Benefit Eyecon Brightening Eye Cream

For the past 10 days I've been using Benefit Eyecon Brightening Eye Cream sample I received from my swap with GQ long, long time ago... So far I'm impressed with it. The supposed "fading action" really works, I can see the difference on the areas underneath my eyes - less shadow, perking up my appearance instantly. It doesn't "erase" the darkness completely, no super duper magical effect here, it works more like a "transparent" concealer, if it makes sense.

My skin absorbs the cream quickly, no crease settling under foundation, and no allergic reaction despite the long ingredients list. I had to squint when reading those tiny list! Well, they really worked to brighten my eyes noticeably. The cream isn't making the shadows go away, it gives light coverage that's good enough to be used on it's own when I'm in a hurry. Obviously vain me still use concealer when I have more time on my hands. Haha...

I'm not sure whether overtime the cream would improve my shadowy areas. For now I'm content enough finding something that makes noticeable difference, enough to make hubby said I looked "well rested" despite my lack of sleep. Hurrah, the eyecon really conned hubby! Thanks for the sample, GQ. :)

Verdict: the full size has made it to the top my "must buy" list.

Ingredients: water (aqua), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, dicaprylatedicaprate, squalane, glyceryl polymethacrylate, caprylic.capric tryglyceride, glycerin, steareth-21, linum usitatissum (linseed) seed extract, hexyldecanol, stearaliconium hectorite, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, steareth-2, stearic acid, glyceryl hydrosyctearate, sodium polyacrylate, methylparaben alcohol denat, chlorphenesin, dimethicone, propylene carbonate, tocopheryl acetate, althaea officinalis root extract, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) fruit extract, hesperidin, methyl chalcone, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, steareth-20, tromethamine, butylparaben, ehtylparaben, propylene glycol, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ protein, chlorhexidinedigluconate, titanium dioxide (Cl77891), tetrasodium edta, propylparaben, avena sativa (oat) kernel protein, isobutylparaben, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, sodium hyaluronate, sangusorba officinalus root extract, xanthan gum, phenoxyethanol, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, caprylic/capric/suconic triglyceride, dipeptide-2, potassium sorbate, eriobotrya japonica leaf extract, plankton extract, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3.

Innoxa Line-Defying Eye Creme

I bought Innoxa Line-Defying Eye Creme when my favourite eye contour gel (Germaine de Capuccini = GdC) turned super runny. Which wasn't the gel's fault, really, as it had served me faithfully for about a year (12 months expiry date on the tube).

The blurb said, "Targets lines, wrinkles & dark circles around the delicate eye area. Specifically formulated to help reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and dark circles around the delicate eye area. Anti-Age for All Skin Types including Sensitive. 100% Fragrance Free. Ophthalmologically Tested. Dermatologically Tested."

I've been using the eye creme since my arrival in Cairns. I bought it specifically as I had dark circles for not having enough sleep.

Good things first: great texture, makes great base for under eye (as long as I leave it to dry first before applying concealer), doesn't irritate my eyes, not greasy.

Bad things: it doesn't help to diminish the panda eyes, it doesn't help preventing new lines appearing as I have deeper lines than when I was using GdC. Now that I've typed up the ingredients list I realize that it's scarily long, too. It must be one of those times when I forgot to look at the list closely before buying. Hey, I'm not perfect! Haha...

This affordable eye cream didn't work for me. Which leads me to the conclusion that I have to splurge to get decent quality eye cream. Brands that work like Elemis and GdC. Which aren't available in Cairns. Sigh.

Verdict: no good effect seen even after 6 months of using. I won't be re-purchasing.

Ingredients: Aqua (water), caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, isohexadecane, saccharide isomerate, sodium hyaluronate, dimethicone, cetyl alcohol, isostearyl isostearate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, petrolatum, glyceryl stearate, steareth-20, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, crosspolymer, acetyl glutamyl hexapeptide-1, glyceryl stearate, PEG-75 stearate, ceteth-20, symmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, cera alba (beeswax), polyacrylamide, C13-14 isoparaffin, laureth-7, palmitoyl oligopeptide, glycerin, tribehenin, ceraminde 2, PEG-10, rapeseed sterol, xanthan gum, hydroxysuccinimide, chrysin, palmotoyl tetrapeptide-3 urea, saccharide hydrolysate, magnesium aspartate, glycine, alanine, creatine, retinyl palmitate/carrot polypeptides, ascorbic acid/citrus polypeptides, tocopherol/what polypeptides, disodium EDTA, silica, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, chlorphenesin, may contain: Cl 7789 (titanium dioxide), Cl 77491 (iron oxides).

