To
be honest, I’ve been struggling this week with this blog about eye creams – is
there a big need for them or is it really a beauty con? I’ve been trained to use one; during my
beauty therapy training/studies and my beauty counter days, period. And I’ve never NOT used one. But the longer I think about it, do we really
need to fork out for such a product as facial moisturisers do the same thing;
firm, hydrate and promote healthy cell activity. Is it such a bad thing that we apply it up to
our eyes? Usually sensible sleeps, good
diet, exercise and massage will help keep the dark circles away and if you lay
off the red wine then no puffiness. Even
if you suffer from pigmentation, you can get that help from your face
cream. It’s really your health and lifestyle
that can make a difference rather than a specific product for this specific
area or is it?
However,
it’s been instilled in me, during my years of training and working with products
that we should be using something that has been specifically formulated for the
eye area. One customer question that
always got a mention while working on the beauty counters was, “Do I really
need an eye cream? Can’t I just use my
normal moisturiser? Better than nothing,
right?” Well yes but you can go one better
if you want to target a concern by using something formulated for that area.
As
I’ve mentioned above, we all know the skin beneath the eyes is thinner compared
to the rest of the face and it’s the first area that will show how the body is
reacting to lack of sleep, stress, tiredness, toxins, the sun, poor diet, weak
capillaries and other external aggressors.
Not to mention some of the problems being hereditary too. If you find that your normal face moisturiser/serum/concealer is doing a great job, isn’t weighing down the skin, is hydrating enough then
you’re good to go. However, if you want something extra to help
with the dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles or you are fighting a war with gravity then
there is something out there for you.
So
what am I using at the moment? I am in
my 40’s so I want something that is going to firm up and de-puff. Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Lift Perfecting Serum
(€48 from Boots) is lovely and does just that.
This serum contains its own patented complex that lifts and extract of albizia
(inhibits glycation - which is the deterioration of collagen fibres - protects
walls of blood vessels) helps to combat circles and puffiness. I press one pump (a grain of rice-size) onto
my three middle fingers and press all around the orbital bone, paying attention
to the area just above my crease – I am hoping by doing this then it will firm
up and support my drooping eyelids… I
have enjoyed using this product, it’s very lightweight and is a serum (so it is
quick to penetrate into the skin) and I have seen much improvement.
Once
I have finished Clarins, then I have a pot of Shiseido’s Benefiance
WrinkleResist 24 Eye Contour Cream, which I can’t wait to try. It claims to protect the skin against future
wrinkles, improves appearance of those that are existing, cell activity is
enhanced (de-puff) which in turn leads to firmness and resilience. This comes in a pot so will have to use a
spatula (not a fan of pots but never mind).
Another
eye cream that I loved but used to buy years ago was Dior’s Capture XP Eye
Cream. Well, I think that’s what it was called – it was a pink gel anyway. I would buy this when I was in possession of
a gift card, as it was expensive but I really saw (and felt due to a tightening effect)
a difference while using this. Seeing as
I am talking years ago, I see now that their skincare has changed slightly so
their alternative is undoubtedly even better (and more expensive) but boy, was
it good back then.
You’ll
have probably noticed that I’ve been having a right old discussion with myself
while writing this and I have been conflicting in parts. I’ve been trained to use an eye product but
at the same time, the ingredients really are no different to my face products
and at the minute, one has to save some dosh along the way. However, if I see an improvement with a
product then I will buy whether I’m being conned or not (blush).
So
to save or to splurge or not buy at all (and instead eat and exercise
properly)? Hmm, this is a toughie because I am not sure I can give them
up! Ok, I could do an experiment; after
I’ve finished my pot of Benefiance, I won’t buy another eye cream and let’s see
how I get on with just my serum and moisturiser. One of my favourite ingredients is Vitamin C
which is known for brightening and giving radiance to the skin and my
moisturisers contain that. Also my
moisturisers are firming so hopefully, they will do the job if used sparingly
around the eye area? As for cheaper eye
creams, I’ve not found one yet that does the job – if anyone can recommend a
reasonably-priced eye cream that firms and allows me to drink red wine without any puffiness then do let me know…although didn’t I just say I
wasn’t going to buy another one? Sigh.
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