Love it: Aspect Gold Cleansing Micellar Water

Models swear by them, every make-up artist I know has one in his or her kit and with their no-rinse, three-in-one formulas they're perfect for traveling and late nights. What are they? Micellar waters, and I for one have been a looooong time fan.

Micellar waters first gained momentum in Paris, whose skin-conscious inhabitants welcomed the opportunity to swerve the bad effect that the city's famously hard water had on their skin. I have always picked a couple of bottles up when I visit family in France, and love the way they work. Designed to be swept away with a cotton pad rather than rinsed off, micellar waters use tiny micelle particles to draw make-up (including waterproof mascara), sebum and impurities from the skin. Depending upon how much make-up you wear you may prefer to remove eye make-up separately, but since micellar waters are free of soap and alcohol they are a way more gentle alternative to harsh face wipes, making them perfect for when you're in a rush or on the go.

I am definitely not the only one who loves how Micellar Cleansing Water works, capturing impurities like a magnet and trapping them within the Micelles, which are then carried off by the Micellar water and are effectively eliminated without the need for rubbing or rinsing. They are also ‘multi-zone’ products as they remove make-up from the face, eyes and lips and don’t require water, so great for travel and at the gym et al.

A few of the supermarket and pharmacy brands have launched their Micellar waters into the local market of late (at LONG last), but recently I’ve had the chance to try a more luxe version in the form of Aspect Cleansing Micellar Water.

The latest addition to Aspect Gold Range, it is a one step, fragrance free makeup remover and is outrageously simple to use. Whether it’s a full face cleanse, or simple eye makeup removal, the moisturising and soothing formulation respects the hydrolipid balance of the skin surface thanks to the likes of ingredients like Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides - derived from coconut oil – along with Chamomile and Liquorice Root.

For eye makeup removal – even the heavy kind – you just soak two cotton pads with Cleansing Micellar Water, apply to the eyes and press gently for 5 to 10 seconds before wiping away. I have found just one application takes care of the majority of waterproof formulas too, it is THAT good.
For a full face cleanse, soak four cotton pads with Cleansing Micellar Water and wipe gently over the face a section at a time until clean. I love the fact that this formula leaves virtually no residue behind despite its soothing qualities, which is a major bonus especially if you are a contact lens wearer like me. 

So there you have it – a brand new, go-to essential for all skin types. For a stockist near you go here.