The Best Eye Creams (& Other Beauty Favorites!)

Ah, eye creams. Finding an eye cream that works perfectly for you can feel like a magical unicorn. I desperately needed a new one so I took it to Instagram this summer to ask you, and it was the best decision. For the most part, three eye creams kept getting the “best of the best” and “obsessed” feedback based on need for brightening, moisture or wrinkles.

The second part of Sephora’s holiday sale started today so I thought it would be fun to share the best eye creams, along with other beauty favorites (and what’s on my shopping list!). Sephora members with VIB status (those who spend $350+ annually) get a 20 percent discount from Nov. 9-12 with code “VIBBONUS.” Plus, all Beauty Insiders can score up to 15 percent off with code “BIBONUS” starting November 16 until November 19.

And, thank you, thank you when you shop through my links. I earn a small commission on most purchases (assuming I’m the last link you click on before purchasing, and not including whenever you purchase through an app). These small commissions add up to help me build and maintain The Modern Savvy (and pay the cable bill, and kids schools, and…). 

BEST EYE CREAMS

Best eye creams for brightening:  Ole Henrisksen Banana Bright 

This one was sold out for months earlier this year and I can see why — this one has been my favorite! The formula is packed with hydrators like jojoba seed oil and shea butter, along with vitamin C to brighten and coconut alkanes to smooth. As the name indicates, brightening is what it does best… the product itself is pale yellow, which also aids in slight color-correcting effect on dark circles. I immediately see a brightening effect after using it.  I tend to need intense hydration so I often use this in the morning under my makeup, and the intensely hydrating Keihl’s one mentioned below at night.

Best eye creams for moisture: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

This one is nothing new but it remains a holy grail eye product for good reason; if you want hydrating, this is your babe. She’s not about minimizing wrinkles or 17 other functions, it’s all about combating dryness. This eye cream has natural ingredients and is really, really thick… amazing at night before bed — and I absolutely wake up with more hydrating skin under my eyes — but I wouldn’t suggest using it under make-up.

Best eye creams for wrinkles: Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist 24 

This best-selling eye cream developed in Japan targets five types of wrinkles that appear around the delicate eye area, including lid creases, crow’s feet, and fine lines caused by puffiness. There’s 1,000 nearly five star reviews that prove the claims, with breakthrough WrinkleResist24 technology—formulated with chlorella, mukurossi, and gambir extracts— to visibly smooth and restore, while burnet extract visibly firms. I purchased this one a few months back but have been testing the others. Reviewers also say this is fantastic for dark circles!

Now… gets dig into some other beauty loves! 

 MY BEAUTY FAVORITES

If you’re looking for a few new favorites there are a couple of items you MUST consider.

You likely know I’ve been loving the Drunk Elephant line (best name!), a safe beauty brand that delivers results. The Babyfacial is pricey but I swear it’s nearly as good as a professional facial — you will see instant results — and best of all, there’s a holiday duo sample size for $28 (!), and it’s also part of this awesome $100 set. I’m ordering the Drunk Elephant marula facial oil after falling in love with the sample size included with the Babyfacial. I’ve tried a few others and none have been as good.

Anything by It Cosmetics! You know I’m a huge long-time fan of this brand, particularly its CC+ cream (coverage and SPF, without irritating!), its superhero mascara is incredible for mega lash impact, bye bye under eye literally says peace out to dark circles and confidence in a cream is an ultra-hydrating moisturizer.

Check out all my favorite beauty products in this “what I use” every day. 

For skin care, I love, love, love Good Genes with lactid acid (my skin immediately feels smoother), this facial cleanser (I just bought the $10 travel size for upcoming trips!) and if you have super dry lips, this sleep mask is awesome. When it comes to make-up, if you have under eye concealer creasing issues, if you only buy one thing, get this Laura Mercier secret brightening powder… it has changed everything for me. Everything. I also love this mascara primer to further amplify my lashes, and I’m insanely obsessed with Fresh lip treatments so this or this “sampler set” looks so fun to play with! If you just want one or two full size I live for the clear lip treatment, and the lip treatment in honey adds the prettiest wash of a light brown color to your lips. I have been wearing it nearly daily when I’m not wearing my more bold NARS Powermatte pigment in American Woman (the best and stays put!).

 

IN MY CART

Summer Fridays “Jet Lag” mask (here): this mask was nearly impossible to get your hands on for months and is finally back in stock. I love the idea of having this intensely hydrating mask to balance out the clarifying Babyfacial.

Drunk Elephant Marula oil (here): if you’ve ever been curious about oil, I layer it under my moisturizer and no, it doesn’t make my skin oily at all. In fact it helps hydrate it and keep it balanced. I tried a few other popular ones and didn’t love them (or their smell). This one is a winner so I’m ready to pull the trigger on a full size.

Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in “Pillow Talk” (here): I swear I’ve heard about this lipstick color than about more than any other and I’ve been dying to get my lips on it. 😉 Charlotte Tilbury has built a huge reputation fast for her products and this is just many on my wish list. Scope out the brand on Sephora.

Herbivore Pink Cloud moisturizer (here): I need a new moisturizer and while I love my It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream I wanted to test something new. I keep seeing this one lists for its incredibly hydrating, non-greasy results, and I love that it’s a “green” product, too. And, who can argue with the pretty packaging?

Here’s everything featured above, along with some incredible holiday packages (anyone own this blow dryer?!)!

By the way, wondering how to organize your beauty essentials or makeup? I shared this amazing rotating organizer (from Amazon under about $20), and you guys have ordered it in a major way. So functional & takes up very little space!

Save this image below for future reference: