Beauty Musts & Beauty Busts- Eye Creams

Eye cream is important. There are some products that you can skimp on, and some you can get away without using all together, but I assure you, eye cream is not one of them. It is actually one facial product where I recommend a splurge, if you can afford it. Why? Because sensitive eye skin needs special care. The skin around your eyes is more delicate, which is why you'll notice things like discoloration and wrinkles there before you notice it on other areas of your face.

And, let me be totally honest, eye cream is not just for Granny. YOU need eye cream. Women of all ages can benefit from adding a good, high quality eye cream to their beauty regimen. However, picking an eye cream can be tough. Your age, your personal issues (crow's feet, dark circles, etc), and your budget are all things you'll want to take into consideration before picking an eye cream. So, below I have listed some Musts and Busts in the hopes that you'll be able to find an eye cream that works for you, without burning through too much of your skin care budget!

MUSTS

1. My personal favorite- Mario Badescu Special Eye Cream V

This is my "best overall" eye cream. For $18 for a container, this eye cream is one of the most affordable creams I have ever found, and it's got a great consistency- not too greasy, not too watery. You'll like this eye cream, and you'll love the price!

2. Best for mature skin- Cosmedix Opti Crystal Chirally Correct Eye Serum

Regardless of your age, this eye cream is FAB-U-LOUS. I love this stuff, and it's from a great brand, Cosmedix. This is perhaps my favorite product from this line, but at $90.00, it's not the most affordable eye cream out there. However, I'm including it on my "musts" list, because it is worth every penny! Great for crow's feet and dark circles, best for dry skin around the eyes.

3. Best for dark circles- StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles

StriVectin has long been a go-to for women who fight dark circles. While this concentrate has replaced the original "StriVection for Dark Circles" cream, it will still help with under eye darkness. And, at around $60 for a tube, it's a good mid-range price point.

BUSTS

1. Rollerball Rip-Off-  Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Eye Serum

A few years ago, the rollerball phenomenon hit the eye skin care market, and made quite a splash. And at $210 for this little tube, what we have here is a rollerball rip off, in my opinion! Rollerballs are popular, but it's important to know that rollerball products contain a serum, and not a thicker cream. I like rollerballs in the summer time, when dry skin isn't as much of an issue, because when you keep them in your refrigerator, they feel fantastic on tired, sun soaked eyes. But you don't need to spend $210, Clinique's All About Eyes Serum Rollerball is a great little eye serum and will only set you back $26 at your local department store. Stick it in your butter or dairy bin in your fridge, and enjoy a cooling eye gel all summer long!

2. Patchy Business- Guerlain Super Aqua-Eye Anti-Puffiness/Soothing Eye Patch

Let's put it this way. You can spend $117 on these little eye patches, or you can spend $1.50 on a nice hot house cucumber in the produce aisle and spend a little time horizontal on your couch. Take your pick.

3. Money, Money, Money- Any product over $200

Call me conservative, but I just can't justify spending over $200 on half an ounce of eye cream. I know that some of these creams probably work, but so do the creams under that price. If you've got money to spend- try the Opti Crystal Eye Serum from Cosmedix, listed above. Of course, if you've tried an over-the-top expensive cream, and you swear by it, let me know!

Next up- Beauty Musts and Busts- Sunscreens