Month: July 2020

Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 2 Comments

E-Rase by Drunk Elephant is a micellar water with a milky texture that claims to gently and thoroughly remove makeup, sunscreen, pollution, dirt and bacteria from the skin (no rinsing needed) without causing sensitivity or irritation and makes the skin feel clean and soft.

To remove oil, dirt and makeup at the end of the day, I usually use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. I have not used a micellar water previously, so have nothing to compare Drunk Elephant E-Rase to, but I see the Bioderma and Garnier micellar waters being used a lot online that are much less expensive than E-Rase.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin

E-Rase has a micellar blend, gentle surfactants that attract and capture dirt, debris and pollution which are then wiped away; a ceramide blend that helps soothe and balance moisture of the skin and protects against water loss; watermelon oil that soothes, moisturizes and provides a protective barrier; vitamin E and plant oils.

Directions: E-Rase can be used as a cleanser and makeup remover. Shake before use and gently smooth over face, eyes, and lips with a soft cotton pad, holding for a few seconds on heavily made-up areas. Do not scrub, tug or rub the skin. E-Rase can be used anytime, and in between cleanses. No rinsing needed.

Going through some Instagram comments, Drunk Elephant says that E-Rase, if not rinsed, will not break down any actives or prevent absorption of actives and other products applied on top (this was my worry; if I use a serum or oil-containing product after E-Rase that the micelles would attract and break down some of the product). According to Drunk Elephant, it can be used before a traditional cleanser or after (similar to how I would use a toner, though E-Rase is not marketed as a toner and if I remember correctly, Drunk Elephant feels toners are unnecessary). They say not to skip the usual nighttime cleanse as an important step to remove makeup, product, pollution, oil and bacteria (so I gather this means E-Rase is more of a light or first-step cleanser not meant to replace a regular or thorough (double) cleanse routine).

E-Rase is a white, slightly thick-ish, slippery liquid with a smooth texture and no scent. It does not feel heavy or greasy when left on the skin and does not leave a film. Throughout my review of this product, E-Rase is not drying or irritating; the skin feels soothed and lightly moisturized and has not caused breakouts, blackheads or congestion.

I purchased E-Rase mainly for my kids to get them interested in skin care (they don’t particularly like splashing the face with water and love the name Drunk Elephant), but wanted to try it for myself as well. I have oily but dehydrated skin prone to breakouts and congestion. I have used E-Rase for 10 days thus far, trying it a few ways (morning cleanse, evening cleanse when not wearing makeup, as a makeup remover before my usual evening cleanse, before and after working out and as a toner/moisturizer). I apply with Klairs Toner Mates. The textured pads do not absorb much product and are great at helping remove makeup and debris, and the sponge pads dispense product back to the skin and can be held over the eyes or areas of heavy makeup to help dissolve and remove product.

Above, I cleansed the face and neck in the morning with E-Rase. I was surprised at the dirt accumulated on my face while sleeping and my skin gets pretty oily over night. My skin does not feel oily after using E-Rase, so it works well to remove oils. In the after photo above, there is no residue or film over the skin and the redness looks calmed down (though may be due to difference in lighting). The skin feels soft and lightly moisturized where I do not feel the need to use another moisturizer (my skin is oily and the weather hot at the time of this review).

Drunk Elephant does not advocate cleansing the skin in the morning (other than with water), however, the above is a good indication for why I want to. I usually use NIOD Sanskrit Saponins as a morning mask/cleanse.

For the last couple mornings, I have been cleansing with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator, which makes my skin shiny, tight and dry, so I have been applying E-Rase as a moisturizer which has been soothing and hydrating and makes the skin soft.

I use E-Rase before working out to cleanse off any makeup and sunscreen, and then after to get rid of sweat, dirt and oils.

For the above photos, I used E-Rase as a makeup/sunscreen remover in the evening, shaking product on to the textured Klairs cotton pads and sweeping over the face, as I wanted to see how easily makeup was removed. I held the cotton pads over the eyes and lips for a few seconds to help with removal. This is a light, everyday makeup. Products used:

  • Sunprise sunscreen.
  • IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness (used as foundation).
  • First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer.
  • Shiseido Synchro Skin Invisible Silk Loose Powder.
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush.
  • Becca pressed highlighter.
  • Benefit Eye Bright pencil.
  • Nudestix Nude Metallics for Eyes.
  • Too Faced Damn Girl mascara (not waterproof).
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade.
  • Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color.

I used four cotton pads, applying E-Rase to each, and swiped a toner over the face for the fifth. There was still a bit of makeup residue, indicating, as mentioned by Drunk Elephant, that a second cleanse is needed. E-Rase takes off the mascara well. There is a bit of eyeliner around the bottom lashes and a bit of lip color left. The face makeup and sunscreen were taken off well. E-Rase is not irritating to the eyes. Touching the skin, I do not feel any makeup or sunscreen residue. Using E-Rase this way uses quite a bit of product and a number of disposable cotton pads (I should have used both sides). With a full coverage, heavy makeup even more product and cotton pads would need to be used. My skin was also a bit red and irritated using this number of textured pads, particularly as I have been using Retin-A in the evening.

For the above photos (using the same sunscreen and makeup products), I patted E-Rase all over the face using one Klair’s sponge pad (alternatively, I could pat it on the skin with my fingers) and let sit for about 15 seconds, swiping off with the textured pads (cleanse 1, 2 and 3). For cleanse 2 and 3, I applied more E-Rase to the pads. Dabbing product on the face first with the fingers or the sponge pad worked better to cleanse the eye and lip makeup and was less irritating to the skin.

