Thursday, July 26, 2012

An ode to eye cream



I've been avoiding writing this post. Probably because I just turned 39, and, well, I need eye cream.

I also need something for those grooves going down the side of my face that only show up in fucking HD iPhone photos. (Note to Self: Consider adopting a no-iPhone-photos policy?) I just did a quick google search, and apparently those grooves are known as "nasolabial folds." Boy do I wish I could un-know that.

But I digress. This post is about eye cream.

A few months ago one of my coworkers commented that another coworker looked far too fresh and well-slept considering how much she'd had to drink (and how little she had, in fact, slept) the night before. Ms. Fresh-and-Well-Slept divulged that she'd just begun using White Out+ from Sircuit. Everyone in the office instantly jumped online and ordered the stuff. 

Except me, of course. I emailed the company and asked if they would be willing to send me a free sample. Might as well wring everything I can out of this here blog.

Not only did the fab Sircuit rep send me a little vial of White Out+, she also sent a sample of Eye Tech. Kika recommends Eye Tech as a day-of product for brides or anyone else liable to encounter a photographer using flash. White Out+ is "specifically designed to help diminish shadows and to reduce the look of bags by camouflaging dark circles with light-dispersing, color-correcting diamond core particles" and a camera flash can sometimes reflect off the particles to bizarre effect.

I intended to do a very scientific experiment, use White Out+ for a few weeks, and then switch to the Eye Tech, so I could decide which one to recommend to you guys. 

My very unscientific recommendation is: They are both excellent. I honestly can't tell the difference. I theeeeeeeenk when my samples run out I will order the Eye Tech, because (at Kika's suggestion) I've also been using it on the teensy lines around my mouth.

Neither product is cheap, but a little goes a long way. My sample vials are still going strong. And the very act of applying the stuff every morning makes me feel like I'M DOING SOMETHING to counteract the aging process.
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While we're on the topic of aging: You all use a daily moisturizer or foundation with sunscreen, right? I do now, but boy do I wish I had started when I was 22.

50 comments:

  1. happy birthday, cookies.

    i still don't moisturize regularly, which is probably why i look like a hemingway character. or is it that i think i look like a hemingway character because i work in a building full of fashion editors and models on go-sees? mysteries.

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  2. They discontinued my favorite sunscreen-fortified lotion that I've been wearing daily for the last decade. I bought every tube I could find when I realized what was happening but I'm on my last one. I'm way more upset about it than I have any right to be - dreading the process of finding a new, non-greasy, SPF 45 option.

    I've been putting off the eye cream decision, but you may have just pushed me over the edge.

    You put it on in the am? For some reason, eye cream always sounds like something that goes on at night. I have no idea what I'm basing that on.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry for all the text. I am clearly WAY TOO INTERESTED in skin care routines.

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    2. these are both very light. White Out+ you put on in the morning, I guess so the DIAMOND PARTICLES are at their freshest/most reflective? and then I just got in the morning habit.

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    3. p.s. I am also obsessed with skin care.

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    4. I put my eye cream on both in the a.m. and p.m. If I don't, my skin will start to crack and flake.

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  3. Happy late birthday. Just don't Google "marionette." Aging isn't that bad, really, on the whole. I'm way hotter at 55 than I was at 21 and I'm neither thinner, fitter, nor have better hair now.

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  4. At 23 I recently started using a daily moisturizer with SPF and religiously applying sunscreen, after I stupidly let myself burn because I wanted to return from a vacation tan and realized that I didn't even get any color, just icky skin damage. Do you think it's ridiculous if I start using an eye cream now too?

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    1. I'm 27 and I can see the signs of age (which is not to say OMG I AM SO OLD, just that I can tell I'm getting, you know, older) and I wish I started eye cream even younger. I think all this stuff works best when it's preventative.

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  5. I have EXTREMELY dry skin, so I need to use an eye cream that moisturizes like a mofo. I have been using Clinique's "all about eyes rich", but I want something that would actually do something about my horrendous dark circles. Is this pretty moisturizing?

    Also, I need SPF daily lotion recommendations. help?

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    Replies
    1. I use this daily lotion with SPF 28. I like it for the price, and you can find it at local drugstores.

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    2. Kiehl has a SPF15 moisturizing lotion that I quite like - not greasy, doesn't make my skin break out, and unscented (migraine trigger). The bottle runs about 45$ in Canada, but it tends to last several months (a little goes a long way!).

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    3. I discovered Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen SPF 30 this summer. It's amazing. It has a matte finish. Absolutely no grease. It actually works as a really nice primer.

