All posts in Eye Care

NEW Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment

by Shirleen on December 20, 2011 in Eye Care, Origins with No comments

Most of us will probably notice our FIRST signs of aging on the eye area and it is mainly due to 3 key factors. The skin around the eyes is actually up to 3 times thinner than our facial skin and it also produces no sebum to keep it moisture. It is therefore dryer, fragile and sensitive. Our eyes express nearly every emotion and are in constant emotion as they follow the movements of the underlying muscles. As we age, skin around the eyes loses resiliency and collagen, and therefore deeper, more ‘permanent’ lines and wrinkles will form.

So have you noticed any signs of eye aging lately? Are you giving special attention to the eye area? You should if you are not! Well, early prevention is better than cure. The most common signs of eye aging are : crow’s feet, crepey skin on the eyelid, under eye fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin around the eyes, dark eye circles and puffy eyes.

A few weeks ago, I was delighted to be presented a newly launched eye product from Origins, NEW Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, for testing and review. It is the latest addition to Plantscription series after the successful launch of their latest breakthrough Plantscription Anti Aging Serum. This new innovative serum claims to have 88% of wrinkle-reducing power of a prescription and as potent as retinoids (a proven wrinkle fighter) with 0% irritation, dryness and photosensitivity.

Click here if you are keen to read my previous post on Plantscription Anti Aging Serum.

Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment – S$78 / 15ml

Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, recently launched in October 2011, is the first natural eye product I’ve ever tested. It is now available at all Origins counters at Isetan Scotts, Robinsons Raffles City, Metro Paragon, Robinsons Centrepoint and Tangs VivoCity.

Enriched with Anogeissus Tree Bark as well as Kombucha (fermented Black Tea), this latest Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment is claimed to help visibly repairs 4 visible signs of eye aging including :

Diminishing the appearance of crow’s feet
Reducing under eye cross hatching
Smoothing crepey lids
Lifting and firming saggy eye skin

Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment is FREE of parabens, mineral oil, Paba, petrolatum and Paraffin.

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Kiehl’s Introducing The New Midnight Recovery Eye

by Shirleen on November 6, 2011 in Eye Care, Kiehl's, skincare product 101 with 1 Comment

A few weeks ago, I was delighted to receive a surprise gift bag from Kiehl’s. It contains a bottle of Midnight Recovery Concentrate, the new Midnight Recovery Eye and a Midnight Rhapsody Music CD.

I was actually introduced to Kiehl’s first night repair product Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (S$90) in July 2010. It is specifically formulated to reinforce the skin during the peak recovery at night. This potent elixir is 99.8% natural and is FREE of paraben, fragrance and mineral oil.

A complex blend of naturally replenishing botanical oils including moisturizing Squalene and Evening Primrose (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids) and a blend of essential with known for their therapeutic, balancing and antioxidant effects, work with the skin’s natural nocturnal activity to instantly penetrate deep down and dramatically restore skin overnight.

Click here to read my previous on Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

And now in Oct 2011, Kiehl’s has proudly introduced a new addition to Midnight Recovery range and it is the Midnight Recovery Eye.

Midnight Recovery Eye – S$72 / 15ml

One Night. Two Drops. Younger Looking Eyes By Morning.

Midnight Recovery Eye, a 99% naturally derived botanical elixir, helps achieve fresher, younger looking eyes by morning by diminishing puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. It is paraben-free, fragrance-free and mineral-free.

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Review – Shiseido Future Solution LX Eye & Lip Contour Regenerating Cream

by Shirleen on October 3, 2011 in 3-star ratings, Eye Care, Shiseido / Za with 6 Comments

Paula Begoun, the famous cosmetics cop from US, believes that we do not need an eye cream! She claims that there is no evidence to prove product formulations for eye creams don’t differ from those for face products. Frankly, I actually believe in her at first!

Out of curiosity, I did a test and I completely stopped applying an eye cream and instead using my usual day or night moisturizer to hydrate my eye areas for a period of time. The method doesn’t really work for me as I began to encounter minor irritation on my delicate eye areas. My eyes began to get teary and stinging at times. After the test trial, I have to disagree with her and I feel that an eye cream is ultimately essential.

