Naruko Narcissus Total Defense AA Foaming Wash

Naruko's Narcissus Total Defense AA (Amino Acid) Foaming Wash was part of my Naruko set of purchases from last spring. Here are my thoughts on this cleanser after about three months of use. 

It comes in a simple box with violet lettering (the Narcissus' line color assignment).

The Narcissus line is meant for all skin types.

The tube is a hefty 120ml.

The foaming wash emphasizes on "gentle and non-irritating" points.

Usage instructions in Mandarin: The product is for washing the face, cleaning the skin, and cleaning pores. Squeeze 1~2 cm of product (dry skin 1 cm) on hands, add water to foam up and gently massage onto entire face; wash off with water. Product life: 2 years.

It came sealed properly. I appreciate it when skincare companies do this.

The transparent cap is a nice touch.

Here is the product -- looking more like a mousse/whipped cream.

Should I eat it? There isn't much to say except that the texture is a novelty compared to creamier types the market is bombarded with. I only use it in the morning as it's too mild to remove a whole day's accumulation of sweat and grime. I doesn't lather into blissful bubbles either. I wouldn't say this is gentle; in fact it kind of irritates my skin, making it redder and rougher than usual. Mind that there are really excellent face washes out there (Ipsa comes to mind) which leave skin soft and supple. Not this one. For the price though, the quality is reasonable. Perhaps it is best for those with no issues of hypersensitivity and who don't need to wash their faces squeaky clean (who doesn't these days? maybe if you live in paradise with not much pollution?). Overall, not one of Naruko's best products.

Same usage instructions.

Ingredients list.

In typical Naruko fashion, box recycling/origami instructions are included.

 Follow the instructions and . . .

Here you go: a pen stand.

I'm using this in the office now. Quite handy.

 

Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Eye Gelly

Naruko is one of my favorite brands as you may already know -- or not. It is homegrown in Taiwan, created by the island's beauty expert Niu-Er. The brand is famous for its skincare particularly the Night Gellys. I've had good experiences with Naruko products so far, and I readily made the switch from Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream, my trusted eye cream of many years, to Naruko's Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Eye Gelly.

The design of the Magnolia line is slightly different from Naruko's other lines. The product name and description in front is entirely in Chinese text and is presented like an Oriental poem.

The Eye Gelly is described to be anti-aging, repairing, brightening, protecting, moisturizing. Usage: After washing the face, use spatula to scoop out about two pearl-sized amount and spread thinly first on the undereye area, then continue application on the eyelids up to near the eyebrows. No need to rinse with water after application. Suitable for all-skin types, especially dry around the eye area.

Opening . . .

It comes with a spatula. The handle is slightly curved. It fits nicely between the thumb and forefinger.

Out of the box! The jar is made of glass and feels hefty on my hand. It contains 60ml of gelly goodness. Very generous for an eye product. The Magnolia line uses a creamy off-white color label that I find to be the most pleasing among all the other lineups. It looks very grown-up and elegant.

The description says this product is for firming and toning the eye area.

This anti-aging eye treatment also aims to "deeply hydrate the skin and increase cell turnover rate to promote radiance."

It has a separate plastic cover aside from the screw-top cap.

The Eye Gelly has a pale yellow, milky shade. The texture is like gooey gelatin. It has a sweet, candy-like smell. Sometimes I am reminded of Nerds candy during application. The jelly texture makes it easy to spread around the eye area which is a plus because it's better not to tap or rub on the sensitive eye area for too long. With this product on, there remains a cooling sensation on the eyes which feels really nice. I don't think I ever had experienced such a "cooling" feeling with other products, even after putting them in the refrigerator. It feels like the Eye Gelly is draining the eye area of excess heat/stress. When I use this product at night, my eyes feel moisturized, supple, and firm in the morning. The only difference it has from my Holy Grail Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream is that it is not as effective in eliminating dark under eye circles. Note: Not as good does not mean it does not lighten my dark circles, it's just that Bio-Performance is really superb in that aspect. Another thing is I would have preferred a pump bottle instead of the unhygienic jar type packaging. Those aside, Naruko Magnolia Eye Gelly is much, much friendlier on the pocket. This Eye Gelly's overall performance is something to sing praises about. I would definitely keep on using and repurchase this product.

Product description on the bottom jar is similar to the one printed on the box.

