What good is a fast-acting beauty product if it takes forever to find?
Not much, which is why I like to strategically place tubes of MAC Fast Response Eye Cream ($30) where I can reach them in a hurry. To that end, I keep one in my travel makeup bag, and another atop my dresser.
Oh, and then there’s the wayward one I found, with all of two drops remaining, in the passenger side door compartment of my car the other day. Poor thing probably thought I’d forgotten it was there (I didn’t.
Needless to say, I kindasorta love this cream. 🙂
It’s been a member of MAC’s permanent makeup line for years; I think I started using it circa 2001.
What is it exactly? Well, it’s a caffeinated, quick-absorbing eye cream to reduce puffiness around the eyes and diminish the appearance of dark circles, while smoothing and firming up the skin.
It also contains subtle light diffusers that really seem to brighten my under-eye area and soften the look of my fine lines, too, which, with this dumb-@ss insomnia I’ve been having, works out great.
I did some digging into the effectiveness of topical caffeine in skincare products, and it appears the jury’s still out. There’s some evidence to support that it might diminish under-eye circles over time (and a few studies have shown that it might be helpful in other ways), but it’s probably not a miracle in a tube/jar.
Either way, Fast Response is widely loved as a lightly hydrating eye cream, especially for normal and oily skin types, but my favorite way to wear it is paired with MAC concealers, a trick I learned from a friendly MAC artist. Combined, they cover dark circles yet don’t look heavy or obvious.
Just mix a couple drops of MAC Fast Response Eye Cream in with some concealer, and buff the blend under your eyes using a fluffy brush like the 224 or 217. The result? — flawless, natural-looking coverage, almost like you’re not wearing any makeup at all.
I’ve tried it with a bunch of different concealers, and it seems to work best with runny liquids. If you’re just looking for light-to-medium coverage, try either MAC Select Select Cover-Up ($16.50) or Select Moisturecover ($16.50). If, however, your circles could pass for pitch, try full-coverage MAC Pro Longwear ($16.50) instead.
I usually alternate between Select Moisturecover and Pro Longwear, depending on what I’m doing that day and how my skin’s behaving, but all three mix well with Fast Response.
Viva la Viva Glam!
MAC announced this morning that rapper Nicki Minaj and singer Ricky Martin will be the newest faces of MAC Viva Glam. 🙂
As a matter of fact, Nicki and Ricky are shooting the new campaign today in Miami. Cary, a MAC friend of mine, is actually with them now, the lucky duck, and, apparently, Ricky is, as many of us always suspected, very sweet and very HOT 
(you can follow Cary’s updates on twitter).
Since the start of the program in 1994, MAC Viva Glam has been a huge success. Proceeds from the sale of Viva Glam lipsticks have gone to support men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Millions have been raised, much of it one tube at a time.
Look for the new Viva Glam to hit shelves in February of next year. Two words: CAN’T. WAIT.
So…how’s your Monday coming along? Anything awesome or new to report?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Texture Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Saddle Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Cork Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Riche Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Havana
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Chicory Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Smoked Almond Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Half ‘n Half Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Chili Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Coffee Eye Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Havana
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Foundation/Loose
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Giddy Lustre Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Amorous Alloy Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Texture Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Saddle Eyeshadow
- Unsung Heroes: MAC In Extra Dimension Waterproof Mascara
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Minted Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Take the Plunge Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Cork Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: 221 Mini Tapered Blending Brush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Oh My Mocha Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in Lilacked
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Satin Taupe Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: High Tea Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blooz Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Layin’ Low Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Constructivist Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime Fix+
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Persistence Matte Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Brownluxe
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Riche Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Studio Chromagraphic Pencils
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Brun Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Warm Soul Mineralize Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Reflects Antique Gold Glitter
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Style Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Shaping Powder in Lightsweep
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Era Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bronze Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Honey Lust Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sun Rush Lustre Drops
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Nice Buzz Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: 33 Lash
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Shale Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Harmony Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Careblends Pressed Powder
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fulfilled Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboom Paint
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sublime Nature Paint
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Face and Body Foundation
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prunella Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The 239 Eye Shader Brush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Greensmoke Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ample Pink Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Indianwood Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bare Study Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Rubenesque Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tarnish Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Big Baby Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Kohl Power Pencil Liner in Feline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Format Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ambering Rose Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Silver Dusk
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Golden Bronze
- MAC Unsung Heroes: C-Thru Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fresh Flare Pro Longwear Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Loud & Lovely Cremesheen Glass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam VI Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Breezy Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Care Blends Essential Oils, Grapefruit + Chamomile
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Right Image Cremesheen Glass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Modesty Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Double Dare Cremesheen Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboo Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Speak Louder Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sandy B Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Club Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Uniform Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sweet Satisfaction Pro Longwear Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Red Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lady Danger Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tempting Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ruby Woo Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retrospeck Eyeshadow
I think I had a sample of these YEARS ago and remember liking it. Funny, I never think of skincare items when I’m at the MAC counter. Too hypnotized by all the pretty colors to look at!
Speaking of pretty colors, thank you so much for suggesting Oh Baby. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! 😀
I’m so glad you love it! I’ll bet it looks gorgeous with your complexion. It seems to warm up the face without it being an actual color, you know?
I know what you mean. I’ve been wearing it for a no-makeup makeup look.
Oh! I really love how when you look at it really closely you can see tiny flecks of multi-colored glitter. It’s such a great color… thank you for introducing us, LOL!
I love me some Ricky!
I’ve used this eye cream before but don’t know why I haven’t repurchased. Eye cream is one of those things that I forget about.
