Since Sloane was born, I’ve experienced a level of under-eye darkness usually reserved for a member of the Addams’ Family. As you might imagine, my search for a better under-eye cream has yielded a mass of social media suggestions. But do any of them work?
Influencers in their 20s who drink a full eight glasses of water per day, sleep 9-hours per night, and have skin like the tush of a newborn baby are definitely full of suggestions. My feeds are bombarded with lotions and potions of all sorts. Miracle cures abound. But one has risen above them all.
Replenix Tinted Brightening Eye Cream is more prevalent in my Insta-stories than memes about the Real Housewives. For several weeks, I tried to snag a tube of this miracle in a bottle. Thanks to its popularity on social media, I couldn’t find a retailer who had it in stock until my fourth attempt. But popularity does not automatically mean results.
Replenix Tinted Brightening Eye Cream contains many of the ingredients you would expect in an expensive eye cream — hyaluronic acid, collagen peptides — and some you don’t, like Edelweiss Flower and Green Tea Extract. The product promises to cover dark circles, blur fine lines, and resolve sagging over time. It also claims to come in a “universal pigment” that will work on any skin tone.
First, let me say that I will never buy another eye cream without the metal tip applicator. I keep mine in my cosmetics fridge, and it’s like a vacation for my face every time that cool metal touches my tired, 40-year-old eyes. It also convince me it was time to buy a new under-eye roller.
Second, the color of the tinting is similar to the Bobbi Brown under-eye corrector that I love so much. It’s a peachy pink that will work on most skin tones, but I think the claim that the color is “universal” is probably nonsense. However, on my skin tone, it works.
Third, one thing I will say is that most of the TikTok and Insta videos talk about how you can use the product as a concealer replacement. Yes, of course, you can, if you’re 25. For the rest of us, it is what it was meant to me, eye cream. A first strike. A base layer.
When I apply mine, I get more of a boost than I do with the Origins eye cream I typically use. And if I wanted to go with a very light face of makeup for weekend (just some Cicapair and a hint of blush), I could leave it at the treatment. But I’m looking to hide my circles, not just tone them down, so for work or a dinner date, I’m going to need concealer too. I also find it a little to thick to be worn solo, unless I’m able to apply it sparingly (which takes real skill).
Lastly, I’ve been using the product for four weeks and I’m starting to see a lasting reduction in puffiness. It’s subtle, but it’s there. I only noticed it because I took a photo of Sloane and I, and I didn’t immediately notice how puffy and saggy my eye area was. So that’s something.
My only real complaint is how small the tube is. For $55, I should get more than 3-weeks worth of product. So the cost could be substantial if, like me, you have a lot of sleep-deprived real estate to cover.
Bottom line, the Replenix Tinted Eye Cream does what their website claims — it blurs imperfections, helps conceal dark circles, and treats fine lines and droopiness. But if you’re looking for a TikTok miracle cure, you’ll be disappointed.
As for the other claims, this is not full coverage concealer on anyone old enough to have a two-page resume. It’s an eye cream that moonlights as a concealer to help pay for college. But the eye cream will give your regular concealer a significant head start, and when you’re this tired, you will do anything to keep that exhaustion from showing up on your face.
Will I rebuy? I’m uncertain right now, but I want to see how our relationship develops.
{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author; like all Saw It On Social products this eye cream was purchased by me, with my own money}
Thanks for reviewing this! I’ve been wondering. Was hoping for a silver bullet for over 40 eye circles but it looks like the answer may be similar to what to wear on a spring day … lots of layers
I just have to say, I love your snark. This review has me cracking up. I feel your pain. I had no idea until lockdown zoom meetings and happy hours how bad my undereye circles are. I even bought blue light glasses to wear on those to help camouflage them.
I am reading that the Montana GOP is not allowing their trans colleague to speak on any bill. What is going on?
Rep. Zephyr made a speech that some House members took umbrage with. A vote was taken to uphold the motion of the Chair that she not be recognized to speak. Most of the GOP reps in the chamber voted for it, so it passed. She attempted to speak the next day. During that session, a crowd gathered in the gallery. When she was again denied the opportunity to speak by a vote of the House, the crowd began chanting and throwing things from the gallery. Several people were arrested. During the disturbance, the Representative stood on the floor and raised her microphone in protest, it seems many members of the House felt this was provocative and now would like her punished.
I work in the Senate since the Speaker hired his own counsel for the Session. So I know about as much as what is reported in the papers, I just know it five minutes sooner. It is the end of the session here in a few days, so we will see how this develops.
I’ve also been reading about this and upset and wondering about this actually and if you were involved and what you thought. It looks like there is a vote for censure today.
Thanks for answering. I’m a democrat and have followed you for a long time, since I worked on the Hill ten years ago. Although I disagree with you, I’ve always appreciated your candor and respectfulness. But the assault on trans people by several state legislatures this year (including my own, I’m in Iowa), is deeply disappointing and unacceptable.
I appreciate the question. Obviously people know I work for the MT Legislature, so I expected people to be curious about any role I might have in this national news story. As you might imagine, I’m not in a position to be discussing my personal thoughts, but I’m also not involved in these decisions as staff since they are made solely by the House leadership and they have their own counsel. As for legislation that has gone through as any lawyer can tell you, the client ultimately will do what they want, and each of these elected officials makes their own choices about which button to push.
At this point, I trust you enough to know that your take would be very thoughtful.
I have used Replenix for years! I used to buy them at my dermatologist’s office, and now I order them online from Replenix’s website. I use Replenix Topix AGE RESTORE RETINOL EYE REPAIR every evening https://replenix.com/products/age-restore-anti-wrinkle-eye-repair?_pos=3&_sid=90eb14c40&_ss=r and I alternate Replenix Topix RETINOL 5X REGENERATE DRY SERUM https://replenix.com/products/retinol-5x-regenerate-dry-serum?_pos=1&_sid=b3fc7690c&_ss=r and Replenix Topix AGE RESTORE BIO-REPAIR SERUM https://replenix.com/products/age-restore-bio-repair-serum?_pos=2&_sid=1afbea1d6&_ss=r every other evening. They work very well, and they have never irritated or upset my skin.
I am with Tiffany, even if I had the under eyes of Brooke Shields as a baby, I would’ve read this review three times for the sheer fun! You may be tired, but you are sparkling here!
Love your review! I’ve finally given up on my Maybelline’s Age Rewind which I loved as part of my pre-Covid makeup-is-my-middle-age-mask. Now that I’m fabulously over fifty and don’t give a crap, I’m not willing to spend $55 for a tiny tube when, let’s face it, I’m going to have under-eye circles no matter what. I care little about brand, a lot about value, and even more about effectiveness. This is clearly not the one – suggestions on something new? Or do I just break down and start using regular under-eye cream at night & day and smudge together some of my old face sculpting pallets (which aren’t bad!). Makeup is a 5 min 2x/mo date night affair and so low priority. Most of those 5 min are spent with a brow brush & mascara 🙂