Review: Naruko Magnolia Night Eye Gelly

First and foremost, allow me to apologise for being away for a long time..... just need to sort out some things that has been on my mind for quite a while. Anyway, still in the midst of it and yes, i might be facing my quarterlife crisis... what's new? Heh, nothing can help but to tough it out i guess.

Alright, enough of that grumbling..... today's focus is on Naruko Magnolia Night Eye Gelly.

I did a review on Naruko Raw Job's Tear Whitening Night Gelly previously and was impress by the texture and application of the product, especially how my skin appears to be smooth and sufficiently hydrated after using it, though not really that impressed by its whitening effect (which is not visible on me no matter how i scrutinised my skin in the mirror after using the whole jar). Despite failing to perform its intended purpose of Whitening, i am keen to consider repurchasing it solely for the way my skin felt after the application (smooth, matte and hydrated).

Therefore, expectations for its counterpart, the Night Eye Gelly is high as i expect it to perform no worse than the Raw Job's Tear Night Gelly.

Zen-like jar packaging of the Night Gelly, the chinese words on the jar (which resembles calligraphy) simply states what it is suppose to do and that it is the first skincare product to be produced under the Taiwan's Community Fair Trade project.

What Naruko Magnolia Night Eye Gelly is supposed to do?

Stated on the jar: This One-of-a-kind night eye gelly has been developed to effectively firm and tone the eye area. The therapeutic formula deeply hydrates the skin and increase cell turnover rate to promote radiance. An effective botanical complex helps to combat the premature signs of aging.

A close look at the product- gel-like texture.

A closer look- the amount is too much for 1 (double eyes application), it is sufficient for 2 appliations.

The texure is slightly more liquid-like than the Raw Job's Tear Night Gelly.

Liquid-gel like texture allows easy appliation on the skin.

After application.

Like the fuss-free packaging for Raw Job's Tear Night Gelly, the Magnolia Night Eye Gelly comes just in the simple white jar with a small spatula to scoop the product. In terms of amount for each application, i trust all of us sort of vaguely know how much is enough (and yes, piling the product thickly does not necessarily mean that the skin will absorb double the amount and hence more potent.....). Nothing to fuss about the packaging, so far so good.

The scent of the product is one of the strongest i have ever encountered in terms of skincare products. There is this very strong whiff of floral scent, i am guessing the Magnolia to which i recoiled the very minute i lifted the plastic cap off the jar. The scent does not goes away after application like most skincare products, it lingers and lingers and then fade away way later. I don't mind scented skincare products, if you like the scent why not, or if the scent just lingers there for a little while, i will just bear with it especially if the product works. In this case, its is really strong (personally that's how i felt) and for me to bear such a overwhelming scent, the product had better be of HG quality.

Regarding the application, personally i don't really follow the recommended amount for application, i just scoop what i feel is enough and so half the amount that was shown in the 4th picture is well enough for a single application. Application is smooth but i do notice the Magnolia Night Eye Gelly takes a longer time to be absorbed into the skin and the aftermath of it is slightly sticky, it takes a while to dry.

I have been using the Night Eye Gelly every night for coming 2 months, and i am only slightly a quarter through the jar (i don't skimp on the application). I have yet to witness any firming or toning of the eye area. It is fairly moisturising on the eye area though to be honest. In terms of radiance or anti-aging effects, I am unable to detect any at the moment (or perhaps i should cut down my caffine intake and yes, sleep earlier). Nope, nope... none of all that except the hydration bit.

I find that the conventional eye cream works better for me.

The Magnolia Night Eye Gelly is better suited for those whose eye area is not plagued with dark eye circles and fine lines yet. It should serve better as a preventive kind of product.

Will i buy it again?

Its a no for now, unless i do see the results after finishing the entire jar (probably another couple of months down the road... but i am not that likely to change my opinion on it).

Well, what don't work on me, might be otherwise for you. Just my 2 cents worth here, hope it helps. : )

Priced at NT 299 (S$12.80 approximately) for 30ml or 1.1fl.oz , available at http://www.naruko.com.sg/ or Watsons at Taiwan (not too sure about Singapore).

Review: Naruko Marjoram and Lavender Brightening Peeling Gel

Today's review would be on Naruko Marjoram and Lavender Brightening Peeling Gel. Essentially this is suppose to be an exfoliator of some sort that will brighten and smoothen the complexion. It contains a patented ingredient called "Phytoferulin" complex (which is a patented ingredient that is in every Naruko product) that heals and faciliates skin's cell renewal.

This is a product which i would love to love, especially since my previous experience with Naruko's Raw Job's Tear skincare range leaves me wanting to try out the other range. 

