Eye Cream Series - La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Eyes

I am back with yet another installment of the Eye Cream Series and this time I want to feature a brand, almost all of us know and love. I discovered it very recently once I overcame my overwhelming confusion when faced with their medical apothecary look and impossible to pronounce product names (at least for me). For years I was intimidated by the daunting task of deciphering their ingredient lists, description code and in some cases even functionality. The bottles and white boxes looked the same to me and I didnt trust the beauty associates and their skincare knowledge at my local Shoppers Drug Mart location, so in turn I literally avoided that section entirely.

Luckily today La Roche Posay and me are great friends and I am yet to come across a product that deserves any negativity or questioning. This skincare brand means business and delivers results without any unnecessary fluff, fancy advertising campaigns or celebrity sponsors for that matter. I love that their focus is firmly centered around performance and product quality instead of hype and brand competition. I really wish I had explored their selection sooner because I am sure their products would have saved me a lot of grief, disappointment and money when it came to taking care of my skin.

The Hydraphase Intense Eyes formula is no exception to their high standards and it really is a high performance eye cream that is more than welcome in my beauty arsenal.

Description;

Tight Cellular Junctions Technology: Hyaluronic Acid Fragments ensure epidermal cohesion to infuse and lock water in for ultra long-lasting hydration. 
Intensive rehydration to smooth eyes dehydrated fine lines.
Decongesting caffeine for anti-puffiness action.

How to use;

1. Apply a small amount of cream with a light, dabbing motion to the eye area. 
2. Gently massage cream into the eye area. Repeat until product is fully absorbed into the skin. 
3. To reduce puffiness, continue to massage the lower eyelid, from the inner to the outer corner. Finish by applying light pressure to your temples to activate lymphatic circulation. 
4. To smooth dehydrated fine lines, perform a series of light tapping motions around the eyes.

Ingredients;

Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Carbomer, Glycinesoja Protein/Soybean Protein, Caffeine, Isohexadecane, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium, Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

I expected the texture of the Hydraphase Intense Eyes to be very creamy and heavy because its primary purpose is re-hydration and sealing moisture around the delicate eye area but instead upon opening I was greeted with a slightly blue, translucent gel-like cream that seemed way too light to accomplish what it promised on the packaging. I shouldn't have worried because this eye cream delivers a very powerful hydration kick all by itself and actually cools, soothes and calms the dry skin around my eyes without feeling greasy or heavy at all. Since I am all about instant gratification this feature really appealed to me right away.

The silicone-like feel can be a great primer for your under-eye concealer, especially when you consider the fact that the Hydraphase Intense Eye fills is the hydration ridges and plumps up the skin upon application, which in turn allows your concealer to glide on effortlessly. However if you apply too much of either product flaking may occur so some experimentation is definitively in order before trialing this on a busy morning when you cant afford to make any makeup mistakes.

I think anyone looking for a hydration would really appreciate the Hydraphase line but what makes the Intense Eye stand out is its intensity when dealing with "special circumstance" dryness and irritation. You will appreciate its "powers" at a completely different level if treating severe dryness and actual flaking in the eye area. It solves and soothes the problem in a few days and in the meantime the instant hydration makes the issue a lot more comfortable.

That  is what makes this a treatment eye cream and its the main reason it made its way into the Eye Cream Series. 


For more information about the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Eye and any of their other product please visit their website and for purchasing visit your local Shoppers Drug Mart location. You can also order La Roche Posay products online at Escentuals.com  here

I hope that was helpful to someone!

Have you tried La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Eye? What is your favorite eye cream?


XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

The Eye Cream Series - Clinique Even Better Eyes Treatment

We have all heard the expression - "Eyes are windows of the soul"! 

But what if your eyes perpetually look tired and sleepy? Does that mean people will think your soul is exhausted too? 

Well I am not about to take that chance and with the barrage of eye treatments available these days I am bound to find a suitable weapon sooner or later. 

I couldn't have been more surprised to find the perfect armour at Clinique of all places. 

The dark circles around my eyes can be very prominent due to several factors, one of them being my Mediterranean roots. With that in mind I am deeply aware that the chances of me completely banishing that darkness are slim to none. However I know that new skincare innovations can definitively help minimize things. 

Clinique skincare never really appealed to me and sadly because of that I have overlooked many of their products in all department mediums. With the discovery of the Clinique Even Better Eyes treatment I am hoping to change the neglect to at least an open mind. 

Description;

An oil-free, hydrating cream that visibly lightens dark undereye circles. 

What it Does;
Look more rested with this oil-free cream that works to keep skin nourished while lightening dark undereye circles. The skin-strengthening ingredients make skin less transparent, while the cooling massage tip breaks up puffiness. Sheer optics create an instantly brighter look for all skintones from fair to deep, leaving skin healthy and younger-looking. 

