Recently in Eye Cream Category

Orlane has just come-out with the eye version of their famously pricey Creme Royal. Called Creme Royal Eye Contour, the creme retails for $300 for .5oz and is formulated to be an anti-aging, anti-sagging, anti-free radical, anti-wrinkle, hydrating, nourishing, and firming creme (talk about a mouthful!). The key ingredient in the creme is royal jelly, a substance that serves as the queen bee's sole nourishment and enables her to live 50 times longer than the other bees (sounds convincing, no!?). The eye cream also uses 24-carat gold (same idea as those Kanebo lipsticks everyone's talking about), which is used in plastic surgery to stimulate the production of elastic fibers and fight skin slackening. Lastly it's got Lupine Extract to fight puffiness, redness, and dark circles. This is a hearty eye treatment that is meant for those over the age of 30 (though if you're an over-worked New Yorker/frequently suffer from hangovers this could be for you as well!).

If you are under the age of 35, skip to the next blog article. Now, if you're about to enter the new age bracket (the 35-45 box at the doctor's office) or above, you need to know about this!  I was sent a sample of Sensai's Eye Wrinkle cream a month ago and despite the PR person warning me it was very rich and probably best for a more mature skin, I generously applied it twice a day.  The consistency is really thick but goes on fairly smoothly and I liked how it nourishing it felt around the eyes (and diminished the lines!).  However, I noticed a tiny white bump under my right eye recently which my facialist tells me is probably from over use of the very rich eye cream!  So I'm back to using my iS clinical eye cream (heard they have a new version coming, out can't wait!) and saving this for days I feel really old and tired.  If you are very dry or have very mature skin-- definitely try this.  Go ask for a sample at the counter at Neiman/Bergdorf and see if it's too rich for you.  I'm an eye cream addict and slather on eye cream like there's no tomorrow but now I will use the tiny bit that they always recommend because I don't want those little white bumps to appear again! 

Sensai Eye Wrinkle Cream $170 at Bergdorfgoodman.com 

I started a new regimen last month and can not believe I have not discovered iS clinical products until recently.  The rep told me not to use anything else during my test period and believe me, it was difficult to give up my usual 12 step routine with thick creams.  But I'm on a less is more mission to simplify my life and this could not have come at a better time.  I've always had good skin but my skin is now unbelievable, even the pesky little white heads on my forehead are gone!  I will describe each product below in detail and highly suggest you go to an iS clinical skin professional near you for a consultation.  It is only 7 products total for day and night and the best system I have ever used.   In fact, I believe in this regime so much I am going to give away this entire set in August!! 
AM (Must use in this order)
1) Cleansing Complex- I start each morning with a drop of cleanser to clean my T-zone area.  It removes left over residue from grease collected while sleeping and any make up that was not removed.
2) C Eye Advance + Gel- Lightweight but ultra potent, it does not sting on the eyes and can correct past sun damage if used consistently.
3) Super Serum Advance +  - This has replaced my Skinceuticals C+E, it's also lightened my pigmentation so I actually save money. 
4) Eye Complex- Chatecaille and La Prarie got nothing on this amazing eye cream.  Goes on under make up smoothly without greasiness or peeling.
5) Youth Complex- The fountain of youth~ if you get nothing else from my day routine you must get this (and the Active serium for night).  I apply a few drops on face, neck and chest.  Amazing!!  My make up goes on smoother and most days I no longer need foundation.  Just a dap of concealer and I'm good to go.
6) SPF Treatment Sunscreen-  I hesitated at first, 25SPF only?  But the organic and powerful ingredients in this is more than enough.  It is one of the best sunscreens I have ever used. 

PM (Must use in this order)
1) Cleansing Complex- This cleanser has a gel texture and cleans all my make up off, even the water proof mascara from Serge Luten that Kelly convinced me to buy. 
2) Active Serum- The HOLY GRAIL of the line.  You MUST get this.  Forget about emailing me with complaints about your wrinkles, spots and acne ever again if you don't get the Active Serum.  I can't help you if you don't help yourself.
3) Eye Complex- This is the same eye cream above.  I use it day and night.  Don't even think about getting botox or laser treatments for the lines around your eyes without trying this first! 

