Aveda
Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme
Formulated with licorice root and coffee bean extracts, I’ve actually seen a reduction in puffiness under my eyes within a few days of using this cream! I know the product is not a permanent fix but it works wonders as long as I use it twice a day AM and PM. It has a cream-soufflé texture that spreads so easily without tugging the delicate skin around the eyes. It sinks in instantly and does not leave any sticky or oily residue behind. Also scent-free and 98% naturally derived!
Full-sized purchase?
Planning on it!
MAC
Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage
If you are looking for a very basic primer that is unscented, shimmery, silicone-y, moisturizing, and slightly brightening, then this product may just be your golden ticket! It applies a lightweight lotion and leaves the skin a nice, velvety feel. Plus, it is non-irritating to my acne-prone skin. It does help my foundation apply better and last longer but it does not control oil or conceal pores at all. Those with oily skin may want to sample first since it might appear too shiny from the shimmery bits.
Full-sized purchase?
Probably not
AmorePacific
Treatment Enzyme Peel
I like the idea of removing dead skin cells regularly but I refuse to use exfoliating scrubs that contain microbeads! So my new exfoliator of choice is to use enzyme powder. My favorites have been the Tatcha’s Exfoliating Powders but I’ve recently discovered this one by AmorePacific and I have to say, I quite like it, too! It has amazing, soothing scent that helps you relax while massaging your face. It leaves my skin soft, supple, and refreshingly clean every time after use!
Full-sized purchase?
Definitely
Purchase
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme:
US$35 at Nordstrom
MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage:
US$30 at Nordstrom
AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel:
US$60 at Sephora
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme:
N/A
MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage:
At MAC counters
AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel:
N/A
Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel is really intriguing. I am searching for a gentle way to get rid of the dead skin without mechanically rubbing it off. Thanks for the recommendation.
Oh and you must check out the Tatcha ones, too! They are also amazing!
I am interested in Aveda eye cream . I am a bit concerned about puffiness and some fine lines in the eye area. Does it
have anti aging goodies in it.
I really don’t know for sure but from Aveda’s website, anti-aging wasn’t mentioned as a target for this product, only dark circles and puffiness. :)
The Aveda eye cream and the AmorePacific peel sound great! I’ve been wanting to try AmorePacific, but as my skincare cabinet is ALWAYS overflowing, I might want to use some stuff up first!
I am literally picturing you opening the cabinet and stuff falling all over you. Haha ;D
I love using enzyme powder for gentle exfoliation. I think I have a tiny sample of the AmorePacific somewhere. I’d love to compare it to Tatcha soon!
I really can’t pick a winner. I love both! ^_^ Tatcha has more options, though (classic, deep, gentle, indigo).
Ooooh I like the sound of that peeling.
Have you tried any enzyme powder, Melissa? You’ll be hooked!
Nope, not yet! But I guess I should then!
Can you believe I have never tried an enzyme peel? The concept sounds great though.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Yes, I can, as I’ve only discovered them recently myself. LOL. Let’s just say, I’m never going back to harsh beads again, regardless of how gentle they claim they are! :)
Tracy / Beauty Reflections recommended the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel and it’s really nice. It smells SO good! the MAC primer was my first one ever and I’m with you, it worked okay but didn’t do anything to control oil. If anything, it created more as is often the case with silicone on oily skin. I always enjoy your makeup minis posts!
Thank you, Kristen! I enjoy writing this series! I just wish I could test them faster! Have you tried the Tatcha one?
I have tried the Amore Enzyme Peel and it just wasn’t enough for my tough skin. I like using chemical exfoliate pads because they are gentle yet effective. That eye cream sound nice though.
What one are you using, Kelly? For days that I want to do extra super thorough cleaning, I’ll combine it with my Clarisonic! :D
Right now I am using the Clearasil Superfruit pads, but I like the First Aid Beauty ones better because the pads are softer. I sold my Clarisonic because it would never stay charged so I did not get to use it that much. Plus, I read that they can cause broken capillaries and I have enough of those so…yeah. That’s great if it works for you though.
I have tried the FAB ones in the past and I think they’re great! I remember cutting each pad in half for AM and PM use. I found the the whole pad too much/too wet for one use. ^_^
Ooh, that Aveda eye cream sounds perfect! Definitely taking a peek at that now :)
Yay! I love love love its soft, soufflé texture!
Oooh I didn’t know you did these kinds of post what a great idea! I have a lot of sephora deluxe samples that I am using as well. Thanks for commenting back on my blog :) you are so nice
The Artistically Challenged
My pleasure! :) I love writing Makeup Minis series. It’s quick and fun but I only wish I could test them faster. I have so many more samples wanting to be featured on the blog. LOL
I’ve tried a sample of the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel in the past and have to agree with you, its pretty good stuff. :-)
Yay! It’s truly a wonderful product in my opinion! Definitely buying a full-size when I run out. :D
I used to use the Amore Pacific, how do you like it compared to the Tatcha?
I’ll have a comparison post up soon! :)
I love your Makeup Minis series! Please keep writing more!
I’m glad you like the series, Alessandra! I’ll try to write more often! <3
I got that MAC primer as a sample from Nordies and had the same results when I used it alone (I have extremely oily skin). However, I’ve found that if I use those silicony-primers along with a more oil-controlling primer, I can get the best of both worlds. I usually use Black Radiance’s Shine Control primer, which is a more lotiony one made with kaolin clay. It does a decent job of shine control (I still have to blot every few hours, but it does better than anything else I’ve tried, which has been pretty much everything), but the texture doesn’t leave my skin as smooth and prepped for makeup like the silicone primers, so once the oil starts breaking through, the makeup starts breaking down and sliding off my face. I tried, as an experiment, to layer a silicone-based primer over the top of the oil-controlling one and see if that would make my makeup go on more smoothly, and it did. It also kept my makeup from breaking down and sliding around as the oil starts peeking through! I still have to blot, and my makeup doesn’t look flawless at the end of my shift, but it looks SO much better than it did with either primer alone! Usually my makeup would be disappearing by lunchtime, now it still looks decent when I get off! I’m pretty sure you can use any silicone-based primer to do this, but I’ve been primarily using the MAC one, since I had the sample on my vanity. If you have a bunch of silicone primers lying around that you aren’t using, maybe try layering them over something else and see what happens!
Hey Rachel, thanks for your valuable input! I actually do something similar on a regular basis. I like to apply a mattifying primer all over the face then focus the silicone primer/pore-minimizing primer only on my T-zone where it gets oily. The combo seems to work well at keeping the oil production to a minimum, but yeah, I’ll still have to blot late afternoon but it’s much better than not using any primer at all or using just one! :)
I’ve been hearing good stuff about the AP enzyme. I’m not into powders and mixing things myself, but this one almost tempts me despite the price. :)
I find the mixing step the fun part actually. Maybe I just like mixing things in general. :D If you ever come across a sample, you should definitely give it a try, though! You won’t be disappointed! :)