As the skin around the eye areas is delicate and fragile due to the fact that it is much thinner than the rest on the face and in addition there’s no oil glands to keep it moist. Therefore wrinkles and fine lines will easily develop around the eye areas.

Many many months ago, I was given a chance to test the Future Solution LX Eye & Lip Contour Regenerating Cream from Shiseido. Yes yes yes my bad for taking years to review it. It’s better late than never. <grin>

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Review – Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, No7 Lift & Luminate Eye Cream & No7 Lift & Luminate Day Cream SPF 15

by Shirleen on April 29, 2011 in Anti Aging & Moisturizer, Benefit / Bobbi Brown / Boots, Eye Care with No comments

Many months ago, I was supposed to review three BOOTS products which I have received from asia.boots.com (managed by Boots Retail Thailand). And also to throw a giveaway on Boots products at the same time. So why am I taking so long to post this review? Well it is because Boots and I couldn’t agree on the giveaway mechanic and eventually I decided to post the review minus the giveaway.

At first, Boots Asia suggested that in order for the readers to participate for the giveaway, each of them will need to submit a photo of themselves with their favourite Boots product that work. The most creative picture wins. And Boots Asia has claimed that this is actually a simple mechanic. Well simple to them but not for my readers though! I was extremely turned off by the suggested mechanic as that will mean my readers will need to purchase a Boots product before they can participate on the giveaway. Why should my readers part their money just for the giveaway? And my email box will also be flooded with readers’ submission too. It’s too troublesome for me and my readers especially! It just doesn’t make any sense at all! What a stupid idea!

They later tweaked it a little by suggesting having my readers to capture a screenshot of a Boots product that they would like to try out and why. Well so what’s the different, this mechanic is as bad as the first!

Anyway, the three products that I will be reviewing are No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, No7 Lift & Luminate Eye Cream and No7 Lift & Luminate Day Cream SPF 15.

But firstly, are you familiar with this UK brand BOOTS? If you’re not, click here for a brief description of the brand.

My Impression With BOOTS Products

I’ve noticed that one of the products I’ve received, it actually looks different from the ones found at UK website.

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

Product Profile

Reveal younger looking skin with No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. This powerful blend of protecting and renewing ingredients helps reduce the appearance of pores, smoothing lines and wrinkles in 4 weeks.

Review

Although this silicone-based fragrance-free serum contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate (one of the less potent Vitamin C), retinyl palmitate (is Vitamin A but not retinol as claimed) and other antioxidants such as Vitamin E but unfortunately I couldn’t see any result at all.

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Review – Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Serum

by Shirleen on December 13, 2010 in Eye Care, Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals with No comments

A few months ago, I have received a couple of awesome Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals products shortly after I have attended my first Perricone event to preview the newly launched Cold Plasma at Metro Paragon.

Inside the lovely gift box, it contains Vitamin Ester Eye Serum, Nutritive Cleanser, Serum Prep and Face Finishing Moisture.

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals, a US dermatologist-developed line, is exclusively developed by Nicholas Perricone MD and he’s the author of the beauty book titled “The Wrinkle Cure” and “The Perricone Promise”.

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals is officially launched in Singapore in late April 2010 and is now available at escentials @ Tangs Orchard, Metro Paragon, Robinsons Centrepoint, Robinsons Raffles City. You may also find Perricone MD Skincare at Sephora but it doesn’t carry the full range.

I love serums and I especially keen on serum that is exclusively designed for eye areas. So when I was presented with a full size Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Serum for eye, I was extremely delighted.

And after trying this vitamin C eye serum for more than a month, I’m now ready for a review and I can’t wait to share the goodness of this product with my readers.

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Review – Kiehl’s Eye Alert

by Shirleen on February 5, 2010 in 1-star ratings, Eye Care, Kiehl's with 4 Comments

Recently, I have managed to obtain a 5ml sampling size of Kiehl’s Eye Alert when I was doing some window shopping. What tempted me to try this product is the claim – ‘Energy Booster to Combat Puffiness and Dark Circles’ on the packaging.

