We tried to work things out, but it just wasn’t meant to be. My dark circles and I have decided to separate.
Truth is, I’ve been seeing someone else…
He’s the GinZing Eye Cream by Origins ($30), and he goes on sale next month.
A fluffy moisturizer for gals who need extra help in the eye brightening department (hello!), it contains ginseng to hydrate and reduce puffiness and shimmery silica and mica illuminators (in light pink) to brighten and minimize the look of dark circles.
On its own, I think GinZing’s a great hydrating eye cream, but it doesn’t do much for dark circles. Ah, but combine it with under-eye concealer, and it goes from great to extra fantastic!
BACKSTORY: Some under-eye concealers (both liquids and creams) can look heavy and obvious when applied solo. Unfortch, that’s a lesson I learned the hard way.
Thankfully, my eyes were opened when a kind MAC artist taught me a trick: Mix and apply equal parts concealer and eye cream under the eyes.
The concealer/eye cream combo totally removes the cakey look while still covering up dreaded dark areas.
In terms of eye brightening, GinZing’s shimmery illuminators totally take the concealer/eye cream trick to the next level. I’ve mixed it with both liquid and cream concealers and have really liked the results.
Putting in extra hours at work? Staying up late to study? If you’re ready to leave your dark circles behind, consider giving GinZing a try. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Positive reinforcement
In trying times, I find that a little makeup motivation (some call it bribery, but whatev) can help. I’ve been running a lot of errands lately, trying to get stuff ready for the move, and there haven’t been enough hours in the day (there never are).
Sometimes I veer off my task list, and I’ll use the promise of makeup to keep my eye on the prize.
Here are some goodies I’ve been thinking about:
Les Tissages Lames De Chanel, $60
Nail Colour in Trapeze, $23
Aqualumiere Gloss, $27
Aqualumiere Lipstick in Grenada, $29
These bits are from Chanel’s Holiday 2009 Collection arriving in November.
The entire Chanel Holiday 2009 Makeup Collection Includes…
Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow, $65
- Bird of Paradise: eyeshadows in aqua, yellow, greenish gold and copper
La Ligne De Chanel Professional Eyeliner Duo, $45
- Celadon-Lame: green and black
Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine SPF 15, $29
- Maldives: peach
- Galapagos: coral
- Grenada: fuschia
- Tasmania: pink
Aqualumiere Gloss, $27
- Colibri: pearl
- Hirondelle: pink
- Canari: coral
Le Vernis Nail Colour, $23
- Trapeze: silvery beige
Les Tissages Lames De Chanel, $60
- A shimmery tweed highlighter in gold, bronze and copper
Other than feeling a little run down, I’m doing a’ight. How ’bout you? What’s one good thing that happened to you today?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Bay Area gals, if you plan to do any makeup shopping soon, consider stopping by the Barney’s store in San Francisco’s Union Square between September 24-26.
They’ll be offering a fat beauty goody bag with purchases of $175 or more in cosmetics or fragrance. You’ll get a cute travel bag stuffed with generous samples from Chanel, Kiehls, Lipstick Queen and more. 🙂
They’re even including a full-size Lippmann Nail Polish and deluxe-size NARS Cleansing oil. Nice, right?
For details, call (415) 268-3500.
Feel better, it’s probably just one of those days. As for the Origins product, I would love to see it on you! Is it a noticable difference?
.-= Hafsa’s last blog post… Changing moods =-.
Hi Hafsa,
When it’s mixed with a concealer, yes. I’ll wear it in the next FOTD. 🙂
waow definately have the dark circle problem from late night studying,
and from doing last minute projects late at night. i would like to know if they sell this in the stores? or if u have to buy this directly from online? and if they sell it in stores what stores could i most likely buy it from? thankyou:)
Man, Karen, I would kill for a cure for my undereye circles! (I’m only 28 for Godssakes!!) But I have never found anything topical that works and no concealer that doesn’t crease on me. I have more eyelids than the average girl, I guess, and even though I have no wrinkles, I have eyelid folds, even under my eyes. And so anything creamy seems to crease intermediately! 🙁 The only thing I do that sorta works is mineral foundation under my eyes.
