Happy Monday. I’m tired.
The worst part? I ran out of my Holy Grail eye cream that makes me look not tired.
It’s Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream. And it’s the best thing to ever happen to me and the constant puffy, purple-gray circles under my eyes.
Undereye circles can be caused for a few reasons. It can be hyperpigmentation, which means darkening of the skin, or it can be a combination of thin skin and blood pooling under your eyes from lack of sleep, sinus problems, etc. Lucky me, I’m some mixture of both. Combined with general puffiness and permanent lines under my eyes (it’s the place that absorbs the pressure when I smile), I’ve been in search of a miracle eye cream forever.
I won’t lie to you: some eye creams are bullshit. Lots of people fight about if they are, indeed, all bullshit. Almost all of the time, eye cream is pricey and usually isn’t worth the money. (Even C-Tango is $64 for 0.5 ounces of product.) But it works and I truly see a difference when I use it.
Its ingredients tackle almost all undereye concerns. It’s made with five forms of vitamin C, which is known to brighten skin and an eight-peptide-blend, that rebuilds and smooths skin, keeps it bouncy and softens wrinkles. Plus it contains some antioxidants to combat dullness caused by free radicals, cucumber and more vitamins for skin health. It’s also a really nice consistency: thick and creamy but absorbs fast. It never burns either if I accidentally get it in my eye, and it doesn’t irritate sensitive undereye skin. Drunk Elephant formulas steer clear of what brand founder Tiffany Masterson calls the “suspicious 6” or six ingredients either known to cause irritation or debated about: essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes and SLS or sodium lauryl sulfates.
I ran out of C-Tango a few days ago and decided not to fork over the money for a new one. I will admit, as a product hoarder, I have SO many eye creams just hanging around and I started to use another with similar ingredients. Then, this morning, I looked at my reflection and saw Uncle Fester staring back at me. I immediately popped open my Sephora app and bought a new C-Tango.
I may be a sucker but at least I’m a sucker that looks bright and rested. Besides, you should only use about a half-pump of C-Tango per eye and one bottle lasts me a little over three months.
If you’re missing an eye cream in your life, try it yourself. If the price-point scares you, please head to Sephora — they will give you a sample of literally anything you want for free. Life is stressful and we can’t always be bright and rested. Eye cream helps us fake it and, sometimes, taking care of ourselves is that little boost we need.
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT