In Fiore Veloutee Multipurpose Balm for Lips and Eyes, $58/.17oz @ Beautyhabit.com
I got completely suckered into buying this little beauty because of the gorgeous packaging. Nevermind the romanticized product description. I thought the compact alone was just...eeesh...I don't know but I liked it. A LOT. I justified the price because it said for lips and eyes. 2 for 1 - has to be amazing, right?!
Oh...AND it came it its own little leather pouch!!
In order to use the product you have to rub your finger over it to warm it up. There is absolutely no discernible color and the finish on your lips is semi-matte-natural. It doesn't feel heavy on the lips and has a very slight earthy-herbally fragrance that disappears quickly.
On my lips I found this hardly moisturizing, and it's very difficult to even get a thick layer on because of the consistency. It's the strangest phenomena...I've never had a lip balmy product before where you couldn't apply it thicker. I suppose it would be like trying to layer a sheer lipstick...you can only put so much on but it feels the same no matter how many swipes you apply.
On my lips this gave me one of the absolute worst reactions I've ever had. They were really puffy, red, scaly, itchy and hurt!! Ew. I'm going to have to do some digging, as I'm not sure what specific ingredient(s) caused the reaction. But it did take almost 2 weeks to completely clear up.
Under my eyes this was much better though!! I didn't have a reaction (THANKFULLY) and didn't get milia. I definitely found this moisturizing enough, which is great because I have very dry undereyes. Despite how moisturizing it felt, I somehow felt it was heavy and never fully sank in - I could always kinda feel it on my skin. For this reason I don't think it would wear well with concealer. I tried it with the YSL Touch Eclat and they didn't pair well together.
Word of caution: this doesn't spread very well even when it's very warmed up...take your time to pat it in. I do very much like that this is a solid and is perfect for traveling so as not to count against my liquid allotment.
I will not be repurchasing, as I prefer the feel and consistency of a more traditional eye cream vs. this heavy 'balm'. Currently I'm not using this everyday under my eyes, but use in rotation with my regular Shiseido Benefiance and some other eye creams I'm testing out. I don't know if I'll be patient enough to finish the whole container (seems like it'll last forever!)...but worst case I don't finish it and end up scraping out the remains so I can continue to use the beautiful compact for ibuprofen or something!! Ha ha :-)
In Fiore Veloutee Multipurpose Balm for Lips and Eyes ingredients:
Jojoba Seed Oil* Infused With Calendula Flowers*, Beeswax, Shea Butter*, Castor Oil, Marula Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Broccoli Extract, Wheat Germ Extract, Olive Fruit Extract, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Japanese Bamboo Extract, Saffron Co2, Neroli Essential Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Pink Peppercorn Fruit Essential Oil.
*Organic, Biodynamic and Wildcrafted Ingredients.
...and for some additional reading...here's the romantic (and fantastic claiming) product description that got me all caught up in addition to the packaging!!!
From Beautyhabit:
Environmental exposure can take its toll on one’s face, appearing especially on the lips and around the eyes. Carrot seed and Calendula help combat this with high levels of carotenoids, which increase skin’s resistance to environmental damage like UV-generated free radicals. Carrot seed also stimulates circulation, nourishes, and improves skin tone and elasticity. Black currant fruit oil delivers gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) to plump the skin for a more youthful tone. Antioxidant-rich Marula oil contains oleic acids making it highly moisturizing. Jojoba seed oil, Beeswax, and Shea butter are excellent hydration agents that help strengthen skin’s natural moisture barrier. Shea butter also acts as a mild, natural sunscreen.
With age, skin’s elasticity begins to break down due to cellular build up of glycated proteins. Glucose wraps itself around collagen and elastin fibers, which rigidify and break over time. Broccoli extract decreases dermal protein gylcation and is an effective natural photoprotectant, anti-carcinogenic agent, and reduces chronicle free radical damage.
Wheat Germ and Olive fruit extracts provide nourishment and act as a delivery system for Coleus Forskohlii and for resveratrol derived from Japanese Bamboo. Coleus Forskohlii helps elevate skin’s cellular energetics. Resveratrol is well known for its influence on aging via its effect on Sirtuin proteins and DNA repair processes.
Neroli, queen of flowers, calms and restores the skin while Jasmine’s permeating warmth soothes and moisturizes. Saffron, considered by alchemists to be the gold of the plant kingdom, is high in the carotene crocin – the source of saffron’s treasured hue and itself a potent antioxidant. Pink peppercorn fruit increases bio-availability of all ingredients boosting the formula’s overall efficacy.