Brand Spotlight 2014 - Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment

I am starting my Brand Spotlight products of this month with the eye cream that I have been lovng for the past few weeks.  I made a large Kiehl's order early last month and I have been testing all new skincare products to review this month.  I really do love trying and reviewing new skincare products and my skin has been improving over the past few weeks with use all of the new Kiehl's items.  I have decided to start with the Creamy Eye Treatment as I started using this product a few days before any others.  I know that opinion is divided as to the overall need for a separate eye cream but I do enjoy using a separate product to help hydrate this delicate undereye skin and to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.

"This nourishing under eye cream offers creamy hydration suitable for all skin types.  Gently moisturizes the delicate under-eye area.  Uniquely concentrated formula does not migrate into the eyes.  Infused with efficacious ingredients including Beta-Carotene, Shea Butter, and Avocado Oil.  Ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested for safety.  For all skin types, including sensitive.  Our top-rated eye cream beloved by Kiehl's customers.", states the Kiehl's website.

The Kiehl's website provides more details on the three key ingredients contined in the Creamy Eye Treatment.

Avocado Oil - Derived from the beloved Avocado Fruit, Avocado Oil has a rich, emollient texture and contains a balance of lipids including omega essential fatty acids.  Within our formula, Avocado Oil is known to moisturize, nourish, and soften skin.

Beta-Carotene - Beta-Carotene is a naturally-derived antioxidant predominantly found in many orange and red vegetables such as carrots.  It is used in Vitamin A production and can give an orange tint when used in skincare products.

Shea Butter - Shea Butter is the natural fat obtained from the fruit of the African Karate tree and is widely used in lotions and cleansing products.  Within our formulas, Shea Butter is known to help defend dehydration, restore suppleness, and improve the appearance of dry skin.

This product can be used day and night and is designed for the undereye area.  I started by using this at both times during the day but I quickly decided that this cream is too thick to use before undereye concealer.  The texture of the Cream Eye Treatment is a very thick, rich cream and needs to be warmed up before application.  I tried to use this product dotted right onto my undereye area and then pat it in but it wasn't fully absorbing when I tried to use in this manner.  After a few applications, I found that I have to get it onto the pad of my ring finger and then rub both of my ring fingers together until I melt the product down.  Once I melt it down, I can easily apply it to the undereye area and it will absorb in quickly.  I found several reviews on this products and nearly everyone recommends using it in this manner.

I love the hydrating properties of this eye cream and I would recommend it to anyone with a dry under eye area.  I am glad that I tried it in the winter months as I am not sure if this would be too heavy in the summer months.  This is a great night eye cream and a great introduction to the Kiehl's brand.  I love that the ingredients in this product are more natural and I can see how this is one of the best selling products that Kiehl's carries.

I have more work to do with the rest of the products that I ordered from this company but this eye cream was a great introduction to the brand and I am looking forward to working more with the rest of my order.

photo courtesy of Kiehl's

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

We are now in the second week of December and I have been changing up the products in my skincare regime to match the cold weather outside, I have been using one new skincare products over the past few weeks that I have become a big fan of and I am really happy that I decided to purchase.  I have never used skincare from the brand Bobbi Brown before and I decided to try a hydrating eye cream from this company.  I tend to use two very different types of formulas for day and night, I only want a very hydrating formula to use at night and I don't need any of de-puffing properties that I require in a eye cream used for daytime.  I started off by using this eye cream for night use but I do think that this is one of the few eye cream formulas that I could actually use for both night and day usage.

There are two hydrating eye cream formulas from Bobbi Brown, I chose the less rich of the two as the richer formula was not available in the store when I bought my jar of this product.  I would consider switching this formula out to a day usage during the coldest days of the winter and then ordering the richer of the two formulas for nighttime use.  As for right now, I will be using this product for my night eye cream and then I will update and review the other formula if I decide that I need more moisture in my eye area as the winter continues.

