Eye Care Review: Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Extrema Youth Memory Eye Serum

I have just tested out this sample of Giorgio Armani Youth Memory Eye Serum which managed to survive 5 days and nights. The eye serum feels more nourishing than Elemis Absolute Eye Serum perhaps since it targets mature skin...uhem, but like I mentioned in my previous review, I don't find Dior Eyes Essential (see review HERE) nourishing at all. So I suppose the correlation between anti-aging products and extra nourishment is not always valid. Anywayz, I personally think the name of this GA eye serum sounds like one of those advanced products appears in the worlds of Star Wars and AI. Unfortunately, I haven't used it long enough to experience the groundbreaking technology and I can only tell you what I gathered from the 5-day trial.

I quite like the texture of this serum as it feels...thick and rich...sensation-wise...it feels like spreading lip gloss over my under eyes...why will I ever spread lip gloss over my under eyes?!!!...anywayz, I felt like my under eyes are protected by an invisible shield! And despite its lip-gloss-like texture, the serum will be absorbed completely after a short while, leaving not even a tinge of stickiness. To find out how this serum fares, I tried doing with and without the serum under my Elemis Pro-Intense Eye and Lip Contour Cream (see review HERE) and the difference is pretty obvious judging from the state of my undereye concealer at the end of the day. The serum kept my under eyes quite plump throughout the day, with my concealer pretty perfectly in place. Doing without the serum and any eye serum would leave my under eyes dehydrated and the concealer a bit clumpy (as expected). Of course you may argue that I probably just need to wear an eye serum, any eye serum, underneath my eye cream to make the concealer stay put. Trust me, NO! I'd used serums that did practically nothing to my dehydrated under eyes. So although I can't deny that this is not the only serum that works on me, my mini experiment can at least show that it is doing something commendable.  

You're welcome to fill me in with how it works on you if you're on a full size. Cheers!

Eye Care Review: Elemis Absolute Eye Serum

I'm very delighted about my experience with Elemis Absolute Eye Serum. I know it's nothing new, but I reckon it does deserve at least one more round of applause online - by me! *Bravo!* 

I have been using it for months and there is apparent improvement in the suppleness of my under eyes area, even in the midst of dry seasons. Like I said in my previous review on the Dior Capture Totale Eyes Essential serum (see review HERE), I prefer this one over its (equally) luxury rival. It is easily absorbed, leaving your under eyes with zero stickiness. So it won't clump or melt your under eye concealer and powder. Although the serum vanishes upon application, it works! I realize my fine lines under eyes are plumped and erased to a large and visible extent. The only thing is, while I make it sound like an anti-wrinkle eye serum, it's actually meant to combat against dark circles. In this regard, I haven't observed any visible effects...as with most, if not all, of the eye serums I'd used. For dark circles, I believe the best antidote is sleep, sleep at the right time with the right duration of time. I know it's difficult, if it's ever possible for you (and me!).

A good news before I go - I only need at most a drop for my under eyes at each go. I never think my eyes are small and I've always found it dehydrated for my age (I'm 30...Shhhh!). Neither can I imagine how I can ever drench my under eyes with two drops of the serum as instructed. That said, it's not as costly as it seems. *Hurray!*  

Eye Care Review: Christian Dior Dior Capture Totale Eyes Essential Eye Zone Boosting Super Serum

Despite my love for Dior Beaute and Dior fragrances, this Dior Capture Totale Eyes Essential Super Serum is a déception totale to me. I used it for 14 days. No visible improvement of the fine lines under eyes. Believe it or not, although not an anti-wrinkle formula, Elemis Absolute Eye Serum has actually done a better job in ironing out my fine lines. Hmm, perhaps I'm supposed to use this Super Serum for a longer period of time. But at the very least, it's not as superb a serum as it's named. You may have a splendid experience with this Capture Totale Super Serum if you've used it for...say a month...or two...??? Do let me know then.

