For the eyes, I discovered that the "new and improved" Chanel Beaute Initiale that is supposed to be like the old school "Age Delay" is crap. It's not the same. It's not even the same color of product! Therefore, I have removed it from the must have list and returned to its original name, where you can still find it in a few places: "Chanel Precision Eye Lift". I will continue my search for a better anti-puffiness cream, in case thsi does forever go away. Meanwhile, I did try RéVive® Masques des Yeux, which alleges that it gently awaken the eye area for a dramatically brighter outlook. Again, allegedly, it promotes firmness and elasticity, and dramatically increases hydration. It is further formulated to protect and improve the appearance of puffiness. RESULTS:Awaken to a dramatically brighter eye area with increased hydration, improved firmness and the diminished appearance of puffiness. $185 an ounce. My little .20 ounce sample (that I paid a buck for) is worth $37! Ummm .. yeah. It's not that fabulous. Sorry ladies!
I also tried a sample of Patricia Wexler, M.D. Intensive 3-In-1 Eye Cream. It's a lifting, firming, anti-wrinkle formula with skin-regenerating MMPi-20 technology (whatever the hell that is). It's definitely a nice, smooth and silky feeling eye cream, but it doesn't do anything for puffiness and dark circles, which is my particular problem. It's available at Bath & Body Works for $32.50 for 1/2 an ounce. I don't think it's anything spectacular.
Sadly, I also tried what I thought might replace the Chanel product - Cosmedicine Opti-mologist Eye Cream with Light Diffusers. Nope. This product actually feels disgusting. It's like a really, really thick makeup primer and it doesn't smooth on at all. It certainly does nothing for the dark circles, which is its whole point. One of the main ingredients is 1% Dimethicone. My first thought was "Yeah, it totally looks and feels like silicone." I used it three times because of the description on Sephora's website. Each time - it did nothing. Shoot!
Just as an aside on the eye-situation... given my little waxing incident, I should note that, for excessive redness due to excessive waxing, blotting/tapping the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in green over the area is a perfect way to disguise your mistakes and help your eye makeup still go on smoothly.
Speaking of primers ... I tried PurMinerals Peach Primer, great for concealing age spots, under eye circles, and freckles. The primer felt quite nice, but it definitely didn't "conceal" any freckles or age spots. It seemed to simply even out my skin tone, which I liked, but most of the time, my particularly problem is redness, so I'd probably stick with the green Smashbox and a basic concealer for those other problem areas.
Now, for a cleansing update, I tried a really fun product from called DHC Q10 Facial Film Soap. I didn't have a whole lot of time and I really, really, really wanted to quickly scrub my face and go to bed. So, I pulled out a little slip of what felt like parchment paper, dabbed a little water on it, rubbed my hands together and had an instant face wash. This will be a fabulous product for traveling because it's not a liquid at all. It's just a piece of filmy paper. It would also be great for the gym (particularly after I learned that you CANNOT work out with BareMinerals on your face because the second you start sweating that bad, you feel like your face is going to burn off). It also worked great and even took off the eye makeup! Truly a great cleanser. Plus, you get 40 sheets for only $11. Great buy.
I also tried a very good micro-exfoliant Leaf & Rusher Rapid Resurface. Available at Saks and a few skincare stores online, it uses rice powder and calcified algae to resurface the skin to renew that porcelain appearance. If you want a one-step micro-exfoliant, this is a great option. I definitely still get better results with Philosophy's Micro-Delivery Peel, but that is a two-step process.
As for moisturizers this week, everything was a miss except the most wonderful night lotion from Fresh. It is called Fresh Mamaku Night Serum and it smelled like one of the most beautiful, soft, fruity and fresh moisturizers I have ever used. It went on delicately smooth and was not thick at all. This was a surprise, given that it is for age-defiance and is intended to firm, plump and lift the skin. I definitely liked this product, but the sample was 
so small (could only use twice) that I would need a few more attempts to confirm whether it is really doing it's job in the morning, particularly when it is $85 an ounce. What's really scary is that Sephora (online only) sells a product in this line called Fresh Elixer Ancien that is made in a monastery in the Czech Republic, which is hand blended to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and return skin to its youthful radiance. Yeah - it's $250 for 1.7 ounces. (I personally think it is only available online so they don't have to give you a sample in the store because you know I would soooooo be there!)