"A hydrating cream that refreshes the eye area and prepares it for a seamless concealer application.  This luxurious, concentrated cream is absorbed quickly, allowing it to deliver naturally occurring humectants that virtually melt into the skin. Before makeup application, a perfect level of emollients imparts a lightweight texture, allowing concealer to glide on evenly. Use in the evening to boost skin's ability to recharge and rehydrate during the nightly repair process. It plumps fine lines and improves skin's overall tone and texture. Skin looks and feels stronger and healthier. It leaves the eye area soft, smooth, and refreshed for up to 24 hours.", states the Sephora website. 

I have been really loving this eye cream so far and I would recommend it to anyone that has normal to dry skin around their eyes.  A very small amount applied to each eye fully hydrates and soothes the delicate under eye skin and this area looks and feels moist and plump when I wake up each morning.  This product has a light creamy texture and sinks easily right into the skin and doesn't leave an oily residue on this area.  There is a slight perfume smell to the product but it does not bother my eyes at all. 

 My least favorite aspect about this product is that it is contained in a jar, I do not love dipping my finger into the same jar over and over again.  I wish that this product was contained in a tube, the product is a thin enough texture that a tube container would be very workable.  I can see how the very hydrating formula might not work with a tube but I don't see any reason why this one can't be housed in that type of container.

The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream is a solid formula for anyone with normal to dry skin, I wouldn't recommend it to someone with very oily skin.  I think that I would continue to use it more as a night cream as it doesn't contain any special ingredient for relieving puffy eyes before makeup application. 

photo courtesy of Sephora 

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Eye Rescue

Eye cream is one of the few products that I only order when I am completely out of and one of the very few products that I do not stockpile.  I have several face creams that I haven't opened yet but only use one eye cream at a time.  I tend to use very small amounts of this type of product and will use the same product night and day for about six months, products would end up spoiling before I ever got to them if I tried to stockpile eye creams.  My newest eye cream is one from one of my favorite skincare companies and a company that I have used eye creams from before.

I have a good amount of concerns about my eye area.  I have under eye circles, puffiness, and am having early concerns about aging.  I am quite picky abut the formula that I will choose to use for the next six months and want to get the best results in all three of the above aspects.  Caudalie is well known for being a brand that focuses on anti-oxidants and would help to prevent some of the early signs of aging and this is one of the reasons that I went right to this brand when I needed to order a new eye cream from the Sephora website.  I chose a newer formula from this brand and one that I was very excited to try.  After a week of use, I firmly recommend this product and will be ordering it again.

The first eye cream that I used from this company was the Eye Contour Cream, I am not sure that this product is still available from the company.  I would have ordered that one again but I saw the newest formula and wanted to this one out.  The Vinosource S.O.S. Eye Rescue is another product in the Vinosource line, the hydrating and protecting line of products from this company.

The Sephora website states the following information for the product description.  "An eye cream to de-puff, soothe, and brighten tired eyes.  This treatment quenches and soothes the eye area upon application, leaving eye contours looking rested, fresh, and naturally glowing. It hydrates, soothes, and de-puffs with antioxidant polyphenols, moisturizing grape water, and calming white tea extract.  This product is ophthalmologist tested on sensitive eyes and fragrance-free. It does not contain animal ingredients and is not tested on animals."

The Sephora website also provides some of the results of the studies performed on the product...

"In a Corneometry® on 12 volunteers:
- 127% increase in hydration

In a clinical trial on 20 volunteers:
- 61% decrease in skin sensitivity"

They are provide more information on the active ingredients contain in the Vinosource S.O.S. Eye Rescue Cream.  "Organic Grape Water: Reduces skin sensitivity and increases hydration.  Patented Grape Polyphenols: Protect skin from premature aging caused by UV rays, pollution, and environmental aggressors by forming a shield against free radicals; reinforce capillaries, boost cutaneous microcirculation, and help maintain an optimal level of hyaluronic acid in the dermis to preserve suppleness and elasticity.  Vinolevure®: Captures and retains water to prevent dehydration and reinforces skin’s immune defenses."

I have a lot to say about this eye cream and it is all very good.  The texture is easy for any skin type to use, it is a cream-gel formula that sinks easily into the skin and doesn't leave any type of residue on the under eye area.  I love this aspect because I need a smooth surface for foundation and concealer.  This primes the skin very well for these two products and allows smooth and easy application.  I have to use less product on my eyes because this eye cream makes the application much easier.

This product hydrates my entire under eye area and I use it at night for this aspect, the area is plumped up and looked much brighter and smoother than before application.  In the morning, I love many of the same aspects plus how nicely it helps to deflate the puffiness in my under eye area.  I have been seeing some nice results over the past week and I expect to see even more as I continue to use the product for the next few months.  The anti-oxidant properties of this eye cream will help to continue to protect my skin for the time that I use this product.

This is another product that I highly recommend from the Caudalie skincare line and it only adds to the list of product that I love from this company.  I love new products from this company and I will continue to buy more from them in the coming years.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

With the advent of my favorite season comes one big downfall...seasonal allergies!  Within the past month, my allergies have kicked in and my eyes have completely puffed up.  This time fo the year, normal eye cream isn't always enough and the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel was helping to reduce the appearance of the bags but just wasn't fully cutting it in this area.  I recalled a product that I had years agom from Juvena that excelled in the area of allergy eyes because the product was dispensed in a cool metal rollerball, therefore applying the product in a very targeted fashion and the coldness helped to reduce the bags under my eyes even further.  I remembered reading in a magazine that Clinique had made a similar product so I decided to put my Sephora VIB 15% coupon to good use and actually purchase something that I needed!

"A rollerball that massages away bags as it brightens and refreshes the eye area.  The rollerball goes on under the eyes to cool and refresh as it gently rolls away puffy bags and the appearance of fatique.  Its ingredients, including invigorating caffine, potent anti-oxidants, and soothing botanicals, work immediately and over time to brighten the eye area.  Easy to take anywhere, it provides a refreshing on-the-spot treatment or can be layered over or under other makeup.  This product is oil-free, non-irritating, ophthamologist tested and suitable for all skin types.  Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Massage is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner."

The Sephora website states that this product should be used morning and night and then again throughout the day as needed.  I have found this product is used best in the morning only, it isn't hydrating enough for me to use it as my only eye product.  I still use the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel at night to hydrate my eye area and prevent the dry scales that can appear at the corner of my eyes (another downfall of the allergy season).  This product has been working wonders on my undereye puffiness, making the area look much better overall and helping my makeup to apply better.  Within a week of use of this product, my bags were much reduced and I can get away with using much less foundation and concealer that I normally have to use in allergy season. 

The product applies very easily and feels cold to the touch upon application.  The metal roller ball makes application foolproof and allows the product to be placed only where needed so nothing is wasted.  The serum itself has a watery texture and dries almost instantly after application, it absorbs very quickly and is light enough that any skin type should be able to use this product.  Someone with dry skin around their eyes cannot use this as their only eye product, they will need to use a separate product to hydrate and soothe.  On the flip side, someone with oily skin will be able to use this as their primary product as they do not need the same level of hydration that those with dry skin do.

This product is a great choice if you are suffering from the allery eyes that come around this time of the year, it works very well to depuff the undereye area and help create a smooth canvas for makeup.  It doesn't hydrate that much so in many cases this is best as a day product and a separate one will be needed for the night.  I tried once to use it over makeup (as the company states that I can) and I found that it smeared my concealer a bit and wasn't that great in this regard, this could be used a touch-up product during the day only if you aren't wearing undereye makeup.  I found that I didn't really need it more than once during the day so I think that using thir product multiple times during the day would be a waste of the product.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Fresh Lotus Eye Gel

Fresh Lotus Eye Gel is the last piece of my Sephora skincare shopping spree at the end of last year, I now finally have a full grouping of face care in my bathroom and have tested everything out.  The Lotus Eye Gel is the first skincare product that I have ever used from Fresh and while I have heard lots of great things about their fragrance and body product lines, I don't always hear many people talk about their targeted skincare products.  I decided to try this one out, in hopes that these formulas would be close to the ones that I already love from Caudalie.  Fresh is another skincare company that believes in using more natural ingredients and keeping excess chemicals and preservatives out of their products.  I can get around this type of thinking, however I have gotten the best results for me typically come from eye creams that contain some types of chemical de-pigmenting complex. 

