Product Reviews

Ah, the nuances of Bay Area slang. A few years ago I felt like I couldn’t get away from the phrase “that’s hella tight” (code for “that’s cool”). Everybody and their mother was saying it, including mine. Once, Mom and I were at Macy’s looking at China patterns when she said, “Ohhh, Karen… those Lenox patterns are hella tight!” LOL!

I recently resurrected the phrase, but only in the most literal sense. I’ve been using a new cream, Korres Materia Herba Moisturizing Eye Cream Anti-Dark Circles ($36), on my under-eye area. Designed to de-puff and lighten dark circles over time, it tightens the skin around my eyes like crazy.

Hella tight, indeed.

Tightens skin

Within seconds I can feel the skin under my eyes tightening up. The area even looks a little less puffy and feels tighter, and that was a nice surprise.

Not a dark circle treatment

But Materia Herba Eye Cream isn’t billed as a tightening cream; rather, it’s marketed as a treatment for dark circles.

After using it for three weeks I haven’t seen a significant decrease in my dark circles, but honestly that doesn’t surprise me. I’ve never had success with dark circle removal eye creams in the past, and I just keep trying them because I hope to someday find one that actually works.

Moderately hydrating, kinda pricey

The $36 price tag seems typical, if not a little pricey, for what you get. Price-wise it’s about average for a moderately moisturizing department store eye cream.

I found myself wanting a little more hydration, but I have very dry skin under my eyes. Girls with normal to oily skin under their eyes may not find themselves wanting more.

Texture, scent and packaging

I really like the texture, scent and packaging. It’s an odorless cream that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave an oily film on my skin. I like that it comes in a tube dispenser, too, because with this I’d rather not have to dip my fingers into a jar.

One of nine products in the Materia Herba line

Korres may not have a home run on its hands with the eye cream, but I like their overall approach to beauty products. Moisturizing Eye Cream Anti-Dark Circles is one of nine products in Korres’ new Materia Herba line of face moisturizers and cleansers.

All of the products in the line are certified organic and, according to Korres, manufactured using a sustainable process and mostly renewable resources. Plus, the products are made without parabens or harsh chemicals.

I think I want to try the Materia Herba Nourishing Night Cream For All Skin ($46), but it sure would be a splurge. I’d be all over it at $26.

While I like the way Materia Herba Eye Cream feels and love the tightening effect, I don’t think it’s my dark circle remover extraordinaire. But if what you’re mostly looking for is a moderately moisturizing under-eye cream that tightens the skin, it may be worth a try. 🙂

Alternative eye cream

If you, too, have dry skin under your eyes and wouldn’t mind a cheaper alternative, consider American Beauty’s Beauty Boost Overnight Radiance Eye Cream ($26, now on sale for $20). It’s rich, moisturizing and absorbs quickly. Of course, like Materia Herba’s cream it doesn’t do a whole lot for under-eye circles, but c’est la vie!

Korres Materia Herba Moisturizing Eye Cream Anti-Dark Circles

Price: $36 for .51 oz tube
Use: A moderately hydrating eye cream that tightens skin like a mofo
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B-

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Ever since my allergies kicked into high gear a few weeks ago, my eyes have been a sensitive mess. Even my old standby makeup remover, Lancome Bi-Facil, which never used to bother my eyes, has been bringing me to tears.

I’ve been looking for a makeup remover that won’t bother my peepers, ideally one able to remove waterproof makeup, and last week I started using Decleor’s Eye Make-Up Remover Gel ($28) for sensitive eyes.

It’s a watery gel with a thin consistency, neither sticky nor greasy, and it smells lightly of chamomile. To use it I soak a cotton ball and then gently wipe at the makeup around my eyes.

First, it works, removing everything — even waterproof mascara. Second, it doesn’t bug my eyes.

I’ve been using it for about a week, and I think my lids already look a little less puffy.

Something else — the skin around my eyes feels hydrated after using Decleor, not stripped of moisture. At $28, it costs a little more than Lancome Bi-Facil ($24), but it works, and my ultra-sensitive eyes don’t complain. That makes the price easier to bear.

Decleor Eye Make-Up Remover Gel

Price: $28 for a 5-oz bottle
Use: A chamomile-scented eye makeup remover for super sensitive eyes and skin
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

You might like Decleor Eye Make-Up Remover Gel if…

1. your eyes protest a lot of other makeup removers,
2. you’re on the market for something able to remove waterproof mascara, or
3. you’re comfortable spending top dollar to try something new.

Man in the mirror

Holy crap! Can you believe MJ’s gone? And Farrah Fawcett too?

MJ’s music was such a huge part of my childhood… It’s the end of an era. I’ve been moonwalking around the apartment and singing Man in the Mirror all afternoon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen