SPOTLIGHT: Micellar Magic Part 7...

Time for some more Micellar Magic! There seems to be an endless array of this amazing liquid available in the marketplace - while the Garnier one is a new release in their rapidly expanding range, the others have been around for a while, but I've only just discovered them. The prices of these four range from $3.99 to $30.95, and interestingly, all contain fragrance, so I reckon it pays to do some research. Just to recap, I've already reviewed 13 offerings from various companies, and there are STILL more out there, so I can't see an end to this series any time soon ♥...

Avène Micellar Lotion (for sensitive skin) - (200ml RRP $30.95)

This is quite lovely - lots of slip, foams a little, after it dries my skin feels firmer but not taut, and it has a fragrance that reminds me of baby powder. From what I've read, you can't go too far wrong with any Avène product, but it is considerably more expensive...

Compared to some of the others, the ingredients are minimal, and the main one is of course Avène Thermal Spring Water. I actually tried this without pre-cleansing and found it removed almost all make-up and grime first go, and no eye tingling. Very gentle and very effective ♥...

bioten Micellar Water 3-in-1 (for dry/sensitive skin) - (200ml RRP $4.99)

Found this bottle in Chemist Warehouse on the bottom shelf of the skin care aisle. Performance-wise, it's no better or worse than most of the other less expensive offerings I've been sampling - non-drying, doesn't foam at all, removes most traces of make-up, no tightness when it dries, and has a faint floral fragrance. Appears to be made in Europe, and the registered address is in Paris...

The list of ingredients is quite extensive, and includes glycerin, castor oil and almond oil pretty high up. The front label says "100% Natural Cotton Extract", and that it's paraben, paraffin & colorant free. As I've mentioned before, I use micellar water as a second cleanse, but as the back label says it will remove even waterproof make up, I tested it on some lightly applied eye liner - most of it came off, but I had to rub quite a bit. Still there was no stinging or any irritation of my eyes, or the area around it. For $4.99, I think it's pretty good value, but if you're after something that will take your stubborn makeup clean off, then keep reading ♥...

Byphasse Micellar Make-Up Remover (for dry/sensitive skin) - (500ml RRP $3.99)

Another non-mainstream one from Chemist Warehouse, except this brand had it's own product stand at the end of the aisle. Made in Spain, this drags a wee bit on my skin, and the cotton pad starts to break up by the time I'm finished. I do prefer my micellar water to slip more easily over my skin, and I also found my face and neck felt unusually sticky after it dried - not quite in the realm of glue, but decidedly tacky all the same...

Above are the ingredients - nothing vastly different from other formulations, and at $3.99 for 500mls, it should be the best value around town, but that stickiness? Hmmm...no...

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water in Oil (for waterproof make-up) - (400ml RRP $13.95)

Well now I'm beginning to think that Garnier has the market all sewn up - yet another variety in their micellar range, and this one is even more specialised...

This mix of oil and water is a winner for removing long-wear foundation, 18-hour lip products, and especially waterproof eye-make-up - it's almost as effective as the remover I have sworn by and used for years (Neutrogena), and will take off four layers of cemented mascara in a flash with no irritation. You absolutely MUST shake the bottle well though until the liquid becomes cloudy throughout and foamy on the top - it will settle and separate out again eventually, but unless you do the big shake immediately before use, you'll miss out on its power. What I don't know is whether there's enough oil to last all the way to the bottom, but I'm prepared to give Garnier the benefit of the doubt. Not as much slip as I'd like, but I do love how soft my skin feels afterwards, and yet not a hint of greasy is left behind. It also has a fragrance - I'm going to say "lemon jasmine" - not my favourite scent, but not potent enough to bother me ♥...

My pick of this bunch is the Avène - yes it costs a good deal more, but the experience is such a pleasurable one ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Hooking up with Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥ - guaranteed all sorts of interesting reads every week..