This showed up in my inbox and I was about to click delete until I realized I just tested SkinMedica products at a doctor's office a few days ago! I put a few drops on my hand and loved the way it immediately smoothed the texture of my skin. I made a mental note to buy some when I was out of my current eye cream but apparently the beauty goddesses have different plans for me.  I've requested samples from the line and will do a complete review upon receipt!

Very excited as I love all three actresses who use it.

Snob Quiz: Can you guess who the celebs are? Leave your answer in comments-- we'll pick a winner via random drawing on Friday, July 10 at midnight. US residents only please! Winner will receive a Beauty Snob T shirt!

SkinMedica is available through doctors' offices only-- click here to find one near you!

After reading my review last month, the nice folks at COR sent me 4 mini sample size soaps that would last a few months.  I diligently used it nightly (no matter how late hubby and I got home from date nights) and have determined the following:

1. This is the best cleansing soap in the market and removes all traces of make up without drying the skin.
2. After 30+ days of use, my skin is not blue and does not show any signs of turning blue.
3. I no longer have any small 'white' heads on my forehead
4. Each tiny sample size lasted approximately 3 weeks which means the full size will last, like, a year!

I was also sent a sample of the COR eye cream which was very lightweight and ideal for day under make up.  It wasn't as rich as I like my eye creams, however, so I won't be buying anymore of this.  I do LOVE the soap and am going to purchase a full size soap when my little samples run out.  (Note: Beauty Snob Heidi bought the entire line after our friend Chloe raved about it and she loves the soap, too.  She did not like the creams.) 
 

I am starting an intense regime as I slowly push my way to the "4th" floor of life. I discovered IS skincare a couple of weeks ago and started using its C Eye Advanced Serum, Eye Complex and Super Serum Advance ($130) for pigmentation issues.  All I have to say is OH MY GOD.  Why have I not heard of this before?  After requesting the press package I was shocked to find that it has been featured in almost every magazine available on a list of celebs that reads like Vanity Fair's Oscar party (actually this is the line celebs turn to for last minute firming, brightening and moisturizing before red carpet events!).  Another noteworthy fact is that IS works with Washington Cancer Institute in Washington DC-- they have developed innovative products that address the unique skincare concerns of cancer patients.  Many of these formulas not only help create vibrant and healthy skin, they also address important issues such as acne, chafing, uneven complexion, burns and scar tissue. 

I started the IS skincare line on a night when I had a bit too much fun with the girls.  I got home, used all three products plus a sample packet of the Youth Complex ($135) and woke up with the most amazing skin (my headache was the only reminder of the bottle of wine the night before).  Intrigued, I spent a few minutes massaging each product to see how it performed (since I could not remember how I applied it the night before)-- my skin absorbed all products immediately-- especially the serums, with no residue nor greasiness.  I love the eye serum and cream but the most amazing product was the Youth Complex (on my list to get since my sample lasted 2 days)-- the results were noticeable right away.  My skin looked tighter, smoother and brighter!  Not sure if this is permanent, will report back in a couple of months.  I'm now obsessively going through all the pamphlets to see what else I need to try.  There are two masks that I must try, the Resurfacing and Rejuvenating.  Will review when I get them.

Check out the line here and find out where to buy at a doctor's office or spa near you-- this is pharmaceutical grade stuff, you won't find it at Sephora.  Check a location near you here.

Or Call 818-638-8758 for more information.  You will not believe the results!  It's amazing and for the ultimate Beauty Snob!!!

I can't drink caffeine (Truth is, I hate the way it tastes, smells and makes me feel.) but I've wondered about its beauty benefits recently as it's been seen in everything from eye cream to butt cream.

Some manufacturers claim their products can take away under-eye puffiness or dark circles; others promise to smooth away cellulite. Sounds good, but do they work? ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, got the lowdown on what caffeinated products can and can't do for you from a group of experts and researchers, including dermatologists and plastic surgeons in their July issue. 

