Can we get a big "hell yeah!" for eye creams? Without them, we would be lost — wandering around hopelessly, looking just as tired as we feel. But, thanks to these potions, our puffiness, fatigue, and dark circles get to be our little secrets.
Due to a combination of late nights and poor sleep habits, we've had more than our fair share of opportunities to test out puff-reducing, bag-demolishing eye creams. We've tried the good, the bad — and then we've tried the miracle workers. That's what the 25 eye creams ahead are — pure miracles.
Now, we're not naive enough to think that a tube of cream alone can fix fatigue. No, it comes down to a combo of an out-of-this-world product and some serious application know-how. So, we went to the woman with all the complexion-perfecting answers to get the scoop on the best way to apply your eye cream in order to make your gaze its most gorgeous.
According to celebrity aesthetician, La Mer global skincare advisor, and perfect-skin-whisperer (we've told her she needs to put that on her business cards) Joanna Czech, you can tailor your application to the type of results you want: anti-aging or depuffing.
For anti-aging, here's what she advises: "Start with your inner eye and apply the cream, but do a little press-and-release motion. Apply your cream in a few points around the eye, and then using your middle or ring finger, place them in the inner corner of the eye below the brow on the upper lid. Slightly press and release, working outward. Do the same on the bottom, but work from the outer corner to the inner corner."
According to Czech, with this technique you are working against gravity — and against the lines. "When you press your skin, it microscopically stretches, and when you release it grabs the product and draws it into the surface of the skin." She advises that this method is better for the evening and with a richer cream, since the focus is anti-aging and hydration. As a follow-up, she recommends placing two lukewarm chamomile tea bags on your eyes and laying down for 20 minutes. This will provide soothing and anti-redness relief.
For depuffing, it's all about fluid drainage. Puffiness is caused by a buildup of fluid in your undereye area, so diminishing it comes down to (gently!) pushing it out of there. Says Czech, "I would do the upper lid the exact same way as the anti-aging method, and then on the undereye I would go from the inner corner to outer, sliding my finger down to give a form of lymphatic drainage. Very slight pressing motion as you slide." She advises that this is great to do in the morning, and that you can enhance the depuffing effects by using a cold product, so pop that a.m. eye cream in the fridge for best results.
Now that you know the secrets of eye cream application, read on for our top product picks.
Tatcha's latest eye product is lightweight and includes an applicator that does all of the work for you.
Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum, $95, available at Tatcha.
This eye cream from Mario Badescu is all about getting moisture to the undereye area, using the beloved hyaluronic acid. Plus, it absorbs quickly so you can wear it day and night and not worry about your makeup sliding around.
Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream, $18, available at Ulta Beauty.
Tarte’s Maracuja collection has developed a cult following for good reason — and one of our favorite products of the bunch is the brightening eye cream. The maracuja fruit and vitamin C-enriched formula is firming and brightening. Meaning: It’ll make you look awake with just a few dabs (we suggest dotting it on with your pinky for best results). And it’s so light in consistency, you can apply your concealer right away — if you even feel like you need it, that is.
Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment, $38, available at Macy's.
Laneige is known for its intensely hydrating products, and this blue jar is no exception. Antioxidants help to stimulate collagen production, which helps smooth wrinkles and add a glow. Pop it in your fridge before you apply to give your eyes a cool blast.
Laneige Perfect Renew Firming Eye Cream, $47, available at Target.
Technically, this is marketed to dudes, but we don't discriminate by gender: A good beauty product is a good beauty product. Made with caffeine and vitamin E, it energizes your undereye area and gets rid of puffiness lickety-split. A dab of this followed by a brightening concealer is our secret weapon for looking awake after a long night out.
Kiehl's, $21.50, available at Kiehl's
A top pick for those of us starting to battle the inevitable crow's feet and droopiness that come with a life well-lived, this anti-aging pick from Fresh firms and hydrates thanks to a formula packed with antioxidant-rich black tea and noni juice. It also smells amazing — if you're the kind of person who likes to wrap your hands around a mug of hot tea in the morning, applying this to your lids has the same aromatherapeutic effect.
Fresh, $85.00, available at Fresh
Remember what we said about how puffiness is caused by excess fluid? Well, if facial massage with your fingers isn't your thing, may we interest you in this genius roller-ball? Simply roll it softly on your undereye area and it will massage in a potent formula of antioxidants, soothing botanicals, and caffeine as it drains that fluid. Bright eyes, here you come.
Clinique, $29.00, available at Macy's
Another firming wonder, this cream moisturizes, plumps, de-puffs, and protects the delicate eye area. We like this one as a night cream, as it's a little too rich for daytime use unless your skin is super dry.
No7, $20.99, available at Target
Okay, this one definitely falls in the splurge category — but, oh, what a splurge it is. One dab of this beauteous gel on our undereyes and we looked like new people — fresher, more awake, glowing, happy people. Thanks to its gel consistency, it also layers phenomenally under concealer. Because, let's be real: An eye cream, no matter how good it is, can only do so much — our undereye circles need the one-two punch of cream and concealer. Czech says this one is great for reapplying midday to get a quick boost. "A really minimal amount of it over...your makeup really works — it makes you look not exhausted." Sign us up for that.