It's a shame that this is a product that made me felt completely stunned and confused.

Why?

It simply doesn't work at all and i can't believe it is from Naruko as there are rave reviews for this product in the cyberworld.

The Toothpaste tube packaging.

Product description.

120ml which is good for at least 3 months worth of usage (twice a week).

Instruction on how to use the product in Chinese.

Gel-like texture of the product.

Thick consistency texture.

After several attempts to make it work.

Before application of the product.

After product application.

Another shot of after product application.

In terms of packaging, its toothpaste tube-like container is typical of those exfoliators.

Fragrance-wise, there is a weak chemical scent that i cannot find an apt word to describe it, except that it reminds me of something plasticky. The scent of Marjoram or Lavender? I think i know how Lavender smells like, but Marjoram? I don't have the faintest clue how its suppose to be like, though a quick search in the cyberworld tells me that it should smell herbal or pine-like. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjoram)

Weird... since all that i can detect is a weak plasticky scent.

The texture of the gel is quite thick, according to application instruction, i am suppose to use this product after i have cleanse my face. Squeeze the amount of the size of a cherry and apply it onto my face, follow by massaging with my fingers for approximately 20 seconds which i will see the dead skin cells and dirt emusify and formed, after which just rinse with water.

I followed the instructions to a T and i tried not once, not twice but for 3 weeks (twice per week) and nothing that faintly resembles dead skin cells or dirt resulted from using this gel. All that i have gotten was this slick slimy feel that my face is not thoroughly cleansed. In the end i had to wash my face with my cleansing foam again to make sure the gel is off my face.

I can't bear to subject my face to the test again, so you see what my hand went through. I was massaging it clockwise then anti-clockwise and finally rubbing it up and down my hand, yet no dirt or dead skin cells of any sort resulted from usage of the gel.

This is a total waste of my time, but then there are raving reviews of it on a few forums and websites.... so maybe, just maybe i got a dud. But why me? Urgh!

To be honest, i am really disappointed by the performance of this as i had high hopes of it working for me. I guess the higher the expectations you have, the greater the disappointment will be if it doesn't work out.

Luckily i got mine at a very good price while i was in Taiwan last year but still it is a waste. The tube is still sitting in my bathroom on the rack.

Available at Watsons Singapore and http://www.naruko.com.sg/ , the price is S$17.00 ( i am not too sure about it as i saw it in Watsons quite a while ago).

Review: Naruko Raw Job's Tears Whitening Night Gelly

Yes, the item to be reviewed today is part of my Skincare loot from Taiwan..... let's introduce Raw Job's Tears Whitening Night Gelly from Naruko.......

Naruko is a skincare brand created by Taiwanese skincare guru Niu Er (those who are familar with the Taiwanese Beauty TV programme "Niu Ren Wo Zui Da" will be very familar with Niu Er), with the aim of creating a skincare line that focuses on the quality and functionality of the product (which should be the focus of any product anyway) rather than the packaging and advertising (which is normally what the consumers ususally paid the bulk of the price of the product).

Interestingly, there is a line on the carton that states his philosophy "Results derived from the product is matters more than the packaging of it. What's in your skin is far more important than what it looks like on the surface."(my loose translation of the wording).

When i first caught sight of the product, i was quite ticked by the word "gelly"on the carton and i couldn't figure why the word "gelly" until the moment i opened the packaging for the first time.  

I have been an avid fan of the programme and managed to catch a few episodes every now and then on Youtube after Channel U stopped showing it for a while. To be honest, i am quite keen to try this skincare line (it is available at http://www.naruko.com.sg/ locally and delivery is free if you spend a certain amount, think its about S$60+) and while i was in Taiwan, i picked up a few items from Naruko (it is exclusively available in Watsons but pity not the entire range, i have only seen some random products from the Raw Job's Tears range, Magnolia Brightening range, Tea tree range and the Am Pm line).

Okie... the product......

Minimal packing and the carton as assembled purely by folding (no glue, no nothing).

The red jar- contains 60ml/2.1Fl.oz of "gelly".

A plastic cap to mantain the integrity of the product.

The milky semi-transparent "gelly".

The amount i used for application a quarter of my face.

Before the application.

During the application, the gel-liquid like texture of the gelly.

After the application.

List of Ingredients.

The fuss free packaging convey fully the philosophy of "pay for what is inside the jar, not the packaging" which is what beauty fanatics, in fact what everyone of us ought to pay for anyway. Having said that, the night gelly comes in a simple glass jar (which my mom mistaken it for SKII because of the red). It comes with a small spatula for scooping out the gelly. The recommended amount for each usage is 2 pearl size which i figure could very well be 2 full scoops using the spatula (Pearl size? How is that measurable? I have no idea and so discretion is used).

