Spa Technologies Luminous Eye Serum

RRP: £35

--What does the promo say?--
"Brighten up your eyes. Formulated with Marine Extracts and a blend of Peptides and Transresveratrol to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Seaweed Polysaccharides firm the skin’s connective matrix and repairs sun-exposure damage to cellular DNA."

--Packaging--
The brand's characteristic double metallic band adorns this chunky glass bottle, which all makes you feel like you are getting something substantial yet sophisticated with a clear brand identity. The pump action system is efficient and easily detachable for recycling.

--Application--
Use your ring finger (why? It's got the weakest muscle of all your fingers and will pull at the delicate skin around the eye area the least) to gently rub the cream into the skin around the eye area morning and night.

--Appearance--
A translucent white cream that leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
Nothing from the ingredients list particularly stands out; it just seems clean and natural.

--Texture and consistency--
Sinks into the skin instantly and feels rich and creamy without weighing the skin down.

--Effects on the skin--
Moisturises well and adds radiance too. Skin seems to regain some elasticity with dark circles being reduced.

--Value for money--
This easily competes with some high-end labels price-wise (the eye serums of Estee Lauder, Shiseido and Origins are all priced similarly), but it's still affordable, and even the tiny sample pot I was sent lasts FOREVER (I'm still using it a couple of months later!), so by my reckoning this bottle would last you a good year at least. Luxurious, utilitarian and natural? Simply brilliant.

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Refresh Peptide + Intense Eye Recovery Serum

RRP:£48.50

--What does the promo say?--

"• CLINICALLY PROVEN to really work. Studies show after 8 weeks a 42% improvement in skin texture, 35% reduction in dark circles, and a 31% reduction in puffiness around the eyes. As well, tissue samples show a 200% increase in fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells) and significantly improved capillary circulation

• AIRLESS PUMP Precision applicator maximizes eye serum effectiveness – product stays sealed, extending product lifetime, eliminating waste or spills

• REDUCES INFLAMMATION and UV DAMAGE

• SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES Non-irritating, fragrance-free gentle cooling eye treatment contains no artificial colors, parabans, sulfates, alcohol, or preservatives

• THIS EYE SERUM is Vegan, Cruelty-free, 100% natural botanical extracts"

--Packaging--

The syringe-style packaging is very evocative of plastic surgery, which won't appeal to everyone. Even though to a degree it allows for efficient application, with little wastage, I'd still say it dispenses more than needed, so there's definitely room for it to be even more precise (one pump yields enough not just for the eyes but for lines on the forehead and around the lips too).

--Application--

As mentioned above, just one pump of the syringe is all it takes. Dispense the product onto your ring finger and then massage around the eye area.

--Appearance--

A translucent gel that is a slightly dark but still natural green/yellow/brown colour, evocative of the seaweed it contains, which doesn't make it offputting. It also leaves no visible residue.

--Scent--

None at all, despite the seaweed.

--Texture and consistency--

A thin gel that holds its shape and is not too runny, while still not being at all sticky. It is very easy to blend in and leaves no feeling of dryness, stickiness, tautness or tugging once fully absorbed.

--Effects on the skin--

The results promised on the website are for 8 weeks' usage, but after even less than that, I can confidently report increased brightness and a smoother appearance of the skin around the eye area.

--Value for money--

While £48.50 may just make your wallet cry, this product could turn out to be very good value - not just for its efficacy, but also for its precise dispensation system: I've been using mine for weeks and barely made a dent in it yet. This pricing is also on a par with other leading premium brands: Lancôme, Dr Brandt, Origins, YSL and Strivectin all charge similar amounts for their eye serums. So despite a few minor shortcomings, this product does indeed come highly recommended, and I'll definitely be checking out the brand's products for acneic skin, too. 

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