bulk of your make up, it seems to cool down the eyes a little and make them less red.

I know it may sound like these pads made my eyes red and it doesn't sound that pleasant, in comparison to normal face wipes and some other eye make up pads the Simple pads really are quite good.

There is a "Top Tip" on the pack which suggests you could put two pads in the fridge for a while and then place them over your eyes to refresh them and reduce puffiness. To be honest, when you think of the cost of the pack, you're probably better of just using two slices of cucumber! You could use these pads to cool your eyes, and if the pads do that when at room temperature then I'm sure they'd work a treat when cold, but I wouldn't personally!


~ Recommend them? ~

I would recommend these pads, especially at the bargain prices they're being sold at recently. I am definitely going to go out and buy some more and keep them in my cupboard (I will use them, not just fill up shelves with them, that'd be weird!) as they work a treat. They are kinder on your eyes than other make up removed products that are around, and if they halt the eye bags for the time being, then who am I to complain!?

Even if the advert puts you off Simple (I find it SO irritating!), try these pads and you will love Simple again!


~ Everything else ~

More information about the Simple eye make up remover pads and other Simple products can be found on their website www.simple.co.uk. If you just type "Simple" into Google (or other search engine) you'll end up with all sorts of weird stuff about computers, software, and "deep, driving, underground house" whatever that is!

The pads are on offer, for a limited time, two packs for £4 in Sainsburys. You can mix and match any two Simple products, not just the pads, although the pads are the most expensive so the biggest saving (if you're one of THOSE people!)! Normally, you can buy a pack of 30 pads for about £3.75 from Sainsburys or £3.99 from Boots which is where I know a lot of you get your beauty products here. Superdrug also has an offer on for £1.99 for a packet (which is 6.6p per pad, £3.99 a pack normally). Well, it seems you can get them cheap at the moment so I'd suggest buying them now rather than waiting!

Summary: Simlpe says...