Testing Testing 123: Eye Creams (Part 4)

I've been using Nude Skincare Advanced Eye Complex for several weeks after generously receiving a sample of it from Nude. To reiterate my eye area concerns, I have the world's worst dark circles that are hereditary but exacerbated by allergies, puffiness and dryness that concealer magnifies.

"The complete eye treatment, this cream firms and lifts the delicate skin around the eyes while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Pure Acacia Extract delivers an immediate, dramatic lift, powerful antioxidant CoQ10 and Organic Mountain Ash diminish dark circles and puffiness and Milk Peptides stimulate collagen production to tone the eye area. Contains anti-aging probiotics."

The Advanced Eye Complex retails for $88.

I love my Nude Facial Cleansing Wash and was really hoping to love this too! Luckily, it's a really nice product. I didn't notice a big difference in my dark circles but frankly, I don't think that anything short of filler injections will lend a serious improvement. I just have to give up on the notion that a topically applied eye cream can really effect hereditary circles and the thin skin under my eyes that allows the blood vessels to show.

I was impressed with the way the Eye Complex worked on my puffiness. Over the last few weeks the puffiness has definitely diminished, and the mornings when I wake up with it, I apply some of this and wait a few minutes for the swelling to go down. I also use it on my eye lid on days when they are puffy and see an improvement there as well.

The Advanced Eye Complex also provides a really nice base for my under eye concealer even though it is silicone free. I have not experienced any milia at all since using it which is sometimes a problem for me when I use a really moisturizing cream. This product has a nice fluid texture and dispenses though a hygienic pump. It absorbs quickly so that your concealer looks fresh but still provides hydration.

I really like to support natural and organic lines, those with quality, effective products but without ingredients like parabens, propylene glycol, phthlates, GMOs and am happy that Nude Skincare is available in this niche. After my success with the cleanser (which now comes in a small size with a smaller price tag) and now the eye cream, I'm interested in trying the moisturizer and possibly a mask.

Does anyone else have any experiences with this line?

A Great Cheap TJMaxx Find to Start the Weekend!

A TJMaxx opened recently near my apartment, and I stopped in today to check it out. I firmly believe that there are Loehmann's people and there are TJMaxx people, similar to the way hat there are glass half full and glass half empty people. Falling squarely in the Loehmann's camp, I did feel a twinge of guilt as I entered the store. I've read stories of shoppers people stumbling onto prestige brands like NARS at TJMaxx, but mine merely had some old Clinique and Philosophy. I hate to leave a store empty handed so I took a closer look at some of the beauty offerings and noticed this brush by Lilique. It's called the Shading Brush (medium).

When I went to Bergdorfs to place my Beauty Event pre-order yesterday, I really wanted to pick up the Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush, but hesitated when I realized it was $40. To me that's the cost of a blush brush, not a small shadow brush. Lo and behold, in my opinion this Lilique brush is a decent dupe and cost all of a whopping $3.99! Now I have no idea what this thing is made of (it feels like natural hair), I doubt the bristles are hand-shaped like the Bess ones and this certainly doesn't come in a signature black box, but I saved $36 which nearly covered the cost of my Sephora haul from the other day. If you have a TJMaxx near you, it's worth a quick look to see if they carry this brush. It deposits a wash of color onto the lid and crease very nicely.

My Gossip Girl Eye

Unfortunately I look nothing like Blake Lively (the actress who plays Serena Van Der Woodsen on Gossip Girl) and no amount of plastic surgery ever make me will, but that doesn't stop me from loving the eye makeup her character has been sporting in the last few episodes! She wears a super-sparkly very light champagne on her lid and a peachy brown subtly in the crease with a dark brown very close to the lash line. It's absolutely gorgeous and soft and even though our coloring and features could not be more different, I had to try to emulate it. I used MAC Lily White Pigment damp on the lid and on my brow bone, and a blend of the peach and soft taupey brown from Kevyn Aucoin Eye Essential Palette 1 in the crease. I lined close to my lashes with Espresso from Calvin Klein used wet. Korres mascara finished the look. It didn't turn me into Blake but I'm happy with the result--soft and pretty with enough shimmer to look special.

