Sun Love and Eye Cream by Origins

Had a good dermatology appointment this morning. Just freckles and regular moles. Yea! (+ sigh of relief)

I grew up not using sunscreen much. It was more like you used a little if you were pale-skinned. My friends would put some on their shoulders, face, and tops of their legs if they were pale and we were at a pool or Wet-N-Wild. Six Flags didn't call for sunscreen. Maybe because sunscreen was for swimsuit activities? I'd just jump on my bike and ride it all day long every summer, in between jumping into our above-ground pool or our neighbors' in-ground pool (we called it the "real pool," although they came over equally to play in our 4-footer, so it was cool enough).

Then in high school we'd go out for marching band. A week in July for the July 4th parade in downtown Arlington, and three weeks in August to get ready for marching season. Did we ever wear sunscreen? We certainly did not all reapply when we bought our gatorades from the Band Moms. And we'd all have a smokin' hot farmer tan...longer shorts were in style and keds without laces...those were the days. It was like my Filipino genes gave me an exemption from sunscreen. And marching band gave us an excuse to have a farmer tan? Yes, but along with that was a work out that made us all look amazing in those band banquet dresses! (This should give you insight as to why GLEE is my favorite TV show right now. Best. Show. Ever.)

In college, I'd put on SPF 4, 6, or 8, and rarely 15 to achieve my summer tan. SPF 4 Tanning Oil. Ew, it's so gross to think about it. The grease. And if you wanted hilights, add lemon to your hair. I didn't know what "brassy" meant inrelation to hair. I just thought it was a musical term relating to the trumpet section.

Isn't it so different now? Todd and I went to a friend's pool the other weekend, and we all were slathering on the SPF 30, 55, and 70. We found a table in the shade, we all had sunglasses on, and we wore our flops to the edge of the pool before getting in. Ha! It's comical, actually. This was an Uptown apartment pool, and the young and hot were out in droves. It seemed we were the only ones putting on sunscreen, but maybe they all applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure as the directions dictate. Yeah, right. Maybe it's not so different after all.

In Las Vegas, I wore sunglasses and a hat! BOTH! Pretty much all day! I definitely wore the sunglasses all day. The hat came off so I could go under the waterfall in the lazy river and play in the wave pool. Yet, I still have a hard time venturing beyond SPF 30. I still crave the tan potential. I read in SHAPE magazine that some of us have a small addiction to tanning or to the sun. Yikes. That's kind of why I donned the hat/glasses combo. Really, this is the first summer, ever, for me to wear sunglasses any time I'm in the sun, even in the car. Why? Because of the inevitable eye wrinkle occurrence.

When I was about 12 or 13, my mom took me to the Clinique counter and the lady taught me about facial care. We bought the 3-step pack - cleansing bar, toner, and moisturizer - and this was my daily routine through college. We loved the Clinique gift with purchase. Oh, those were special shopping days! We would go to Dillard's and pick out an item for $13.50 (this has since increased, obviously), and we would go home with a cute Clinique makeup package that included a case of some sort, lipstick, moisturizer, an eye color or blush color, and possibly eye cream. You would think that my mom and I would trade - my eye cream for one of her makeup items. But we didn't. I'd use the eye cream from my gift and so would she. I have been "sampling" eye cream since I remember wearing makeup. Now, when I ran out of the gift size, I wouldn't buy more. I'd only use it when there was some available. Looking back, I'm so glad I did this! Now that I'm looking 35 in the face, I feel the eye wrinkle fight has begun!

NOW I always have eye cream. I have since made the switch to Origins (which I think is related to Clinique in some way. It is also related to MAC Makeup - whatever...they are all related. Toyota --> Lexus, right? Old Navy --> Gap --> Banana Republic. Etc.) Here are eye creams that I have enjoyed using from Origins. (all images from origins.com)

Eye Doctor 
Eye Doctor was one of the first for me to try. It's moisturizer for your eye area. If you think of your skin as paper, your knees and elbows = cardboard, your face = notebook paper, your eye area = tissue paper. Thus the different cream is needed for your eyes. I may gravitate toward this one again. The website says it de-puffs, fights crows feet and fades dark shadows!

$30.00

No Puffery 
No Puffery is still one of my favorites, especially for the mornings. The light gel goes on to de-pouf your eye area. I just think it's a fresh wake up for my under-eye area! It feels cool and easy and is inexpensive at $21.00. The website says it lightens dark areas too!

$21.00

A Perfect World for Eyes
Here is what is on my shelf now, and I like it a lot for nighttime. I think I really like a cooler eye cream in the morning, and this one glides on for ultra-moisturization. It's very light as well, and leaves your eyes feeling relaxed. The website says it lessens wrinkles and firms. Oh-la-la!

$32.00

Youthtopia
This one is good too. It fights against stress and aging with an herb called Rhodiola. It's been a while since trying this product, so you'll have to try it yourself! It's more expensive, so if you can score a free sample, that's the way to go! The website says you will achieve visibly firmer skin around your eyes.

$39.50

GinZing
GinZing is my new, personal favorite! It feels good - great for the mornings, and it has these light reflectors that make your under eye area brighter. It's magical, and I can't get enough of it. I wandered upon a free sample when I brought my cosmetic containers to Origins for recycling. It's a winner!

$29.50

So, there's my Origins overview of eye cream. I have yet to meet an Origins skin care product I didn't love. AND, they are doing free mini-facials next week! Book yours at your nearest store! They are fun! They take about 30 minutes, and they do it in a sectioned-off area of the store. Remember that it's FREE. Just enjoy the products and don't feel obligated to make a purchase. :)

If you don't recycle your cosmetic plastics yet, please collect them and take them to your Origins store! They will take ANY BRAND, and they will reward your good deed with a free sample of your choice. (hint, hint: eye cream!)

Finally, if your Origins store has closed (ex: Parks Mall in Arlington - how sad were my mom, sister, and I!), you can buy online. They ALWAYS give you 2 or 3 free samples with your online purchase. Just consider where you'll have it shipped...it's pretty hot out here in Texas...maybe it would be ok to ship to your office? I like to buy online because of the freebies and because I LOVE opening shipped boxes!

ps- I am not getting anything from Origins for this blog post. I just love their products, and that's where my experience lies. I have no doubt that there are others in all price points that would serve you just as well! Good luck!