Image via Omorovicza

Okay, so we've mentioned Omorovicza's new just-out-this-month Thermal Cleansing Balm here on Product Fiend, but we haven't really properly reviewed the thing. I believe that if we're going to casually mention a cleanser that costs more than some facials, we need to get real here and explain what the hell this stuff is all about. I've been dousing myself in the stuff lately, so now I feel up to the challenge...let's go! All the tools you need to make a competent buyer's decision, after the jump!

Hungarian thermal waters (chock full of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and other healing minerals and proteins)? Check. Elegant, high-toned, mostly all-white packaging? Sure. Chic, buzz-worthy charcoal-hued product that smells fresh and potent, yet not overwhelmingly so? But of course. A relatively small amount of product (1.7 ounces) for a whopping $102? Oh hell yeah.

So is it really, really worth it? Well, that depends on both your own personal value system and, let's face it, your budget.

Let's get this straight: the product is divine, no question. I've never been quite so precious with something meant to take my makeup off, and though the box it came in did not include a scoop, I used a plastic dispenser from my fancy eye cream to retrieve the product--I learned a powerful lesson in moisture/bacteria contamination when I ruined an entire (just opened!) jar of my beloved InFiore Lustra Cleansing Balm. True to its balm texture, this cleanser is extremely rich, concentrated and oily (in a good way), so just a nickel-sized amount seems to do the trick. As you massage it in, the product literally seems to warm your skin, and the first time I tried it, I muttered to myself, "This better suck up every blackhead I've got," assuming that was impossible. After a few minutes of dutiful massaging, I wiped the balm off with a hand towel (you're supposed to use some official Omorovicza mitt, but I don't have one, so...), then inspected my pores in my "torture mirror." I can't say the slate was wiped perfectly clean, but I was astounded at how much brighter the future suddenly looked. On top of that, my skin was glowy, silkily conditioned and surprisingly clean feeling as well.

Again you may ask, but is it worth it? Well, it's certainly more of a treatment than a makeup remover in my book (even though it's touted as both), but on the other hand, it seems like it would work for all skin types, and might be a nice way to supplement your routine, as in, every other night wash with this instead. Because it is so very concentrated, I think that if you watch your doses, you could really stretch this small jar's contents. On that note, the above mentioned In Fiore balm seems quite comparable to this product (though they can't boast the Hungarian goods), and you get more than twice the amount of product for $125 if you can manage to avoid getting it moldy like I did.

Good luck with your decision, and let us know if you went for it, or if you have an even better suggestion, and/or if you think it's bananas to spend a hundo on face wash. (Um, is it guys!? Maybe I need a wake up call here...)