Monday 18 July 2016

SPOTLIGHT: Micellar Magic Part 5...

Well the Micellar Water market is bigger than I thought, so time for another round. While there's one in the piccie below that's cheap as chips, I've started delving into more upmarket offerings. We all know that the creme-de-la-creme Bioderma comes with a pretty hefty price tag ($42.99 for 500ml), but I was curious to see if there was any difference in the quality of other brands as the price point increased, so watch this space. Incidentally I'm not even attempting to finish all of the bottles I've acquired so far during this adventure (I guess I could take a bath in it lol?), so I've been distributing some to my fam & friends, and delighted to report that I have totally converted my Mum to this magical invention...


So let's get started. Out of these five, I'm going to cut to the chase and start with the WORST ...

MODELCo Micellar Cleansing Water - All In 1 (240ml, RRP $15)


I so appreciate honesty from the bloggers I follow, and wouldn't DREAM of leading anyone astray with dodgy info here. Regardless of my experience, I endeavour to be fair, and even if a product sucks, will always mention any redeeming qualities, but I'm struggling to find anything positive about this baby, except maybe the packaging. While tall bottles are more likely  to topple over than squatty ones, this takes up very little space on my vanity, and the overall look is quite classy. There - I've said it. As for what's inside, well...I'm puzzled as to how this made it onto the market...


Leaving aside the fact that UREA is listed as an ingredient (eeeeewwwwww!), I haven't been able to get past first base with the application. Regardless of how much I use, this drags on my skin, and after a couple of swipes, the cotton pad scrunches up and starts to tear. I use Swisspers makeup remover pads because they never EVER break up or shred, except when I use this. At first I thought it was because of the cleanser I used, so I tried several from the assortment on my bench, but the result was the same each time. In a nutshell, there is zero slip. If I use a few pads, I can make it down to my neck, but when it dries, my skin feels tight and dehydrated. At my age, I appreciate a bit of firming, but not this much. The label says it's "...a cult-favourite among professional makeup artists and celebrities." I wonder who? One word - no. Let's move on...

essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water (400ml, RRP $12.99)


Ahhh essano - you make such lovely products  Just for the record this sweetie has earned 5-star rave reviews on beautyheaven, and I wholeheartedly concur. Love the slightly milky/pearly finish of the bottle, and for 400ml, it's terrific value for the price. It's a winner all round actually - barely any chemical sounding ingredients that I don't recognise, and lots of natural (and organic) goodies. I actually prefer this to the pink Garnier one - same price, but it has the edge as far as skin comfort and gentleness is concerned. Love that it contains Aloe Vera and Rosehip Seed Oil, but doesn't leave even the remotest hint of oily residue. My skin feels toned, soft and super clean, and not the least bit robbed of moisture. Recommended for all skin types, the formula is pH balanced and dermatologically tested. I also appreciate that the label says "200 uses", which my trusty calculator works out to be 6.5 cents each time. Bargain 


Part 6 will be up soon. If you missed the rest of the series, here are the links: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Time for another round up of top blog articles at Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party starts 6:30am ...

37 comments:

  1. Goodness Kat what an amazing series on micellar water! So thorough and I love your testing!

    I use ultraceuticals products and the recently released a micellar water but at $39 for 200mls I've been loathe to try it - and the don't make samples! But after reading how good the expensive Bioderma is, I am tempted.


    So if you need another product to test for your Part 6(!) is love to see your write up on the ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Micellar Solution.


    Keep those in depth blogs coming - you are the Jana Vendt of beauty blogging - great work!

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    1. Hi Karen - tickled pink you're enjoying this series hon, I am too, it's really opened my eyes. Will definitely see if I can incorporate the Ultraceuticals one xxx

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  2. Glad you rate the Essano one so highly as I have that one in my 'stash'. I'll get to it eventually! :)

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    1. Yep loving it mayday - it just has the edge (by a mm) over the Garnier one. Of course by the time I finish this series, I might have changed my mind again ha ha xxx

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  3. SO glad you rate the Essano one highly as I'm looking to score me a bottle at some stage, hopefully before I go away next month (provided Priceline do the 40% off skincare sale, which is looking a bit shaky at present). Everyone seems to rate it highly, so I'm looking forward to trying it. I'll probably get the mini bottle just to save some space in my luggage + I'm going to buy a bottle of Caudalie's micellar water when I'm away.

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    1. My local Priceline lady told me the skincare sale is on next week - I was in there to buy an eye cream, but I'm holding out till Tuesday. Caudalie? I just googled it - oh boy, another awesome brand I need to investigate, thanks for the tip hon xxx

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    2. If you happen to be in Sydney any time soon, Sephora sell it. I've tested that micellar water on my hand & it did a great job of removing all my Bite Beauty swatches. I didn't feel any irritation either, but time will tell whether my face feels the same way.

