During the summer, I got a chance to try out City Lips Lip Plumper (reviewed here), and it has become one of my favorite products of this year. I just finished up my first tube of clear, and started my next one. I have since purchased more clear that I wear every day and night, and I bought a tube of red, a beautiful shade called Holly.
I also received two of City Cosmetics’ skincare products: Total Eye Rejuvenating Serum and Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector. I’ve been using them both for about three months.
City Cosmetics Total Eye Rejuvenating Serum
The eye serum is great! Period. The end. In fact, it is much more an eye cream than a traditional serum that I think of often as clear/translucent and thinner. I apply City Cosmetics Total Eye Rejuvenating Serum morning and night, and that’s all I need.
This substantial cream helps me achieve my goals:
- it doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes and sensitive skin around my eyes
- it moisturizes and makes the skin around my eyes feel more comfortable
- it helps my crepey eyelids look firmer and tighter.
Although not my immediate concerns, City Cosmetics also says that it helps with:
- Crows feet, lines and wrinkles: hmm, not so much for me
- Dark circles and bags under eyes: thankfully, I don’t have under eye bags
- Eye crepiness: yes it does.
Here’s what City Cosmetics has to say about the product:
- “Fills in wrinkles and fine lines by replenishing hyaluronic acid and stimulating collagen synthesis
- Lifts and increases firmness of the eye lids making you appear more awake
- SYNAKE synthetic snake venom creates a Botox-like effect that reduces facial contractions and promotes firmer skin – wow, I didn’t know about the snake venom!
- Silk Tree Extract reduces puffiness and detoxifies the skin to diminish the appearance of dark circles and blemishes, giving you a better rested, more youthful appearance
- Haloxyl reduces the appearance of dark circles.”
City Cosmetics Total Eye Rejuvenating Serum comes in a 0.5 fl.oz/15 ml pump bottle which I love because it protects the efficacy of the ingredients and keeps things clean. Although I can’t tell how much is left in the bottle, it still feels quite heavy after more than three months. It typically costs $97 which is pricey, but you can sometimes find deals on City Cosmetics products that help make their products more affordable. It’s made in the US, and like all of the City Cosmetics products, it is cruelty-free. It is sold on the City Cosmetics website and on Amazon.
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Capryly Methicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12 Fluorescent Brightener 230 Salt, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Perfluorodecalin, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Darutoside, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sucrose Palmitate, Sea Salt, Sodium Phytate, Titanium Dioxide, Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Steareth-20, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dextran, Chrysin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol
City Cosmetics Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector
I’ve waited quite a while to write these two reviews because I wanted to give the Dark Spot Corrector an adequate amount of time to begin to work. As I mentioned, I have been using this product for just over three months.
At this point, City Cosmetics Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector has faded the freckles that I’ve had since childhood under my eyes which is quite amazing since I have had them for so long. It has been less effective in fading the dark spots that I developed more recently from sun exposure and damage. The spots from sun damage, especially one large one, seem to almost be a different type of skin, and I think nothing short of a photo-facial or surgery will get rid of them.
The Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector does have illuminating properties that glow and distract the eye so dark spots are less apparent.
This is what City Cosmetics has to say about the Dark Spot Corrector:
- “Say goodbye to dark spots, age spots, and acne scars with our Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector! Powerful enzymes break up pigment deposits in your skin, leaving you with a clear, even complexion. Meanwhile, the serum also reduces your body’s production of pigment, for incredible results that last
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots, age spots, sun spots, and acne marks
- Minimizes skin’s ability to produce excess pigment, delaying the onset of future dark spots
- Sepicalm-S calms skin, reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation, so you look your best at all hours of the day
- Alpha Arbutin minimizes the appearance of liver spots, visibly improves skin tone, and reduces skin’s reaction to UV exposure”.
As I said, I had some results but not complete. I intend to keep at it and finish up the bottle and reassess. I have read all the comments on their website, and some people appear to have had astonishing results for fading age spots and scars that sound real, so I intend to keep at it.
Like the Total Rejuvenating Eye Serum, it comes in a pump bottle which is great. It too contains 0.5 fl. oz/15 ml. Again, I can’t see how much is left, and I think I have used up more of this product to date than the eye serum but it could just be that it’s a lighter weight product than the eye serum.
That said, the Dark Spot Corrector is more what I consider a serum: it’s lightweight, flesh tone, and you can see the illuminating properties in the serum. It melts into my skin and dries quickly. It’s actually lovely.
City Cosmetics Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector is priced at $82. Again, it’s cruelty-free and made in the U.S. Available on the City Cosmetics website and on Amazon.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Magnesium Aspartate, Alcohol Denat., PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sarcosine, Potassium Aspartate, Stearic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Polysorbate-60, C12-C15 Alkyl Benzoate, Undecylenoyl Phenylanine, Reveratrol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyethylacrylate, Dimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Ethylhexyglycerin, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Trideceth-6, Fragrance (Parfum)
Have you tried any of the City Cosmetics products yet? How have they worked for you??
