Paris B and LeGeeque raved plenty about Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, so much that I knew I had to check it out. I bought a bottle of the serum just when Kiehl’s dropped their prices, and what an opportune moment it was, because I managed to get this at AU$59 instead of the original price of a whopping AU$99.
Description:
One night. Two drops. Younger-looking skin by morning
99.8% Naturally Derived Ingredients
Paraben-Free
Replenishes skin with moisture, helps to recover radiance by morning
It’s a face oil, and you’d think it’s going to be too oily for oily/combination skin. I was a tad apprehensive in using this because it’s an oil, but it’s a good thing I was wrong. Three drops is all that is needed for the whole face, and there’s barely any greasy residue on the skin. I used another three drops for my neck and decolletage.
So, what did it do for my face? No miracles, no minimising of fine lines and all that, but what it gave my skin is that plump, well-hydrated, boing-boing skin the next morning. You know me, I love skincare products that can give me boing-boing skin ;). The soothing scent of lavender helps to calm my senses too, after a long day. What I like to do is have 3 drops of the concentrate on my palm, gently pat my palms together, and before I apply it on my skin, I close my eyes, take a slow, deep breath and inhale the calming scent. All the crap of the day seem to disappear at that very moment.
Another way to even better, boing-boing skin, is a recipe Paris B shared when she blogged about the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and that is to mix it with Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair. I thought it was a brilliant idea, because this gave the serum an extra oomph, and I can see and feel the difference on my skin the very next morning. I call it “extra radiance and boing-boing-ness” :P. I used 2 drops of the Kiehl’s concentrate and 2 drops of the Estee Lauder serum, mix them on my palm, and apply. My skin loves it.
For the drop in price to AU$59 for 30ml, I think this is excellent value for a serum that not only smells absolutely heavenly, but works fantastically on my skin. Since I only use a maximum of 6 drops per time, alternate evenings (I find this less heavy on my combination skin, compared to using it daily), this will last me a very long time. In fact, it looks as though I barely used the serum, and I bought it mid last year.
What I like about it: Dropper makes using the serum more hygienic, soothing scent of lavender, makes the skin plump and glowy the next day.
What I do not like about it: Nothing
Absolutely. I picked this up on a whim at duty free last december, after coming back from a holiday that was mostly sun and sea and thus left my face not in the best condition. But just two drops mixed into my moisturiser and what a difference it made to my skin the next morning! Since then, I’ve also discovered ParisB’s recipe and have been using it faithfully, love it!
Lynne: Haha am very glad it worked for you, and PB’s recipe too! It’s good stuff, I tell ya 🙂
a lot of bloggers raved about these two serums.. still think its expensive.. i can just use my hadalabo lotion to get that boing boing effect as well.. have you tried the estee lauder idealist?
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Elisa: Nope I’ve not tried the Idealist yet, but I hear it’s very similar to Clinique’s Visible Skin Renewer serum (in terms of ingredients and how it works). The green bottle, right?
I’ve lost count of the number of bottles I’ve gone through it. It’s good stuff!
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LeGeeque: It’s good stuff all right. But I can’t use it every day though, a tad too heavy. But alternate days, is good 😉
Thanks for the link 🙂 And this is my best recipe ever! Never fails me and even if I don’t use it everyday, when I do use this magic combo, its like WOW! I have gotten back to using the Kiehl’s MRC though – I like it as a booster to boost whatever else I slap on my face, plus it smells awesome!
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Paris B: Oh this recipe of yours is good. Eh apparently this is even better when used with a particular Kiehl’s moisturiser? Can’t remember the name, but it’s warm to the touch 😛
I believe its the Line Reducing Concentrate. I’ve tried it and together, the results were quite ordinary. I prefer this Kiehl’s-EL combo (which of course Kiehl’s won’t tell you about 😛 ) The Line Reducing Concentrate is pretty good on its own though. I keep forgetting to review 😛
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I actually like this and my skin did brightened after first 2 weeks of use! !!! 🙂
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Nikki: Woohoo, see this is good stuff, right? 😛
nice, the price point is almost the same as in Msia after conversion! 😀 I got a bottle as a Christmas present last year, and am combining it with the L’Oreal Youth Code serum – loving the results!
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Beetrice: Oh I know! I’m so glad they’ve decided to drop the prices here, and by quite a significant amount too. Don’t have to buy in Malaysia and can earn MYER One points for myself 😀
This face oil sounds divine. I think this would be prefect for my skin in winter when its gets a little sad and feels sorry for itself.
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Madam M: Haha this is good for sad and sorry skin. I’ve tried it when it was looking very blah, and it perked the skin up the next day. No miracles the next day, but at least there’s improvement 🙂
i am debating between this and ANR, i needed something that could help lift skin (i think my skin is looking rather saggy and old and dry, and am not sure if Khiel’s would be able to address all my skin’s concern.
what do you think would fit the bill better since you have both serums?
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Plue: I think for your skin concern, the ANR would work better than the Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I’ve been using the ANR for years before the Kiehl’s, and it’s been helping me with my *gasp* saggy skin 😛
thanks dear, i nearly rushed out to buy MRC but I guess i have been good and waited for a bit 😛
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great review, and i’m glad that the recipe works for you! i remembered PB’s review on this and her recipe too, but am still apprehensive about mixing since i’m using too many things at once currently. maybe one day when everything i own clears up (by that i mean the sk2 essence + sample bottle of hada labo + lancome serum i bought during the warehouse sale + clinique even better – another one of PB’s well-reviewed products), then i’ll try it 😉
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Dom: Waaaah that’s a lot of stuff! *salute* I’m, err, also piling a lot of stuff on my face. Ahem 😛
oh, how i wish I can afford this! Looks really great from your review! 🙂
Issa: For a good serum, it’s actually not that expensive because you only need very little per use. Is this expensive in the Philippines?
hi!
sorry for off-topic question, but do you plan to do any Naruko review? i remember you had several their products…
🙂
Maria: I do have a review of a particular Naruko moisturiser lined up, but I’ll only post it in a few weeks because I want to have used it for at least 6 weeks before writing an accurate review. I’m afraid I haven’t touched the rest of the serums and moisturisers yet as I still have my current stash to complete. Is there anything in particular you’re interested in?
great post…love it <3
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Ayantika: Thanks Ayantika 🙂
Tine, have you tried this paired with any other of your serums?
Nope I haven’t. I find this sufficient for hydration alone. It’s not necessary to pair it with anything else 🙂
Wow! This is a great review. I am going to be 30 next year and I have combination skin, very few freckle spots but basically have uneven skin. Can I use it? Also, does it work for dark circles and under-eye skin.
Of course, go ahead and give it a go! It’s a good facial oil for hydration. But mind you, it’s not an eye cream, so I don’t recommend using it too near the eyes (try their midnight recovery eye cream for that).