Me too. His music’s catchy and he seems like a really nice guy.
And oooh gurl… you need to get on that eye cream! I wasn’t into it until I hit my mid-20s. I wish I started earlier, though.
Girl, let’s get real! He is a hottie. I saw him in concert and he can shake his bom bom. I’ve been a fan of his since I was probably like 10.
Oooh! I might have to pick this up. I’ve been debating to try that Garnier one with the rollerball, but I think it’d be nice to control how much it deposits and mix it into my concealer! Does mixing it with your concealer sheer it out a lot, Karen?
Hi Samantha,
It really depends on how much you want to put in. I use very little — just a drop. It’s enough to help it spread, but not so much that it causes the concealer to go totally sheer.
Doesn’t insomnia just totally suck!?! I need something that helps get rid of the dark circles and has staying power!
YES IT DOES. I hate it. 🙁
Mine seems to be getting worse as I get older.
What do you usually do when yours starts kicking in?
Is that true? It’s been really bad lately & when I get tired then everything else starts to fall apart, does that happen to you?
When I can’t sleep I get up and try to read or put on some music so that I don’t think about “not sleeping”. 🙂
while I slept better than other Sundays in the past — i also had some weird dreams! 😀
ive never used fast response. however, im going to run out of my philosophy eyecream soon, and this might be a great replacement!
i am totally stoked for Ricky Martin being one of the faces of Viva Glam — he is such a cutie!
Really? What did you dream about? I had a strange dream on Saturday but now I can’t remember it.
the dream involved a guy i dated veryvery briefly before i met the hubs. it seemed like we were together w/ a group of my fam/friends on vacation. just weird!
I’ve never tried fast response, or really any other eye cream. I bought the Origins eye doctor 2 years ago and i’m STILL trying to get through it.
Are you wearing it every day?
I learned that concealer+eye cream trick from a Clinique girl, and it’s awesome! I also love how it gets a lot more out of the concealer you use.
I’m really interested in checking out this MAC eye cream now.
I’m having a hard time deciding between this, and the new Vibrancy eye primer. My eyes are puffy, with dark circles. When I conceal the circles, I can still see the shadows from the puffers.
Which would help more with both problems? I don’t want to have to use both, and I will still use concealer.
On a side note, one of my kitties, Saku, a brown tabby maine coon mix, often looks like he has bags under his eyes when he first wakes up from a deep sleep. Good thing kitties don’t have to worry about these things 😉
Hmm… to be honest I don’t know how much the Vibrancy primer will help. I’ve used it and it doesn’t really seem to make a significant difference.
Have you considered using a color corrector beneath your concealer? Bobbi Brown makes one that’s fab. Here’s a link: Bobbi Brown Corrector.
Saku sounds like a charmer, btw! I’ve heard Maine Coons are great cats.
Thank you so much for your reply, Karen!
I do use color correctors from time to time, but because my eyes are puffy, the shadows underneath the puffs are still there 🙁 It does work on my circles though.
I will definitely be ordering this cream now, and hoping for some depuffing action!
Have a great day!
I definitely want to check this out. I really like how this eye cream is in a tube, mostly. It’s so much more sanitary!
It’s pretty great! What’s your skin like?
I want to try out the Organic Coffee Eye Cream. I’m just waiting for a gift card or a sale.
Speaking of MAC lipsticks, I really want to get Touch and Cosmo.
For a second there I thought you wrote “Organic Coffee Ice Cream.” LOL! I think I need some dessert.
I’m also looking forward to the new Viva Glam colours! 🙂
I can’t wait! 🙂
I love Oh Baby! It is one of my favorite lippies!
My undereye battles continue, so I will have to pick this up when I go to Oregon this August (no tax <3). I'm a huge fan of your Unsung Heroes series, but it's bad for my wallet!!! haha 🙂
Hi Anna,
🙂 Glad you’re enjoying the series! Oh, and I hope you like this eye cream too.
Are you going to Oregon just to shop? Or is it a work or vacay trip?
This cream is great, and I think it works! As you only need a very small amount of it, it is worth the money (even in €).
I’ve been using strivectin day and night and have been happy with it. Of course, my problem is more droopy lids than under-eye circles. The stivectin doesn’t touch the droop, btw. I’m considering scotch tape. 😉
I have a darker skin tone, have used other brands and have not tried this. I have just started using whitening products to lighten the dark circle on my eye. It is working but of course, I would like to hide it until i get my desired tone. Will I encounter any problem on matching the eye cream with my dark circles?
When I can’t sleep I put on an old movie I have seen a zillon times( sleepless in seatle, steel magnolias, pretty in pink) since I know every line in the movie I get bored and fall asleep. Hope you get some sleep soon:)
i looooove this eye cream, even better when i can find it at a cco where it’s half the price..i had a mac artist tell me that you can also use it to remove eye shadow/liner smudges and she was absolutely right! i love a multi-tasking product!
ps. you should look into yoga nidra, it’s essentially a relaxation/deep meditation technique, lots of cds/classes out there to guide you through…it helps reduce stress, promotes deep relaxation, boosts immune response and definitely helps with sleep disorder!
Hey i just joined ur email list, and i love your blog, i saw you on the mac website where you made your own lipglass. here is my question, i am very very pale (almost opaque 🙂 ) so i want a lip glass that has a lip color but will go with most eye make up, and an eye make up for work (im a hairstylist) that is edgy but simply where people will go wow i love your makeup…any ideas?
meghan