Fresh Lotus Eye Gel is "a hydrating and revitalizing treatment gel that alleviates puffiness, dark circles, and signs of fatigue".  The texture of the this eye product is more a gel than I am used to, I normally use eye creams or a cream-gel mixture.  Gel formula eye products are more used to treat puffiness than dark circles, so I knew almost instantly what type of results that I would be getting from this product.  I was told in the Sephora store this this product both reduced puffiness and reduced dark circles but the description that I am seeing on the website talks much more about puffiness and hydration than dark circles.  Now I have issues with both hydration and puffiness so I will see results from this formula but under-eyes are my main complaint so I knew that I would not see the optimal results that I would want from this product.

"Then Lotus Eye Gel features a unique combination of preventative botanicals.  Lotus flower extract, a powerful anti-oxidant packed with polyphenols, defends against wrinkle-causing free radicals.  Stimulating soft orange extract and ginko biloba reduce puffiness.  Antioxidant-rich grapeseed polyphenols and jojoba help to protect the skin.  Soothing cucumber fruit extract helps to revive tired eyes."  One of the co-founders of Fresh, Lez Glazman offered some additional information about the lotus plant, "The lotus plant has been cultivated in eastern Asia for over 3000 years.  Thought be to sacred by many cultures, it is also highly revered for its anti-inflammatory properties."

In addition to all the information that was provided on this product, the Sephora website also published some of the results of the research done in the testing stages of this product.  "The Lotus Eye Gel is proven to: Significantly moisturize the eye area for up to 2 hours after application (in-vivio test); Preserve the initial hydration of the eye area for up to 6 hours after application (in-vivio); Immediately brighten the eye area and improve the appearance of under-eye bags after just 4 weeks (in-vivio test, 31 subjects, 4 weeks of twice daily application)."

Other results and findings from the lab testing of this product...

- 100% reported softer, more supple skin
- 97% felt it hydrated and soothed the eye area
- 94% said it relaxed crow's feet while protecting the eye area
- 90% noticed the eye area was revitalized and silky soft
- 87% felt it firmed and toned the skin and reported a more radiant, healthier-looking eye area

I have been using this product for about three weeks now, I use it once in the morning and then again in the evening.  The texture is great, I love the light gel since it sinks in quickly and isn't greasy in any way.  It has helped and been effective in two areas, hydration and the reduction of undereye puffiness.  My eye area can get dry in the winter however I haven't had an issue with that since beginning use with this product, my eye area feels smoother and my concealer goes on my easier.  After only three weeks, I am already beginning to see results in the reduction of puffiness.  I am seeing nothing in the way of reducing the appearance of undereye circles, I know that this gel is not made to reduce their appearance but I was just hoping that it would help a bit in this area.  I noted above that this product helps my concealer go on better so it easier for me to conceal the circles but that is it the only result that I see from it in this area.

I'm not unhappy with this product, my undereye area is improved and looks better than it did before I started the product.  I recommend it to people who are looking to reduce puffiness and not circles.  On a final note, this product smells very strongly of cucumber, if this bothers you than this product isn't for you.

photo courtesy of Sephora

C.O. Bigelow Triple Task Eye Treatment

Hello everyone!  My full power and internet have just returned and so I am putting them to good use!  Everyone on my end got through the storm with no major issues and now it will just be a test of time to see how quickly we can get back to real life.  In my case, time to think about beauty products...

Earlier this season, I wrote about the Entre Derm Instant Lift eye cream and praised its hydrating qualities but noted that it was lacking ingredients to effectively combat puffy eyes and dark undereye circles.  I continued to use this product twice a day but it soon became clear that this was an eye cream best saved for nighttime.  I was considering repurchasing a favorite Caudalie eye cream however I really wanted to try something completely different and from a brand that I tend not to immeditately gravitate toward.  I intended to go to Sephora while I was out shopping one day however I went to Bath and Body Works first to pick up some Halloween items and decided to grab the Bigelow eye cream and see what happened.  Honestly, I figured that it couldn't be any worse than the Entre Derm for dark circles and puffiness.

I had used the C.O. Bigelow skincare line a very long time ago when I was in college.  I remembered only positive experiences with it, it was nothing fancy however the simple formulas actually worked as they were supposed to and never irritated my skin.  I decided that I could at least give it a shot and see what happens.  I bought the Triple Task Eye Treatment, an eye cream targeted for dark circles and puffiness that contains Haloxyl, Eyeliss, and the Bigelow Healthy Skin Complex. 

