NIOD Lip Bio-Lipid Concentrate (15ml)
We have been solidly using the product for a week now, twice a day, and we want to share our preliminary thoughts. So, what is it? It is "a comprehensive treatment to improve the looks of lip colour, volume, texture, softness and contour, combining a wide borrowing from peptide technology and bio-technology". Upon application (and you should only apply a bit on your lips, not the surrounding area), the product starts working immediately. Your lips and especially their contour become red, which subsides after 10minutes. In just a week, our lips have become slighter plumper, but most importantly, they are more evenly toned now. Of course, like any such product, results won't be visible immediately, but since we have seen something already within a week, we find that pretty good.
NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate (15ml)
Costs €51. NIOD's introduction to this product goes like this: "combines 28 clinical technologies to target many signs of under-eye and above-eye aging in one treatment—borrowing from advanced biotechnology, polyphenol technology, next-generation cyclic peptide technologies, marine science and modern drone delivery mechanics". Modern drone delivery mechanics? How? Anyway, it "target[s] visible aging (both upper eyelids and lower eyelids) including the looks of dynamic lines, static lines, fine superficial under-eye lines (those not targeted by SNARE-target injections), loss of elasticity (especially upper-eyelids), dark circles, puffiness and textural unevenness with positive visible results starting within 3 days and improving into 8 weeks with continued use". We have now used this yellow-brown liquid just over a week. So what's our impression? Oh, it's very good. We don't see much improvement (yet) with dark circles, but it definitely is doing something to the fine lines. Of course, it is early dates, but we will continue using it and will update you accordingly. If you want to go into the science behind this product, please read NIOD's website.
Product review:
NIOD Photography Fluid, Opacity 12% (30ml for €24)
Just so you know, Opacity 12% is for lighter skins, while Opacity 8% is for darker skins. Honestly, I am surprised that NIOD came out with this product-- it is not really skincare (it doesn't have skincare benefits). Of course, it is a lot more affordable than Farsali's similar product. So, what is it? It is a colourless priming thick fluid that refracts lights and balances out undesirable hues on the skin-- so basically, to make your skin appear slightly better. NIOD does say that one can put it into a foundation or underneath it-- I disagree. It is way too weak for that to show any real effect (but if you put half of the bottle, maybe that will be different). It is best used on those days when you don't want to wear foundation, and even then, the effect is not mind blowing. The liquid is very thick and has a pearly hue to it. The only thing it would do is to make you a bit glossy and pearly looking. On my skin, I don't see too much of an effect, to be honest, so it is definitely a product I can live without.
Product review:
NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (30ml for €45)
Remember The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid? This is its more scientifically advanced bigger sister. It combines "15 forms of hyaluronic compounds, hyaluronic precursors and a hyaluronic support technology in a peptide-charged delivery system. It offers water-based hydration and helps skin surface look plump, elastic, comfortable and uniform". Among the 15 is an extremely rare direct form of hyaluronic acid, which "offers pro-repair support far beyond basic water hydration that sodium hyaluronate offers, resulting in improvements to the elastic appearance and the general healthy look of skin". For more information, please read NIOD's website. The product is a liquid, unlike the gooey texture of The Ordinary. Of course, the liquid should absorb quicker, and it does. This complex also a slight smell of "smelly socks", which is a bit off-putting during application but soon disappears. Honestly, though, and as naive as it may sound, I prefer The Ordinary's texture. It feels more silky on the skin. Right now, I have not seen much change from this complex, but I will let you know of my final thoughts once I finish the bottle.