Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 PA+++

Thanks to Javy at Scarlett Empress, I am able to review this product, the Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 PA+++. You can get this at Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom, and any other department store with a Shiseido counter. The tube contains 0.507 ounces of product and retails for $31.

I have previously reviewed the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++, which is the light sunscreen in the same brand line suitable for both face and body. Shiseido also makes an Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++ but I haven't been able to try that out yet so unfortunately I can't make comparisons between it and the eye cream.

Since I like to keep the layers of product on my face light, particularly in the summer, I decided that the Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++ was too heavy for every day wear. Most importantly, I want my skin to feel like it can still breathe, yet be hydrated. So I was slightly skeptical of trying out this eye cream. It's very difficult to find products that hydrate the eye area without being too heavy or drying. However, the reviews on this product were very good.

Shiseido's eye cream is different than all the other eye creams I've seen out there because it offers the maximum UVA protection. As someone who suffers from allergies (including itchy eyes), I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes brutally until they sting from irritation, so UVA protection is essential to prevent further aging. Shiseido also claims that this eye cream contains "light diffusing powder to make the eye area look brighter" and "rose leaf apple extract" which is an antioxidant--I don't think I've ever seen this ingredient in other products, though. Like the Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, this eye cream also contains Xylitol, to help exfoliate the skin.

I really like the sturdy packaging of this eye cream--it won't unscrew itself and spill into your bag, and the tube is affixed with a plastic funnel type applicator to help control the amount you squeeze out while also keeping the product sanitary. The white cream is lightly scented with the same fragrance as Shiseido's other Sun Protection products and it is slightly thick but very easy to spread all over the orbital area. After it dries, it has a matte finish, yet it does not feel powdery or dry to the touch at all even though it contains light diffusing powder. It does not completely absorb into the skin, but leaves a barrier of moisture. Because it is non-greasy, it is possible to even skip using eye primer if you have normal or dry skin. For me, I don't need to use eye primer over it unless I'm wearing eyeliner or more than 3 shades of eyeshadow. But most importantly, this eye cream does not sting my eyes whatsoever. I've gone so long without using SPF eye cream because I always thought I could obtain the same protection by spreading my normal sunblock over my eye area. Besides unnecessarily tugging at the skin, it also stung my eyes like crazy! Believe it or not, even baby shampoo stings my eyes more than this eye cream!

Although I was wary of this eye cream, I must say it has completely surpassed my expectations and I will definitely repurchase when I run out. I am now very eager to try the Ultimate Sun Protection Cream...if the finish is anything like the eye cream, I know I'll love it as well. I am now definitely adding this product to my list of holy grails.

Active Ingredients:
Octinoxate 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 9.3%
Inactive Ingredients:
Water, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone Copolyol, Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Titanium Dioxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, SD Alcohol 40-B, Xylitol, Methyl Gluceth-10, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Myristate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ononis Spinosa Root Extract, Ectoin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Dextrin Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Aluminum Distearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alcohol, Trisodium EDTA, Butylated Hydroxytoulene, Tocopherol, Syzygium Jambos Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream

Up for review today is the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream. This is the first Mario Badescu product I've ever tried. I've never been really aware of this brand, save for their drying lotion, which is supposed to work miracles on pimples. I'll have some other Mario Badescu reviews in the coming months, so let me know if you're interested!

This eye cream is suitable for all skin types, and comes in a small half ounce plastic container which costs $18.00. At first glance, that doesn't seem like much product for a fairly steep price, but this eye cream will last you forever...I'm estimating, maybe a year, depending on how dry your eye area is.

This white cream is super emollient and rich. The first thing I noticed was how thick and sticky the cream is. I immediately suspected it contained oil to produce that kind of texture. Well, after looking up the ingredients, it doesn't contain mineral oil, but it contains vegetable oil and carnation oil, which I thought was pretty interesting--I've never noticed carnation oil in any of my skincare products. Apparently, it is an anti-inflammatory and restorative agent which can help reduce wrinkles, eczema and rosacea, relax muscles, and aid with hair loss. In addition, this eye cream contains hyaluronic acid, which has the ability to retain up to a thousand times its own weight in moisture. As if that weren't enough, this product also contains aloe vera. Here is a list of its ingredients, courtesy of MarioBadescu.com:

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Polyglycerylmethacrylate (and) Propylene Glycol, Carnation Oil, Propylene Glycol (and) Water (and) Euphrasia Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20, Vegetable Oil, Aloe, Polyquaternium-24 (and) Hyaluronic Acid


Though the website says this cream is "medium weight" and can be used "day or night," I do not suggest this eye cream for day time wear unless you plan on staying at home and not wearing much makeup. I like to apply eye cream generously since the skin on my eyelids is pretty thin, and I find this eye cream to be a bit greasy. It sits on your skin for a very long time, and I'm not sure if it actually absorbs into your skin to hydrate it. I say this because when I wake up in the mornings, my eyelids are still coated with a film of this eye cream, no matter how little I use. As a result, I've taken to using this eye cream as a "sealant." When I apply a serum or emulsion after cleansing and toning my face, I'll put this cream on after to ensure that the serum underneath absorbs completely into my skin. I could not imagine using this eye cream during the day, unless I wanted to go for a glossy eye look or something. My eyelids are naturally oily, so using this during the day would turn me into a hot mess.

However, if your eyelids/under eyes are extremely dry, this is probably the ideal eye cream for you. Your concealer and foundation will probably glide on very nicely on top of it. I'm not sure how long you'll have to wait for the cream to absorb, but it's best to apply as little as possible and work your way up (i.e., tap the cream once gently with your ring finger, pat your eyelid, repeat). Though Mario Badescu claims that this cream "helps lock in the skin’s own natural moisture without the use of heavy, greasy oils," I believe their description is rather misleading.

As it's still winter and my skin has been super dehydrated lately, I'm perfectly content to have this in my nighttime regimen. But as the season changes, I will probably look into something else.