Although I have only slight dark eye circles and puffiness, I’m still curious to see if this eye gel can actually reduce or eliminate them.

Product claims

Our ultimate solution for eye-area fatigue after a long flight or a long night, our formula is made with cooling Cucumber and Alfalfa Extracts to energize and hydrate the thinner skin of the eye area. Its potent blend of Vitamin E and Caffeine fights fatigue as it helps combat dark circles and puffiness. With regular use, skin appears strengthened and the look of fine dehydration lines is reduced.

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Review – Kiehl’s Light Nourishing Eye Cream

by Shirleen on November 21, 2009 in 3-star ratings, Eye Care, Kiehl's with 2 Comments

When searching for an eye cream, many of you will probably look for something that could treat dark eye circles, puffy eyes or fine lines. But for me, I won’t just depend solely on one cream to solve these problems and I will usually remedy them with effective serums and treatments. The main function of an eye cream is to moisturize the delicate dry skin of my eye area.

I decided to give Kiehl’s Light Nourishing Eye Cream a try as I have read numerous good reviews on this eye cream. Its small packaging can actually last me for almost 6 months.

This lightweight formula, specially formulated for oily skin, is claimed to help soothe and protect the delicate skin of the eye area.

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Review – Can Sisley Eye Contour Mask Refresh My Tired-Looking Eyes?

by Shirleen on September 8, 2009 in 3-star ratings, Eye Care, Mask & Exfoliant, Sisley with 2 Comments

Due to aging, I have noticed there are more fine lines around my eye areas. And also crow’s feet begins to appear and dark eye circles seem to get even darker.

Therefore, I’ve been consistently and painstakingly finding ways to eliminate or reverse the signs of eye aging as much as possible.

Treatment for eye contour is in fact one of the most difficult area to remedy. It is mainly due to the epidermis on the eye contour is fine, fragile and thinner than on the rest of the face. And also subject to constant movements, making it particularly delicate and sensitive.

Generally, it is not easy to find a good eye mask in the market. Before I bought Sisley Contour Mask, I will normally apply the face hydrating mask onto my face and also on the eye area (although most of the face masks may not be suitable to apply around the eyes).

In fact, Sisley is one brand I used to trust very much, so whenever there is a new product launch, I will usually rush down and grab it. And Sisley Contour Mask is one of them.

Product profile

Within 10 minutes it helps re-hydrate the skin and reduce all signs of fatigue, thanks to active ingredients that:

locally improve microcirculation
help reinforce skin’s natural defenses
smoothe and optimize radiance on this very fine and fragile area

Ingredients

Sisley Contour Mask contains numerous antioxidant ingredients which help to revitalize the skin.

Ginkgo biloba is a potent antioxidant that helps improve blood flow.
Vitamin E acetate, malachite extract and linden extract are considered as potent antioxidants that can protect against free radicals.

As usual, Sisley has tried very hard to over-inflate some of the ingredient claims and below are some examples :

Sisley has claimed that arnica extract helps boost surface micro-circulation but sad to say there’s no scientific benefit to the skin and worst it is a skin irritant.
Horse chestnut extract is said to have a decongesting and softening action but it only have anti-inflammatory properties for skin.
Chorella Extract, also known as algae, is claimed to have effects on wrinkling and revitalizes the skin but the claims are unsubstantiated.

For hydrating benefits, Sisley Contour Mask contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and glycerin that help maintain hydration and skin smoothness.

How to use

Use morning or night before applying a cream. Apply a thick layer of product over the eyelids and the eye contour and leave on for 10 minutes. Remove the excess without rinsing off.

Review

Whenever I have tired-looking eyes, Sisley Contour Mask will come as a ‘occasional’ temporary rescue. This transparent gel mask faintly helps refresh, hydrate and rejuvenate the eye contour. Why I emphasis the word ‘occasional’ because sometimes I do see some improvements but sometimes I don’t, hence the results are no consistent.

If there is a result, Sisley Contour Mask is able to re-hydrate skin or smooth away visible signs of fatigue. The appearance of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles are less visible. But all these results are only TEMPORARY and as for crow’s feet no result though!