The C.O. Bigelow website provides a full product description for this eye cream.  "This multi-tasking, antioxidant-rich preparation is formulated to noticeably diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles.  A moisturizing, gentle eye preparation, it's specially formulated with clinically tested Haloxyl and Eyeliss to reduce the appearance of puffiness.  Noticeably diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles.  Treats the delicate eye area skin with soothing nutrients, helping to reduce signs of aging and fatigue.  Contains Haloxyl to treat undereye circles.  Contains Eyeliss to reduce the appearance of puffiness.  Consumer research results: Within 2 weeks, consumers saw a visible reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness."

I have been using this cream in the morning for the past four weeks and so far I have seen an improvment in my eye area.  I am continuing to use the Entre Derm as my night eye cream since it is very hydrating and my eye area tends to get dry in the fall and winter months.  I really like this as a day eye cream, it brightens my eye area and makes concealer much easier to apply.  My under eye puffiness is also reduced along with the overall brightening of my eye area.  This cream both helps to reduce the amount of undereye concealer that I need and makes it much easier to apply. 

This eye product has a lightweight lotion texture that sinks in quickly.  I apply one dot of it to my finger and that is enough product for both eyes.  The results are not as dramatic as I would have seen from Peter Thomas Roth or B. Kamins but this is a well-made, good quality eye cream.  It doesn't completely get rid of dark circles, I will need a more potent product for that.  I find that it is better for reducing the puffiness in my eye area and helping my concealer glide on smoothly and easily.  I recommend this product someone who has more issues with puffiness than dark circles and who doesn't have very dry skin (as it is not hydrating enough to care for very dry skin.)

photo courtesy of C.O. Bigelow

Entre Derm Instant Lift

This is another installment of products from the Entre Derm skincare system.  So far, we have looked at the Night and Day creams from this line and the overall technology that sets the line apart from other skincare companies.  I was sent this kit from a PR company at the beginning of spring and I have been working with each product individually ever since.  So far, I have really liked the Day Cream but thought that the Night Cream needed an improvement in the formulation.  The product that I have been using intensly for the past month is the Instant Lift, the product specially formulated for use around the eye area.  In theory, the technology behind the patented Somazone delivery system should be especially beneficial for the delicate eye area.  But we will see how this theory actually plays out in the product...

If this is the first time that you are reading about the Entre Derm system, I will provide a quick recap of the technology that makes this company unique.  Somazone is a patented anti-aging techniqie that is used by this company for protein delivery.  Collagen and other essential skin proteins are larger in size and therefore aren't always effectively absorbed into the skin.  Somazone takes these molecules and uses the patented delivery system to drive them right down in through the epidermis.  The skin around the eyes is very thin, making this area a prime target for anti-aging measures.

"The delicate skin around the eye does not contain fatty tissue and is therefore highly susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles.  The Entre Derm Instant Lift formula infuses the area with collagen and other active ingredients to tighten and protect.  Achieve a refreshed firmer look around the lid and under-eye areas instantly."  This is anotehr product from Entre Derm that I willing to bet has some great anti-aging benefits to it but the texture just didn't work for me.

This eye cream is on the thicker side and comes in a pot instead of a tube or pump bottle.  I normally prefer my eye creams in pumps of tubes so already this one didn't start at well for me.  The formula is a thick cream and seems to be the best at anti-aging and hydrating.  However, neither of those two issues are the ones the plague my under-eye areas; I have issues with puffiness and dark circles.  This cream isn't targeted for either of those two issues so I don't reap the benefits of what it is made to do and instead, I must use this in conjunction with an eye cream that helps to depuff and reduce dark circles.  I use this cream at night and the lighter one in the daytime.

