One of the big things I used to write about on the old blog was my obsession with cosmetic and skin care products. I swore to myself that I wasn’t going to go down that road with this site (because it’s about my house, right?!), but I just can’t help myself. Anyone who knows me will not hesitate for a single second to tell you that the desire to talk about this stuff is just an essential part of who I am. Why deny that any longer? I give in!
And so, I present to you my current product obsession, DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Rescue & Protect Eye Balm.
I’m on my third jar of this stuff (and I’m one of those people who hardly ever uses anything up, and instead moves on to something else in hopes that it will be the product that changes my life), so I feel pretty confident in recommending it. I actually stopped using it for about 6 months because I didn’t feel like shelling out $70 for a new jar, but over the course of that time, the skin around my eyes got really craggy and crepe-y. I’m 32 (no, not OLD, but not YOUNG, either—I’m fighting wrinkles and pimples at the same time, which is just completely awesome, let me tell you) I finally broke down last weekend and shelled out the cash, and after using it morning and night since then, there’s already a noticeable improvement. I swear it’s not my imagination, either! Totally worth the cash, and to be honest, it’s a pretty big jar as far as eye creams go.
I have yet to find a fabulous undereye concealer, sadly. I’m presently using Clinique All About Eyes Concealer, and while it’s not awful, I definitely don’t love it. I think I’m running out of brands to try, though! Maybe I just need to wear more eyeliner, and the dark circles will just blend in and look intentional.
33 Comments
It seems that the old blog could have been really interesting! 🙂
I guess it´s just my problem, but I quite miss this personal approach at design blogs… I know it´s not their aim, but I like to know something about the real people behind the blogs.
So I think it´s completely appropriate to write about stuff like this :).
I am thrilled to see you writing about this type of stuff. You are very stylish, very hip and in my age group. I am interested in your opinion on all kinds of things. I am also looking for an eye cream and certainly will try this. Seventy bucks is cheaped than surgery and I will go down that route if the wrinkles get bad enough. If this stuff works for me, my husband will thank you for the pure fact I will stop complaining.
Hey now, no apologizing. The only things I like more than decorating & design are cosmetics & fashion. So please, carry on!
I’m so lazy with skincare (and cheap) but I’ll keep this i n mind when I’m older and hopefully less lazy and less cheap.
YSL touche eclat is a great undereye concealer/illuminator. Expensive, but so worth it.
I love your blog !
Oh Sara, I only WISH my dark circles were tame enough for Touche Eclat! I like it for touch-ups during the day, but it doesn’t have enough pigment to work well as a concealer for me. Sad!!
have you tried benefit lemon-aid?
I’m kind of obsessed with it…
nice and creamy and doesn’t dry out or look cakey.
Eyecream users of the world unite! I am a big fan of Philosphy Hope in a Tube for eyes and lips. Hey Anna- I was the one who emailed you about the commute from Newburgh- never thanked you as I went out of town for a gig- but thanks- a bit late. We ended up getting a place in Peekskill. This is a Hudson Valley town that they forgot to shut down….
Kristin, yes, I’ve tried Lemon-aid! (I think I’ve tried everything.) My skin is roughly the same color as boiled chicken, so that stuff looks really YELLOW on me — I need pinker, fairer pigment. I’ve actually come to the conclusion that nothing Benefit makes works for me (I’ve tried their Boi-ing undereye concealer, too — WAY too dark, hated it). I’m a sucker for their gimmicks, but their stuff is just not compatible with my face.
Regan! Congratulations! There’s some good stuff going on in Peekskill. Plus, you have the “Facts of Life”-location cool factor. 🙂
you already know that i love these kinds of posts.
i understand your quest for a good under-eye concealer. i have been using neutrogena’s 3-in-1 concealer for eyes for some time now. not perfect, of course, but does the job well enough with SPF 20 to boot.
and i have been loving zia natural’s ultimate eye creme for about a year now. incredibly rich, soaks right into the delicate skin around the eyes, works quite well, and even smells good. it’s actually been compared to the ridiculously pricey la mer. the only problem is that i go through the little jar too quickly.