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    3. I so rarely go to Sydney Shell, but I do shop online at Sephora lol! Thanks babe, will check it out ♥♥♥

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  4. Thank you so much for your informative and honest Micellar blog post series! I thought I had tried a lot of them but you have opened my eyes to many others I definitely need to check out :) x

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    1. The Garnier one was the only "other" one for a while, but all the brands seem to be getting into it now - I can barely keep up ha ha!

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  5. Love your honesty! Who knew the micellar water market was so expansive these days.

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    1. Hey Beth, I think it's like when you decide to buy a red Honda hatchback - all of a sudden you see them everywhere lol! I'll keep going as long as there are new ones to try ♥

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  6. LOVE your honesty - it's great to know we can rely on your thoughts, of course I already knew that! but you're doing a brilliant job. Bloggers who continue to keep their readers interested and informed are worth their weight in gold and you definitely fit in there. Take care, Hun.
    Trish.

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    1. Hello my darling Trish ♥ I SO love to read you a comment from you sweetheart - you're always so supportive, and then I know I'm still on the right track ♥♥♥

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  7. UREA?!omg... what the hell model co! to be honest, I've never been a big fan of modelco products. I better check my micellar water ingredients!

    Lily not Louise

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    1. Lol Lily, it's probably the minutest amount, but is it really necessary? I'm not a ModelCo fan either - anything I've tried has been a bit meh. Just for the record I've used it again, and the same thing has happened - makeup pad dragging against my skin and breaking up, ooh no...

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  8. I love these posts from you Kats! Although I havent heard of either one of these brands, your honest review has me longing for the essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water. I'm not big on "rosehip" products, does it have a strong scent? Tal xo

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    1. No smell AT ALL Tal - doesn't feel the slightest bit oily either, however they've done the formula, it's all integrated ♥x♥

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    2. Having just used a bit of it yesterday (I bought the mini size), I can vouch for Kats statement - I too couldn't detect a scent.

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    3. Thanks a bunch for confirming Shell - sometimes I wonder if my nose is still working lol xxx

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  9. I do appreciate an honest review ... thanks for putting us on to more budget friendly Micellar waters, I will keep an eye out for the Essano one.

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    1. Well worth a try Janet - I don't use them to take off all my makeup, just as a second cleanse. The bioderma one is a gem of course, but I find some of these cheaper brands work just as well for what I want them to do xxx

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  10. I haven't seen either of these here in Canada. So far, I've only tried the Simple one and the pink Garnier one. I much prefer the Simple and it feels much more hydrating and gentle and the Garnier suds up and feels soapy. Hope your Dad is doing well! xoxo

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    1. Delighted the Simple one works for you Amy, and ain't it grand that we have choices! Dad is back home (thank goodness) and doing really well - I'm still recovering from the whole episode, taking a holiday mid-August so that'll fix me xxx♥♥♥xxx

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  11. I love and appreciate your honesty! And as such, I'll be steering well clear of the Model Co one. The Essano Micellar Water sounds lovely though!

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    1. Thanks Di - it's weird hey, maybe it's just me, but I have no idea who buys the ModelCo one, or how they use it. Maybe there's a trick that I don't know about? Go the Essano! xxx

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  12. oooo interesting reviews!! I love micellar waters, I've been using a quite expensive one at the moment, but I actually love how it leaves my skin feeling and it gets allll the make up off!

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    1. I reckon if you're using it solely as a makeup remover, then the higher priced ones are the go Laura - it's quite magical how it works hey xxx

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  13. Thanks for the warning about the ModelCo Micellar Water. I must say that Im really keen to try various brands and love Micellar water so when i saw the ModelCo one I was keen to try it but I trust your reviews so might save my money on this one.

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    1. Everyone's skin is different Fawn, and maybe mine is just too dry for this formula, but I'm busting to find out who actually likes it! ♥

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  14. I'll be keeping my eye out for the Essano micellar water next time I need a new one. Great honest reviews!

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    1. Thanks Ingrid my dear - this week is a good one to stock up with the Priceline Skincare sale (40% off I believe) ♥♥♥

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  15. I swear by micellar water, and I was looking for options for Bioderma as well. Thank you SO much for these options! Rosehip is a great ingredient for acne-prone skin as well, so I'll have to see if I can get the Essano water.

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    1. Hi Renu! Thanks for stopping by - hope all my ravings are helpful, gosh there's SO many to choose from xxx

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  16. Cosmetic urea is synthetically derived! So no reason to be grossed out. It's a fantastically moisturising ingredient. There really are more micellar waters than I knew existed.

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    1. Well now thank you for the information Miss Skin Science! Anyways, I think they should call it something else for those of us who aren't in the know lol. As for the micellar market, I'm beginning to think I'm just scratching the surface! xxx

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  17. I keep picking the essano off the shelf but it never makes it to the check out lol I'll have to actually try it

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