Well here we are at the end of the series - well it's not quite the end 'cos I'm having way too much fun, and besides, I've found a couple more micellar waters to try! So I suspect there will be a continuation of this theme ♥, but for now, I'll wrap up this particular set (let's call it "Season 1") with the last two as promised, as well as the mother of all micellar waters, Bioderma...
So this was the second one I tried after the pink Garnier, and it's a beauty - no alcohol, hypoallergenic and fragrance free. I don't know which of the ingredients listed below is the toner component, but it does offer a little something extra over the others as far as texture refining is concerned. Not the least bit drying, good slip factor, and I find this quite soothing and smoothing. I used to use the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Toning Lotion, but this does the job just as well, despite feeling gentler. I prefer this rectangular bottle shape as it takes up far less room on my bench than the fat round ones. Overall I really like this version - will repurchase once I've finished the contents, and alternate it with my #1 fave (to be revealed below) ♥...
true micellar water make up remover 125ml (RRP $4)
This is one of the new cheap-and-cheerful range from Coles - just about everything is $4, so I figured it was well worth a place in my experiment. While it is a relatively small quantity, the baby sized (yet sturdy) bottle is super handy for weekends away, and the cap unscrews so you can refill it with another brand if you prefer, or anything else for that matter. No alcohol content, not tested on animals and Australian made, so there's three bonuses already. Like some of the others, it sort of foams if you rub the cotton pad on the skin, and while it's fragrance-free, it does have a faint scent when it hits the makeup remover pad. Although non drying, it's not my fave, but I'll buy this again just to have a few of the empty containers in my drawer ♥
So here's the darling that started it all. It's made in France, and consequently, has an ooh-la-la price tag, but you get what you pay for - a 100% irritant-free, fragrance-free dermalogically and opthalmologically tested formula that whisks away makeup and grime in seconds. Ever so slight foaming characteristics (actually more slip than foam) and again, it has a faint what I call "towel left on the clothesline" scent once it comes in contact with the cotton pad. BUT it does leave my skin feeling the silkiest and softest of all the ones I've tried. I've found that all micellar waters have a cooling effect, but this one even more so - possibly the cucumber extract content, and I would go for this big time in the hot weather for an extra refreshment boost. Like the Sukin one, I really appreciate that it has an expiry date on the back of the bottle. Nice one Bioderma ♥
Ok before I reveal my numero uno, I thought I'd do one last test - as mentioned in Part 1, I use micellar water as my second cleanser, and instead of a toner. But there are many of you who might choose to use this magical elixir as your one and only cleanser. So in the (sucky - boo!) swatch piccie below, I've drawn on a stripe of Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner, and let it set for a few minutes before swatching with each of the products - one single same-pressure swipe with a soaked cotton bud paddle, so you can see how effective they all are...
So now for the big reveal - valuewise, and for my particular purposes, Garnier Sensitive gets my vote, and it's the one I'll continue to purchase over and over again, well at least until I find something better. BUT if I ever decide to ditch my traditional cleansers and use ONLY a micellar water, I would go for the original but pricey Bioderma Sensibio ♥
Till Series 2...
Take care of you,
kats xxx
P.S. Added to Ingrid's BRILLIANT Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party ♥
what a great series! I am so new to Micellar Water but you have given me some great insight. I have recently received a sample bottle of the Garnier and I don't actually mind it I will never use it as a first cleanse (although it works great for wiping my brushes for a quick clean after make up) but as a second cleanse, it is strangely satisfying seeing what cleanser 1 left behind! Well done, this has been a fantastic review. Thank you x
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you've been enjoying it Barbe - it's a win/win when I have fun and you gals get something out it too. And it works both ways - I didn't even think to use to it clean my brushes so thank YOU hon! ♥
DeleteI've never tried the Bioderma. I have tried Garnier but I'm not sure if it was the sensitive one, probably not but I almost always opt for sensitive versions when it comes to skincare. Great series, Kats! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy my dear - the pink Garnier one has been around for yonks, so it's most likely the one you tried. I reckon Garnier were literally "testing the waters" (lol!) before they expanded the range xxx
DeleteLove the little test you did. Glad to hear that Garnier won out!
ReplyDeleteYes well after taking everything into account, it's still my fave Mel - the added bonus is that I can get it at the Supermarket. I'll go out of my way to find something if I love it, but I just throw the Garnier one in my trolley, too easy! xxx
DeleteWhat a great series of reviews this has been! It's been so informative! Do you have a different product type you are thinking of reviewing next?
ReplyDeleteThanks heaps Ingrid! There's some other series that I've been neglecting of late e.g. body washes, scrubs, and I didn't ever finish my foundation or lipstick one, so I'll be resurrecting all of those, as well as continuing on with the micellar water ♥
DeleteThis was such a great series and I love your swatch test at the bottom. I know the foaming thing you're talking about and I'm not a fan of that either. I'll probably go back to my Garnier one once my BioDerma runs out (even though I love BD) just because of the price tag!
ReplyDeleteBless you Di - I did those swatches close to midnight and wasn't happy with the quality of the photo, but it was quite revealing all the same. I'm planning on keeping a BD bottle for emergencies, but the Garnier one will stay on my bench - as you can imagine, I have quite a few to use up now! ♥♥♥
DeleteGreat series Kats! Loved seeing all these put to the test!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tal - I've really enjoyed this whole adventure too, and it's not quite over yet ♥
DeleteLoved this series of posts and that pic comparing them all is brilliant! (Poor Nivea doesn't do too well there!)
ReplyDeleteI'm not one that usually looks at ingredients too closely but there are a couple of things that stood out to me in this post. L'oreal put copolymers in EVERYTHING don't they? Not even the humble Micellar water can escape it lol! Also interesting to see, not one but, TWO sweeteners in the Bioderma version. Are we putting it on our face or drinking it? ;)
Looking forward to the sequel!
Yep the Nivea was a bit of a washout hey mayday, or maybe I should say non-washout ha ha. And I'm so happy you know what all these ingredients are - sweeteners in Bioderma? I'm as bamboozled as you hon! ♥♥♥
DeleteIt was very informative series, I love the idea of little test at the end. But I prefer the garnier one on bioderma because of strong packing. I do not like the bioderma packing, it is very cheap and mine was just broke after few days, when my little one through it on the floor:(
ReplyDeleteGoodness Faiza, thanks so much for your packaging insight - how disappointing about the Bioderma, especially given the price. I've dropped my Garnier one on the tiles a couple of times with not even a dent xxx
Deletelove love love this series Kat. It's great to see how others got on with the products you've tried and also get some ideas for the next one to try. the L'Oreal one is my ultimate fave. Even over the Bioderma. I suffer with dry skin and this is the only one that didn't leave red bumps or dry my skin out more. Can't wait to see what the next series is x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your feedback Louise - so glad the L'Oreal works so well for you, that information will be very handy for my other readers who have dry skin ♥♥♥
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about the containers & I love the look of the True too. It had a favourable swatch & I'm trying to buy Aussie more. Great, comprehensive review series Kat! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe True actually stacked up pretty well in the swipe test hey - well worth trying hon. Glad you've enjoyed this little experiment - more to come xxx
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