Ilia's very first skin care product my new eye cream

The jury has not yet determined whether or not you need An eye cream, but boy, can it help your makeup glide on and blend without a patch. If you're looking for a new eye cream to incorporate into your daily makeup prep routine, cult clean beauty brand, Ilia, has just launched its new Bright Start (46 $) activated eye cream. According to the brand, the pearlescent eye cream will brighten the under eye area, provide a heavy dose of hydration and plump up fine lines and wrinkles. This sounds too good to be true, so I put it to the test. Coming soon, all the details on the highly anticipated launch and my honest opinion.

The brand

Well that this launch is technically Ilia's first foray into the skin care categoryThe brand has been fortifying its makeup products with skin-boosting actives since the beginning. "I'd like to think that our flagship product, Super Tinted Serum SPF 40 (48 $), was really our first step in skin care," says Sasha Plavsic, founder of Ilia. "This product minimizes your morning routine in one step to complexion, with the benefits of makeup, skin care and SPF combined." Plavsic also hints that there are many more skincare products to come from the brand.

Ilia offers a range of color cosmetics that work in tandem to complement your makeup routine, such as a moisturizer Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil (26 $), a high impact event The most complete volumizing mascara (28 $) and a set for cheeks and lips Multi-stick (34 $) - and they all come in sustainable packaging and are certified cruelty-free.

The inspiration

So why an eye cream as the first official step in a skincare collection? Plavsic explains, "When I was younger, I had oily skin, and now that I'm in my 40s, I have dry skin, but my eyes always Need to moisturize before applying makeup. She explains that she would typically take a gel to refresh her under eye area, then a cream to give her a hydrated finish. "Discovering [an eye cream] that could absorb well, work with concealer and provide skin care was where I saw a gap. This inspired the creation of Bright Start Activated Eye Cream.

The formula

Bright Start Activated Eye Cream has a lightweight texture that penetrates the skin, while the light-reflecting pearl creates a brightening effect perfect for blurring dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. What's cool about this formula is that it uses sea fennel extract, a plant-based alternative to retinol that is safe to use around the eyes. Says Plavsic, "Sea fennel extract, to me, may be the new bakuchiol. It is sustainably harvested and can be used during the day without the common sun problems that accompany retinols.

In addition, Bright Start Activated Eye Cream also includes upcycled avocado extract, a zero-waste active that minimizes the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Caffeine and peptides both work to brighten tired eyes, while the ceramic applicator provides a cooling sensation that further awakens your eyes before applying makeup.

Of course, you can use this product in the morning before your makeup application, but Plavsic gives his approval to also use it as a nighttime eye cream. "The packaging is also essential for this product with a refreshing ceramic tip that doubles as a massage tool for a moment of calm as you start your day before the chaos of life erupts," she says. "[Still]the feel-good aspect upon application makes Bright Start Activated Eye Cream a product you can use day and night as one of the first steps in your routine.

My opinion

I have hereditary dark circles that have had a mind of their own for as long as I can remember. (My kindergarten teacher once asked me if I was wearing mascara that smudged under my eyes - when I say my dark circles have been there for as long as I can remember, I mean it.) Sometimes I wake up with dark circles that are barely there, and other times I wake up with dark circles that look like I haven't slept in a week.

First, I'll note that while the ceramic applicator does a phenomenal job of providing a refreshing massage, since it's ceramic, it doesn't absorb any excess product. This may sound great at first, but it led me to accidentally apply too much eye cream the first few times - I usually apply more than I need to because my fingers absorb product. Because I applied too much, I experienced pilling when applying concealer. But as soon as I used a smaller amount and let the product soak in for a few minutes before applying the concealer, there was no pilling in sight.

With regard to the formulaI have found ways to brighten my under eye area, but they mainly include makeup magic like brightening concealers and light-reflecting highlighters. After trying this product for about three weeks, I noticed an increase in the brightness of my eyes, thanks to the light-reflecting beads inside, so I didn't need as many brightening makeup products. I generally find that most creams pearly" eye products have a grainy texture that can prevent me from really moisturizing my skin - This one has a gel-cream consistency that really moisturizes my skin and plumps up the hollow area of my eyes. I am happy to report that using this product day and night has led to a brighter, smoother, more even under-eye area.

You can buy Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream for 46 $ at iliabeauty.com and sephora.com.