Writing about beauty feels like a mental refuge for me during this tough time, so I hope this throw down can give you a few minutes of stress-free reading. While it is important to stay updated and alert, we should also think about the potential effects of reading news article after article. I’m quite guilty of this as I’ve had to make more of an effort to put down my phone before my anxiety turns into full-blown panic. So take a deep breath, clear your mind for a while, and let’s indulge in some beauty talk.

I grew up seeing Pond’s being used by my female relatives. My mom would talk about how Pond’s was a luxury back in the day, and how they had to source the famous Pond’s Cold Cream all the way from Hong Kong! Today, Pond’s is one of the most accessible and affordable beauty brands around - you can find their products pretty much anywhere you go. And it’s that accessibility and pocket-friendly price tag that made the PV team excited to hear about the new Pond’s Cleansing Balm. 

Today’s beauty throwdown features one of my makeup removing staples – the cleansing balm! In case you’re new to the party, a cleansing balm is basically an oil-based makeup remover in solid form. It can also be used as the first step in the double cleansing routine, but the solid formula makes it more travel-friendly. You only need a pea-sized amount to remove an entire face’s worth of makeup, so even a small jar can go a long way!

So how effective are they? Let’s find out as we whip out three popular cleansing balms and test them on waterproof and long-wearing makeup.