My Many Eyeliners

Above: 15 eyeliners on the go

Below: 5 black eyeliners

After showing you my many mascaras on the go, I decided to start my own Post & Shame Campaign. It's to encourage me to use up things I have first before buying new ones. You see, I felt quite embarrassed when I lined up those mascaras and eyeliners for everyone to see. I'm not going to be ambitious, I'll start with these 2 types of eye products before moving on to my other "weakness" next. Please join me in this campaign if you're interested.

Edit: I've posted the logo and rules here.

Confession of An Addict: on the Mend

I've been wanting to tell you this for ages. Now that I'm feeling brave, the picture (taken last night) should make the story clearer.

On the left are the new/un-opened mascaras: Rimmel Max Lash, BeneFit Get Bent, Barry M Intense Black Mascara, and Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Smoky Lash.

On the right are the ones I'm using: Rimmel Volume Extend, Rimmel Volume Flash, Rimmel 100% Waterproof, Clinique High Definition Lashes (thanks, Jayne!), and YSL Effet Faux Cils.

I opened and used the MUFE this morning (which by the way is really good) - total mascaras being used = 6. Afterwards I felt guilty for having so many on the go, so I binned the Volume Flash (time to go) and 100% Waterproof (didn't like it anyway).

What say you, am I being excessive in having that many on the go? To put it in perspective, I've had more on the go in the past... (I'm not telling you how many)... so I really am on the mend... I think... At least I'm using them and not leaving them to rot in the cupboard. Thinking about it, tomorrow I might open another one, for "research purposes"...

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil is one of my all-time favourites. The kohl is soft and glides easily without pulling the skin. It's so easy to use I only need one stroke to apply!

The rich pigment stays on for hours. It works well for eyelining and tight-lining, on it's own or smudged to give a softer effect.

Currently I have:

- 031 Jungle Green: dark green with slight metallic effect. It's my favourite as it makes my brown eyes really stands out.

- 024 Cool Blue: trendy electric blue. Sometimes I apply it underneath kit cosmetics Mineral Bronzer to tone down the colour for when I'm not feeling so bright.

- 071 Pure White: I don't like this one. The colour just doesn't look right on my eyes, I looked as if I had tip-ex on. Somehow the quality isn't as good as the rest in the range.

Sharpening the pencils could be a messy affair due to the softness of the kohls. I was so frustrated when I had to spend a long time cleaning my sharpeners when that happened. Fortunately popping them in the freezer before sharpening solved this problem.

Verdict: an affordable good quality eye pencil. Avoid the Pure White though...

Elemis Absolute Eye Serum

The past few days the area where my wisdom tooth used to reside has been hurting. Back in Dec, before the tooth extraction, I had terrible nightmares of my teeth falling out of my gums. Restless nights made my eyes looked dark and puffy.

Fast forward to the moment after the procedure was done. Hubby kindly bought me Elemis Absolute Eye Serum as a "sweetener" to take my mind off the swollen cheek (and as a peace offering to soothe my eyes).

This chic bottle of serum has become my new best friend since. 2 drops is all I need for each application. I've used it for more than 2 months and there's still plenty left in the bottle. I think it would last me another 4-6 months. Perhaps longer, if I hadn't squeezed too much serum out of the dropper whenever I was too sleepy.

This easily absorbed light oil keeps my eye areas hydrated without causing milia. It's moisturising enough on it's own I don't need to use eye cream or eye gel on top of this. The dark circles are visibly minimized though not disappeared altogether - blame it on the sleepless nights caused by the hot summer weather, it made the A/C useless... I should also blame my habit of staying up till 1am when finishing a book. :)

It's the most expensive eye product I own. Though it's not that pricey when I consider the "mileage" I get from this product. Look at it this way: $82 (AUD) divided into about 7 months = $11/month = 39cents/day = 19cents/application. Cheaper than hubby's daily chocolate fix. A fair price to pay for something that works on my 30something year old eye areas. I'll update you with my progress and if (touch wood) it ever loose it's effectiveness.

Verdict: Very Musical (= highly recommended).

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Plantago Ovata Seed Extract, Symphytum Officinale Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse chesnut) Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aniba Rosaedora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Osmanthus Fragrans Absolute, Glutamine, Leucine, Proline, Serine, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sclerotium Gum, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Methylparaben, Caramel, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylparaben, Linalool.