May 23, 2010

Remember a few weeks ago when I let myself run completely out of eye cream?  It wasn't pretty.  In fact, it was darn frightening for the people around me.  Since I was starting at square one, I decided to go on a mission to find an effective eye treatment that was affordable.  I first tried Olay Regenerist Eye Products, with mixed results.  I'm still using the anti-aging eye roller, but the eye lifting serum went right back to the store.

What to try next?  Aha!  I found a package of Loreal's Revitalift Eye Lifting Repair Duo with big half-ounce samples attached of Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate (for day) and Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Night Cream.  I paid less than $20, and got 4 new products to try!  How fun is that?

I've been using all 4 products now for almost 2 months, and have some good news to share.

• None of these products caused a break-out!  That's pretty big for my grumpy skin.  90% of the moisturizers and treatments I try will immediately cause clogged pores and/or zits, even if they're dermatologist-tested/approved and theoretically non-comedogenic.

• All of the products seemed to do a pretty good job of moisturizing.  Even so, the day cream didn't cause shine to bleed through my foundation in the morning, which some products can do.  Using the night cream with my Tazorac every evening helped to lessen the drying effect that the retinol product can have on my skin.

• The daytime eye cream worked fine in conjunction with the anti-aging roller, and didn't get goopy or cakey with my concealer.  The night eye cream was richer than the day version, and seemed fine.  Neither eye products caused any burning or irritation.

Now for the bad news.  I hate that there IS bad news, since the price point on these products is great and there was a fair amount of good news. But Loreal's Revitalift line is about advanced anti-aging action and wrinkle repair.  Did I see any lessening of wrinkles?  I don't think I did, I'm sorry to say.  If there was any improvement, it's so slight that I haven't really noticed.

I'll probably keep using these products occasionally until they're gone, but I don't think I'll repurchase.  I'm still on a mission for the best eye cream.  Any ideas of what I should try next?  Be sure to come back for this week's Fabulous Friday when I'll share my review of an anti-aging skin serum that actually does work!  😀

~BigSis

April 7, 2010

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself without one crumb of eye cream.  No Replenix, no Relastin, nothing.  Not even a random sample, or a dried up drop of an old cream I don't like any more.  How did it happen?  I don't know how, but I know it was bad!  Bad, bad, bad!  I wanted to try something new, but I didn't know what so I just went without any eye cream at all for several days!  Horrors!

Instead of reordering Relastin, I finally decided I wanted to try an affordable drugstore brand or two to see if there were any good ones out there.  Do you have to spend a lot of money to get an eye cream that works?  Maybe you do, but I want to know, so I'm making it my mission to investigate!

I drug my wrinkly, puffy, dark-circled self up to CVS and wandered around, hoping no one would see how scary I looked.  When I walked in the front door, there was a big ad for a new Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller.  Maybe it was a sign!

LilSis and I tried a similar product by Garnier last year, and it worked for her but not for me.  I generally like the Regenerist line so I thought this roller was worth a try.  I also picked up the Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Lifting Serum.  They were each around $20.

I first tried the Anti-Aging Eye Roller.  It is supposed to diminish eye puffiness, lines and wrinkles, according to Olay's web site.

To test the roller, I used it on one eye and left the other one alone.  You just click the pen-style applicator until you see a dab of product start to peek up around the metal roller balls.  Then you just roll the balls gently under the eye for about 30 seconds.

The product went on a bit creamy, but I was shocked at how quickly it soaked into the skin.  After a few minutes, it appeared to me that the treated eye looked less puffy than the untreated eye.

The next test…would my concealer go on smoothly over this product?  Yep, no problems.  So far, so good.  I liked the roller and thought it was effective.  It definitely seems to be a morning product, so I still needed something more moisturizing for nighttime use.  Maybe it would be the eye serum!

The Eye Lifting Serum is supposed to be an “all-around eye firming, smoothing, brightening amino-peptide + B3 complex”.  Sounds good, but did I see those results?

Mmm, not really.  The serum got good reviews at the Olay web site, but it initially didn't seem to provide enough moisture to me.  I would have given it a little more time to do its' thing, but there was a deal killer.

My concealer hated the serum.  It caked up into a big goopy mess.  Back to the store you go, Anti-Aging Eye Lifting Serum.  Eye cream is essential, and concealer is essential, so you have to play nicely together.  If one of you acts up, you're out.

It's been a couple of weeks now, and I'm still using the roller and liking it.  I picked up another inexpensive eye cream at SuperTarget last weekend, so I'll let you know how that trial's going soon!

~BigSis

November 16, 2008

I just talked about this eye cream that's been getting a big buzz among the beauty world; Relastin Eye Silk.

Relastin Eye Silk

I decided that BigSis needed to try it since her eyes have been looking pretty pitiful since the Nasty Virus struck.  Guess what?  Relastin has a special going on now for $20 off the price of the Eye Silk, so you're getting it for $49 instead of $69 plus shipping!  I call that a fabulous deal.  I don't know how long this special is going to last, so if you're interested, grab yourself a bottle like I did and we'll compare results!

~BigSis

November 11, 2008

Well, BigSis, I have to admit that I'm not completely satisfied with my eye regimen either.  I have some “tried and true” favorites, but lately it seems like I need a little more.  Maybe we're just in denial that we aren't in our 30s anymore!

Here's the “scoop” on the products I'm using now:

• I have the same problem with nighttime eye cream.  If it's too heavy, the morning puffiness is noticeably worse.  So, right now, before bed, I'm using Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum.

Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum

It is lightweight and moisturizing at the same time. I can't say that I wake up without any puffiness, but I think it would be worse if I weren't using this product.  I haven't found anything more moisturizing that isn't too heavy. This .5 oz. bottle is $43.50, but it lasts for months.

First thing in the morning, I use one of two products depending on the amount of puffiness under my eyes.

• BigSis turned me on to the Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum and I use it most mornings right when I get up. I also order this through skincarerx for $54.95. You literally only use a dot under each eye. I've probably had my bottle for over six months now.

Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum

• If I'm more puffy than normal, I'll use the Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask for Puffy Eyes that I keep in the refrigerator.  This feels so refreshing underneath tired eyes when it's kept cold. I think it does the trick. This 1 oz. tube is only $21.00 and lasts for months.

Origins No Puffery

I really like both of these products, but I don't use either one of them underneath my concealer.  I leave these on for a few hours, then wipe off in the shower. (I'm up very early!)

• Before my concealer, I dab on a little of this Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye. I really love this product! It's rich and creamy and my concealer goes on very smooth on top of it. I really think that is has helped prevent some deeper lines around the “crows feet” area of my eyes.

Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye

I realize that the Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye is not the cheapest product available. This jar is $72.00 and it, again, lasts for months. For me, it is worth every penny.

Yes, I do use three different products on my eyes every day.  I admit that it might be a “teeny, tiny” obsessive but I consider it preventive medicine. It's cheaper than a plastic surgeon!

That's my daily routine for tired, puffy eyes! BigSis, should we continue this skin care conversation and talk about moisturizers?

If anyone has a fantastic product recommendation for puffy eyes, we would LOVE for you to comment on this post or send us an email!

~LilSis