Stila Twilight Shadow (or My Small Sephora Haul)

I really wanted the new Josie Maran sunscreen from Sephora but it's not yet stocked in any stores in the city. This meant that if I wanted to take advantage of the VIB 15% off, I'd have to place an online order and needed to spend an additional $18 to receive free shipping. Spend $18 to save $6. I know, it's perverse.

I've never worn a silver eye shadow in my life but all of a sudden I had a craving for one that I had to satisfy, kind of like when I pass Crumbs and I know that the last thing I need is a cupcake and yet I'm powerless to resist. After perusing Sephora for some time, I settled on Stila Twilight. [Just as an aside, when did Stila eye shadows become $18 for the pan with another $2 for the case? Back in my freshman year of college when my whole collection was Stila I think they were an extremely reasonable $14. I do not want to pay $20 for a shadow by a company that makes a talking lip palette, but maybe that's just my preference. The joke's on me though since I bought it anyway!]

This shadow has a really divine texture--smooth, creamy, and with enough pigment and shimmer to show up as silver and not grayish white, but not so much that my coworkers will think I've just come from a rave. (Do they have raves anymore? I have no idea. Man, I'm getting old). I did have some fading by the end of the day but I was using the primer that came in the Tarte 500 Point Perk Kit and not my usual lovely Laura Mercier Eye Basics so your mileage may vary. I wore it with a very, very thin line of black liner, black mascara, and soft peachy pink cheeks and lips (Paul and Joe 16 Face Color and 40 Lipstick) and it was a very nice look overall, and different for me.

I've only used it once so it's too early for a full review, but I really liked the Josie Maran sunscreen today. Look for a review in a week or so. I'm also kind of enamored of the Tarte 500 Point Perk Kit. If that's still available when you place your Sephora order, it's worth picking up.

Blog Sale!

It's that time again--out with the old to make room for some new!
Nars Cream Blush in Loukoum- used 4 times. Rose coral with subtle shimmer. Retails for $26.Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Surat- a chubby long lasting pencil that can be used as shadow and liner. A plummy taupe shimmer. Used 2-3 times. Retails for $22.Senna HD Hydra Cover Concealer Palette in Light- Three corrective cream concealers cover every flaw yet look natural due to a proprietary complex of advanced technology HD mineral light reflecting pigments that minimize the appearance of blemishes, pigmentation and redness while brightening under eye darkness. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres hydrate skin while filling in deep wrinkles and expression lines. Licorice extract helps reduce water retention to ease under eye puffiness and diminish the appearance of dark circles. Used twice, brush never used. Retails for $38.Laura Mercier Evolution of Colour Lip Palettes in Pink Suede and Brown Suede- four different moist powders (if you can believe that!) in one chic palette. The premise behind the palette is to make your makeup transition from day to night super easy! These are lip colors with the lightest feel and softest texture. The shades are all wearable and gorgeous. Each palette retailed for $28.

Tarte Cheek Stain Mini in Blushing Bride and Lock and Roll in Rose Gold- The Cheek Stain is the small .17oz/4.8g size. Used once. Has protective cap over top of color. Rose Gold is a stunning warm champagne color with a hint of rose. One side is a long wearing liquid shadow, the other a sparkling loose shadow that rolls over top. Each size used twice.Jouer Age Repairing Brightener in Medium- Instantly illuminate eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines with this rich, emollient brightener that moisturizes, increases skin’s immunity and fights free radicals with concentrated Dermaxyl® Complex, Orchid Complex, Camellia Oil, and Vitamins A, B & E. Retails for $32. I'm not sure how many times it was used but in the picture the product is rolled up all the way so you can tell how much is left.Susan Posnick ColorMe in Camelia- a delightfully easy-to-apply face color for cheeks, eyes, and anywhere else you desire lush blush. This travel-friendly makeup comes in a petite self-dispensing pot with an attached puff and mirror for easy application. Used twice. Camelia is a gorgeous shimmery peachy pink. Retails for $32.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal- used twice. A water-based moisturizer with an SPF of 20+ and light-diffusing particles of shimmer that creates instant radiance and vitality and reduces imperfections. Contains ultra-fine mica to reflect light, making the skin appear healthy and glowing