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  6. Skin care totally baffles me. I don't even wash my face because it prefers to sort itself out. Now that we live in WY with like the driest air ever, I think I need to start moisturizing. But then it'll be oily and I'll have to wash and then re-moisturize and then I'm staring down the barrel at a total shitshow so I just do nothing.

    Any daily moisturizer suggestions?

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    Replies
    1. Honestly, a good moisturizer definitely will not make your skin oily! It helps your skin be balanced. I really love Origins, and I think if you have a low-key approach to skin care their organics/natural approach to products might suit you well?

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    2. I like Avene. I'm originally from Montana, also extremely dry, and needed moisturizer but also struggled with it because I have super sensitive skin! For awhile I gave up on washing my face because every time I did my skin got super dry - like flaking dry - even though I use cetaphil for sensitive skin; and moisturizer always created problems such as itchiness, redness, and the worst of all - breakouts! Now I live in SoCal and don't need moisturizer very often...but now I've FINALLY discovered Avene which doesn't irritate my skin! So...ready to return to the dry MT air!

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    3. Oh...and sunscreen...the bane of my life!!!! I was a little disheartened when my dermatologist told me I had to be like a guinea pig and just try a bunch out. I'm fair-skinned so I do need it when outside. I know you're supposed to wear it everyday but I just can't. I still end up wearing it a couple days a week - the days I'm actually outside and not in an office building. The best I've found is Kiss My Face. California Baby and Aveeno Baby with oatmeal aren't too bad.

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    4. @Anon I have tried Cetaphil so many times, and it always dries out my skin.

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    5. Cetaphil can be surprisingly drying. My skin is is sensitive, oily, and acne prone. I've found the more gentle and moisturizing I am, the better my skin is. I've been using Ultrabland from Lush for six months now and my skin has never been happier. Its like a cold cream and really cleansing. It kept me zit free through my last two plane rides which used to guarantee me nasty breakouts.

      I also use plain oils on my skin mixed in with my moisturizers. Argon oil from a health food store is a favorite, but olive or grape seed oils are great, too. They've really minimized crepeing and fine lines around my eyes.

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    6. I use Cetaphil every day and like it, a lot. Best sunscreen I've found is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch.

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    7. I've never understood the attraction to Cetaphil. It makes me breakout like nothing else. I might as well not even wash my face than use the stuff.

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    8. To cleanse: use the oil cleansing method! Gets skin super clean, makeup off, and still leaves it all baby-butt silky. Sounds weird until you do it and it's genius.
      http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method

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  7. I have oily skin so I don't want to over-moisturize, but need the spf. So I use this every morning, and then just use some moisturizer on any dry spots that need it.

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  8. SKIN CARE TALK. Among my favorite lady things to discuss.

    A) I have been using moisturizer w/ sunscreen on the suggestion of my mother since I was approximately 24.

    B) I am obsessed with eyecream.I've been experimenting with different ones since approximately the age of 25. I smile a lot, so I feel like I need to counteract those wrinkles around my eyes... I am willing to shell out serious cash for quality skin care products, too. These look amazing.

    C) I use a line for cleansing called SANITAS. I got CEVD using it, too. They're natural and I literally feel like they make my skin glow.

    Thanks for the suggestions!

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    Replies
    1. Also, happy belated birthday. xxo

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  9. @Lisa @Naurnie my birthday was actually in May, but I'm still allowed to say "I just turned 39," right???

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  10. i'm 25 & pretty sure my face is going to look like a cognac coach purse in 10 years time. i'm definitely not proud of it, but i can't find a sensitive face sunscreen that doesn't make my mask lose its seal or makes me want to die when it gets in my eyes as soon as i go underwater. it doesn't help that i spend 40+ hrs a week in the sun/underwater in the tropics. body-wise i slather it on, no problemo.

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  11. SEVENTY FIVE (75) DOLLARS.

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    1. Normal price for quality eye cream. I pretty much want the white out even though I will almost definitely be allergic to it, lol.

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    2. Ugh. This is why I stopped buying skin care products: they're insanely expensive and you don't know what'll work for you until you buy it. Unless you have a sponsored blog, of course. Now I wash my face with honey and then pat on a few drops of argan oil and call it a day. My skin has never ever looked better and it's cheap as hell.

      Still looking for a sunblock I don't hate. Origins feels weird and a little greasy and def makes me break out.

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    3. but ESB linked to sample vials for $10/$11...

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    4. Sephora. My experience is that you can return ANYTHING, even if you'd used some of it up.

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    5. Argan Oil is the BEST.

      I'm not usually a Burt's Bees fan at all. AT ALL. But their Repair Serum oil is actually really pure and has some really effective oils. Smells great. Works. I think it's an over looked, affordable gem! I get a lot of free skincare samples at work, but I keep coming back to this. This and Argan oil.