This eye cream really keeps my eye area hydrated, so I would recommend this more in the wintertime or for very dry skin types.  I find the large range of textures to be one of the most confusing parts of this line; the Night Cream didn't seem as rich as the Day Cream and now the Instant Lift is so thick and rich that it can't be used by people unless they have dry skin around the eyes.  I feel like their is no consistency between the formulas, usually a line is fully targeted for one skin type.  This line doesn't seem like it has a target skin type so I can't really recommend this entire line for many people; it is better to recommend pieces of the line. 

photo courtesy of Entre Derm

Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream

The last Clinique gift with purchase that I got was jammed packed with fantastic products. Normally, I am happy enough if half of the product in the gift work for me and if I only have to throw one or two items away. But this gift? I loved every single product in it and am getting tons of use from all the items. If they hadn't gone so fast I would have found more products to buy so that I could receive more of these gifts. One of the products that was inside the bag was the All About Eyes Eye Cream, a product that I have been interested in trying for a few months now.

The Clinique website gives the following product details. "Lightweight eye cream diminishes the appearance of eye puffs, darkness, and fine lines. Non-creep, cream/gel formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place. For use morning and night, both under eyes and on lids. Ophthalomologist tested". I use this product only under my eyes, I never tried using a cream on the top of my eyelids. I use this product both morning and night, after cleansing and before topping it off with serum and cream.

I am a really big fan of the texture of this eye cream, gel/cream formulas tend to do very well with my skin. The cream part is thick enough to be hydrating and the gel part is easy to blend and light enough that eye makeup is easy to apply over it. The product is most successful at reducing the appearance of puffiness under the eyes. I don't have under eye lines so I can't comment on how it reduces their appearance. It helps to hydrate my skin and sinc ethe beginning of using it, I have had no problems with dry patches around my eye area. It performs decently at dark circle reduction, it is not near as effective as the B. Kamins Therapeutic Eye Cream or Origins GinZing. The texture of this product does make it easier to cover dark circles with a good concealer.

This is solid eye cream for someone who doesn't have any major eye area issues. For someone with intense dryness or dark circles, this product is not strong enough to help in these cases. This cream helps to prevent and treat most major issues that occur to the skin in the eye area. I recommend it most for those who need hydration and eye puffiness reduction. I also feel that this product is going to be better product to help prevent the signs of aging instead of really treating them (but I could be wrong and if I am, leave a comment and let me know).

photo courtesy of Clinique

Origins GinZing Eye Cream

You might remember my raving about getting good samples when I talked about the Nude Facial Cleansing Oil and how much I loved to get samples of products that I already really wanted to try. That theme occurs again in this entry. I read about this product last fall and it went right onto a Most Wanted list. However, I was buying some Prescriptives early last November and it was right when Macy*s was having a beauty event and I was lucky enough to receive a generius sample of this packed up in a box with many others.

Here are the product details from the Origins website, "GinZing Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff. 86% brighter appearance. 80% reduction in puffiness. Late night? Long flight? Look tired all the time? Prepare to become one of the perky people! Nature's clinically-proven morning-after cream instantly reduces dark circles. Unsightly bags and puffiness virtually disappear. And Origins proprietary complex of Caffeine from the Coffee bean, Panax Ginseng, Magnolia Extract and natural optical brightners rapidly wakes up , refreshes, and restores radiance to tired eyes."

This is a first for me, trying out a skincare product from Origins. I don't have much from there and what I do have is mostly body products and makeup brushes. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I honestly was expecting a fair product that helped with depuffing and somewhat with dark circle reduction and undereye brightening. The texture of the product was the first aspect that really pleased me. It has the gel-cream texture that I liked so much in Caudalie's eye cream expect that this one is bit easier to spread than the other.

So other than the wonderful texture, how did this product measure up? Actually quite a bit better than I expected. This make be a bit shocking but I prefer it to the Caudalie eye cream overall and may have found the best depuffing and overall brightening eye cream so far. The directions say to apply this eye cream in the morning or whenever needed. That for me is twice a day, in the morning and at night. After about a week or so, I noticed that the puffiness under my eyes was much reduced. After about two more weeks, I noticed a reduction in the dark circles and the overall lightness of the area. Another huge plus is that this eye cream didn't dry my skin out at all. I was a bit let doww when I went to look this product up on the Origins website though. My sample came in a squeeze tube but the product itself is housed in a tub. I really prefer the squeeze tube and the texture of this product is really suited to the squeeze tube so I wish they would have packaged the full size product just like they did the sample.

