Ah, the nuances of Bay Area slang. A few years ago I felt like I couldn’t get away from the phrase “that’s hella tight” (code for “that’s cool”). Everybody and their mother was saying it, including mine. Once, Mom and I were at Macy’s looking at China patterns when she said, “Ohhh, Karen… those Lenox patterns are hella tight!” LOL!
I recently resurrected the phrase, but only in the most literal sense. I’ve been using a new cream, Korres Materia Herba Moisturizing Eye Cream Anti-Dark Circles ($36), on my under-eye area. Designed to de-puff and lighten dark circles over time, it tightens the skin around my eyes like crazy.
Hella tight, indeed.
Tightens skin
Within seconds I can feel the skin under my eyes tightening up. The area even looks a little less puffy and feels tighter, and that was a nice surprise.
Not a dark circle treatment
But Materia Herba Eye Cream isn’t billed as a tightening cream; rather, it’s marketed as a treatment for dark circles.
After using it for three weeks I haven’t seen a significant decrease in my dark circles, but honestly that doesn’t surprise me. I’ve never had success with dark circle removal eye creams in the past, and I just keep trying them because I hope to someday find one that actually works.
Moderately hydrating, kinda pricey
The $36 price tag seems typical, if not a little pricey, for what you get. Price-wise it’s about average for a moderately moisturizing department store eye cream.
I found myself wanting a little more hydration, but I have very dry skin under my eyes. Girls with normal to oily skin under their eyes may not find themselves wanting more.
Texture, scent and packaging
I really like the texture, scent and packaging. It’s an odorless cream that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave an oily film on my skin. I like that it comes in a tube dispenser, too, because with this I’d rather not have to dip my fingers into a jar.
One of nine products in the Materia Herba line
Korres may not have a home run on its hands with the eye cream, but I like their overall approach to beauty products. Moisturizing Eye Cream Anti-Dark Circles is one of nine products in Korres’ new Materia Herba line of face moisturizers and cleansers.
All of the products in the line are certified organic and, according to Korres, manufactured using a sustainable process and mostly renewable resources. Plus, the products are made without parabens or harsh chemicals.
I think I want to try the Materia Herba Nourishing Night Cream For All Skin ($46), but it sure would be a splurge. I’d be all over it at $26.
While I like the way Materia Herba Eye Cream feels and love the tightening effect, I don’t think it’s my dark circle remover extraordinaire. But if what you’re mostly looking for is a moderately moisturizing under-eye cream that tightens the skin, it may be worth a try. 🙂
Alternative eye cream
If you, too, have dry skin under your eyes and wouldn’t mind a cheaper alternative, consider American Beauty’s Beauty Boost Overnight Radiance Eye Cream ($26, now on sale for $20). It’s rich, moisturizing and absorbs quickly. Of course, like Materia Herba’s cream it doesn’t do a whole lot for under-eye circles, but c’est la vie!
Korres Materia Herba Moisturizing Eye Cream Anti-Dark Circles
Price: $36 for .51 oz tube
Use: A moderately hydrating eye cream that tightens skin like a mofo
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Citrine says
June 27th, 2009 at 10:38 pmI like the packaging too…I have tried two or three eye cream (for those find lines under eyes…)they kind of work, no better than plain vaseline though…
Karen says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:37 amHi Citrine,
Yah… I prefer tubes much more to jars. They’re much more sanitary and easy to travel with.
Marisol says
June 28th, 2009 at 12:00 amI prefer hella over hecka. When I was living in the Central Valley, everyone AND their mom said that.
I think next time I am at Sephora I am going to check out Korres skin care line.
Karen says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:33 amHi Marisol,
Hecka is just wrong!
Vonvon says
June 28th, 2009 at 12:27 amI wouldn’t mind purchasing this cream, just for its tightening effect! 😉 I have given up on my quest to look for an eye cream that can really remove my dark under-eye circles.
I thought Benefit eye con worked for a while…..but may be that was just an ‘optical illusion’?
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… BLOGGERS FOR CHARITY – Help Baby Kai Xin =-.
Karen says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:21 amHi Vonvon,
Yah, I dunno if those under eye circle creams actually work. I still have hope, though.
Alison says
June 28th, 2009 at 1:11 amI have real trouble with eye creams, the only one I have found so far that doesn’t make my eyes sting is Liz Earle Daily Eye repair.
I haven’t tried much Korres, just the tinted lip balms which are gorgeous! I love pomegranate and wild rose, really pretty colours and soooo moisturising. They have a little more pigment than other tinted balms and the pomegranate and quince ones are fruitily scented too.
Karen says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:20 amHi Alison,
I like the Lip Butters so far, too. Right now I’m testing the Plum one, and I really like it! 🙂 I think I want Quince (sheer rose) and Pomegranate (sheer coral) too.
Nicole15 says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:49 amIt’s great seeing your reviews on some of the Korres products, especially ones I haven’t tried. I am in love with the Korres Yogurt Mask & Yogurt Cream. It’s super calming for my radical skin that likes to have occasional acne flare ups & redness. It soothes it so well & leaves it soft as a baby’s butt. I actually just bought my second jar of both which is rare for me.
So funny you mentioned west coast slang cause last night I watched Notorious with my hubby. Yeah, the B.I.G. movie! We’re east coast & Biggie was like the soundtrack of our youth so had to watch it for nostalgia purposes. But when I heard the old school slang in the movie, I chuckled at remembering how we used to use the same terms when speaking. The good ol’ days right?!?!
Alison says
June 28th, 2009 at 1:10 pmHi Karen!
I have plum and Quince lip butters too I really like them all, I think the quince and pomegranate will look lovely on you.
Julie says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:21 pmOooh I love Korres–they’re like one of my favorite brands. I haven’t tried their skincare line but I love their makeup–they’re eyeshadows are small but they’re really pigement. And I like their lipglosses and lip butter.