Eye creams

• The claims: Products such as Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Eye Roller, $13, Kiehl's Eye Alert, $21, and Lancôme High Potency Daily Moisturizing Eye Treatment, $36, reduce dark circles and puffiness.
• Experts say: If puffiness is the result of water retention, a caffeinated eye cream might help dehydrate the area. As for those dark circles, the deeper they are, the less likely it is that they will disappear. Caffeine's ability to constrict blood vessels can help, but it only works on the skin's outermost layer.
• Bottom line: Don't expect miracles, but you will probably get an immediate tingling or cooling sensation, and you might notice that bags look less severe and under-eye circles might appear a bit lighter over time.

Face creams

• The claims: Products such as Murad Environmental Defense Kit, $82, and Topix Replenix Cream CF, $63, are supposed to protect skin against premature aging and reduce redness.
• Experts say: Caffeine might improve the look of your skin and protect it from sun damage, but you should still use sunscreen. Recent studies have found that caffeine might also help sunscreens and antioxidant ingredients in skin creams work longer and more effectively. And there are no known negative effects of applying caffeine to your skin.
• Bottom line: Applying a skin cream containing caffeine every morning before you head out into the sun might not be a bad idea--but those creams are super pricey!

 

I was sent the Relastin Eye Silk to review last month and really looked forward to using it-- I'd heard much about it from other editors and it was awarded Best Anti-Wrinkle cream from Allure so I needed to investigate for myself.  Though I strongly feel one must not judge a product by its packaging, I was slightly disappointed by the drugstore like plastic bottle.  But I've been fooled many times into buying fancy packaging only to find the product within to be less than par so I decided to look beyond that and try it out.  The eye gel consistency is very lightweight and immediately coats the skin around eyes in protective layer.  It did not have as much emollience to it as I'd like so the next day I used it over my eye cream and it actually acts like a smoothing make up base.  I don't know how great it is for combating wrinkles-- after a month's use I don't really notice any long term benefits.  What it's really great for, however, is immediate smoothing and tightening effect so if you've got a hot date or a big event such as your wedding, it's worth a try to use under your make up.  At Relastin website for $65. 

I told you about Somme Institute Transport pads last year (my pores are clog free thank to them!) and I've been intrigued by the line ever since. If you want to try out its entire line of highly engineered vitamins (A, B3, B5, C and E) attached to proteins that penetrate deep in the skin to treat sun damage, discoloration, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and dry and oily skin without spending a fortune, they now have a value pack for only $175! ($225 value plus the entire line would cost almost $500).  I just picked this up at Nordstrom and will be traveling to Fashion Week with it this weekend and to the Oscars in LA the following week.  The little color coded jars contain: - Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser (1 oz.): a non-foaming cleansing gel, non-drying, non-irritating. - Step 2: Transport (50 pads): pads saturated with AHA and BHA gently exfoliate. - Step 3: Serum (1 oz.): highly concentrated and stable vitamin C gel hydrates and evens skin tone. - Step 4: A-Bomb (1.5 oz.): lightweight moisturizing cream with high concentration forms of vitamins A and E. - Step 5: Double Defense (0.25 oz.): Moisturizing Sun Block SPF 30+. Somme Institute Value Set at Nordstrom.com

Most anyone who doesn't get their eight hours of sleep -- which inevitably ends up being practicably everyone -- knows that a good eye cream is essential. For drug store buys I'm a fan of Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Eyes ($26). Though the product has these blue particles in them which end-up not mixing well with the rest of the gel once you're about half way through so I'm always vigorously shaking the little tube, but small price to pay:) For a non-drug store find and one that's more potent I've been loving Neova Eye Therapy ($49). I've been using it regularly every night for the last three weeks and in addition to getting rid of puffiness they tackle dark circles. Plus it quickly penetrates your skin and leaves the around-the-eye-area smooth. I made it through the flu and New Year and a whole lot of sleep deprivation and my eyes don't reveal any of it:)