Rating

Will I buy it again? I doubt so!

Review – Can Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate Reduce My Dark Circles?

by Shirleen on June 25, 2009 in 3-star ratings, Eye Care, Kiehl's with No comments

I’ve managed to obtain 2 packets of Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate 5ml samples while I was shopping for Kiehl’s products the other day.

Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate, with 10.5% Pure Vitamin C and Haloxyl, is said to help decreases the appearance of crows feet and sub-orbital wrinkles. Visibly brightens the eye area and minimizes dark circles.

Product claims

This line-reducing concentrate is formulated for the eye area and contains a high concentration of 10.5% Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) known for its affinity with skin and its powerful ability to improve the appearance of skin aging. With Haloxyl, this formula helps to reduce the appearance of under-eye dark circles, helping to brighten the overall eye area for a fresher appearance. With continued use, our treatment helps address some of the more serious signs of skin aging with a significant effect on sub-orbital wrinkles and crows feet.

Ingredients

One of its key ingredient, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) with content in 10.5%, is known to help for the production of collagen and elastin. This antioxidant ingredient also prevents water loss and therefore maintains the skin’s barrier function. Instability is the main setback for this beneficial ingredient, which can be irritating to the skin. That is why some doctors believe it is not recommended to use around the eye area.

Haloxyl, a new patented key ingredient, is claimed to improve skin around the eye area by stimulating natural enzymes that help strengthen under-eye area capillaries.

Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate also contains skin irritant ingredient like Bitter Orange Flower Extract, which oil is extracted from the petal of the bitter orange tree and is claimed to be effective at stimulating cutaneous tone.

Review

What puzzled me most when I first encountered with Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate, is this hot burning sensation I felt on my eye area. It is quite weird and scary in fact. This sensation, which lasts for a few minutes each time, gradually diminishes after 2 weeks. Till now, I’m still wondering what is the cause of it.

Occasionally, I will also encounter some temporary skin itchiness around the eye area. I believe it may be due to the instability of Vitamin C or skin-irritant ingredients in it.

As Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate is considered a serum to me, I will top up with lightweight eye cream over it.

After a month of usage : I have noticed the fine lines especially below my eyes area have insignificantly reduced. Fine lines appear softer, skin becomes firmer and tone. But as for crow’s feet and dark eye circles, sad to say there’s only very faint improvement on them.

Rating

Will I buy it? Maybe

Review – Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum

by Shirleen on March 12, 2009 in 4-star ratings, Eye Care, Olay with 1 Comment

Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum, a cream-based serum, is an eye moisturizer which I’m using presently. Although the packaging is different in Singapore and in the US, both are said to contain the same ingredients.

And I guess the difference in packaging is due to the manufacturing location. The product sold here is manufactured by Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Thailand Ltd.

Product review

Notice a complete turnaround in 24 days and all around eye firming, smoothing, and brightening.

Contains a concentrated form of an exclusive amino-peptide complex that hydrates to firm and visibly lift skin around the entire eye area. Visibly lifts, smooths and brightens the entire eye area for firm eyelids, smooth corners and even-tone under eyes.

Ingredients

One of the ingredient niacinamide, a water-soluble ingredient, has shown to increase ceramide and free fatty acid levels in skin, prevent skin from losing water content, and stimulate micro circulation in the dermis.

It contains antioxidant ingredients like tocopheryl acetate, also known as vitamin E and camellia sinensis leaf extract.

Although it contains alcohol which may irritate skin but it also contains a handful of anti-irritant ingredients like cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, allantoin and petrolatum.

Other ingredients are : sucrose polycottonseedate, contains water-binding properties for skin. Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, a fatty acid mixed with amino acids. Mica, an earth mineral included in products to give them sparkle and shine.

Texture

Smooth, light, shimmer (mica ingredient) and non-greasy cream feel which is easily absorbed.

Results

Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum, fragrance-free, helps to moisture the area around the eye pretty well. Very superficial improvement on fine lines but not on the dark eye circles.

Ratings

Will I buy it again? …… Most Likely!

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