However, that isn't a serious enough flaw for me to not purchase the product because the other qualities of this product are superior to all that I have tried so far.

photo courtesy of Origins

Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream

Originally this was going to be a review of the Caudalie Eye Contour Cream that I have been using over the past few weeks. But when I went onto the Caudalie website to find it, I found that it wasn't around anymore and another product had taken its place in the Energizing collection. I then clicked over to the Sephora website to see what they had available and they also only had the Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream available for sale. This news affected me in two ways. First, I was irritated because I wanted to write this product and the good results that I had with it up. Second, I found an eye cream that I was happy with and now it isn't available anymore. Great.

I decided to at least take some time and review the new eye cream that they offered and lo and behold, I found right in the description on the Caudalie website that this is Eye Contour Cream renamed. Same formula, same package, new name. Maybe my life isn't ruined right now...

"This gel-cream reduces wrinkles, lightens dark circles, decongests, and protects the skin from free radicals." The major ingredients are listed right here: grape-seed polyphenols (OPC), Ceramides 3, tetrapeptides, horse chestnut, liquorice, witch hazel, fern, plant glycerine, and calendula. As will all products from this line, this product is more on the natural side and contains anti-oxidant ingredients. The horse chestnut is what makes this product unique to all the other eye creams on the market today. This is a natural ingredient that fights dark circles and puffiness without any type of bleaching agent. It has been said in some circles that chemical bleaching agents used around the eye area (especially hydroquinone) are responsible for an overall thinning of the delicate skin of the area and will actually make the effects of aging much worse down the line. However, to be fair, I was told this from a representative of Caudalie and have seen no information to back this up. In fact, the Murad eye cream with hydroquinone in it is a best seller and highly recommended by all who have used it. But I digress...

I was given this product by a rep for Caudalie a bit back and she told me that it would help with both my dark circles and puffiness but without drying out my eye area. I love the gel-cream texture of this product, it is very easy to work with and goes on easily without me having to tug on the skin of my eye area. The product worked well at depuffing my eyes but fell down a bit in the dark circles area. I have used this product both alone and alternating with the B. Kamins eye creams that is specifically designed for very bad dark circles. My dark circles are on the blue side, so they are a result of thin skin and are not going anywhere anytime soon (since they can't be lightened at all). I had the best overall results when I used this cream in the morning and the B. Kamins cream at night. However, this eye cream has an ingredient to help thicken skin and this process would take much longer than a lightening. The Vitamin K in the B. Kamins cream works much the same way to build skin up. When I reviewed the B. Kamins cream last year, I was on my second tube in a row of it, so the long term benefits were becoming more obvious.

The Caudalie alone was not enough to help minimize the appearance of my dark circles. But I should reserve full judgement until I purchase and use another tube of this cream and give it more time. And will I purchase this product and replace my tube? Yes, this depuffing powers are first-rate and the texture ranks among my favorite ever in an eye product (and has the B. Kamins beat by a long shot in this area).

photo courtesy of Caudalie

Juvena Cool Eye

One of the highest quality, yet mst underrated skin care lines available on the market today is Juvena. Very few people outside of the beauty industry know anything about this line, even less know about how fantastic the products are in this line. This line is top quality skin care, some products of which are used in Emergency Rooms through the United States and Western Europe.

A little bit of background on the company and their products...Juvena has excelled in skin care innovation for about the last 50 years. This company's major innovation is called Skin Nova. This type of technology is used in the Juvedical line of skin care products. This is the line that is used on burn patients in the hospital. To put it in a nutshell, Skin Nova isolates the few healthy cells that are left after burns and places them into complete isolation. When they are isolated like this, they are in their purest state and are encouraged to further mitotic development. With this development, the healthly cells multiply and eventually skin regrows over damaged areas. This technology is found in many of their skin care products and is the major reason that they can be associated with the highest grade of medical skin care.

