"These are extra thick and have a nubby texture, which makes them great for removing anything that's really stuck. I've used them to wipe away a face full of makeup after a photo shoot -- when there's no way cleanser is going to get the job done -- and I also use them on my dog's paws after we get back from the muddy park. It may sound ridiculous, but it's so much easier than giving her a bath." -- Dawn Davis, NYC Beauty Editor
"These are biodegradable and made with natural ingredients. I use them when I'm too lazy to wash my face, but I really loved them last June when I did a 'mud run.' You're not allowed to bring soap to the race for environmental reasons, but I was still able to get reasonably clean with a few of these." -- Sarah Carrillo, Senior Editor
I love any sort of multi-tasking product. I get excited about every new two-in-one lip and cheek stain. I applaud the infinite uses of salves. (Cuticles, split-ends, chapped lips, the list goes on.) Any beauty product that saves time and lightens my makeup bag is a keeper.
This obsession with efficiency also explains why I have a stash of face wipes that could last well into the next decade. These moistened towelettes may appear to be little more than makeup-removing tools, but they can actually do so much more. When you have face wipes, you can forget about bathing your dirty dog, cleaning out stinky shoes, or wiping up spills. You can even put off taking a shower altogether by just swiping a few of these all over (OK, depending on how badly you smell).
Maybe I'm a little too enthusiastic, but you get the idea. And I'm not alone -- just about every beauty editor in our office loves face wipes as much as I do. And, as I suspected, they don't just use them to wash their faces either. Here are the face wipes we love and the myriad things we do with them. If you're anything like us, next time your computer keyboard gets grimy you won't even consider going to Staples -- you'll grab the nearest pack of face wipes.