La Mer, $145.00, available at Bloomingdale's
That Dr. Andrew Weil sure knows his stuff. The holistic health guru's line with Origins focuses on using efficacious botanicals to provide noticeable results. This brightening eye cream is no exception: Its formula has extracts of rosa roxburghii, white peony, ume, and magnolia, which help lighten shadows and make eyes look less sunken.
Origins, $41.00, available at Sephora
They don't call this Secret de Maquilleurs (loosely translated, that's "makeup artists' secret," for you non-francophones) for nothing. This handy little stick offers a cooling sensation that feels delicious on tired eyes. More importantly, it helps smooth out the contours of the eye and makes your makeup go on (and look) so much better. Add to that a radiance-boosting effect, and it's no wonder makeup artists hoard this beauty in their kits.
Embryolisse, $45.00, available at Beautyhabit
We'll be honest with you: We initially tried this eye cream solely because of those little floating green beads in the gel. We are suckers for beads suspended in gel — they just look fun. Thankfully, this stuff works just as good as it looks. Vitamin E and aloe give it its hydrating and brightening power, and our eyes felt silky all day. And, those beads meant we took the time to really massage it in, rather than use our usual haphazard slap-on-and-rub technique.
Herborist, $42.00, available at b-glowing
Like the majority of SkinCeuticals products, this eye cream is all about the antioxidants. Phloretin, vitamin C, and ferulic acid in a potent serum-in-a-gel formula help it penetrate the skin and work to correct signs of photodamage, as well as puffiness and dark circles.
SkinCeuticals, $89.00, available at SkinStore
We simply cannot say enough nice things about this firming eye gel from green beauty maven Tammy Fender. It uses elderflower, chamomile, rosehip, and green myrtle to soothe tired eyes, lift, and brighten. We like to mix in a few drops of concealer — it's like eight hours of sleep in a bottle.
Tammy Fender, $72.00, available at BeautyBar.com
This whipped-up eye cream is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and kakadu plum — which all help to fight the signs of eye fatigue. The ultra-moisturizing cream instantly brightens, smooths, and firms the skin while helping to protect from future environmental damage.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Eye Soufflé, $68, available at Sephora.
One dab of this luxe eye gel and suddenly your gaze is perky, fresh, smooth, and bright. Goodbye, crow's feet. See you never, undereye bags. It's so good that we and our fellow beauty editors can't shut up about it — which probably explains why it's currently sold out. Saks is the exclusive retailer in the U.S., so head to your closest store and hope they have it, or bookmark that link and keep checking back for a 2015 restock. Trust us, it's worth the effort.
Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, $72.00, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
A hybrid makeup and skin-care product, this drugstore diamond uses light-diffusing pigments and blurring technology to diminish dark circles and fine lines, while the metal applicator helps smooth out puffiness.
L'Oréal, $19.99, available at Target
Arcona's cult-classic eye cream has shea butter and hyaluronic acid to provide ultimate hydration, while anti-inflammatory blueberry extract and vitamin E help comfort tired eyes. Apply this before you hit the sheets — it's a little heavy for day — and you'll wake up refreshed and revitalized.
Arcona, $38.00, available at Nordstrom
This newbie from Aveda is like a jumpstart for tired eyes. Licorice root and coffee bean extracts help reduce puffiness and dark circles, boosting sleep-deprived skin and helping you look well-rested.
Aveda, $35.00, available at Aveda
This powerful anti-aging serum from Drunk Elephant uses black-tea ferment and copper peptides to battle signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness. The serum helps to support collagen and elastin production and bring back the radiance to your undereyes.
Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum, $85, available at Sephora.
This line, aptly called Anti-Fatigue, cuts straight to the chase and we couldn't love it more for that. The gel-cream is an absolute lifesaver for hungover skin. Made with white lily extract, it hydrates and decongests, revealing smooth, healthy, bright, and bag-free eyes. Which is something we all need after a night of debauchery, no?
Orlane, $125.00, available at Neiman Marcus
Honest Beauty's new eye cream is great for those mornings after you've had a few too many got to bed late. It has ingredients like chamomile and calendula to calm and soothe the skin, and vitamin C to brighten, but the best part is the cooling metal applicator, which helps to ease puffiness — and feels pretty great, too.
Honest Beauty The Depuffed Eye, $32, available at Ulta.
L’Occitane’s rich, creamy eye gel helps to battle fine lines by using the unique immortelle flower — which never ages. The soft scent and soothing texture feel luxurious on the fragile eye area and help to combat any and all signs of aging.
L’Occitane Divine Eyes, $80, available at L’Occitane.
Philosophy’s Hope in a Tube does double duty — the ultra-moisturizing eye and lip cream helps to minimize fine lines around these areas. So, those pesky little crow’s feet? You can get rid of them the same way you get rid of the annoying lines in the corners of your mouth. The blend of vitamins E and C helps to reduce the appearance of these lines and revitalize the skin.
Philosophy Hope in a Tube Eye & Lip Cream, $38, available at Ulta.
Vi Derm's Revitalizing Eye Cream has a medium-weight, creamy texture, but soaks in as fast as a gel, leaving skin plumped up and moisturized. It packs hyaluronic acid to replenish hydration and a blend of different peptides that help to de-puff, firm, and fight dark circles.
Vi Derm Revitalizing Eye Cream, $50, available at Dermstore.
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