Sensation-wise, I don't quite like it either. It carries the fragrance of...Dior Forever and Ever, I think...which I personally dislike both as a body fragrance and in any of my skincare products. As with many anti-aging products, there was this short period of tightening sensation after application, which delighted me for a while. But the serum seemed to form a transparent film over my under eyes which came off when I applied my foundation - this is a minor yet annoying issue. Hmm, of course, one possible reason is that the particles of my foundation are too large to blend harmoniously with those of the eye serum. I don't know, but this product has been added to my list of dislikes. 

Fruit for Your Skin: Caudalie Grape Water

There are two things I will reach for whenever I get bored with my writing - Clinique All About Eyes Serum (preferably chilled! - HERE) and Caudalie Grape Water. I'd purchased Shu Uemura Depsea Water Facial Mist and Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray, but none managed to grasp my attention and all ended up sitting on my desk, almost untouched. Caudalie Grape Water is the first spritzer I have ever thought of using amid my work. With 2 out of its 3 simple ingredients being natural extracts of grape, I don't feel like I'm loading my face with chemicals at all. Instead, it feels more like pumping nutrients into my tired skin. What I like most is that the hydration it gives is just nice for a midday spritz. It doesn't feel greasy, sticky, or at the other extreme, too watery. And because it comes in an aerosol bottle, the mist is so fine that you really don't need to pat it in after spraying, as is noted on the bottle. I however think that it's not hydrating enough to be used as a toner after wash. But that's fine. It's very affordable (HKD69 or USD9 for 100ml) and it also comes in a cute little 50ml bottle which you can easily pop into your handbag. 

A Budgety Rescue Remedy to Desensitize and Restore Your Skin

If you ever bother to read the ingredient list of your beauty products, you should have noticed that glycerin or glycerol always appears as one of the first ingredients. But what exactly is glycerin? Glycerin is a thick sweet-tasting liquid derived from animal fats or sugar. When diluted with water, it works wonder for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin...oh, cracked lips too! While some people are allergic to natural essential oils, glycerin can actually soothe such allergic reactions and strengthen your skin's natural barrier by restoring its moisture balance.

I once unknowingly applied something very wrong on my face for days and my skin became embarrasingly red and irritated. I spread a generous layer of glycerin over my face with damp hands, massaged a bit and left it overnight (it's water-soluble, so no worries about staining your pillowcase!). The result was amazing. The skin irritation was calmed and the redness had almost subsided completely the next morning. That's no exaggeration! I repeated the regime for a few nights and it worked like a magic potion, really. I could hang out with my head up on the third day! The entire rescue regime is chemical-free, gimmick-free and cheap. You can easily get a bottle of pure glycerin from the drugstore across the road at a very attractive price.

Apart from using it as an overnight mask, it's an excellent massaging agent when your skin is fatigue, irritated or dehydrated. Spread it over your face with damp hands, gently massage it in for 3-5 minutes in circular motion, and tissue off the excess. Unlike some massage creams in the market (including those of luxury brands), glycerin leaves your skin soft and supple with zero stickiness and skin irritation. Over time, it builds up your skin's natural defense mechanism, making it healthier and less vulnerable to climatic changes and allergens...Of course, that's given that you are diligent with the regime. Oh by the way, since it's multi-purpose like a much cheaper version of Nuxe Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, I enjoy rubbing the excess on my hands and hair ends. So to speak, no wastage at all. What better deal do you want?

Eye Cream Review: Elemis Pro-Intense Eye and Lip Contour Cream

Looking for a new eye cream to switch to? I have been using Elemis Pro-Intense Eye and Lip Contour Cream for...the past few weeks, and the effect is so far so good. Although it's a rich anti-aging formula, it absorbs very easily without a tiny bit of stickiness. Honestly, it's not the most moisturizing eye cream I have used, but it's done a fair job in quenching my dehydrated eye area.

