I was actually very resistant in the beginning to try out La Mer's new eye cream Genaissance de La Mer The Eye and Expression Cream simply because I had found their eye creams rather basic (no offence intended, it's merely my personal view as I've tried many different products on the market ;P). However, as I've enjoyed their Genaissance de La Mer The Infused Lotion so much that I decided to have a leap of faith in The Eye and Expression cream from the same Genaissance de La Mer collection :). I've written about the rest of the products in the same line before, so you can go and have a read about them if you are interested in trying the new range :3.
Scent
Due to the nature of the eye care, Genaissance eye cream doesn't have any overpowering scent, but I would still say that the hue of the eye cream is still coherent to the Genaissance de La Mer collection. Having said that, it isn't still fragrance-free, and it also contains other ingredients such as phenoxyethanol, linalool, citronellol and geraniol along with some essential oils. I wouldn't say that it's completely sensitive eye safe as I sometimes woke up with watery eyes in the morning when I put either too much of the eye cream or applied it too close to the lash line the night before. I instantly knew that it wouldn't work well with my man's style because he doesn't really bother being cautious when putting on skincare products on his face. On top of that, his eye area is more sensitive than mine, so I didn't even dare asking him to try out. So I suggest you check if your skin's allergic to the eye cream before making a big purchase unless your skin doesn't have particular sensitivities like mine.
Consistency
I could instantly sense that the company is ready to compete with other luxury skincare competitors even just from the texture of the eye cream by itself. The consistency very much reminded me of a cross between La Prairie Skin Caviar Eye Cream and Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Eye & Lip Cream.
Genaissance de La Mer eye cream has that richness and density like the La Prairie one, and the buildable intensity of the hydration and smooth finish from the Guerlain's.
It spreads very easily, so you just need a little amount at a time although I've been using it generously as I like to add a bit of a massage around the area and for my lips >_<.
It doesn't feel that oily compared to other luxury eye creams on the market, but there's some stickiness until the eye cream gets fully absorbed into skin. Most of that goes away when you add the eye care massage with the applicator it comes with, so the finial finish that you will get is the smoothness without any peeling or heavy residue.
Benefits
The Eye and Expression Cream helps transcend the evidence of time. In moments, healing hydration revitalizes the look of eyes. Use every day and skin is conditioned, looks more lifted and firmed. Puffiness, fine lines, dark circles and other signs of stress, fatigue and daily life gently fade in appearance. Expression areas of the face such as forehead and smile lines –– known to show the initial signs of aging –– are plumped and volumized. Lines appear reduced, expression areas look more lifted. Rejuvenation becomes reality as skin is visibly transformed. A sea-stone inspired massage tool cools and soothes.
Apply a small amount onto eye and/or expression areas using ring finger. For the ultimate experience, use with the Serum Essence.
Full Ingredients
Declustered Water (-)\Aqua\Eau De-Structuree (-), Declustered Water (+)\Aqua\Eau De-Structuree (+), Algae (Seaweed) Extract, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder, Helichrysum Arenarium (Everlasting) Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract, Whey Protein\Lactis Protein\Proteine Du Petit-Lait, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul'S Wort) Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Silybum Marianum (Lady'S Thistle) Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Molasses Extract\Saccharum Officinarum\Extrait De Melasse, Micrococcus Lysate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Laureth-4, Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Tourmaline, Linolenic Acid, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-23, Glycosaminoglycans, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sorbitol, Sucrose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Talc, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Gold, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Polyethylene, Methicone, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Peg-8, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Fragrance (Parfum), Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Disodium Edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)
Effectiveness
I can really tell that the company has tried to deliver the experiential luxury from the packaging to application, and application to the overall result. Personally, the soothing scent and the massage tool play a great therapeutic role together, which makes the entire ritual very effective in terms of the result. I've noticed that the massage tool by itself has a pretty wide surface, so it minimises any unwanted pressure or pulling when it's used after applying the eye cream.
And it's magnetic, so it sticks onto the lid, which feels quite clever as you can save some space in the cabinet and you won't lose the tool :P. Using the massage applicator does seem to make a difference when used together with the eye cream in terms of the finish and also depuffying and combating dark circles around the eye area. As the skin is the reflection of our health and lifestyle, you cannot completely rely on an eye cream to get rid of dark circles and puffiness around the eye area. It's more to do with genes, blood circulation etc, but my eye area has been looking pretty good without any particular issues even after staying awake until 6 a.m. intensely watching TV series and irregular lifestyle for the past month or two.
Even during my cycle, I've had my normal eye area, not those panda eyes O_O. And I've definitely noticed less puffy eyes in the morning upon wake-up, which made my make-up and day a lot easier. In regards to wrinkle correction, I don't think that the eye cream actually erases the existing fine lines, but I could tell some difference by its filling/plumping actions around the eyes and also mouth. I've even tried putting it on my entire face despite the eye watering price, and guess what, I woke up in my bed looking so glowy and plumped :3. Expression lines on my face seemed to be smoothed out and the eye area felt more firm and awake.
There isn't much lifting effect, but it works. To be honest, the overall result that I got from Genaissance de La Mer The Eye and Expression Cream feels pretty similar to Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Eye and Lip Cream which is a bit more reasonably priced. Nevertheless, it's one of few eye creams on the luxury skincare market that have impressed me, and now I have very high expectations on their next addition to their Genaissance de La Mer collection. I wonder what will be next! :D Bravo!
Where to buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- High-end Hydrating Serums (La Mer VS La Prairie VS Sisley VS Chanel VS Guerlain)
- La Mer The Concentrate VS Genaissance de La Mer
- La Mer Treatment Masks (The Lifting and Firming/ The Brilliance Brightening/ The Hydrating Facial/ The Intensive Revitalizing Mask)
- La Prairie Skin Caviar Moisturisers (Luxe Cream/ Luxe Cream Sheer /Firming Complex)
- Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Cream