Above, the ingredients list.

Side of the box.

The pamphlet. The Magnolia line features a whole range of other skincare items.

An introduction to skin care around the eye area.

The Magnolia line step-by-step usage:

And Naruko's products never end without recycling tips.

How to turn the carton/packaging into a box:

 Six steps to transformation . . .

 Ta-da!

 With the lid on : )

Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Night Gelly

Naruko's Night Gelly series has gained popularity as an overnight mask/moisturizer. There are other kinds of Naruko Night Gellies with hydrating, whitening, or firming functions. The Narcissus is an anti-aging range targeting all skin types. 

It comes in a simple sturdy box. Since it is a homegrown Taiwanese brand, it is introduced mainly in Traditional Chinese text. I've only put my trust in Japanese, French, and lately, Korean skincare, but after reading up on Taiwan's Naruko created by famous beauty guru Niu-er, it came across as a solid brand that put a premium on extensive research and safe efficacy. After using the Narcissus Total Defense Night Gelly for over a month, I can understand why it is such a widely accepted product despite its young presence in the beauty industry.

Welcoming the Night Gelly. I could see the lavender print that would form part of a recycled box.  This inner side of the carton is smoother than the outer part.

The product comes in a generous 60ml jar. This is a welcome change as I usually get 30ml, at most 50ml of moisturizer with other brands. The violet jar is quite heavy on its own, and I like the luxurious feel of it. The label has smooth edges and sticks properly too. The font also goes well with the brand. The reason why I'm marveling at these small details is because even though Naruko rivals many department store brands in terms of product quality and packaging, it is also easy on the pocket.

Introduced as an overnight mask, it works wonders as an evening moisturizer for me. I haven't found the need to conduct my bi-weekly sheet mask routine since using this product. 

There's a white round plastic lid separating the product from the screw cap cover. 

The translucent mask is thick and gooey at first touch like jelly paste indeed, but I would recommend a big dollop for the entire face as it applies light and watery. There are a few things I require in a basic moisturizer for my sensitive, oily skin type. One is for it to moisturize my skin without drying it out or oiling it up more than necessary. The Narcissus Total Defense Night Gelly provides me with effective balanced moisturizing. I wake up with skin that feels smooth and looks even, without breakouts caused by the product. I would mention that I also apply serum and specific treatment products prior to this Night Gelly (I will review them in a separate post). This Night Gelly seals those products in properly, additionally providing excellent hydration on its own. This is the virtue of Night Gelly. Hydrated skin looks naturally more plump and well-rested.  I could definitely see the less-than-desirable difference in the morning on times I skip this product. It's an indispensable finishing skin care step for my nighttime routine.

It comes with a a white spatula. I like the size and curves of this one.

Application insrtuctions in Chinese.

 Ingredients list.

Maximizing product life: how to transform your Naruko carton.

Ta-da!

Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Make-up Removing Mousse

Naruko is fast becoming a top brand on my list. It is amazing how they can spurn out quality products at such reasonable prices. I dare say Naruko skincare is comparable to department store brands that have been around for decades.

Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Make-up Removing Mousse comes in a foam pump type of bottle. The narcissus plant is also known as the daffodil. In Chinese traditional medicine, it is regarded for its cooling properties. Naruko markets the Narcissus line as an all-in-one anti-aging product that targets all kinds of skin. 

It is the first time for me to use this kind of foamy oil-based make-up remover. I've been weaned on Japanese cleansing oils, so using this fluffy, airy substance that smells so wonderful is such an enjoyable treat. It is also very convenient and not messy to use. I usually use 3 full pumps when I put on foundation and 2 full pumps when wearing only makeup base. The best thing about this is that it cleans really, really well while maintaining the skin's natural moisture. I didn't experience any dryness after using this mousse. I still follow up with the usual Free & Clear cleanser, but use a smaller amount because the Narcissus Mousse has already successfully removed much of the makeup, dirt, and grime that the day accumulated. 

I still can't get over the fact that it's foamy and oil-based, removes heavy makeup successfully, and priced reasonably. For HK$90 at 150ml, it is one of the best skincare buys I ever made.

Naruko also believes in being environmentally-conscious, so all of its outer packaging can be cut-out and serve another purpose. Above is the box of the Makeup Removing Mousse, ready to be as useful as the product it housed before.