It is like it happened overnight. A recent peek in a proper magnifying mirror revealed what certainly hadn’t been there yesterday: fine lines, dryness, discoloration, wrinkles and other gasp-worthy changes around the eyes. What happened? Age, sun and too much of everything leaving its mark. Years ago, when Mama was slathering on eye cream and doctors began screaming about SPFs, hats and sunglasses, many poo-pooed the very idea, opting for that golden glow, a sure sign of health and beauty. Those were the days. Now we know that Mama and the doctor were right: Taking good care of our skin is the best defense against early signs of aging.
Yes, there are surgeries and powerful non-invasive treatments to help correct “the situation,” but not everyone is OK with surgery or Botox … yet. Meanwhile, beauty gurus tout this and that cream, gel, serum, etc., and store shelves are weighty with eye products, begging the question: Is there any topical way to combat and/or reverse the signs of aging around the eyes? The short answer is that retinol appears to be key, and so does SPF (for daytime). Do the creams “work?” Well, that depends on what “work” means, and – though you’ve heard it before – everyone is different, so what works for some may not work for others. Since it’s skincare, and that’s where spending more means something, here are some products worth saying “eye do.”
• Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare – Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum
• Kate Sommerville Line Release Under Eye Repair Cream
• Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum
• Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate
• Clinique Age Defense Eye Cream SPF 20
• Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Eye Repair Cream
• 111SKIN Bright Eye Lift Gel
• SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel
• Dolce & Gabbana Beauty Aurealux Eye Gel
• Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum
• Philosophy Hope in a Tube Eye & Lip Cream
Once you have your cream, there’s a method to this madness. Here is a quick primer on applying eye creams, gathered and curated from several beauty specialists around New Orleans. Most recommend applying eye cream with a tapping or press-and-release motion in a few points around the eye. Using the middle or ring finger, start with the inner corner of the eye below the brow on the upper lid, gently pressing and releasing, working outward. For underneath the eye, work from the outer corner to the inner corner, working against the lines. The theory behind this technique is that pressing and releasing helps the skin better grab product. This is the preferred method for evening application of richer creams targeting anti-aging and hydration.
May’s Love List
Foreo Luna Mini (no brush head to replace and more effective than a Clarisonic!)
Neutrogena Soothing Cream Cleanser
Too Face Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette
It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara
Chanel’s new cream eyeshadow sticks and nail polishes
Glossier’s Boy Brow Gel
Eyeko Brow Magic Brow Boost
Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner
