Tuesday, August 16, 2016

A New Eye Cream and a Fistful of Samples.


I've yet to find an eye cream that is the one, I have bought many, many different ones and plowed my way through a ton of samples and so far there has not been one that has given me a real 'aha!' moment. I'm currently using Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery and whilst it's pretty good the pump packaging is far from ideal for traveling with and I'm on the move a lot in the Summer.

Currently, any new eye cream purchase has to be easily portable but I also want something that I can use in the morning as well as at night - I don't want to lug around two creams when one will do. I therefore need something that can be worn under make up that will absorb quickly but it also has to be rich enough for night time use. As my eyes are pretty sensitive it can't be too strong or too oily and although I like the cool feel of gel creams I have used quite a few of them recently and feel the need for a more nourishing cream. Lastly, eye creams can be pricey and I don't want to pay an arm and a leg. 

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream (sephora.com $32.00 /.5fl oz) appears to tick all of the above boxes. It's packaged in a tube, so is perfect for travel, isn't too expensive, is allergy tested and fragrance free, and promises to smooth, brighten, even out tone, nourish and moisturise. 
I haven't played with this all that much so far but can tell you that while it does feel a little silicon like on application it has ticked all of my requirement boxes - time will tell if it is a keeper - but for the moment I am happy to have a non greasy, non stinging, cheap(ish) eye cream that comes in basic non breakable packaging.  

 I added the Scouted pack of skincare samples to my Sephora order (as the weekly special with any order over $25.00 option) and it is a lovely selection indeed, comprising eight samples, some that I have previously tried, others that I wanted to try...

From Tata Harper, a cleansing and exfoliating duo. 
Regenerating Cleanser cleans and brightens with clay, grapefruit and pomegranate, and exfoliates with apricot seed powder (which is much finer and spherical than a certain well known drugstore apricot scrub).
Resurfacing Mask is a gentle, pink, slightly gritty gel that leaves skin feeling clean and gives a little glow.

There is another cleansing and exfoliating duo from Tatcha
One Step Camelia Cleansing Oil which I have used this before is very good at dissolving make up and has a fresh, almost citrus, scent but I do prefer balms as I find them easier to use and generally more effective than oils. 
Rice Enzyme Powder is a very gentle powder exfoliator that you apply to a wet face with wet hands and massage until it becomes creamy. I'm not fond of the scent of this but it is extremely gentle and leaves skin feeling super soft.

From Drunk Elephant there is a vitamin based day time treatment duo. 
C Firma Day Serum, contains Ferulic acid and Vitamin C to protect skin and brighten it over time. 
B Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel moisturises and gives a boost of B vitamins to skin.

Finally there is a pair of night treatments from Sunday Riley both of which I have been longing to try.  Luna Oil is an oil based retinoic acid complex. There are five single use ampoules of Luna along with a sachet of Tidal, a gel moisturiser with hyaluronic acid which also contains brightening papaya enzymes.

Three standard samples also came with my order. 
I chose Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturiser which is an old favourite. It is very mild and gentle with softening lactic acids.
 I also chose two perfume samples. 
Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EDT is a peony based scent which is floral and a little zesty. I'm not too keen on this, it's very feminine scent and a little generic for my taste.. 
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Something Wild EDP is exactly my kind of thing though. At first it smells very floral and intense but when the top notes mellow it develops an incense base that is quite creamy and soft. 

That's a whole lot of good samples and hopefully a new favourite eye cream! 

   




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