On a different topic, have you entered the giveaway for Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! deep conditioning hair mask?? Get your hair in top shape for the holidays and enter here!
I have not tried either of these. I don’t really buy that they can help my dark circles and I have stuff that is addressing my other needs, at this time. These do sound like good products, tho. 🙂
Erika recently posted…Barielle Nail and Cuticle Treatments
I was new to the brand a while ago, Erika, but I love their City Lips Lip Plumper so much that I was happy to get a chance to try these out. I don’t know about whether they’ll fade dark circles. Like you, I’m a skeptic on that. The eye serum is great for my crepey skin above my eyelids, and the dark spot corrector has faded my freckles but not so much for my dark spots. However, folks with acne scars swear by it. Each of us must find what works for us. But it can be so hit or miss.
Oooohhh you seriously are my skin care triplet (with The FabZilla as well), because dang these sound AWESOME. I am in need of a new dark spot corrector and I seriously think I need to try this. $82 isnt too bad either, I have been using a Chanel one and for the price it is NOT working fast enough for me. Great share. And I think I need the eye cream too. Making my list longer.
Jamie @ Makeuplifelove recently posted…A New Kind of Beauty Box- Glossybox October 2014 Edition…
Jamie, if you are interested in any of their products, go to the City Cosmetics website and sign up for their emails. You can always find or get a 2 for 1 or 40% off code. It’s quite a terrific brand!
I had never heard of this brand before. I’m glad their products are working well for you.
gio recently posted…Product Review: Blissoma Scentless Stick Natural Deodorant
Not sure if City Cosmetics is sold outside of the U.S., Gio. They are the makers of City Lips Lip Plumper that is one of my favorite all-time products for hydrating my dry lips, and it does plump them too by adding HA & collagen rather than by using irritants.
The eye serum sounds wonderful!
Phyrra recently posted…Jolen – A Great Cruelty Free Way to Bleach Facial Hair #spon
It’s a good one, effective yet gentle.
I really like it when products like these come in pump bottles :).
Deborah recently posted…Love. Varnish, chocolate and more… turned FOUR! Celebrating with a Too Fancy Lacquer exclusive custom giveaway
I agree, Deborah. The pump bottles really do protect the effectiveness of the product and they are so much cleaner to use.
I have never tried this brand before, but that eye serum sounds amazing! THanks for the excellent review, Allison! 🙂
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…LORAC The Royal Collection For Holiday 2014 | The Royal 3D Liquid Lustre Set and The Royal Eye Duo Review and Swatches
you’re welcome, Lola! City Cosmetics makes City Lips Lip Plumper, my personal favorite for hydrating my super dry lips. Maybe you’ve heard of that one?
I really love the packaging of this product. $97, though, eek! However I desperately need an eye serum for sensitive eyes that actually works! Great review!
xx
Jenny
http://www.mishmoshmakeup.com
Jenny recently posted…November Giveaway
Jenny, City Cosmetics always has promotions going on: either 2 for 1 or 40% off. If you are interesting in any of their products including my personal favorite for dry lips, City Lips Lip Plumper, go to their website and sign up. I think you’ll get 40% off just for signing up. Thanks for your comment!
I’ve never heard of the brand, but find the ingredients quite interesting (synthetic snake venom?!?) cool!
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…Simply Vera Wang Floral Baseball Jacket
Monica, City Cosmetics makes City Lips Lip Plumper, my all-time personal favorite for dry lips, the only thing that really works for me. The brand is sold on their website where you can almost always get a deal for signing up for their emails and it’s also on Amazon. It’s a very good quality brand 🙂
You always give such detailed reviews. I haven’t tried any City Cosmetics products but I’m tempted!
Valesha from Peachy Polish recently posted…Comment on Deborah Lippmann: Holiday 2014 Fantastical Collection Swatches & Review by Allison @neversaydiebeauty
Valesha, I am a research psychologist and a market researcher, and I am used to writing long, detailed research reports. I probably should shorten ’em up for the blog, but I have a hard time turning it off, lol! I hope I don’t put people to sleep. The first product I recommend trying is City Lips Lip Plumper, the best hydrating lip plumper I’ve ever tried that is the only thing that cures my dry lips!
I think it’s great! I have such a hard time writing blog posts sometimes because I feel like I don’t have much to say or I’m being a broken record. I envy people who can go into such detail!
you’re the best, Valesha! thanks again
This eye serum sounds divine!
City Cosmetics Rejuvenating Eye Serum is a good one, but I think it’s more of a cream than a traditional serum. Whatever it is, I like it 😉
I definitely need to try the dark spot corrector!
Jamie recently posted…Mid-Week Mani: Deborah Lippmann Mermaid’s Kiss
City Cosmetics Dark Spot Corrector has definitely helped my freckles disappear, but it’s having a tougher time on my sun damage and hyper pigmentation. I’m on the fence 😉
This is a new to me brand. Thanks for sharing it with us!
You’re welcome, Kimberly! It’s the manufacturer of my HG lip hydrator/plumper, City Lips Lip Plumper that hydrates and boosts volume with HA and collagen. They make innovative products, I think
I do love a good eye serum. Or any serum in general!
