Friday 25 September 2015

Product Review: Bioré Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover

Disclaimer: Product is kindly sent by samplestore.com, but reviews are based entirely on my own experience.

Everyone knows that makeup removal is an essential part to maintaining healthy skin, but sometimes too many cleansing steps in our routine can leave us feeling a little lazy on days when we are too tired to function. But I fuss over my skin too much, for I will never ever sleep in my makeup hahaha.

With that being said, using an effective makeup remover is equally important. I've tried countless makeup removers, from the old cult favourite Fancl Cleansing Oil (when I was much younger because my mom used to swear by it) to the current holy grail for many — the Bioderma Micellar Cleansing Water. I also have had bad experiences whereby makeup removers leave a nasty residue behind after cleansing and I had to deal with badly clogged pores after. Counter-intuitive huh.

I do like the micellar water makeup removers in the market currently, as you can see I'm currently using one in my skincare routine post. However, on days when I do put on heavier base makeup, I find that I require more cotton pads + more product to remove it. So that's not very wallet-friendly and that also means more tugging on my skin... 

To put the word out, I am guilty of being sceptical of many drug store brands because while I do think they work for the general normal skin population, they are not really suitable for many sensitive skin users or people very prone to certain skin conditions like acne or eczema. BUT! I recently picked up the Bioré UV Rich Watery Essence sunscreen after reading many recommendations over on Reddit and I'm absolutely happy with my purchase. So when samplestore had a campaign on this Bioré makeup remover, I knew I wanted to try it!



I have never tried the previous version but this new & improved version of the Bioré Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover with its revolutionary jelly-like texture, is said to come in an even smoother, lighter consistency as compared to the previous version, but with the same high cleansing ability that effortlessly dissolves and lifts off more makeup in a gentle glide.

It comes in this girly pink bottle that'll look really cute on the dressing table! I also do love that it comes with a pump because some viscous makeup removers do not, and that creates a mess (+ waste) when I pour the product out.


The improved product benefits include:

  • A smoother jelly-like texture that is gentle on skin. It rinses off easily and quickly without any harsh tugging or pulling action.
  • High cleansing ability that can dissolve and lift off all traces of makeup effortlessly.
  • Made with 40% moisturising essence that nourishes and hydrates skin for a dewy moisturised finish.
  • Lightweight formula leaves skin feeling refreshed, with no sticky or greasy after-feel.
Sounds good so far! Points 3 and 4 seem the most appealing to me because I really abhor the sticky residue that some makeup removers leave behind. (Yes Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Water, I'm looking at you.) And a makeup remover that hydrates my skin at the same time?! I'll gladly welcome that!


Here's a look at the texture.

It is really smoooooth and seems more watery than jelly-like! I tilted my hand slightly to get a better shot but you can see it already trickling down my palm hahaha. But hey, no complains because a thinner consistency is always better than a thicker one. This means that it wouldn't feel too heavy on our skin! +1 for that.

Okay, texture checked. Next, let's put its cleansing ability to the test.


I rarely wear any heavy eye makeup so no eyeshadows here. On days when I require a more flawless canvas, I'd go heavier on the base (foundation & concealer). So here's my Nars All-Day Weightless Luminous Foundation and Laura Mercier SC Concealer that I'll swatch, together with some lip colours from 3CE and my trusty Maybelline Hyper Sharp Liner.

For best results, it is advised to apply Bioré Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover on dry face and hands instead of using it with a cotton pad or tissue.

All you have to do is to pump an appropriate amount (2 - 3 pumps) onto clean hands and spread evenly over your face and eye areas. (It is advised to remove your contact lenses before use too!)
Massage gently to dissolve makeup. Lastly, rinse throughly with water. It is not necessary to remove cleansing liquid with cotton pad or tissue. (Or in my case, I'll remove it with a clean, hot flannel!)


Here's how my skin look like after massaging it into my skin. Ya pretty gross looking, I know. But I actually do enjoy such products where you can massage it into your skin and watch the makeup dissolve. It feels pretty gratifying if you've had a long day, just to take the makeup, dirt and grime off your face.


Taadaaa! All washed off! It's cleansing ability is superb, so that's another point checked. There is a little bit of The Face Shop's Play 101 Burgundy pencil colour left if you can spot the slight reddish tinge below my fourth knuckle. But it doesn't bother me that much because it removed more than 95% of what's on my hand, and I'll always double cleanse.

What's more amazing is that it doesn't leave any sticky residue behind and doesn't feel oily at all! My skin doesn't feel taut as well. It does leave the skin feeling very balanced because it doesn't strip the skin of too much oil or add more oil to it, hence making it suitable for all skin types. However, there is a very slight scent to it so for ladies who are hypersensitive to fragrances, it might cause some problems so do patch test first!!

My verdict:

I have been using it to remove my makeup every night for the past week and I really enjoy using it. No breakouts thus far on my acne prone skin, no clogged pores as well, so that is a really huge plus point. As a regular micellar water user, I'd have to admit that it does take some time getting used to the jelly-like texture. I'm really impressed with its cleansing ability and I can see myself reaching for this whenever I put on heavier makeup. A point to note is that it does sting if some product gets into your eyes (that is why the instructions cautioned to remove contact lenses prior to using). Overall, if you're looking for an affordable and effective makeup remover, Bioré Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover is definitely one to check out!

Thank you all for reading! Have a great weekend!

With love,
A

The new Bioré Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover (230ml) is retailing at S$24.90 at all leading supermarkets, personal care stores and western pharmacies and departmental stores.

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