A couple of months ago I posted about a bunch of eye cream samples I had tried (The Eye Cream Sampler - here) . I'm always on the lookout for an eye cream that will top my favorite Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream...the name changed slightly a bit ago, but the formula stayed the same - thank goodness!! I've been using the Shiseido for over 7 years, and so far nothing has been able to top nor even replace it. Why do I keep looking if it is that good??? I don't know...same reason you find an amazing cleanser or foundation but keep trying other things just because?? Ha ha!! C'mon...you know what I'm talking about!!!

So Shiseido is my baseline Holy Grail eye cream and I thought it was about time to tell you about it!! Not only that, but in the past year I've also added the Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream to the mix, and both have been keeping my eyes very happy :-)  

Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream, $85/1oz @ Sephora, Sundayriley.com, Dermstore.com, SpaceNK, Nordstrom

Please keep in mind the $85 is for a full 1oz of product. Most eye creams are .5oz or even less. So while not inexpensive, this isn't that crazy when compared to other eye creams in the high end and luxury range.  

Last year, I became totally enamored with the Sunday Riley line. First I tried a couple of her cleansers and instantly became hooked on the Ceramic Slip Cleanser (still a favorite - reviewed here). After reading about all of her skincare, I definitely knew I wanted to try the Start Over Active Eye Cream. 

Much like the rest of my skin, sometimes my eye area feels dehydrated and even my precious Shiseido doesn't quite get the job done. After reading reviews I figured the consistency of the Sunday Riley eye cream wouldn't be substantial enough to replace Shiseido, but I thought I might be able to use it as a serum to layer underneath. And this is what I did and what I continue to do today!!   

Since I mentioned consistency, let's get to that first. This is a gel with a slight cream consistency, so you don't get the 'bounce' of a gel product but it is still super lightweight. A very little of this goes a long way - what's pictured on my finger above is even more than most people would need.

It feels slightly cooling, and my eye area feels instantly relieved and deeply hydrated. That's what I love about this product...I feel as though it gets to a deeper level than Shiseido and really knocks out any dryness issues. Unless your skin is super dry or very dehydrated you may not know what I'm talking about...but it's that inside itchy, uncomfortable feeling that is sometimes very difficult to get rid of. Often times the surface of your skin can appear very moisturized...even to the touch it's fine...but inside it doesn't feel fine. Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream addresses these deeper dryness issues and makes my eye area feel normal!! Ok, more than normal...they feel really good!!! 

The Sunday Riley also helps with my fine lines to make them less noticeable. And yes I said less noticeable. Previously I would have said it helped make them go away, but I think I finally have to admit that age and all those smiles and laughs have finally made a permanent home! LOL!! So yes...less noticeable :-)  Oh, and a very big plus is that this does not give me milia. 

Is this all it does for you Gummy??? Well, that's all the visible things this eye cream does for me, and IT'S A BIG DEAL!!! I don't really have dark circles or puffiness so I cannot speak to those claims, but it's a near life changer once you find the right hydrator for your skin. I also feel the Sunday Riley and Shiseido compliment each other so well - individually they are fantastic products, but together they work phenomenally well for my eyes. And there's a boatload of invisible things (or I guess a better description would be things you may not notice overnight) it's supposed to do for me!! From the Sunday Riley site:

Formulated with key ingredients which repair, protect, and nourish the delicate eye area while helping you appear more rested and alert. Immediately plumps up fine lines, and rapidly de-puffs the periorbital area. Provides anti-wrinkle, anti-oxidant, anti-aging,and anti-pollution protection. Instantly cooling and lifting...provides Photostable Antioxidants for Day Use, while helping to Renew, Strengthen, and Regenerate the periorbital tissues overnight.

Key ingredients: 

There have been times when I've stopped using this for a short time to test something else out, and I definitely notice a difference for the worse. Feeling moisturized and hydrated is key, but once I go back to the Sunday Riley my eyes also feel perky...alert...just better! And knowing it's supposed to do all those things above...hey, sometimes feeling good about what you are using is worth so much :-)

And something to mention: every once in awhile I feel like this burns my eyes slightly (not my skin - it's more like fumes?), but it's when I've either used too much or have gotten product too close to my eyes. I've seen a few other reviews mention this and some say it's the product working it's depuffing magic. I don't know if that's true or what causes it, but it's something to be aware of. It doesn't happen often, and when it does I close my eyes for a number of seconds until it goes away. 

Of course, you don't have to use this only as a serum. If you are prone to milia...feel as though you've tried everything...and want something light yet hydrating - you might give this one a go!  

Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream, $55/.51oz @ Sephora, Nordstrom, Barneys, Saks

This is my workhorse eye cream and would be one of my desert island skincare must-haves! It's rich, it's creamy, it helps my fine lines and it moisturizes like no other eye cream I've tried so far. I've tested over 10 eye creams in the past several months, and am always relieved to come back to Shiseido. 

Now keep in mind I have a very dry eye area, and I know some reviewers say this is too rich for them. But remember what I said about finding the right hydrator for your skin type - my eye area happens to love this stuff!! I feel the Shiseido takes care of the deep moisture, and the Sunday Riley takes care of dehydration. 

Eye candy of a different sort :-)

While this is rich and creamy, I don't consider it thick or hard to spread at all. It applies very easily, and a little goes a long way. Using this day and night I think I go through about 2 1/2 containers a year, depending on how many other things I'm testing. The amount on my hand in the picture above is way, way more than you need. I barely dip my finger into the pot to get the right amount. I then lightly pat it into my eye area, holding each time for an extra couple of seconds so my body heat will help sink in.  

From the Shiseido site: 

An ultra-rich, age-defying cream that visibly improves the appearance of all types of eye-area wrinkles from inner corner creases and under eye wrinkles to crow's feet, lid creases and under eye vertical lines. The WrinkleResist24 signature ingredients prevent future wrinkles and repair existing wrinkles.

• Contains Burnet Extract, to revitalize cells and counteract loss of firmness.
• Developed with advanced Shiseido technology and ingredients including Super Bio Hyaluronic Acid N for intense moisture and Hydroxyproline to promote collagen production.

Do I need both??? No. If I could only have one I would choose the Shiseido. Luckily I'm not in that predicament and I choose to use both!! I absolutely feel they compliment each other and my eyes feel all the better using them together!!  

Ok, eye cream confession... 

I know THEY say you aren't supposed to apply eye cream beyond the orbital bone area, but I have always brought it somewhat close to my lash line on my top and bottom lids. I've tried just putting it on the suggested area, but it never migrates as far as I think it should. And what's the point of using eye cream if it doesn't moisturize your eye area properly??? Am I alone or do you apply it beyond the orbital bone area also?? What's your favorite eye cream or do you even use one? Or maybe you use your face moisturizer on your eyes as well as your face??