The More You Know: Two Kose Softymo Cleansing Products You Probably Haven't Heard Of

So I was reflecting on my life here in Japan and looking back at all the frivolous purchases I've made throughout my two years (as of right now) that I have lived here. One thing that sends me over the edge into buying a product is packaging, especially if that packaging is cute. I've learned about the merits of oil cleansing while I lived here, and since there are so many options on this side of the world it was easy for me to accumulate a lot of stuff. Let's put it to good use now shall we??

First, a little about my skin. I only get pimples when I'm hormonal, leave makeup on for far too long, or visit a country where China's pollution is a problem (shakes fist angrily). I never patch test, I haven't had any severe reactions to any ingredient thus far (knock on wood). I would say I have combination skin.

The two products I will talk about are from Kose, part of their Softymo range. I know their cleansing oils are incredibly popular on the reddits, but have any of you heard of their cleansing liquids? I'm thinking not. Here is a photo in its standard packaging as well as ingredients and claims.

Softymo Speedy Cleansing Liquid

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Ethanol, Methyl Gluceth-10, PEG-32, PEG-6, Mallow Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate

Claims

 100% Oil Free, Paraben Free, No Silicones

~With a fresh feeling it softly takes off even difficult to remove makeup

~Leaves skin feeling soft and beautiful

~Since its made with no alcohol, people with eyelash extensions as well as those who don't like oils can use it

Softymo Honey Mild Cleansing Liquid

Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetylhexanoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Serine, Honey, Disodium Salt, Pyrrolidon Caboxylic Acid(Acrylic Acid/Alkyl Acrylate (C10-30))Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance

Claims

5 Types of 100%Pure Honey (Lavender, Damask Rose, Goji Berry, Orange, Lychee) in Combination with Butylene Glycol

~5 Free, No Parabens, Mineral Oil, Alcohol, Silicones, Dyes 

~Its at a neutrality close to that of tears (I guess that means it won't sting your eyes?)

~Even with mascara on, it will cleanly take everything off

~You can use with wet hands or face

~Uses Natural Fragrance, Floral Honey Scent

Ahhhh!!! It's Minnie Mouse!!! Softymo had a stint where all of their cleansing products had Disney characters on it. They also had an Ariel version of the liquid, but I had already bought this one so I could.not.let myself do it. 

Review

This product has 2.4 out of 7 stars on Cosme.net, which is Japan's most loved product review website for consumers. I fully support that rating. The consistency is that of a slightly gelatinous alcohol? I can definitely feel a cooling effect from the alcohol in it, although it's thicker than plain alcohol would be of course. As far as makeup removal is concerned this is subpar. I don't wear heavy duty base makeup usually but I have to rub more than I would like with this. For mascara, it doesn't dissolve it, it just kinda loosens it if that makes sense. I can get my mascara off....eventually, but again there is too much rubbing involved. There is no need to double cleanse (if you get all your makeup off) because it rinses cleanly. If you are someone who wears light makeup, has an aversion to oils, but is indifferent to alcohol in your products, maybe this could be the makeup remover for you?

This has Pooh on it because its honey. Get it? It melts my frigid heart. This is a newer product, it released in January of this year and it has a rating of 4.7 out 7 on cosme.net. This is a much better product than the regular liquid. It's a thicker consistency than the liquid, but not actual honey levels of thickness. I find that it removes makeup better than the liquid but I find myself having to use quite a bit of product since it does not spread as easily as a regular cleansing oil would. The fragrance is rather light and inoffensive, I like it! It takes off my mascara better than the regular liquid but not as easy as a normal cleansing oil. This would be good for anyone with an aversion to mineral oils, or loves honey infused products. 

Here's where I put them to the test!!

Arm Swatches:

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner in Perversion--> Missha BB Cream #31--> OCC Lip Tar in Black Dahlia

In the first corner is Speedy Cleansing Liquid!!

Oh, it looks like a miss!! When rubbing the product in it immediately turned pink from the lip tar, but clearly didn't remove much anything. The liner DID NOT BUDGE. That is my go-to sweat proof liner it fights its way through everything, which is why I only wear it when necessary. So again, this cleansing liquid should only be used by those who wear light makeup. I use it (to finish it up) during the week when I wear my light office makeup.

In the next corner is the Honey Mild Cleansing Liquid!!

It beat the cleansing liquid, which isn't saying much!! Nah, its good, that liner just holds on like glue. While I was rubbing the product in it looked like it wouldn't budge, but when I emulsified it with water it started to come off (If I rubbed longer everything would have come off). The BB cream is all gone, and all that is left of the lip tar is respectable stain. 

Results:

The Honey Mild Cleansing Liquid is the clear victor in this match up. I would definitely buy it again if I didn't have a million other cleansing oils/balms/etc to work through.

Any questions?? Let me know!!

L'oreal Tint Caresse, Japan Release

I saw this item the other day at LOFT and it looked so interesting that I had to buy it. This is a product that just launched in Japan ( I'm not sure if/when its heading to other parts of the world) that is meant to create a gradient lip look. Here is a picture of the model wearing the product:

That looks promising doesn't it?? Here is more information on the item. It is from L'oreal and it is called Tint Caresse (ティント　カレス). This is actually quite confusing since every L'oreal lip product here is called some version of carresse. Here is what the product itself looks like:

Now you can see why it piqued my interest. The packaging is a lovely gradient. The product is a unique powder that you apply using the felt tip. The powder product itself is housed in the cap. It comes in 8 colors and retails for 1700 yen. I bought the deepest color in 8 Dark Plum. Perfect for the fall which is finally here!! Here is the model modeling the color I bought:

That looks amazing doesn't it!! According to L'oreal this product is: 

A historic first! You can have gradient lips with this brilliant matte cushion lip product, feather it out from the middle of your lips.

Have some pictures:

Sorry for the pic quality, all I have in here is a ceiling light. Anyways, it looks so pretty here, being all plum and stuff. Here is a swatch on my hand:

Doesn't it look nice here too, such a bold color. So much sass. The product is a super velvety powder that stains the lips (or back of your hand) fairly well. Here it is on my lips, I'm putting these as small as possible because lip swatches are so awkward.

 Just the product by itself.

With gloss added on top.

As you can see the application looks pretty terrible by itself. Its patchy and it doesn't build on itself to make the center look darker than the rest of the lips. Also it is incredibly drying. Maybe for someone whose lips aren't as full as mine it would be less of an issue, since someone with thinner lips wouldn't have to feather the product from the middle of their lips as much as I do. With the gloss it looks a lot better but the gradient would be lost when gloss is added on top of the product. Also, the product is deeper in person, my lights washed it out, it actually looks close to the color swatched on my hand. 

Final Thoughts:

Maybe the product would look better over a lip concealer or nude lip stick but I'd be afraid of product transfer into the powder. Oh well. At least its a nice color, but I think I'll just use it as a regular lip color and not try to do fancy tricks with it. What do you guys think?? Let me know in the comments!!