Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

A good eye cream that suits all needs is very hard to find. There are a lot of passable products out there, and Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream is one of these.

GinZing Eye Cream provides enough hydration to have the eye skin feeling comfortable all day. It did not visibly brighten, but I cannot say anything about its depuffing capabilities because I am not the best person to test for that. Also, it performs poorly under concealer or foundation if you use these products to cover under-eye darkness – it doesn’t create a smooth base, so makeup is more likely to cake.

GinZing is simply another eye cream. It is alright.

May be available at:
– Origins.com
– Sephora.ca
– TheBay.com

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Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

It is very difficult to find a mascara that does everything. If a mascara volumizes and lengthens, it may smudge. If it doesn’t smudge, it may not do much for lash volume. If it volumizes, lengthens, and doesn’t smudge, it may not look natural, or, if it does, it may be too expensive.

Although their skincare is horrible, Tarte’s makeup proves again and again that their cosmetics are quality without being overly expensive. Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara applies without leaving clumps, separates, elongates, and doesn’t smudge throughout the day other than for a few flakes that are easy to clean up. Blinc Mascara Amplified is another mascara that doesn’t smudge and hardly flakes. It uses a tube technology to provide a quick-drying coat, but it doesn’t add any volume. Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes doesn’t provide va-va-voom volume, either, but it does add some while still retaining a natural look. I didn’t have any trouble washing it off with my favourite L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap.

I will definitely be switching from Blinc to Tarte for mascara. It does so much more without any drawbacks. For those looking for super-volume, Lights, Camera, Lashes may not provide. For those seeking a natural, but slightly better look, I highly recommend.

Sephora.ca:
– 0.24oz (7ml) for C$25.00
– 0.16oz (4.7ml) mini for C$12.00

Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

Eye makeup can be difficult to wash off, especially eye liner because it’s so close to the lashes. The delicate skin surrounding the orbitals dictates use of a milder cleanser. Generally, eye makeup removers can dry the skin and will sting if they get into the eye.

Lancome’s Bi-Facil Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover is a two-phase cleaner. The bottom phase is water soluble, while the top is oily. The two mix marvelously into a foamy liquid that is used like any other makeup remover – placed on a cottonball and swiped across the eyelids. The scent is pleasant, perhaps chamomile. The oil part prevents the skin from feeling dry after the procedure, moisturizing. Bi-Facil also calms the delicate eye area, so it should not be red or irritated after use of the makeup remover. Although the mix feels uncomfortable if it gets into the eye, it does not sting and a bit of blinking fixed the discomfort for me.

The best makeup remover for me has been the general in-shower cleansing with L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap. For very sensitive skin on the face or for individuals who do not consider soap to be the right way to go about removing makeup, this may not be an option. Lancome’s Bi-Facil will remove at least 90% of makeup while soothing and moisturizing.

Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover: 4.2oz (125ml) for C$35.00, 6.8oz (200ml) for C$42.00 @ Sephora.ca.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes

There is a lot of demand for long-lasting makeup. Some people may not have time or opportunities throughout the day to refresh their look or fix a smudged line. We live in a time of haste and every minute counts. Smudge-proof makeup is inherently difficult to make – it has to apply easy without smudging from skin oils, yet wash off easily. Waterproof is not smudge-proof, yet at least it is a more stable formulation.

Aqua Eyes is a water-resistant  pencil, but it is not waterproof. Water will make it smudge, although not as much as other pencils like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, for example. Both pencils yield to oils, so using them on top of creams like Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream will destroy the look in no time. Opting for most other eye creams is best if you are not planning on applying eyeshadow primer or powder. Oily lids will probably require a base regardless of the eye cream. Aqua Eyes stays longer and keeps the drawn shape better than 24/7 Glide-On, yet the latter’s colour payoff is greater when comparing Zero (24/7 Glide-On) to 0L (Aqua Eyes), both matte blacks. Glide-On is definitely the creamier of the two, making its application easier.

For a soft, creamy, dense-colour pencil that won’t tug the lids, Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On is the choice. For a more water- and smudge-resistant, longer lasting formula, Aqua Eyes is the better option.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes: 0.04oz (1.1g) for C$23.00 @ Sephora.ca.

Benefit Cosmetics It’s Potent! Eye Cream

Finding skincare solutions that suit individual needs is proving tough not only because of lackluster products somehow gaining popularity (Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment), but also because of the overwhelming choice – finding the right product is becoming more like finding a needle in a haystack. I did discover Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream, which I am mostly happy with, but am not sure how it will behave in the warmer months once the cold finally passes. If it doesn’t work as well in the summer as it does in the winter (as it may be too heavy), then I will switch to Benefit Cosmetics It’s Potent! Eye Cream.

It’s Potent! has a silky texture with significant moisturization properties on par with Clinique Repearwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream – good without being thick. Clinique’s Eye Cream is more expensive and lacks the nice silk feel. I did not notice my dark circles diminish with It’s Potent!, but the cream did not make them worse and there are no horror stories of irritated, dry skin like I had with Tarte’s Eye Treatment. There are many causes for darkness around the eyes. Some of them are: lack of sleep, dehydration, microwrinkles, damage to blood vessels, and genetics/hereditary. Depending on the cause of dark circles, some solutions may not work. For me, It’s Potent! did not noticeably diminish dark circles. Perhaps if I use the cream for a few months, I will see a difference, but 2 weeks of testing did not yield considerable brightening results.

Benefit’s Eye Cream is a good moisturizer with a pleasant texture a little of which goes a long way. Although It’s Potent! did not diminish my dark circles noticeably, I will be repurchasing it for its other qualities. For those looking for a super-moisturizer, I suggest Shiseido’s Benefiance WrinkleResist24.

Benefit Cosmetics It’s Potent! Eye Cream: 0.5oz (15ml) for C$36.00 @ Sephora.ca.