It contains active plant stem cells which is supposed to redensify the delicate skin around my eyes (I don't need any lip cream at the moment) and iron out the fine lines to make it firmer and plumper. For sure, the results are not as obvious as what scientists can see from the petri dishes. I can feel a bit of tightness after applying it. And at a closer look, my undereye area does look smoother without makeup, and my concealer glides on more easily. Yes, the formula is great to go under makeup. The only thing is, if you're looking for one that can reduce your dark circles, I haven't seen any improvements in my seasoned pair of dark circles so far. And if you're looking for one that's really moisturizing, I bet this is not for you. I actually think that Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream (vs. Chanel Precision Ultra Correction Lift HERE) and Lancome Genefique Eye Concentrate (HERE) can do a better job in this regard.

As with all Elemis products, it could be quite a good buy when it comes in a gift pack. I purchased mine (HERE) as part of the All About Eyes pack that includes also the Absolute Eye Serum and Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser, which are still on my to-be-tested list. Another tip is to look out for the sales at Lookfantastic. They offer very attractive price slashes from time to time. And if you still find the deal painful, the good news is I only need half a pump for both eyes. Hope it soothes your pain then!  

Skincare Review for Acne-Prone, Sensitive Skin: Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting

I love this serum!!! One of the things I adore is that I can also apply it on my eye area, which allows me to skip my usual eye serum on the nights that I'm super exhausted and just want to get my skin prepped and zzzzzzzzzz. In this sense, it's like a 2-for-1 offer, isn't it?! The best part is, I get what I have paid for. I slept at 4a.m. on several occasions, but still my complexion looked brighter than I had expected the next morning. I realize it also managed to overcome the dullness brought by the strong medicated acne treatment I was using (and which failed to curb the horrible breakout) before purchasing Avene Cleanance Cream-Gel (see review HERE). This is a fantastic news because I now have a serum that can make me look better over my very depressive, blemished days. And since it's hypoallergenic, I can use it during my worst skin breakout with no worries at all. What's more, I think it also speeds up the recovery of my blemishes. My skin has stopped breaking out within days of beginning my new skincare regime with the new Avene purchases (HERE), and the spots are minimizing and fading out at a very desirable pace. It's been less than 2 weeks by now, and with only light makeup, my friends are hardly aware that I had just gone through one of my worst skin breakouts! 

Texture-wise, the Radiance Serum feels a bit sticky when I first apply it on my skin. I usually leave it for a few minutes before applying moisturizer to allow the serum to sink in. You will know when it's ready as it will feel noticeably less sticky. The stickiness actually owes to its hydrating property. Now that the weather is still humid, I only apply it on my blemishes and areas that require brightening, say the apples of my cheeks and my undereyes. But my guess is, I can use it over my entire face when the wintry weather sets in. 

Oh, one last thing. Don't forget that the serum contains a star ingredient, grape seed polyphenols, a natural, highly potent antioxidant that helps delay or slow down the skin aging process that we all detest. In other words, it's an antioxidant, hydrating, and brightening serum. It's great especially for acne-prone, sensitive skin and it's definitely a value-for-money product (even better if it comes in a gift pack!) that you should seriously consider including in your coming beauty haul.  

Skincare Review: Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate (vs. Bobbi Brown)

I have just finished two sachet samples of Lancome Genifique Eye Concentrate. Although  I can't physically see whether the Eye Concentrate has really boosted the production of my youth genes, the whole experience was great.

Like Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream, this Eye Concentrate could effectively plump up the fine lines under eyes (I'm a contact lens wearer) and keep my super dehydrated under eyes well-quenched the whole day. I'm not sure if it has really worked on my dark circles or it's simply the results of better-quality sleep. Although I slept at 2-3am for a few nights, I reckon my concealer seemed to be more able to cover up my dark circles than it used to. Hmm, is it sleep, the Eye Concentrate, or illusion??? 