I have horrible dark circles and have yet to find an eye cream that does anything to mitigate them. But for covering up, I switch between the Balm’s undereye concealer and the Clinique you mention–the Balm is cakier, so it’s better for heavy-duty days. I’m not in love with either one, honestly, but they’re passable.
i second the neutrogena 3 in 1. it covers up all of my dark circles very well, though i do have to check on it a couple times a day to make sure it hasn’t settled into the wrinkles already under my eye. i like that it has the extra SPF. every little bit counts!
I, too, have tried many an undereye concealer. If you’ve really tried them all then maybe you’ve used this product, but I highly recommend Lancome Effacernes (I have pale skin and use the shade Porcelaine I). It’s the only one I’ve used for years; I think it makes such a difference.
Yay! So glad to see you talking beauty products again. I am addicted to Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, thanks to you & Absolutely Vile back in the day. 🙂
I agree with others–cosmetics recommendations are always welcome, even on a house blog.
another one to add to the list here:
Benefit’s IT Stick!
i know you said you weren’t a fan of Benefit, but it’s all I’ve used for the past 5 years and i LOVE it! i’m pale, pink, and freckled and it’s perfect for my dark circles.
I agree with everyone else — I’m glad you’re posting about cosmetics again! Like another commenter, I’m am a Black Honey Clinique Almost Lipstick wearer because of your recommendation on Absolutely Vile years ago! I too have major dark circle issues — have you tried MAC Select Cover-Up? I’ve read recommendations but want to hear from a real person’s opinion.
Kiehl’s abysinne eye cream works wonders for me. It’s rich but not greasy and a little goes a long way. Wish it came in a bigger jar though since it costs around $50.
I can recommend two concealers but please note I don’t have super dark circles under my eyes to start with. You’ll need a brush for both.
I used to use Too Faced’s (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P140705&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=4225) under my eyes but now I just use it on my pimples because I’m a convert to Bobby Brown’s Tinted Eye Brightener and panic when I’m close to running out. It’s sublime.
http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY2781&PRODUCT_ID=PROD11212
I’m so glad I’m not the only acne fighting/wrinkle preventing 32yr old. I recently started using Royal Jelly eye cream, from Burt’s Bees. I am actually enjoying very much. I don’t know if its for every complexion (its very creamy), but it does help my concealer go on smoother. Something I learned from a makeup artist, is too add a dab of moisturizer when applying concealer, so it covers smoothly.
i use fresh absolute concealer for the dark circles and i think it’s pretty great. i have always had dark circles and i don’t bother trying to hide them completely, just trick the eye into not noticing them as much.
i love that you write about product! i could talk about it all day!
I’ve just started using MAC Select Moisture Cover concealer for my industrial strength dark circles, and I really love it. It blends nicely and lasts all day, and doesn’t get cake-y.
So glad I’m not the only one worrying about wrinkles in my 30’s. Love your blog and wanted you to know that I went and bought the Dermadoctor eye palm today. I stopped using eye cream after having my daughter for some reason…guess I got lazy. Anyway, now that I have spent $70 on it, I have to get back into the routine. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
I hope it works for you, Jennifer — let me know! 🙂
Sorry to be late on this but thanks for the tip -eye creams are generally false friends for me but i’m always willing to try one more time. I love this blog and I always love Absolutely Vile with all the great make-up dish!
Concealer wise i use boiing from benefit in the lighter shade it has a good consistency and always seems to do the trick even though it looks dark in the container. I am so pale that I’m generally off the pallette of most foundations but Shisiedo still believes in Ghost as a skin color 😉
http://www.amazon.com/Lancome-Photogenic-Illuminating-Concealer-Correcteur/dp/B0009VZHPS
this is my favourite concealer, i am not sure if it’s the right texture and consistency for you, but it blends like a dream and the lightest shade matches my skin better than anything ever has. i’ve also become a huge fan of powder mineral foundation, which has a lot of people telling me what “great skin!!!!” i have (a total farce, believe me). I can relate to battling acne and wrinkles at the same time — i just turned 26, and suddenly my crow’s feet and the weird scowling line that has turned up between my eyebrows are more noticable than ever. so far all i do is drench my face in cetaphil lotion whenever possible, it seems to help both at least a little bit.
