Sunday Riley Cleansers

5/22/13

Sunday Riley has been on my beauty radar for the past year or so, as their brand presence has grown seemingly overnight in stores like Barneys and various fashion publications. 

The company is a mere four years old, and has already developed a cult following by models, celebrities, and makeup artists. I should note that this line is incredibly affordable, given the company they keep in high-end stores (La Mer, Sisley, Chantecaille, ReVive, et al). $45 for a cleanser is a steal. Their products are without parabens and other chemicals that make my Portland friends cringe. Sunday's philosophy states that "a combination of botanicals and biotechnology" is the key to great skincare. Thus commenced yet another affair during which I, once again, betrayed my beloved Dr. Hauschka (Cleansing Milk). I have normal skin with an occasionally oily T-zone, and dry skin in the winter or places with hard water.

My first purchase was the Charisma Crème Cleanser ($45), for dry to normal skin. It's described as a non-foaming milk cleanser that removes makeup and softens fine lines, leaving skin smoother and more refreshed. I was immediately put off by both the consistency and (lack of) scent. I've been using milk-based cleansers and generally prefer them. This cleanser is quite thin and immediately begins to run off the fingertips during application, making my nightly ritual rather hurried. The unscented product actually smells...mildly unpleasant. In no way would any facial cleanser completely remove eye makeup, so I disregarded the makeup removing claims. I use a toner to ensure clarity, which would be a necessity for ladies who wear foundation (I don't). My skin did feel soft and supple, as promised. I used this product for a couple of weeks before moving on to 
the next cleanser. 

The Ceramic Slip Cleanser ($45) is the more popular of the two, and scored higher marks from me. Created for normal to combination skin, the promise is natural exfoliation, tightened pores thanks to French clay, while ingredients like Vitamin C, Black Pepper, Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Jasmine promise to purify, reduce irritation and inflammation (i.e. breakouts, rosacea, etc). I immediately preferred the soft, gel-like consistency. It didn't run off my fingers like the Charisma Crème Cleanser does. Better still? The natural, light and pleasant scent was a refreshing change. While I don't suffer from breakouts aside from the occasional blemish, I've found my skin to be brighter and my pores tightened. What a welcome change! 

My verdict? 

Skip the Charisma Crème Cleanser, but The Ceramic Slip Cleanser is a keeper!

Available at: Barneys, Bloomingdales, & Sephora.