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  12. I'm pretty cheap when it comes to personal hygiene. I use eye cream regularly, but I just buy whatever is on sale, or preferably, on clearance. Right now I'm using some dual cream/gel eye cream that I think was made by Garnier. I started at 25 and I think it's really made a difference.

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  13. How do you wash your face with honey?

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    1. Smear honey on face; massage around a little; rinse with warm water; finish with cool water. Works like a charm. Recommend it to everyone. Oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin -- everyone I know who's tried it has had good results.

      I used to use the oil cleansing method but I've been finding it makes me break out. It's possible I'm not steaming my face enough and end up leaving too much oil on, or maybe the water I'm using is too hot since it worked better at my old apartment with a less over-the-top hot water heater.

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  14. Dry skin peeps: I've got a double whammy for you. I massage a mix of almond oil and castor oil into my skin (about 1/4 castor, 3/4 almond), gently wipe it off with a hot, damp facecloth, and I'm ready to go. Since I started this, I've been told my skin looks "glowy and dewy." (I know, know, glowy isn't even a word) I haven't needed cleansers or moisturisers since, minus a bit of blemish cream for the occasional breakout. I also use the Aveda exfoliant every now and then. If you want a dirt cheap skin care routine that really really works, give it a try. I'm sure certain skin types don't react well to oil cleansing, but it's worth a try if you're the sensitive / dry type. The oils also work well as moisturisers for legs, arms, etc and can get easily smoothed into fine lines. Oh! Also removes makeup. I KNOW, RIGHT? It's a miracle of nature.

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  15. EVERYONE!!! i use the best daily moisturizer + SPF ever, and hardly anyone knows about it, but it was rated #1 by the Environmental Working Group so you gotta check it out:

    http://www.sanreorganic.com/

    I use the Shaded Rose + SPF moisturizer, and it's totally evened out my skin, plus the ingredient list is ridiculously natural. if you sign up for their email list, they have discount codes all the time, so i usually snag mine for around $25, which is really good for organic skincare, i think.

    also, i can second Stella's oil-cleansing-method recommendation--it might sound crazy, but it totally transformed my skin!

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  16. Josie Maran sunscreen is supposed to be pretty good and very lightweight.

    Greek yogurt masks (plain! no flavored yogurt) feel amazing, are cooling, and make my skin really soft.

    As far as aging goes...I'm in the same boat, trying to figure it out without breaking the bank. Ever since moving from the Pacific Northwest to Florida, I have been getting some hardcore sun spots on my face (my husband and I surf and are in the water daily). The scariest part is hyperpigmentation on my upper lip and a bit on my chin...which makes me feel like I have a fucking mustache and soul patch.

    I wear a hat and zinc sunscreen in the ocean but need to figure out how to get rid of this, preferably naturally.....anyone have any at-home secrets for evening out skin tone or lightening spots?

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    Replies
    1. I have been experimenting with lemon juice. I will report back.

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    2. I have the same problem with pigmentation on my upper lip. I haven't left my apartment this summer without sunscreen on that upper lip and I try to reapply it throughout the day before I go outside.

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    3. A little spendy but it works pretty well Murad

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    4. My dermatologist just recommended I try Bio Oil at night and in the morning to even out my skin tone. She said she's been using it for years (surprisingly considering she has any face correction cream at her fingertips!) and that it removed sun hyper pigmentation on her face. I went out to rite aid and am trying it out now too.

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    5. @Anon 8:01 Rosemary makes me break out, or I'd try that in a heartbeat.

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  17. For eye cream I use Burt's Bees Beeswax and Royal Jelly Eye Cream ($15 for a tiny pot). Before I started using it, the skin around my eyes would crack and flake a lot (even though the rest of my skin was oily). That problem has disappeared completely since I started using it both in the a.m. and p.m.

    Also, I put a tiny bit on my upper lip as I've recently noticed little cracks starting to appear there. I thought I was the only one who did that, but I'm glad to read ESB does it too.

    I read somewhere that the granddaughters of Jacques Courtin-Clarins said that their grandfather taught them to pat moisturizer onto their face instead of rub it in. Does anyone else do this technique? I do it on my eyes now, but still rub moisturizer on the rest of my face.

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  18. God, I'm a sucker for all of this. Has anyone tried the Rodin Olio Russo? I've been using the Kiehls oil, which is nice, but I don't know if it's doing anything. My biggest concern is forehead lines a la Gordon Ramsay.

    I started using Retin A at 29, and am hoping it is worth it in the long run. As for SPF, I use the La Roche-Posay Sunscreen Fluid.

    I'm no spring chicken, but I hope to delay the sag for as long as possible.

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