For the saddest must miss, I have to report that Dermalogica Day Bright SPF 15 did NOTHING for my skin. You know I love Dermalogica, but, even with it's tinted concealer color, it seriously didn't make my face look brighter or ANYTHING. It was a total disappointment.
Another total disappointment was the completely adorable sample of Benefit Do It Daily oil-free SPF 10 moisturizer. Look at this cute little sample (picture on the left)! Too bad it didn't feel moisturizing at all and you needed a TON of product. Yuck-ola. Next time, I'll just keep the pretty packet in my drawer to look at. (It's one of the current free sample choices at Ulta.com.)
I do have a funny little report on Caudalie Fresh Complexion Tinted Moisturizer. Um.... yeah.... my little sample packets came attached in a set of two. So, I kind of thought they were the same. Well - one was apparently for dark skin and the other for light skin. Ha ha ha!!! I used the one for dark skin and made myself turn into a reverse Michael Jackson - white to black. What's even funnier is that when I put the product on my fingertips, I was like "Hey, this is really dark. It must go on pretty light." Um - nope. I was just a moron. So, I'll let you know how the light one turns out when I use it.
And last but not least for skincare was Kinerase Non-Comedogenic Hypoallergenic Cream. Yeah - I had to look that word up too. It's really just called Kinerase Cream, but that other stuff was its description. It's just your basic daily moisturizer. Good for all skin-types and touted as hypo-allergenic. It is allegedly one of the top products sold in the dermatology offices. I think it's probably great for problem skin, but I don't tend to have a need for such a fancy scientific product. Oh, and by the way, non-comedogenic means it won't clog your pores. So, if you are prone to acne, this is a great product for you. It does feel great on the skin and was probably a good choice to use after I did a peel this morning.Let's talk mascaras. Here is the way I'm going to do it. I want to give you the pros, the cons and the verdict in my humble opinion. Everyone's lashes are different. Mine are fairly light colored, fairly long, and very fine. Keeping that in mind, here we go:
Loreal Panoramic Curl Mascara ($10):
Pros: Comes in various colors and cheaper since it is a drugstore brand. Also does have an elongated curled brush, so it does curl slightly.Cons: It doesn't go on with enough thickness or color and you'll be applying for days to get good coverage.
The Verdict: Not worth the money and not enough curl for being a "curly" mascara.
Cover Girl Exact Eyelights ($7):
Pros: Makes you feel like you are buying something particularly special for your skin-type and cheaper since it is a drugstore product.Cons: It's a total lie. Yeah, it makes your eyelashes look "4X Thicker" if you read the fine print, which says, "when compared with wearing no mascara at all".
The Verdict: A completely fake product that doesn't enhance your eye color at all, has a terrible wand and doesn't really coat your lashes. Probably good for a teenager who's not really ready to wear mascara but is learning because it really doesn't give much coverage.
Stila Mult-Effect Mascara ($20):
Pros: A curved brush makes application much easier. If you have a problem getting too much product on your brush, you won't with this one.Cons: The basics of the brush don't help you separate and tend to give areas of clumpiness. Also, the brush doesn't collect product that easily, so it takes a lot of reapplication.
The Verdict: It's a mascara that is trying to do too much in one product (volume, length & curl) and, therefore, does neither effectively.
Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara ($16):
Pros: A super weird brush that actually works. It puts enough product on the (what do you call them? they aren't bristles) - comb. Lash separation is super easy, good coverage, definitely no clumps and also doesn't get on your lids .Cons: The straightness of the brush makes it hard to get some of the inner lashes. Only comes in black and ultra black.
The Verdict: A great mascara overall, particularly as a base coat if you want to layer with a lengthener or other helpful mascara - given your particular lash problem. Definitely does what it promises - volume. Also, after all these years of me using only Loreal Voluminous, I must say it has that product beat hands down.
Dior Show Blackout Mascara ($24):
Pros: Very, very black. Goes on extremely thick, but still no clumping.Cons: Expensive. Does nothing for volume and can definitely get yucky on the lids if you aren't careful. I find it so hard to apply and get it to stick on its own without making me look like a spider, so I wear it over almost everything.
The Verdict: It's a fab second coat mascara and great for evening or super dark lashes. I don't recommend the waterproof one. It doesn't coat as well and is a bitch to take off.
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