dear, Klair’s Toner Mate 2 in 1 Cotton Pad retails at USD6.50, available at Wishtrend. 3. Muji peelable cotton pads I got my mom to do a blind test to see which one she likes. She preferred the Quo ones because they were softer (and also they were fatter – more layers). I tested them out and agree that the Quo ones are actually softer, but the Shiseido ones are stronger. When you try to tear them, it takes more force to pull the Shiseido ones apart and are therefore better to use for eye makeup (especially waterproof makeup). If you’re only wearing face makeup, the Quo ones are a great way to save some money. You can use the Quo ones for toner and removing face makeup, and buy the Shiseido ones for eye makeup. Did you know that everyone’s favourite “everything” store has cotton pads that have a serious cult following? These cotton pads are much raved about on Reddit because it has great value for money. They’re both very soft and the cotton sheets don’t fall apart in use. There’s no linting at all. I dialed up the contrast to show the difference in surface texture between the two – Shiseido has a slight ribbed texture whereas MUJI does not. It doesn’t make any difference in performance though.

I’ve been using both MUJI and Shiseido cottons interchangeably for the past month to get a true sense of how similar or dissimilar they are to each other. Unfortunately for us, Chanel’s cotton pads are unavailable in Singapore, so grab a box during your next vacation overseas at USD20! 7. Dear Dahlia 5 Layer Soft Cotton Pad Most cotton pads on the market are designed for single use. Though they're usually not exorbitantly expensive, using one or more a day can add up. With larger pads, Dr. Engelman says you can "cut each square in half to make them last longer." If you wear eye makeup and use micellar water instead of cleansing oils/balms, you will probably prefer the Shiseido ones since they are harder to rip and less likely to curl up on you. If you love the Shiseido ones and you live in Canada, I think it’s worth it to give the Quo ones a shot. I did my usual physical, observable comparisons between MUJI and Shiseido. The size of the MUJI is slightly smaller, measuring 65 x 50mm whereas Shiseido’s is 65 x 55mm.In addition, MUJI sells “Peelable Cotton”, and “Cotton Puffs” (thanks to Polished & Inspired for pointing this out!) which are not the same as the Cut Cotton. MUJI Cut Cotton WHITE is what you want! 😀

Dear Dahlia 5 Layer Soft Cotton Pad retails at SGD9 for 70 pieces, and is available at Sephora. 8. Swisspers Cotton Wool SquaresSephora Organic Cotton Pads retails at SGD5 for a bag of 50, and is available at Sephora. 11. Albion Facial Cotton

Some cotton pads are smooth on both sides, which is ideal for everyday use and for anyone with sensitive skin. Other options are smooth on one side and slightly textured on the other. The textured side can be used for exfoliation or removing stubborn nail polish, and the smooth side can be used for removing eye makeup and applying various skincare products. When I was scrutinizing the two cottons side by side, I’d say that the Shiseido is ever so slightly softer. But it’s not apparent while I was using them on even the delicate eye area. Honestly – saving 68% allows me to ignore this tiny, almost undetectable discrepancy.DHC Silky Cotton Cosmetic Pads retails at SGD7.50 on Lookfantastic. 10. Sephora Organic Cotton Pads Despite its too-good-to-be-true price point, buyers on this Reddit thread recommend Daiso’s square shaped cotton pads because of its softness and no-frills approach to skincare. For a quality cotton pad option that won’t cost you a pretty penny, Daiso remains a forerunner so you can indulge in your routine and not feel bad about wasting cotton pads that cost way too much per piece.