The latest product that I am using from this line is the Cool Eye roll on from the Q 10 Energy Plus Line of products. This complex helps to replenish the lost energy reserves in stressed out skin and promote a healthier appearence. This product helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and undereye puffiness and is also helpful is helping to relieve the symptoms of allergies that tend to show in my face. It contains the Coenzyme Q 10 complex, Vitamin E, and Marittime Sugar Molecules to support and promote's the skin's energy functions. It helps to stimulate drainage of the eye area. It is packaged with a cool metal rollerball applicator which also helps to stimulate the drainage.

photo courtesy of get-price.com/au

100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

Going off of the wonderful luck that I have had with the 100% Pure body products, I am deciding to expand my horizons into their skincare line. I looked on their website and I found some cleansers that look very enticing and a bunch of other products that I certainly mind having but I decided to zero in on one product, the Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. My B. Kamins Therapeutic Eye Cream is amazing for dark circles but doesn’t really wow me in the puffiness area. The other day, I looked in the mirror when I woke up and almost died when I saw my face. This was the morning after a stress related crying fit but that doesn’t change the fact that I looked terrible. Quite frankly, looking like I felt terrible made me feel 100% worse so I decided to start searching for a new anti puffiness eye product.

I have heard rave reviews for this product and just off of the top of my head, I can think of two people that I know that really love it. I already know that caffeine speeds up the cells of the body so whatever it can help to slim down and improve the appearance of cellulite. Based on this assumption, I would assume that it would work to reduce the appearance of the puffiness in the same manner. Here is the description of the product from 100% Pure, “Anti-inflammatory, caffeine rich green tea and coffee de-puffs and reduces swelling while increasing circulation to alleviate and brighten dark circles. Concentrated with potent anti-aging vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing blackcurrant oil. Truly, 100% Pure.”

Reduces swelling, puffiness, and increase circulation all while being an organic product that is actually good for my skin?! This is coming home with me the next time that I am able to get to a mall that carries this line. And I think that I will be looking into more face care products from this line too.

photo courtesy of 100% Pure

The Use of Vitamin K to Help With Dark Circles

There is one skin care ingredient that I think is a top performing but is not widely recognized for how well that it works. This is shame because Vitamin K has been a lifesaver for a my horrible dark under eye circles. Vitamin K is one of the active ingredients in one of my favorite eye creams, B. Kamins Therapeutic Eye Cream. B. Kamins is a line that was started by Canadian scientist Ben Kaminsky, in response to his research with children’s rosacea (a condition that both of his children suffered from). He makes some of my favorite facial products for both sensitive and redness prone skin. Between this line and Caudalie, I never need to look for skincare products again (but of course I will keep testing more and more!).

This the description of the eye cream that I am so in love with, “An exceptional topical cosmeceutical treatment indicated for both dark circles around the eyes and skin bruising resulting from cosmetic skin procedures. Contains hesperetin, vitamin K, stabilized vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate and glycosaminoglycans to help strengthen fragile capillaries and cosmetically neutralize color differences in the orbital eye area. Also rich in zinc and copper oligopeptides to help decrease the period required for healing bruises, and Bio-Maple™ compound, a powerful humectant/moisturizer to help normalize a damaged stratum corneum.” In English? This eye cream helped to reduce the appearance of my under eye circles by helping to thicken the skin itself, not just attempt to bleach them away.

I need to make a distinction between the two major types of under eye circles first. They are either blue or black. Black circles are caused by circulation and the pooling of the blood in the under eye area. A bleaching agent can help with this condition, however a side effect is that will thin the skin over time, possibly speeding along wrinkles and other forms of aging. I am saying to not using a bleaching agent if you have these types of circles, Murad Lighten and Brighten is considered on of the best eye creams on the market today and will help with this type of skin issue. But if you (like myself) have blue under eye circles, a bleaching agent will not give you the type of results that you are looking for. I suffer from have thin skin and the blood vessels just naturally show through. This is more common in very fair complexions than anyone else. I need to thicken my under eye skin so that the blood vessels aren’t showing through as much.

This is where Vitamin K comes in. It helps the skin to strengthen itself from the inside out, ultimately making it stronger and healthier and allows less of the blood vessels to be visible through the surface of the skin. This ingredient is one of my favorites and I think it gets much less attention than it deserves and I recommend to anyone who is having issues with discoloration in their under eye area.

photo courtesy of B. Kamins