On the whole, the Eye Concentrate is very similar to Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream. The major differences are that the Eye Concentrate is slightly smoother and noticeably more matt. It moisturizes my eye area well enough. Brilliant! Price-wise, both are about the same. Having compared the texture and quality, think it depends more on whether you happen to pass by a Bobbi Brown shop or a Lancome shop when you yearn for a new bottle of eye cream...and yes, if you have any particular loyalty toward a brand. Right now, I have added Genefique Eye Concentrate to my favorite list!

A Luxury Treat for Your Eyes: Chanel Precision Ultra Correction Lift Total Eye Lift

I suppose the past few days had been a disaster for my skin. The sleep deprivation (with a total of merely 10 hours of sleep for 3 days/nights), coupled with the nerve-wrecking work stress, the sweltering sauna-like weather, plus the unexpected UV exposure which definitely exceeded my usual threshold reminded me that I'm no longer in my early twenties...! My eyes drooped with extreme exhaustion at the end of each day, not to mention the intense dark circles and puffiness around my eyes.

Still, in a rather extreme condition as such, my eye areas managed to remain plump and hydrated all because of Chanel Precision Ultra Correction Lift. Comparing to my favorite Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream (did I ever review it?...NO, but I will!), this gel-cream formula is noticeably more lightweight and just as fast absorbing, making it ideal to go under makeup. I also realize I'm using a smaller blob at each application, which can perhaps make up for its relative higher price. Honestly, I truly wonder if it's moisturizing enough in wintry weather, but it nourishes my eyes sufficiently and comfortably on the steamy summer days. And although the Ultra Correction Lift vouches to combat dark circles and puffiness, I guess the current situation I'm in has gone beyond what this eye lift can buffer, so I can't tell how it fares in this regard at the moment. But it is, in no doubt, a pretty good option if you want to indulge in a luxury eye lift in this uplifting vacation season.

Makeup Review: Garnier BB Eye Roll-on

Hearing the name of Garnier BB Eye Roll-on was an excitement. How nice the world will be with a roller-ball serum-packed concealer! You can simply swiftly massage your under eyes, dab dab dab, and leave your place with bright, sparkling eyes!!! The story is however too simple to be true...

Basically, I encounter two major problems:

1. Like most roller-ball applicators, there's hardly any way I could control the amount of BB cream I get on my under eyes. Yes, I can roll it onto the back of my hand first, but that will defeat the entire purpose of having the roller-ball, isn't it...?!

2. It's too dry for my rather dehydrated under eyes. I believe it could be good for young, hydrated skin, but definitely not for me (well well...I'm just 30!!!). It settled into creases and made me look sooooooo ooooooold...

If your under eyes are hydrated enough, the good thing I can say about this product is its sheer texture. Your eyes definitely won't be weighed down...Hmm, I guess it's also meant to be handy for retouches, but unfortunately I only see its cumbersome self...

I do look forward to the day when I can do eye massage and makeup in one go. Meanwhile, I still prefer massaging my eyes with Clinique All About Eyes Serum (HERE).

My buddy at work: Clinique All About Eyes Serum

Back to work...yawn...Since a major part of my job is reading, I always keep a Clinique All About Eye Serum at my desk for a quick hydration and eye massage. The "medical grade stainless steel roller-ball allows a rolling motion during application which increases micro-circulation and helps reduce fluid." Frankly, although the official description claims that this roller-ball serum doesn't only help reduces puffy eyes, but also dark circles because of the increased micro-circulation, I can't really tell if it's reduced my seasoned dark circles. What I know for sure is, both the roller-ball and the serum are very cooling! It does soothes the heaviness on my entire eye area, which really keeps me going. Also, the serum disappears very quickly on my skin, providing an instant replenishment for my tired eyes...Oh by the way, it hydrates, but doesn't moisturize or lift your eye area! It's completely water-based, which makes it suitable for all skin types and provides the ease of using it as often as needed. I highly recommend this serum to all tired eyes!