Anna, thanks for the inside on Dermadoctor. I also went and bought it last week. Can’t we all use a little help?! Have you tried the “Eye Spy” by them also? Maybe you know the difference. Thanks. This eye balm really does work. I can tell in just one week. I love your blog
For concealer, my newest HG is Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer. I just turned 40 and I just kept looking at myself in the mirror hoping that it was bad lighting that was making me look so tired. I had been using MAC concealers for years but they seemed to fade away during the day. The Amazing Cosmetics Concealer is amazing! Try it! http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P59405&categoryId=B70
Addy: I haven’t tried the Eye Spy, but my understanding is that it’s not a cream so much as it is a camouflage/concealer. It’s tinted yellow (which means I can’t use it on my fair, pink skin), and isn’t meant to be moisturizing.
Shelley: I have tried it — and I had to return it the next day (fortunately Sephora is good about that!). It was far too chalky and drying for my skin, and the color turned orange halfway through the day. I was so disappointed, because the reviews I’d read were so good. I have difficult skin, though. It’s very fair and very pink, and also weirdly oily and very dry at the same time. I often have a problem with cosmetics shifting color on me in really bad ways.
Have you tried Dior Skinflash? http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P66722&categoryId=RVP I have used this for a while and it works great. I’m very fair, but mostly blue undertones, though. Might be worth a look. 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation on DermaDoctor. I recently got a facial and it was also recommended. I’m on day 3 so far and I love the way it makes my skin feel.
Awesome blog.
Hi Anna, I found out about your website through the AT Homie awards and I love reading this so much I’m just going through all your archives for fun. Your house is so cute! Anyway, I have a HUGE problem with undereye circles. I found the BEST product – Laura Mercier “Secret Brightener”. it’s a pen with brush tip with this creamy metallic pink stuff inside – you just brush a bit on and let dry for a few seconds, then you put a lighter weight concealer over. The pink metallic stuff is kind of reflective and deflects light from your under eyes, instead of using the concealer alone to mask the dark areas. It sound strange, but it is totally awesome!
This is an awfully late comment for this post, but I hope you see it…
I have difficult skin, though. It’s very fair and very pink, and also weirdly oily and very dry at the same time. I often have a problem with cosmetics shifting color on me in really bad ways.
This is ME EXACTLY! I never thought anyone could ever have the same skin problems as me. I’m mostly Irish with a fair amount of German, meaning my skin is pale, pink-ish, and freckly, and in addition to that, dry AND acne-prone at the same time. I’ve searched fruitlessly for makeup that isn’t too yellow, or as you’ve said, doesn’t shift either texture or color on me throughout the course of a full day–never, ever, ever have I found anything that meets all of these requirements. I’m on a minimal makeup budget, so unfortunately I’ve been stuck trying every drugstore brand under the sun, but at almost 25 years of age I think it’s about time to start spending a little more. What foundation & powder do you use? I’m wondering what formulas might be good for our skin types/situations.
Love your blog, by the way!!
there’s been a few people who’ve mentioned fighting pimples and I’ve got to say the Ella Bache Creme Intex No.2 is insanely good. I don’t just have pimples, I have psoriasis which is way more red and painful, and if you dab on a tiny amount of this (overnight – it’s thick and white so not daywear) it will sap the red right out of it and if it’s one of the painful under the skin ones it’ll minimise the swelling. I’ve found it equally awesome for painful ingrown hairs and if I cut myself this stuff will make it heal up faster and lessens the chance of scarring (handy with two cats). It’s pretty crazy stuff.
Dior lifting sculpting concealer is wonderful. It doesn’t lift/sculpt but it is great on dark dark circles and if you blend and layer it will last most the day. If your spots are hormone related (deep painful cystic acne) i can recommend Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid. It is the only thing that has ever cleared my chin. If i stop using it, the spots return without fail. You can’t use it in tandem with peroxide products or you will peel. FYI Ella Bache products contain lanolin – not good on skin that clogs easily.