Carleen recently posted…Inner Beauty Essentials
😀 me, too, Carleen!
I’ve never heard of this brand before – but it sounds great!
The Dalai Lama’s Nails recently posted…Chickettes Guest Post: Blogiversary Celebration
They make rather innovative products, Hannah. City Lips Lip Plumper is my all-time favorite lip hydrator that helps even my desert dry lips.
These sound great- especially the Illuminating one as I’m a sucker for anything that will brighten a bit. I didn’t know the brand did more than the lip plumper either- good to know!
Bailey recently posted…Mark Wonder Fleur
The Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector is more to fool the eye about a dark spot rather than an overall brightener, but it is a very cool product. I’m hoping it will help fade my serious spots if I keep with it!
I’ve heard great things about this brand and would definitely give these eye products a try.
Sheila recently posted…Learn About My POND’S Skincare Routine And The Rockettes NYC Holiday Getaway Sweepstakes
The eye serum which is really a cream and City Lips have both done well by me!
I’ve used quite a few City products. They did nothing for me, so I never reordered.
Although, after your review of City Lips , I ordered again and am using it every day.
It seems drying to me, but I’m going to continue using it–twice a day, at least. Maybe, I’ll get the same results as you.
I’m using the Foxbrim hyaluronic acid you reviewed, and am loving it! So far, it’s a keeper. Thanks!!
jane-in-tx
That’s so interesting, Jane, that we all have different skin and different reactions/results. I’m amazed that the City Lips is drying on your lips since I don’t see any drying ingredients in it and the hyaluronic acid and collagen are supposed to help moisture stay in. Their products are expensive so I would email them and ask about returning them if they don’t suit you. City Lips has been a winner for me. I do use it twice a day, morning under or over my lipstick and at night before bed. I hope you do get the same results as I do with it, but if not, complain and send it back! I know it’s a pain but I do it all the time. The eye serum is a good product but it is thick, which is good for me. It’s more a cream than a serum. And I wouldn’t reorder the dark spot corrector since I didn’t get the big results I was hoping for. But if you can believe them, other reviewers did! I am glad that you like the Foxbrim HA. I’m almost down to the bottom, and it’s a bit of a struggle getting the thick gel out of the bottle but I’m trying! I’d reorder but I have more serums to review including another one that I’ll review soon that I liked too that also has retinol in it. Stay tuned 🙂
I also have sensitive skin around my eyes so I’m glad to hear this didn’t irritate you!
Miranda recently posted…REVIEW: Crest 3D White Whitestrips Luxe Supreme FlexFit
Yes, I was relieved to discover that I can definitely use the City Cosmetics Eye Serum without irritating my skin or my eyes. Yay
My eyes water and react so easily… it’s nice to know this wasn’t irritating!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Tarte Chic to Cheek Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set Swatches + Review – Holiday 2014
That’s one of my problems too, Brooke. I was relieved that the City Cosmetics Eye Serum isn’t irritating, yay!
I was blessed with full lips, so I don’t need a plumper, though sometimes the sensation is kinda neat… I am always trying new eye creams – it’s hard to find one that does the job without being so heavy that it makes me break out. I’m using a serum now from MDSun that I’m rather liking!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Sad Monsters
Though you don’t need it, there is no “sensation” with City Lips Lip Plumper, Nidia, because it doesn’t use peppermint oil or other irritants to plump lips. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and collagen, and it builds lips volume over time with those ingredients. It has plumped my lips a little bit, but I use it religiously as a hydrator for my super-dry lips. Glad you’ve got an eye cream that’s working for you. I think it’s tricky to find the good ones!
Sounds like good stuff!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…Northpole Fun with Hallmark
I’ve had good luck with 2 out of the 3 products I’ve tried from City Cosmetics.
I haven’t tried their products before, but this duo sounds intriguing. I am all about correcting those dark spots, because they appear even if I wear sunscreen daily, and they’re really visible on my fair skin.
Anastasia recently posted…Beauty For Less With Nubian Heritage Body Washes and Lotions
The City Cosmetics Dark Spot Corrector may be just right for you, Anastasia, because you’re young and I would imagine your dark spots should be “lightenable” at this stage.
I have never heard of City Cosmetics before, but I might give them a try some day.
Leelo R recently posted…Box Upon a Time – Subscription box for little ones
City Cosmetics is a good brand, Leelo. If you do try it someday, I suggest starting with their flagship product City Lips Lip Plumper, the best lip hydrator I’ve ever used.
Thank you for your honest review!!
Kendra recently posted…The Review: Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial
Thanks for reading the whole review and getting what I wrote, Kendra! Appreciate it
I’ve never used this brand before! Might have to check it out!
I’d start with City Lips Lip Plumper, if you have dry lips, Lisa!
I love trying new eye creams!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…WEN Fall Tuscan Pear Cleansing Conditioner Review!
me, too, Cindy! I love trying new eye creams, and this one was a good one.
It sounds really amazing ! I have such an endless wishlist.
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