Radiant; Those Mince Pies

There

There’s more than one version of an eye cream; these illuminating eye treatments distract attention away from dark circles.

Let me be honest with you, personally I never bothered with eye creams until round eighteen months ago.  I’ve always used them professionally while prepping my models skin — a tiny amount moisturises the delicate skin under the eyes just right for foundation or concealer (especially the long-wear or the more drying types). 

Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream was my first venture into any form of personal eye care, it was the brightening aspect that stimulated my interest.  Since I love illuminating face creams like Bobbi Browns Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm and IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Rosy Tone Moisturiser (my daily moisturiser at the moment) which I now prefer and appreciate as I get older because of the radiance they add to my complexion.   The pearl-essence reflects light away giving an appearance of a more even complexion with a gentle glow.  So it struck me — yes I was a little slow on the uptake — surely the relevant creams would do the same around my eyes?  My dark circles and uneven colour look slightly faded and my whole eye area a lot less tired.  Of course they have similar hydrating and moisturising characteristics as regular eye creams but with a tiny cosmetic effect. 

I use sparingly even more so than regular eye creams because if too much is applied I can end up with a hint of white circles around my eyes; a bit like a Panda but in the reverse, so a little less than the size of a pea split between both eyes is suffice. One thing I’ve learnt is ‘not’ to be generous with illuminating products.

Origins Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer This is actually the first brightening cream I came across quite a few years ago, I like the subtly of the warm toned glow.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème The added vitamin C helps revive and illuminate the eye area over time.

Rodial Vit C Eye Soufflé. Vitamin C is the go to for brighter, younger-looking skin whether the whole face or under-eyes.

Sarah Chapman Eye Recovery. Formulated with unique blend of five peptides, antioxidants, vitamins and a nice cream texture without feeling heavy.

Sisley Sisleya L’integral Anti-Ageing Eye And Lip Contour Cream. Though this does not have as much of an illuminating effect as the others I still like it because of the sheen it leaves… oh and using the cool tip massage tool instead of my ring finger adds another dimension a ‘refreshing’ eye massage.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm. This lives in my professional kit and is perfect for my very natural looks. **Remember to use sparingly all light reflective cosmetics especially with flash photography.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream. This is where it all started for me…thank you Caudalie!

Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair Cream. light diffusing pearls will help conceal dark circles, bringing a luminous glow to the eye area.

Beauty Editor Julie Jacobs

Photograph by Jason Yates

’s more than one version of an eye cream; these illuminating eye treatments distract attention away from dark circles.

Let me be honest with you, personally I never bothered with eye creams until round eighteen months ago.  I’ve always used them professionally while prepping my models skin — a tiny amount moisturises the delicate skin under the eyes just right for foundation or concealer (especially the long-wear or the more drying types). 

Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream was my first venture into any form of personal eye care, it was the brightening aspect that stimulated my interest.  Since I love illuminating face creams like Bobbi Browns Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm and IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Rosy Tone Moisturiser (my daily moisturiser at the moment) which I now prefer and appreciate as I get older because of the radiance they add to my complexion.   The pearl-essence reflects light away giving an appearance of a more even complexion with a gentle glow.  So it struck me — yes I was a little slow on the uptake — surely the relevant creams would do the same around my eyes?  My dark circles and uneven colour look slightly faded and my whole eye area a lot less tired.  Of course they have similar hydrating and moisturising characteristics as regular eye creams but with a tiny cosmetic effect. 

I use sparingly even more so than regular eye creams because if too much is applied I can end up with a hint of white circles around my eyes; a bit like a Panda but in the reverse, so a little less than the size of a pea split between both eyes is suffice. One thing I’ve learnt is ‘not’ to be generous with illuminating products.

Origins Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer This is actually the first brightening cream I came across quite a few years ago, I like the subtly of the warm toned glow.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème The added vitamin C helps revive and illuminate the eye area over time.

Rodial Vit C Eye Soufflé. Vitamin C is the go to for brighter, younger-looking skin whether the whole face or under-eyes.

Sarah Chapman Eye Recovery. Formulated with unique blend of five peptides, antioxidants, vitamins and a nice cream texture without feeling heavy.

Sisley Sisleya L’integral Anti-Ageing Eye And Lip Contour Cream. Though this does not have as much of an illuminating effect as the others I still like it because of the sheen it leaves… oh and using the cool tip massage tool instead of my ring finger adds another dimension a ‘refreshing’ eye massage.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm. This lives in my professional kit and is perfect for my very natural looks. **Remember to use sparingly all light reflective cosmetics especially with flash photography.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream. This is where it all started for me…thank you Caudalie!

Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair Cream. light diffusing pearls will help conceal dark circles, bringing a luminous glow to the eye area.

Beauty Editor Julie Jacobs

Photograph by Jason Yates