La Mer
The Eye Balm Intense
1/19/14

Every winter I change certain skincare products to combat dry skin. I generally reintroduce Crème de la Mer during the day, as well as The Eye Balm Intense. Although I no longer live in a cold climate, my combination skin is both sensitive and reactive, and my allergies can affect my eye area. I've been using La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream at night, but I find it too heavy for day use. Enter The Eye Balm Intense. 

La Mer offers two eye creams, both containing the famed Miracle Broth that made Crème de la Mer famous. I've used both, and this product is by far my favorite. The Eye Balm Intense contains three versions of the Miracle Broth, and promises to reduce puffiness and diminish fine lines and wrinkles, while The Eye Concentrate is billed as targeting dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Sounds easy enough to choose, right? Not so much. I don't have any puffiness (knock on wood) and I can get small dark circles with poor sleep and allergies, but I prefer The Eye Balm Intense. The Eye Concentrate is thinner, and my eye area doesn't feel as hydrated as it does when I use The Eye Balm Intense. "Balm" is somewhat of a misnomer, as it's technically a soft cream, and isn't so heavy that you can't wear makeup over it. It's thicker than The Eye Concentrate, but melts into skin. No problems using under-eye concealer with this product, and you'll use far less of it. 

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Both eye creams are applied with the silver-tipped applicator, which cools the skin and improves micro-circulation. I can't say enough good things about the cooling, metal applicator which is even more gentle than applying cream with your ring finger. While I don't have puffiness, I love the improved circulation in the eye area, which also aids in keeping dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Those who do have puffiness will appreciate the cool metal in aiding circulation. This cream also provides a lifting effect, making skin more taut and youthful. 

The light cucumber scent is pleasant and soothing. The Eye Balm Intense maintains hydration all day long, without the need for reapplication. That said, it's also not overkill or greasy. I have used this eye cream for years, and apply Crème de la Mer over it to boost effectiveness. Crème de la Mer is one of very few moisturizers you can apply to your entire eye area, gently locking in moisture. 

My verdict? This eye cream has maintained cult status for good reason. Not only is it incredibly effective at hydrating the eye area and preventing puffiness and wrinkles, but you can also apply your concealer without concern. It's just that good. Comparable eye treatments can cost you nearly $300 or more, yet don't come close to this cult favorite.

La Mer The Eye Balm Intense is $185 for a .5 oz. jar. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus & Barneys. 

NARS Concealer

NARS
Radiant Creamy Concealer
8/2/13

Just when I thought I'd settled on a favorite under-eye concealer, my NARS guru and skincare bestie insisted I try theirs. Needless to say, it doesn't take much arm twisting for me to try new, high-quality beauty products. I think most women over 30 are more aware of their eye area, particularly the under-eye area. The good old days of staying up all night and simply needing some mascara and lipstick to look refreshed are over. Our eye area is the first to show signs of aging and those telltale late nights, hence my lifelong obsession with eye treatments to keep wrinkles at bay. I've suffered from poor sleep for years, usually getting no more than 90 minutes of consecutive sleep at a time. It's recently had me up my game with both eye creams and concealers, one of which I'm sharing with you today. 

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I loathe showing my "before" photos (the scary one on the left). My blonde lashes are nearly invisible sans mascara and it's rather embarrassing to reveal my under eye circles, but I felt it necessary to show how well the product works. Clearly I'm quite excited about my new concealer, and you can see why. My goal using under-eye concealer is to hide those dreaded dark circles from lack of sleep, and to even out and brighten up my eye area. I used exactly one dot of this concealer under each eye. That's right - one little dot. The wand is simply an applicator; a means to deliver those small dots of product to your skin. Many concealers have a brush or require a separate concealer brush for application, which takes a fair amount of time and skill. It also seems more sanitary since I'm not sweeping the applicator around my skin, and makes it less abrasive on our thinnest, most delicate skin. I simply used my ring finger to blend the concealer around my entire under-eye area. It spread and blended incredibly easily, and I still can't believe I only needed one small dot per eye. 

As you can see from the "after" photo on the right, my dark circles have vanished, my skin tone is evened out, and my entire eye area is brightened, thanks to the concealer's light-reflecting properties. It actually feels more like an extension of my skincare rather than makeup. I made it through the day without any creases or need for reapplication. Better still? It's Paraben-free, alcohol-free and fragrance-free. 

My verdict? I've found my new under-eye concealer. I still use YSL Touche Éclat to highlight certain facial contours around the nose and mouth, but nothing else I've tried has made my eyes look brighter and more refreshed than this product. Sold!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is $28 per tube. 

Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, & Neiman Marcus.

note: The shade I'm wearing is Vanilla, for fair complexions with a tiny cast of pink (i.e. Irish redheads). This is 1 of 10 shades offered by NARS. You'll definitely find a match for your skin tone.

Concealers

The Good, the Bad & the So-so
7/3/13

Concealers are one of those dreaded makeup necessities every woman I know owns. No one enjoys buying them, and it's often difficult to find the perfect match. And let's face it- no woman wants to admit she needs it. Buying concealer means admitting we have flaws to cover, and who wants to admit that? Flaws aside, I've gone through my fair share of concealers over the years, and my needs have changed with age. In my 20's and early 30's, I used them to hide the occasional blemish. Now that I'm (gasp) 37, I need help covering some under-eye circles. I'm lucky if I can string together two hours of sleep these days, so anything that can hide my lack of sleep is preferred. 

First up are regular (non under-eye) concealers. It's somewhat shocking how much each brand's lightest color varies. I'm always the lightest shade given my pale Irish skin, and the last thing I want is something too beige or with yellow undertones. My very first concealer to hide those unsightly blemishes was Laura Mercier Secret Concealer. Surprisingly, it's still my go-to for covering a blemish. It comes in a pot and requires a little brush (I highly recommend her concealer brush for $26), but it covers effortlessly. It's thicker, and while they claim it can be used on the under-eye area, I cringe at the notion. It's simply too thick for such delicate skin. Definitely worth the money for the concealer and the brush. 

Left to right: Laura Mercier Secret Concealer (#1), Dior 'Diorskin - Nude' Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer (#001), Chanel Stylo Éclat Lumière Highlighter Face Pen (#10), & YSL 'Touche Éclat' Radiant Touch (#1)

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Diorskin Nude is another concealer, but can be used to cover blemishes as well as the under-eye area. It's much lighter than Laura Mercier, though it also requires a brush for application. I purchased the Dior 'Backstage' Concealer Brush ($24) and have mixed feelings. I haven't had any blemishes lately to test this on, but I use a tiny amount of concealer on my old nose ring scar. Laura Mercier steals the show here. I religiously wear Clarins Eye Contour Gel prior to applying any eye makeup for both anti-aging purposes as well as ease of application. The last thing you want is concealer looking obvious or highlighting flaws. As far as the under eye application, it's so-so. I think it would definitely benefit from some powder foundation on top to set it. Unfortunately (or, fortunately thanks to many years of skincare), I don't use foundation. If your circles are very faint, this could work for you. The consistency was nice, and it's rather light reflecting for a regular concealer. It's just not enough coverage for my eye area. 

Now onto my most important makeup weapon: under-eye concealer. The one thing that can veil a poor night's sleep AND brighten your whole face. Most "pen" concealers double as highlighter pens. Not only do they conceal any under-eye scariness, they also open up the entire eye area and give the skin a radiant glow. Nothing wrong with that! My first concealer/highlighter pen was Chanel's Éclat Lumière. They've changed the formula throughout the years, and I'm sad to report that their updated version of my shade (#10, the lightest) and it's no longer flattering since it doesn't blend well. The pen dispenses product by twisting the bottom. The color, texture, and new formula just aren't for me. 

Then we have YSL Touche Éclat, which is also in pen form and doubles as a concealer and highlighter. I literally can't live without this product. I keep extras all over the place, from my TSA-approved travel Ziploc, to my handbag, and even my car. The consistency is light yet blends easily and offers great coverage. Under-eye circles? Not with this trusty miracle pen. Not only does it blend, conceal and highlight like no other, it's designed to apply on the go. The product is easily dispensed by clicking the black bottom until you've reached the desired amount. I dot the product from my inner-eye area, dot an inverted triangle under my immediate eye area, and finish with a dot or two on the exterior corners of my eyes. The triangle method eases the blending process, and adding dots to the corners of your eyes completely opens them up so you look refreshed and well rested. It's truly that good. 

My verdict? For a small blemish or two, you cant go wrong with Laura Mercier. For genuinely amazing under-eye coverage and brightening, you simply can't do better than YSL's Touche Éclat. Trust the girl who can't sleep well. It'll be our little secret. 

- Laura Mercier Secret Concealer is $22 a pot.
- Dior 'Diorskin - Nude' Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer is $30 a tube. 
- Chanel Stylo Éclat Lumière Highlighter Face Pen is $40.
- YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch is $40. 

All are available at Nordstrom.