William Shakespeare once wrote, "The eyes are the windows to your soul." Obviously, he's so right. I have so many friends in their 20's and 30's who do not use eye cream regularly...and these are girls who take great care of their skin, hair and nails, but often fail to give their eyes the attention they deserve.
I know many of you (especially you young readers) are thinking that you're too young for eye cream, but trust me it's NEVER too early to start practicing good skincare habits. Starting to use an eye cream before you actually get little lines (like in your teens and early 20's) is the best way to eliminate dark circles, puffy eyes and worst of all...unwanted aging.
I spoke with organic skincare expert Tata Harper, who said: "An eye cream is a particular product that you'll be glad you started early. The skin around the eyes is a super delicate area that really benefits from lots of extra love and attention. Starting to use an eye cream early is a great idea, because it will help keep your eyes looking bright and awake, while reducing dark shadows, minimizing any early morning puffiness, and keeping the area moisturized."
Even my facialist Dangene, of New York's Institute of Skinovation, has been using eye cream since she was 12, and agrees that even teens should never be without their eye cream... "Not even to answer the phone!" Dangene explains that, "It makes a big difference in the way that we age, so micromanage your skin and eyes the way you do your nails and hair. It should be applied as the last step in the skin perfecting process, very gently on damp skin after you wash, tone and moisturize. Look for hydrating products that won't dry out your skin."
So, how do you know when eye cream to choose from the thousands of options? One thing to know is that not every eye cream fits every girl or pinpointed concerns. Some formulas work instantaneously by brightening or cooling and de-puffing the under eye area, while others take time to show results because they slowly help plump and firm the skin around the eyes over time. So before you start shopping, make sure you know your concern.
What ingredients should you look out for while searching for that perfect eye cream? Well, that depends on what you're trying to treat. Caffeine doesn't just help you feel more awake, it can also make you look awake by constricting blood vessels and reducing puffiness (read more about it on Vogue). Brighteners improve color of dark under eye circles while Silicone/Dimethicone prime and smooth slightly wrinkled skin for flawless makeup application. Then there are creams that deeply moisturize and others that plump.
I have tried a hundred eye creams and while many of these seem to moisturize, the majority didn't make a noticeable difference. Just like everyone else, I want to actually SEE the results in the mirror and in pictures of myself (this is when I really can spot if a cream is working or not).
Click through the slideshow below for 7 of the BEST eye creams to make your pretty little eyes that much better.
Verso Eye Serum – This is most effective eye cream that I have seen so far for reducing (basically eliminating!) puffiness and darkness.
Dr. Hauschka Eye Balm – This rich and good for you eye cream, is small enough to keep it with you always, and especially when you travel. It gives you that moisturized glow.
La Prairie Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Perfection a Porter – I keep this in my purse for on-the-go eye attention and it's paired with a lip gloss that is gorgeous and super luxe.
One Love Organics Eye Balm – This truly feels like butter and de-puffs. I love it!
Natura Bissē The Cure Sheer Eye – Hydrates and fights fatigue around the eye. Super powerful and provides really chic coverage so you don't even need concealer.
Retrouvé Revitalizing Eye Concentrate – This eye treatment just launched exclusively at Bergdorf, and unfortunately it is the most expensive...ever! I used it for a few days, and my under eye area never looked better. The consistency is super concentrated and rich.
Glow by Dr. Brandt™ Revitalizing Retinol Eye Cream – I discovered that Elle uses Dr. Brandt's retinol-based eye cream when I interviewed her last week at the launch of her Super Elixir supplement. Enough said.