eye creams for every budget...

for any beauty maven, eye creams are essential. for the prevention and/or treatment of dark circles, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, it's safe to say that these concentrated creams {and gels} play a major part in the skincare routine.

when it comes to which are best for you, more often than not, it's not just a matter of which product is best and actually will work, but also what is most affordable for your budget.

thankfully, there are many fabulous options on the market that are effective and won't send you into debt. i've used the following eye creams {on their own, separately, over the last several months} and they are all effective and have varying price points...

Caudalie Premier Cru the eye cream is the priciest {just under the hundred dollar mark}, but lives up to its promise of delivering a healthy, youthful look to the eye area. tetrapeptides and grape seed polyphenols {antioxidants!} are to thank for the results this rich, iridescent cream gives. highly concentrated, this gem gave my skin a more hydrated feel as well as a supple and radiant look.

Philosophy Eye Hope is in the mid-price range and my favorite for reducing puffiness and keeping fine lines at bay. this popular eye cream is heavy with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, but is completely lightweight and fast-absorbing.

the Yes To brand offers eye products that are affordable and can be found in your local mass retailer {CVS, Target}. Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel {not pictured} does exactly that, thanks to ingredients like chamomile and cucumber, while Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment gives eyes a radiance boost and aids in keeping the delicate area of the eye firm. both are rich in antioxidants and didn't irritate my eyes at all.


tell me: do you spend more on your eye cream because it's what works best for you and is worth the splurge, or do you only use what you can afford??

caudalie and yes to brands sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

philosophy: The Microdelivery Peel

i've been using this product now for about 2 weeks, and i have to say i love it! my skin feels smoother, looks well hydrated and bright, and overall it has improved my skin's appearance. i have had little to no breakouts since using this system which, as many would agree, is fabulous! i shared previously that i do have some hyper-pigmentation spots on my skin, and they have faded quite noticeably. though my skin isn't flawless, i find myself having to use less make-up, and the make-up i do apply goes on smoothly (i usually use a primer, but i have been omitting this step for the purpose of reviewing this product). i also love the fresh citrus smell of the resurfacing crystals--yummy!

it's amazing how something as minute as a brighter complection can make a person feel better. i know the feeling of waking up to find a blemish somewhere on my face, and while it's a tiny (or not so tiny) thing, it can sure bring down my mood. i can't help, though, to think that it's a little superficial to let a pimple ruin your entire outlook until it's gone. well, i'm not that extreme, of course, but it can be a bummer when my skin doesn't look it's best (that's where great foundation and concealer come in!). dullness, uneven tone or puffy eyes can produce this feeing in people as well. i can't explain it, but i want to have great skin. i feel when my skin looks good, it gives me confidence. my face is what people see, i can't hide it, so i want it to look it's best. also, make-up goes on better, looks better, and really, you do use less (at least foundation/concealer-wise beacause there isn't so much to cover up!) :)

so, back to the Microdelivery Peel...

this 2 step in-home peel consists of the vitamin c/peptide resurfacing crystals and a lactic/salicylic acid activating gel:

*rebuilds skin with: peptides- a combination of amino acids that help rebuild the skin’s support structure. peptides helps improve the skin’s firmness and elasticity while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

*brightens skin with: vitamin c- this antioxidant and collagen stimulator offers anti-aging benefits, helps brighten the skin and helps protect against environmental attack.

*keeps skin clear with: salicylic acid- helps shed pore walls of dead skin cells and helps keep skin clear while minimizing congestion/breakouts.

* contains: lactic acid- exfoliates and moisturizes the skin which helps promote smooth, healthy skin.


with all these beneficial ingredients, i can see (literally) why my skin has improved the way it has!

find out more about philosophy here.

xo