Hi Mariah,
Oh no. 🙁 Hmm, have you tried layering Too Faced Shadow Insurance beneath? That might help with the creasing.
I would love that Origins cream. I keep late hours between work and school
Hi Katie,
I hope you try it… It’s great for mornings after a late night of working/studying!
Ugh, I hate when I have those days when I just can’t focus. It took my parents about a week usually to pack everything (what can we say, we’re expert packers) when we moved. They found that music and having everything ready (and in excess when it comes to packing supplies) before packing really help speed the process along.
Luckily, my dark undereye circles seem to be on vacation as of late. A little Covergirl freshcomplexion concealer and I’m good. Either that or I’m starting to not care.
Oh, I have to show you this. I saw this and thought, “I’ve got to show this to Karen. It epitomizes Tabs.” Now, forget the fact that these two tabbies are orange but does they not look like a Tabs a teensy bit?
Sleeping Tabby
Looking Back Tabby
I’m determined to get one of these:
Rat Terrier Angel Ornament
There’s a devil one too but this one is cuter.
Hi Kate & Zena,
OHHHH, you have to get that ornament. Seriously, it would be a travesty if you passed it up. 🙂
And how cute are those tabby figurines? The sleeping one definitely looks like Tabs.
Now this would be something to look forward to! I’ve the worst dark circles, and I know I might never find a magic cream for it *sigh*, and most concealers never really cover them up — well, that or I just don’t know the right shade. Thanks for this tip though! Illuminating eye cream + Concealer, hmhm, I should try!
Hi Gn.,
Sure. I hope you give it a go… it’s a great combo!
Ok, here’s something good that happened to me today: I got my October issue of Allure in the mail, so I settled down for some glossy makeup goodness (aahhhh)! I was flipping through the Beauty Reporter section, and there it was! Allure’s “color of the moment”… Chanel Jade! The same lovely shade gracing my tips even as I turned the page! I was very amused and, ok, kinda stoked… just a little! 😀
And here’s a suggestion to add to your list of enticements (Grenada looks absolutely succulent, BTW) Armani’s Eyes to Kill mascara! I received a sample tube recently and I must say that I have been blown away! This stuff is ah-may-zing! Then, in that same Allure today, it was listed as a worth-the-splurge item, so clearly I’m not the only one impressed! Try! Try!
Happy Wednesday… we’re almost to the weekend now! 🙂
Hi Glosslizard,
Jade is seriously my biggest crush right now. 🙂
Oh, glad you got the chance to try Eyes to Kill. I reviewed it awhile back and loved it!
I’ve never been able to fully eliminate my eye bags… creams and potions have always worked 10% of magic and then they would creep back once I didn’t get enough sleep!!
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… LV Invite, AWARD & Ga In Inspired Smokey Eyes =-.
Hi Blovet Beauty,
Sleep seems to make a huge difference for me. When I’m stressed and/or dehydrated seems to make ’em worse, too.
Karen, can you share tips on applying concealer? I will try mixing a bit of moisturizer with concealer and see if that prevents the reverse raccoon eye 🙂
Hi Karen I’m glad that you finally found a cream that will remove your dark circles and I can see it’s really working. Another cream that you can try is Lightening Eye Contour Cream by Skincode Essentials (27$ on Ebay), instantly refreshes and brightens the eye zone and gradually lightens dark circles and hyperpigmentation. It’s also great because it reduces lines and wrinkles ( we need this from a cream after being 24 4 years)and nourishes and firms the skin. It’s for sensitive and normal skin. I’m a little demanding when it comes to face and eye creams, cause I want them to have multiple functions included. I know Skincode Switzerland makes great products, I’ve been using a few years ago the UV – Protective Whitening cream SPF 12 and I really liked it.
.-= Tavia a’s last blog post… Review – Orly “Once Upon A Time†collection – Enchanted Forest, Prince Charming and Mirror&Mirror Swatches =-.
