Menard: Japanese skincare from Nagoya
The company, Nippon Menard Cosmetic, is based in Nagoya, in central Japan, and makes cosmetics and supplements. The name comes from the Maenads, the followers of the Greek god Dionysus.
Lines in our selection
Embellir: the reishi line
The Embellir line starts with Embellir Washing, a creamy foam that removes makeup and cleanses, and Embellir Toner, an alcohol-free toner that removes excess dead skin cells and leaves skin hydrated and radiant. Embellir Liquid, fresh and rich, combines lotion and emulsion in a single step, and Embellir Extract is the concentrated serum, with a dense texture. The line is completed by two makeup bases with UV protection: Make Up Base Fresh for normal to combination skin and Moist for normal to dry skin.
TK: deep hydration and massage
TK is a complete hydrating routine. To remove makeup there's the TK Cleansing Cream, with a light texture that melts away along with your makeup, and for washing, the TK Washing Cream, which turns into a mousse; the house recommends it for all skin types and credits it with the effectiveness of a soap and the gentleness of a cream. The TK Lotion is a dense lotion with hydrolyzed Gardenia florida extract, presented as a reconditioning treatment. Next comes the TK Milk Lotion, which has the consistency of a milk and, according to the description, the effects of a concentrated serum, and absorbs without leaving skin sticky. For the evening there's the TK Cream, an emollient, velvety night cream that keeps skin hydrated until morning. The line also includes the TK Massage Cream, a velvety facial massage cream the house offers to stimulate skin metabolism.
Saranari: hydration and elasticity
In the Saranari line, the Washing Cream creates a dense foam that removes dead cells and impurities from the surface and cleanses without drying. The Saranari Lotion is a concentrated lotion that hydrates and gives skin a more radiant look, and the silky Saranari Emulsion leaves it matte and velvety. The Saranari Day Cream protects against UV rays, applies easily and leaves skin silky to the touch, and the Saranari Eye Cream completes the routine around the eyes.
Colax, Authent and targeted treatments
For dry skin that has lost its softness there's Colax, a hydrating, elasticity-boosting serum the house offers to stimulate collagen production. From the same line, Colax Eye is the version for the eye area, recommended by the house for dryness, signs of aging and puffiness. Among the Authent treatments there's the Authent Neck Essence, a serum for the neck and décolleté. The Authent Mask II is a mask for the face, neck and décolleté with an instant lifting effect, born from Menard's research into the effects of aging on these three areas.
Beauness: for blemish-prone skin
For blemish-prone skin the house recommends Beauness, a hydrating, soothing toner with antibacterial activity. The same ingredients are also found in the Beauness Spa Mask Sheet, a single-use sheet mask.
Masks and lips
Besides the Authent and Beauness masks, there's the Herb Mask, a creamy mask with herbal ingredients that remove dead skin cells and restore radiance. For the lips there's the One Touch Lip Treatment, an emollient, hydrating treatment applied in a single step thanks to One Touch technology.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name Menard come from?
The name Menard comes from the Maenads, the women who followed the Greek god Dionysus in mythology. It's the name of the Japanese cosmetics house Nippon Menard Cosmetic, founded in Nagoya, where it's still based and where it makes cosmetics and supplements.
What does reishi extract do in the Embellir line?
In Menard's Embellir line, reishi extract, from a mushroom, is the active ingredient the house offers for skin tone and elasticity. It's found in the line's treatment formulas: the Embellir Washing foam, the Embellir Toner, Embellir Liquid, which combines lotion and emulsion, and the concentrated Embellir Extract serum.
What's the difference between the TK and Saranari lines?
TK is dedicated to deep hydration and includes a cream makeup remover, a dense gardenia lotion, a hydrating milk, a night cream for fine lines and dryness and a massage cream. Saranari is designed for hydration and elasticity, with a concentrated lotion, an emulsion with a matte finish and a day cream with UV protection.
Which Embellir makeup base should I choose?
It depends on your skin. Embellir Make Up Base Fresh is recommended for normal to combination skin and Embellir Make Up Base Moist for normal to dry skin. According to the house's description, both give a smooth finish that softens the look of fine lines, protect against UV rays and help foundation adhere better.
How do you use the TK Massage Cream?
Spread the TK Massage Cream over your face and massage it in with your fingers: the velvety texture glides easily under the pressure of your fingertips. The house offers it to boost skin metabolism by stimulating cellular respiration.
Which Menard product is best for the neck?
For the neck, Menard has the Authent line. The Authent Neck Essence is a firming anti-aging serum with a soft texture, made specifically for the neck and décolleté, areas that tend to lose firmness. The Authent Mask II is a mask for the face, neck and décolleté that, according to the house, has an instant lifting effect.
Which Menard eye cream should I choose?
The Saranari Eye Cream is a very hydrating cream that keeps the eye area supple and completes the Saranari routine. Colax Eye, on the other hand, is an anti-aging serum the house recommends for dryness, signs of aging and under-eye puffiness.
Does Menard have products for blemish-prone skin?
Yes, Menard's Beauness line is designed for blemish-prone skin. The Beauness toner combines hydrating, soothing and protective ingredients with antibacterial activity and helps the stratum corneum recover; the Beauness Spa Mask Sheet is a single-use sheet mask with the same active ingredients.