Clinique states that this eye treatment is clinically proven to visibly brighten dark circles by 30 percent over a 12 week period. 

A lot of reviews criticize this proclamation because the 30 percent number seems to be on the low end. Personally I really appreciate Clinique's honesty and release of a specific ratio of improvement. There are so many brands and products out there that make all kinds of extraordinary claims with ambiguous wording and lack of any serious clinical data, in hopes of duping their customers into buying into  their false mantra. At least with Clinique Even Better Eye I know specifically what it is that I am to expect in terms of results. Brand integrity is a huge thing for me and Clinique definitively passes that test. 

If you have been reading my blog then you already know how much I love products with the instant gratification factor whose ingredients also have long term effects. The Even Better Eyes formula fulfills both of those categories and delivers on both as well. The sheer, mica tint diffuses and visibly corrects the darkness right away while the antioxidants, caffeine and mulberry root join forces to brighten the area over time. 

The cool, metal applicator deals with any superficial puffiness around the eye with just a few strokes and the tinted cream acts as a light concealer. Those features make the Clinique Even Better Eye an excellent choice for a daytime eye cream. 

Clinique products are traditionally fragrance-free, dermatologist tested and in the case of the Even Better Eye formulation they added the ophthalmologist approval too. 

My final conclusion is extremely positive and I would recommend this eye treatment to anyone looking for a dark circle remedy. It's an effective formula, its texture feels silky and soothing around the eye and the price is reasonable ($49) and I can't find anything bad to say about it.  Essentially the Even Better Eye treatment made Clinique relevant to me and I will now be popping by their counters again very soon. 

Clinique skincare can be purchased directly from their website, Sephora and the counters at your friendly local department store!

Have you tried a dark circle corrector? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

The Eye Cream Series - Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream

One of the earliest beauty habits I dutifully  preformed even as a young girl was eye cream application. 

The skin around the eye area is very delicate and void of any oil glands, which means it requires constant protection and targeted treatment formulas in order to resist damage and retain that youthful elasticity.
Proper hydration will plump up any fine lines making them less visible and the added layer acts as a barrier between the sensitive eye area and the damaging environmental factors. 

Seeing how the first signs of aging lurk around that delicate area, using an efficient eye cream formula is your first line of defense when it comes to anti-aging. 

When it comes to the field of anti-aging I am a big believer in prevention, protection and constant maintenance. There is no "magic potion" out there that will erase your fine lines and stop the aging process but using the right products with functioning formulas will certainly delay the inevitable. 

With that in mind I have been on a mission to find the best of the best when it comes to eye creams and that is how The Eye Cream Series was born. 

Caudalie is one of my go-to brands whose formula, ingredients, philosophy and commitment to quality, fit within my strict requirements when it comes to choosing a skincare product. The Premier Cru line is one of their most luxurious releases to date whose extravagant price tag ($98 for .5 fl.oz.) is backed up by superior ingredient concentrations and decades of grape antioxidant research. 

Description;

This luxurious cream offers ultimate antiaging action for instantly transformed eyes. Perfectly hydrated, the skin is smoother and firmer. Dark circles and puffiness fade away and the eye area is brightened with renewed youth. 

Caudalie's three signature patents are blended at their highest concentration for unparalleled age-fighting power: Resveratrol-Oleyl for lifting and firming, Viniferine for brightening, and antioxidant-rich grape-seed Polyphenols. 

Key Ingredients;

-Grape Seed Polyphenols 

-Resveratrol-Oleyl

-Viniferine 

-Vinolevure 

Caudalie Premier Cru formula has been created after years of diligent scientific research and dedicated test pools - resulting in what is said to be one of the most superior, concentrated eye treatments available. Since the basis of all Caudalie skincare is their famous Vinotherapie discovery, the fact that Premier Cru line is based on the same grape anti-oxidant system shouldn't be a surprise. After all these grape enzymes are thought to be the most powerful antioxidants in the plant kingdom so why mess with a good thing.

These grape seed polyphenols act as a protective agent, shielding the skin from environmental aggressors, free radicals and damaging UV rays. The reason that these polyphenols are unique is that along with their protective nature they are also able to reinforce skin's natural micro circulation and hydration level in the upper epidermal layer. 

The inclusion of the Resveratrol-Oleyl is worth mentioning especially when you consider that it is suppose to stimulate longevity proteins, which are said to increase the life of skin cells by a whooping 160%. The implications of that kind of success holds a lot of promise when it comes to anti-aging prevention and treatment. 

Caudalie Premier Cru also addresses the issue of "dark circles" by using the  Vinoferine molecule to regulate melanin production, prevent free radical damage and in turn lower the chances of developing even more discolorations. The Vinolevure inclusion offers deep moisture that is meant to lock hydration and restore natural glow and radiance. 

All of that sounds extremely impressive but lets face it all the formulas and fancy descriptions in the world mean nothing if the results are not attainable. 
Luckily Caudalie definitively delivers and the Premier Cru is one excellent eye cream. 

I love beauty products that produce both instant and long term benefits and this eye cream does exactly that. 

The texture is light and whipped but gives instant hydration and feels very creamy on the delicate eye area.The light reflecting particles instantly brighten the eye area and make me look a bit more rested each time I use it. 

After 3 months of mostly consistent use the difference is definitively visible - the under eye  area is significantly brighter, smoother, hydrated and plumped to a more youthful level

My final conclusion on the Caudalie Permier Cru Eye Cream is definitively positive. This eye cream means business and does exactly what it says it will do. The price tag is little extreme, however as usual I consider skin care to be an investment, especially if the product in question delivers. 

In this case Caudalie's promises all came through, so for me this really paid off in terms of skincare benefits. 

Caudalie Premier Cru and other Caudalie products can be purchased directly from their website or as always can be found at our trusty Sephora. 

Have you tried the Premier Cru line up? What is your favorite Caudalie product?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Eye Cream Series - Bobbi Brown Extra Repair

Skincare is very important to me today but that doesn't mean that I was always diligent with my complexion. I shudder when I think about the times when I thought a baby wipe was suitable for "washing" my face and let's not even talk about all the sunscreen-free days I used to enjoy.

One exception to this terrible skincare fiasco was eye cream - for some reason the importance of moisturizing and protecting the delicate eye area had been ingrained in me by my glamorous grandmother (see previous post!) so I have quite the experience in that department.

I almost always have several eye creams in rotation and which ones I use depends on the  time of day, weather season, specific concern I might be "battling" and whether or not I plan on wearing eye makeup. It sounds way more complicated than it really is but even if your eye cream just hydrates then you are already ahead of the game.

The delicate skin around the eye area is much thinner than the skin on the rest of the face, which means that its usually a lot more sensitive and as such requires a little more help to stay hydrated and protected. Seeing how your under eye area has to deal with specific issues like dark circles, puffiness and fine lines, it just makes sense that it would require specific, targeted treatments.

One of the eye creams in my collection is the Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair and seeing how little is needed for proper hydration I am guessing that this little fancy glass pot will stick around for a very long time.

In Bobbi Browns own words;


Do your eyes need something extra? Packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness, this rich, concentrated cream visibly revives eyes. Use morning and night - warm between fingers, then pat gently around eye area. Once cream is absorbed, follow with Corrector and Creamy Concealer. Dermatologist tested. Ophthalmologist tested.

The most prominent feature of this eye cream is the thickness and richness of the said formula. Despite that the texture itself is more like a mousse that melts between your fingers. making it very easy to pat on but also very easy to use too much of. It does take a few minutes to sink in as the hydration is very intense, which is one of the reasons I would never use this under makeup or concealer. The eye cream's richness will prevail and adding makeup on top is only bound to end up in caky-melty mess, which is the last thing you would want. For me this Bobbi Brown concoction works wonderfully as part of my evening skin care routine and its especially helpful in the cold Canadian winters.

In terms of anti-aging properties, that's a claim that is very difficult to prove and/or disapprove so I am not sure how much I can vouch for that. but effective hydration plumps up the skin anyways, thereby reducing the size and look of fine lines and wrinkles. The results are of course temporary but regular use definitively gives that youthful kick we are ll searching for.

The promise of treating dark circles does however hold up beautifully, with the results being slow but steady. I noticed that my eye area appeared brighter at the two month mark and even though i worried about new milia outbreaks due to the richness of the formula I am happy to report that there were none. Each morning i was greeted by fresh, bright eyes with noticeable puffiness reduction and no redness at all.

The only negative comment I have is that you have to be very careful with application because the melting balm travels quite a bit so if it does make its way in the eye the irritation can last for days. That being said, I can't hold that against Bobbi Brown since really, that side effect is primarily driven by human error and has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the eye cream itself.


In conclusion I can comfortably recommend this eye cream for anyone in need of an extremely rich formula targeting both hydration and dark circles. I am trying to switch my facial skincare to more natural alternatives but the Extra Eye Repair will always be there for those moisturizing emergencies.

You can get more information and purchase this and other Bobbi Brown products here or at our trusty beauty mecca also known as Sephora


Have you tried anything from the Bobbi Brown skin care line up? What is your favorite eye cream - I would love some suggestions?


XOXO

ANJA



P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)