Ooh, I’m excited to see you use the eye cream/concealer combo in a FOTD. I’m still using my MAC Studio Sculpt concealer, and I like it, but I never thought about actually mixing it with eye cream.
Oops… how did I miss that? 😛
Oh yeah! I remember now… I was a bit dismissive because of the smudginess issue, but as it turns out, I haven’t noticed any smudging! Yay! ‘Cause you’re right, it’s smoooooooove! 😀
Darn it, they never have anything this good happening on the east coast! Our goody bags here are pitiful compared!
I just picked up some Origins samples this past weekend and I am excited to try out the brand! Perhaps I will be able to try this one out too!
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… MAC Obsessed =-.
I’d love to try this cream. I have very dark circles and most concealers I tried don’t hide them completely and creams don’t remove them. Hopefully this will help. And thanks for sharing the trick about concealer + eye cream, I’ll try it.
.-= gio’s last blog post… QOTW: What’s the best body cream? =-.
That Chanel collection looks great, very Summerish! Can’t wait to see promo pics! Thanks for the tip, I’ve started using eye creams since I’m getting fine lines. Stupid age. LOL
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Tagged! Part Trois =-.
Thanks for sharing this! I have horrible undereye circles and am always looking for any new products that might be able to help. I’m almost out of my Clinique All About Eyes so I think this will be my next one to try!
Meg
.-= Megan’s last blog post… Booking Through Thursday-The Swan House =-.
The cream looks like it would work!
Would it be good for oily lids?
perfect timing on the post! I actually *need* a new eye cream soon, and I’m been needing a new concealor. I’m getting much worse bags and dark circles suddenly. (I think in part to allergies). I’v been wanting the new tarte dark circle defense concealor, so maybe that plus this orgins cream will do the trick….
Also, I think I need to see galapagos l/s soon. I’m loving the lancome special “chris and tell” coral color from fashion week, but don’t think I can get a hold of it….too “limited” (and I’m not really a fan of lancome m/u)…but now I’m on a quest for a blue based coral!
Best thing today is I’m super pumped to start making some necklaces, I have a new design I’m in love with, and it’s so easy. I’m making a bunch for Christmas presents!
Hmm, this Origins eye cream sounds right up my alley!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTD + Pa polishes =-.
I find that most eye creams I tried are excellent for moisturizing and reducing the look of fine lines but not dark circles. That is why concealer is one of my best friends: Studio Sculpt Concealer! I haven’t really stuck to an eye cream yet because all of them claim to reduce eye circles: Benefit Eye Con, Clinque All About Eyes and Vichy Aqualia Thermal….and etc…
.-= amy’s last blog post… LOTD MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Sublime Shine and Creme Allure Swatches + Review =-.
I know. Isn’t that the cutest ornament you ever saw? I’m badgering my dad to get two of them–one for each Rat Terrier–along with the Rat Terrier stocking on the site. I had a Jack Rusell/Rat mix before Zena and one for, well, Zena. They are so cute. My mom and I were laughing when we saw the angel one because A) it fits Zena and B) my mom’s crazy knick knack obsession is angels. My house is full of angel knick knacks.
Darn I am going to be out of town during that offer. It wasn’t meant to be.
One good thing that happened today…. my skin didn’t react badly to a new moisturizer. =)
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone =-.
Brilliant! Dark circles are the bane of my existence, so I can’t wait to try this. My biggest concern is when the cream is too heavy and it causes my mascara to smudge under my eyes. But too dry, and I look chalky and like a mess… I’ll have to check this out!
.-= Robyn Raybould’s last blog post… The Whole Kit N Caboodle =-.
Thanks for the tip! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
Maybe I’ll have to give that eye cream a try. I have some seriously crazy dark under eye circles and I’ve yet to find a cream that really did anything for them. For concealer though I’ve been using Laura Mercier and I like it a lot.
the website i ve checked the cream isnt on it?helpppp
Hi Amy,
Click the link in the third paragraph of this post. That should take you directly to the product.