Thursday, January 13, 2011

AMW Reviews: Nature Republic Forest Garden Balancing Cleanser Oil

When I visited Seoul, Korea October of last year, I gave myself a quick mental note to purchase different types of cleansing oils because I want to prolong my Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil usage as I've already finished 4 huge bottles of it!  I know finding an alternative cleansing oil in Korea is not a good idea especially if the brand is not locally available!  You know that I'll do anything to prolong the lifespan of my Shu Uemura cleansing oil!  

One of the first few Cleansing Oils I tried from my Korea Trip is the one from Nature Republic.  A lot of you may be familiar with the brand but to some (like myself) who relied on research, I've read that Nature Republic's products have been designed and developed according to the great nature's beauty secret and uses extraordinary natural ingredients from all over the world.  Most of their products are said to derive from pure nature.  I like testing on products that does not use a lot of chemicals, lesser chemicals equals lesser chance of skin irritations.

I don't have to explain myself on why I chose this brand, you do know that it's love at first "packaging" sight! 

Nature Republic says ---

Revitalizing cleansing oil containing essential oil comples.


Size: 145ml
Ingredients: Ethylhexyl, Palmitate, Mineral Oil, PEG-20 Glyceryl, Triisostearate Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Butylparaben, Propylparaben
Available in: with Borage Oil and Carrot Seed, with Oil Rosemary and Ylang Ylang, with Tea Tree and Lemongrass, with Argan Tree Oil and last but not the least, with Chamomile.

AMW says ---
Pros
  • The cute sexy packaging looks very nice on my bathroom!
  • Pump is perfect for ease of use.
  • 2-3 pumps are enough to clean up my face.
  • Can remove hardheaded foundation, primer, powder, etc..
  • Can even remove waterproof mascara.
  • Skin feels soft after washing.
  • Skin never feels dry nor oily.
  • No skin irritations or allergies.
Cons
  • If product gets on the eye area, it blurs out my vision a bit and could sting at times!
  • The scent is a bit overwhelming!  Not for the sensitive nose.
Overall
Not bad!  The product performed quite well!  I was thinking that this could be pricier than other cleansing oils because of the quantity, but you know what?  This bottle lasted me 3 full months and I still have some left!

With regards to the texture of the oil, the Nature Republic's texture is "runny" and more of the "watery" side as compared to my favorite Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil.  

Tips
  • Start by pumping 2x using dry hands and gently massage all over face.  You can add more pumps if needed.
  • Lather a bit and continue massaging your face especially on areas where you have a lot of makeup on!
  • Slowly wash off with lukewarm water.
  • Pat your face with soft cloth , never wipe your face with too much pressure!
  • You can continue with cleanser if you prefer to remove the "oil".
  • Stop usage once skin irritations occur.
  • Try not to get product inside your eye, wash off immediately if the product irritates your eyes.
  • If you are a heavy mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner user, wipe your eye makeup with your preferred eye makeup remover prior to cleanser oil usage!
  • Keep and reuse the bottle!
Will I repurchase?
If I get the chance to visit Korea again, I'll purchase this on a different variant!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who's used to using cleansing oil in makeup removal!  For this variant, this works on both dry and oily skin as it does not cause skin to get oily nor it strips oil from the skin!  Feels very light.

Where to purchase and how much?
I bought mine in Korea for approximately Php400.00+ (approx $10.00++).


Do you use cleansing oils?
If yes, how much is your cleansing oil?


Keep smilin'

Stay happy!


11 comments :

  1. It's sad that it isn't locally available, Nikki. But I'm glad you were happy with it as you were with Shu.

    I love Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil! It's made a HUGE difference with my uber oily skin and I raved about it HERE. Anything that comes close to it at a fraction of the price is something worth getting my hands on, I guess, so I'm on the hunt for this baby!

    Thanks Nikki, stay as pretty and nice as you've always been :D

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  2. wow nikki, ang lakas mo gumamit ng cleansing oil pala! haha i'm super tipid, a 150 ml bottle of a shu oil is enought to last me more than 6 months :) thanks for sharing this.

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  3. Nikki to cleansing oil: "You had me at hello!"

    That's such a really cute packaging, not the typical ones you see in the market. :P

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  4. too bad its not locally available. ganda pa naman sana and its not expensive pa...

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  5. I've seen Nature Republic in one of the shopping malls in Malaysia. You can probably ask someone to CP for you.I'm waiting for my no buying ban to be lifted before getting this.

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  6. herroyalbleakness, Agree! Cleansing is a breeze no matter how much gel liner, mascara, eyeshadow I use with the SHu Uemura One :) I'm just hoping they'll be inexpensive alternatives out there, I'm sure there are! :)

    Crystal, girl! Parang iniinom ko no? hahaha I am surprised as well when I saw the old bottles that my mom in law reuse for liquid hand soap! Buti ka pa! Ako talaga addict, I think I can reach 3-4 pumps!

    Pammy, hahahaha grabe, I went straight to the cleansing Oil when I was at Nature Republic! The store is just Amazing with their packaging!

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  7. Khymm, oo! It's not as "oily" or heavy as most cleansing oil but it works!

    Adrianna, wow, lucky you to have it in Malaysia, I actually saw a site in Malaysia for Nature Republic :)

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  8. My mom's friend brought Nature Republic to Manila. I think they have a branch in Alabang, and in The Block ata soon :)

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  9. @Jenn Ngo I know! they are widely available na! yay :D

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  10. Hi Nikki! I just want to ask what is the best cleansing oil for oily to combination? I've been interested in trying cleansing oil as my make up remover but I'm afraid to use cleansing oils and I'm not wearing heavy make up. I'm just using facial wash as my make up remover. I read all of your reviews about cleansing oil and it is really helpful. Confuse din ako if what brand ng cleansing oil ang the best and affordable na korean brand coz I only have two choices from etude house or nature republic. Plan ko na kasi bumili this weekend I also wanted to try cleansing water from etude house. Which one is the best? Any suggestion? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. You can start with Etude House as it's not as 'rich' plus it isn't that expensive :) goodluck :)

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