The shimmering properties also help illuminate darkened patches of the skin and even out skin tone. Contains broad spectrum SPF 20+ to protect against 96% of both UVA and UVB rays. Contains anti-oxidant vitamins A, B, D, and E to aid in tissue repair, increase collagen renewal and moisture holding capacity, while simultaneously protecting against pollution and free radical damage. Contains soothing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients. Retails for $41.
Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Solid Perfume- a blend of guava, pomelo and coconut. Used once. Smells just like the tropics! Retails for $9.
Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow in Stone- a super smooth pressed mineral eye shadow in the perfect brown taupe. Used once or twice. Retails for $17.Zoya Nail Polishes in Erika (pale pink with gold sparkle), Lola (matte bright pink with blue-purple iridescence and shimmer), Sephora Nail Polish in Bois de Rose (deep rose with silvery shimmer particles), Essie Nail Polish in Eternal Optimist (a nude pink) and Lancome Nail Polish in Exotique Kiss (a coral with a gold shimmer explosion!)- each used once. Zoya retails for $7, Sephora $6.50, Essie $8 and Lancome $18.

Bare Escentuals Feather Light Mineral Veil- small size (about the size of one of their full size eye shadows). A sheer finishing powder with sparkle to highlight and reflect light. Used once or twice.
Origins Sheer Stick in Pink Lemonade (used 2-3 times- a sheerish coral pink that retails for $13.50) and Eye Brightening Color Stick (an ice blue shade to use on the inner corners and under the brow to wake up tired eyes. Used twice. Retails for $14).
I'd like to sell the whole lot for $85 or best offer (Paypal only please) and will include a bunch of extras, samples, and presents! Thanks for looking!

Lancone Le Crayon Kohl in Black Coffee

I think that Lancome is a seriously underrated brand. Sure it's ubiquitous, many of us grew up watching our mothers and grandmothers use it, and their fragrances are an instant migraine for me, but they have some terrific products, their eye liners and mascaras being exceptional in my opinion. Lancome Artliners and my Holy Grail liquid liners and when I wanted a deep dark bittersweet chocolate color eye pencil, I opted for Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in Black Coffee. This pencil consistently garners raves and when I saw that ebay was full of them for $10 instead of the $23 retail price, I I couldn't hold out.

According to Lancome, Le Crayon Kohl is "[t]he smoky, smudgy eye pencil.

A creamy-smooth pencil for lining, defining, colouring and contouring eyes. Formulated to glide on easily and blend beautifully for dramatically defined to soft and smoldering effects."

The pencil comes in 6 shades and is a good value, even it full price, since it is very long. Black Coffee is a brown so dark it is approaching black, but without any of the harshness or blueness of a black eye liner. It goes on incredibly smoothly with no tugging or dragging. This also means that it smudges easily. I don't have much of a problem with liner smuding on my top lids, but did learn that this guy is not good on the bottom or inner rim.

Two thumbs up, especially if you can snag it on ebay or in order to get a Gift with Purchase.
The flash makes the pencil look a bit warmer and lighter than it actually is, through the swatch is very true to color.

Clarisonic Mia- Day 2

I received my Clarisonic Mia from Skinbotanica on Wednesday (I ordered late Saturday night). The instructions require it to charge for 24 hours before use, so I've had two days to play with it. I used at both nights with my Nude Facial Cleansing Wash, after I've used Clinique Take the Day Off Balm to remove my makeup. Here are some initial impressions:

• I've countless presentations on QVC with that silly fluorescent makeup demonstrating that cleansing alone leaves makeup trapped in pores, lines and wrinkles. The models always show the brush head after using it to convey just how much "hidden" makeup the Clarisonic removes, so I was expecting an icky brush head after using it. After all, just cleansing isn't enough. Lo and behold, the brush head was white as snow.
• The Sensitive brush head feel much rougher than I anticipated. I use it delicately and just for the prescribed 1 minute but it feels quite scratchy. I think that I need to purchase the Delicate brushes, but that's an additional $40 investment. After using it for 2 consecutive day, I think I'll cut down to every other day as my skin is a bit irritated.
• While it's too soon to see any actual skin improvements, my skin feel soft to the touch and has that "clean" sensation, similar to after you've used a scrub or peel. I didn't notice any difference in how my moisturizer sank in.
• I'm hoping that this will eliminate some clogged pores I've been getting, ensure that all of my sunscreen is completely removed at night and will help with some dullness. Time will tell but I'm hoping to become one of the people who can't live without their Clarisonic!

Do you have a Clarisonic or Clarisonic Mia? What if any results did you see? Do you love it?