Review: Olay Fresh Effects Shine Shine Go Away Cleanser

I snagged my sample of Olay Fresh Effects Shine Shine Go away cleanser from an online sample giveaway.  First, I must say, one of the most awesome things about this sample was its generous size.  

This is a picture of my actual Fresh Effects sample from a previous sample haul post.  See how big it is compared to others?

Many skincare samples are single-use, and while that does give you some idea of how a product performs, it is much easier to decide if you like a product after a few uses.  So, kudos to Olay for the ample sample!

What Olay says about Shine Shine Go Away:

Add this cleanser to your morning regimen for a fresh and deep clean:
• Removes 2x more dirt, oil and makeup vs. basic cleansing
• Kaolin clay lifts away impurities and helps minimize shine
• Deep cleansing action for a fresher feel 

What I say:

Well, when I requested this sample, I noticed the Olay facial cleanser part, but failed to notice the "Shine Shine Go Away" part.  My skin is normal, but slightly sensitive.  When I use products that are too moisturizing or too drying my skin gets mad at me.  I was disappointed when I recieved the sample and realized it was a product geared towards oily skin.  Even though I was slightly concerned that it would be too drying, I was still eager to give this product a try.  Olay has a good name in skin care.  I have heard that their anti-aging products often rank up there with high-end skin care lines, and that their clinical research is well-regarded among dermatologists.  Since it was the start of summer, which is a hot and humid time here in Philadelphia, I figured it was the perfect time for a cleanser called "Shine Shine Go Away".

The cleanser comes out of the tube in a thick and silvery cream, very much like my Missha Strawberry Latte Cleanser.  Ever since spending time in Korea, I have fallen in love with Korean skincare products.  Korean facial cleansers produce the thickest and most luxurious foam.  I'm hooked and I've brought back a good supply, so, I am very prejudiced when it comes to facial cleansers from the US.  To my surprise, the Olay cleanser not only looked like my Missha cleanser coming out of the tube, but it also made a comparable thick sudsy lather. The Olay still fell slightly short compared to Korean lather, but it came pretty darn close! Impressive.  The scent was fresh and pleasant.  My skin felt clean and it did not produce the tightness or dryness I worried about.  The sample lasted over a week, so I was able to see how my skin reacted over time.  I was completely satisfied with this face wash.  In the end, I found that the Olay Fresh Effects was probably even gentler on my skin than my beloved Missha Strawberry Latte face wash!  (It didn't smell nearly as good or foam up quite as luciously, though.) 

My verdict is that this is a good little face wash for anyone with normal-oily skin.  Don't be afraid to give it a try.

So what is your current favorite facial cleanser?  What is the most important feature in a cleanser for you?  

Review- Holika Holika The King of Bean Cleansing Foam

Today I have a brief review of Holika Holika's King of Bean Cleansing Foam.

I got this cleanser as part of this adorable little "Travel Special Kit" that I bought at the Holika Holika store in South Korea.  I got the kit thinking it was a great way to try out a variety of products, but then I tucked the set away with some other travel items and forgot about it.  When it turned up again, I was really happy to realize that I actually owned some of the Holika Holika products that I had previously sampled and liked. 

The travel kit contains small-sized versions of the following products:

• Aqua Fantasy Toner
• Aqua Fantasy Emulsion (check out my review HERE)
• Miracle Real Skin Finish (check out my review HERE)
• Bath Girl Candied Rose Body Wash
• The King of Bean Cleanser 

The kit features some drama or movie actors...K-Drama fans, I hope you will forgive me for not knowing who they are!

So, now onto my review of the King of Bean Cleansing Foam with Black Bean.

Since the packaging is all in Korean, I tried to Google some info about this product for you, but what I came up with was such a terrible English translation that it was just a waste of time to post it.   It said the cleanser contained "King Kong" extract. (OMG-WHAT IS IN THIS STUFF I'VE BEEN WASHING MY FACE WITH?!)  I'm hoping something was lost in translation there and that no enormous gorillas were harmed in the making of this product... 

Aside from the, er, unusual ingredients, this cleanser is what I have come to expect from a Korean facial cleanser.  It comes out of the tube thick and white and creates the lush and frothy foam that I know and love!  I am so spoiled by the richness of Korean facial cleansers that I think I will never go back to American products.  This cleanser is gentle but gets the job done.  I do not use a whole lot of heavy face makeup, other than eyeliner/mascara (which I remove with eye makeup remover) so the King of Bean effectively removes my makeup and leaves my face feeling fresh and clean.  If you wear a lot of foundation or other heavy makeup, you might need some additional makeup remover.  I find this cleanser to be gentler than my previous Missha Creamy Strawberry Latte Cleansing Foam.  The Strawberry Latte always left my skin feeling a little tight, but the King of Bean leaves my skin clean without drying it out.  So, I would recommend this product for those with normal-dry skin.  The scent of the cleanser is mild and pleasant.  It is mostly a light soapy smell mixed with a hint of sweet/yummy aroma.  Overall, the product isn't anything unique or outstanding, but I really like this basic facial cleanser and would highly recommend it.  Because of the youthful trendy vibe of their marketing, I assumed that Holika Holika products wouldn't be as high quality as other Korean brands, but I have been proven wrong! From my experience, all of their products have been stellar.  Holika Holika is a brand that I would buy without reservations. 

So what is your favorite facial cleanser? Why do you love it?