Finally, I tried E-Rase as a I would a cleansing balm, applying to the face and massaging in for 30 seconds, concentrating on the eye and lip areas, then rinsing. Most of the product seemed to be absorbed into the skin as I was massaging. While rinsing, I could still feel the sunscreen on my face. As shown in the photo above, after rinsing with water, I swiped toner over the face to see how clean the skin got. If I cleanse this way again, I would apply more E-Rase to a cotton pad and swipe over the face, as there was still quite a bit of makeup left and I could still feel sunscreen residue on the face (not really unexpected as E-Rase is not made to emulsify as a balm would, but needs to be wiped away).

E-Rase would be handy to have while traveling or camping when unable to take along a whole skin care routine (but a screw lid with a small hole at the top of the bottle would be preferred, I foresee the pop top opening in a bag).

Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water is soothing, moisturizing and does not leave a film on the skin. It is not drying or irritating. It is relatively versatile, used as a makeup remover, cleanser, toner and moisturizer and works very well at softening and removing clay masks. It does remove makeup, however, not as well as a cleansing balm or oil would, needing multiple cotton pads and an excess amount of product (I was impressed by its ability to remove eye makeup, however). I prefer E-Rase to Drunk Elephant’s Slaai cleansing balm.

I probably would not use this as my main daily makeup remover (I prefer The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser), but would consider purchasing again for camping trips, for those mornings or evenings when I am in a hurry and do not have a lot of time to do a whole routine, as a quick refresh before and after working out and in a minimal routine as a toner/moisturizer.

Thank you for reading.

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

I got two samples each of the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Joia shampoo and conditioner and got three uses. I have an oily scalp and thin, dry, wavy hair that I have not colored in 6 months. I wash my hair about every 3 days.

Shampoo:

This shampoo is sulfate-free that creates a creamy lather and claims to repair and smooth the hair while making it twice as strong.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopherol, Algin, Coco-Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Carrageenan, Chitosan, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Açaí/Açaï) Fruit Oil, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut/Noix de Coco) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaçu) Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamide MIPA, Coconut Acid, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Isethionate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Limonene, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985)

This shampoo uses SOL Seal Technology that uses plant-based keratin beads that target hair damage and integrate into the hair’s natural structure to restore, repair, and fuse together split ends. Brazil nut selenium contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E to nurture, strengthen, and provide moisture benefits while protecting against frizz. Buriti oil has healthy fats to deeply condition and smooth dry, damaged hair while providing shine to the hair. Fragrance is the fourth ingredient and the shampoo apparently smells like Sol De Janeiro’s Bum Bum Cream.

The shampoo is thick, so needs extra water to massage around the scalp. It lathers really well to a rich, creamy foam and seems to cleanse well. As I was rinsing the shampoo, my hair felt quite dry and tangled (a bit surprising for a sulfate-free shampoo). The shampoo smelled like burnt butter toffee/vanilla while in my hand, but as I was massaging into the hair had a strong, musky, rather masculine scent that I can still smell when I turn my head or take my hair down from an up-do until my next wash 3 days later. This is perhaps due to the reaction to my body chemistry. I have been tempted to try the Bum Bum lotion, but after this, am worried that it will have the male cologne smell when applying.

Interestingly, after drying and styling my hair and running my fingers through the roots, my hair seemed to feel different (which I did not expect); I would not say stronger, but perhaps this was due to a really good cleanse. My hair had a dry feeling, however.

While the shampoo has a nice lather and cleanses well, my hair feels dry and tangled and I dislike the scent. I would not repurchase.

Conditioner:

This conditioner claims to repair, smooth and strengthen the hair while reducing frizz using a rich, but weightless formula.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum (Fragrance), Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut/Noix de Coco) Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Açaí/Açaï) Fruit Oil, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaçu) Seed Butter, Algin, Coco-Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Carrageenan, Chitosan, Xanthan Gum, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Polyquaternium-37, Silicone Quaternium-3, PEG-14, PEG-33, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Trideceth-12, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Pentasodium Pentetate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985)

The conditioner contains silicones and similar to the shampoo, contains the SOL Seal Technology, Brazil nut selenium and buriti oil and has the same scent that, for me, reacted similarly with a strong, musky scent on application.

The conditioner is thick and a bit difficult to apply as it does not have great spreadability. It does not have the slip or detangling ability like that of other conditioners (either containing silicone or silicone-free) while applying or while rinsing under water. After towel-drying, finger combing (my hair still had tangles) and smoothing the hair with my hands, my hair felt frizzy, almost like the top layer of my hair had tiny knots in the strands (quite unusual). Despite claiming to smooth and reduce frizz, this conditioner seemed to do the opposite; my hair was frizzy even while damp and when air dried, my hair felt dry and heavy. The ends of my hair were quite dry, almost to the point of having a crispy feeling.

There are not really any redeeming qualities for the conditioner and I would not repurchase.

I have a few split ends that are just starting to form. The shampoo and conditioner claim to repair, restore and fuse split ends together which, I will note, if it works, is a temporary solution that I suppose could temporarily prevent the split ends from getting worse, but the only way to fix split ends is to trim them. I did not notice a difference in my split ends.

Thank you for reading.