There is a noticeable barley scent when i scooped out some of the gelly, its not a irritating scent that will put off people at the very first instance, rather it reminds me of barley drink. The scent will linger a while on your face until it is completely dry.

In terms of application, its light gel-lotion like texture makes application a breeze. It spreads easily on the skin and as i applied it it sort of turned into water (but with slightly thicker consistency), perhaps the gel like texture is the reason for the word "gelly" in the naming of the product range (Naruko has a whole series of Night Gelly catered for different needs, 8 or 9 types if i am not mistaken).

The gelly dries quite fast and after application, my face felt smoother (close to velvetly smooth), matte and less oily hours later (i do have shiny spots on my face at times after application of moisturiser after a few hours).

Product Description: This Night Gelly is enriched with powerful moisture to comfort dehydration and fortified with 3 unique whitening actives to even skin tone. It leaves skin softer, smoother and more resilent with a younger appearance.

I have been using this night gelly for more than a month every night straight after my toner as i wanted to see how good it is in its claim of providing the skin with sufficient hydration and whitening ability.

Honestly, i do find my skin sufficiently moisturised even though i skipped my daily moisturiser in place of this night gelly which comes as a pleasant surprise and i do like it very much for this, plus the light weight texture and the barley scented gelly makes the application enjoyable. Now for the whitening claim, i do not find it working on me, probably because i am tan in the first place (i am no Snow White and proud of that). However, i have to say it does evens out my skin tone slightly.

So in conclusion, i like this product. Not for the whitening effects as the product's name indicate but for its hydrating capability and its ability to keep my skin smoother and softer, plus the affordability of this product makes it accessible to anyone. Also,it does not contain any preservatives, colourings, parabens, fragrance-free and no animal testing which appeals to people who are looking for skincare products that are as natural as possible. The absence of the above shortens the shelf life of the product too, which means it has a shelf life of only 2 years even if you leave the product unopened in its original packing sealed.

Will i buy it again?

Yes, if i have the chance and not for whitening purposes but as a light weight moisturiser.

Priced at NT 329 (S$14.00 approximately) for 60ml or 2.1fl.oz, available at http://www.naruko.com.sg/ or Watsons in Taiwan.

 

Haul:Hauling from my Taiwan Trip

Yes, i disappeared for quite a while...mainly for health reason which has been plaguing me to no end since Feb this year. Hope to recover from it real soon.. : )

I decided to take a break to go travelling and thus my humble hauling from Taiwan. : )

Without further ado, i introduce my haul.......

The "family"that just joined my stash.

A section of it.

My Naruko haul.

The Marjoram and Lavender Brightening Peeling Gel.

(1 for a BFF)

Naruko Narcissus Total Defence set (anti-aging and repair) which was available at a special price : )

Naruko Raw Job's Tear series- meant for whitening, repair and hydration. 

Naruko Raw Job's Tear Whitening Night Gelly- which i have been using for a week since i came back, will do a review of it soon.

Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Eye Gelly.

The much-raved Albion Skin Conditioner.

Albion Exage Whitening Lotion I.

Albion facial cotton which is supposed to complement Albion products and i was amazed by it during the try out at the counter. Great customer service too, i say. : )

The free gift - 3 pcs of Exage Whitening Moisture masks.

Majolica Majorca Mascara Eye Gorgeous Wing Neo and Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On. Yes, they are much cheaper in Taiwan.

Lush's Karma.

Karma again (no pun intended here).

The list of ingredients -as the main composition of the fragrance are essential oils, so they must be used within 2 years (stated).

The Nail polishes- how can i forget them? : )

L-R: Fushia Pink, Lemony Yellow, Plum or something and Chanel's Peridot.

This is the only item not from Taiwan (from duty-free at Changi Airport).

A unique colour that i can't help but feel the need to show the pic again.

This is what i picked from Nature's Republic (i got 2 of it, 1 was for another BFF who eats nail polishes like nobody).

This Lemony sunny yellow just made my day, so gotta have it (from Face Shop).

The Pink caught my eye too.

The Nail Gang once again.

Swatches of the nail gang.

Nautical inspired hair accessory.

Fell in love with the detailing.

Handmade hair accessories.

Russian doll inspired hair clip. Caught my eye and seized my heart the moment i saw it.

Nautical hair accessory again. : )

That's all for now.

I will be doing some write ups on quite a number of products that i have been using for a month or so. So, keep visiting and do feel free to comment on things that i can improve on.

Until then, see you : )