As a stay at home mom of three, my under-eyes tend to carry the brunt of it. I’ve always believed that the right eye cream can make me look a little more refreshed. That’s what made me splurge on Clarins Total Eye Lift.
The brand promises smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking eyes, and the sleek red packaging definitely whispered “luxury” to me the second I saw it. So I immediately placed an order directly on the brand’s Amazon storefront, and it got delivered in 2 days (thanks to Prime Membership)
But did it really deliver? Here’s everything you need to know from my personal trial.
About Clarins Total Eye Lift
Clarins Total Eye Lift is a high-end eye cream designed to target fine lines, puffiness, and sagging around the eyes. The formula blends plant extracts such as organic harungana, cassie wax, and horse chestnut, aiming to nourish, lift, and refresh the skin. It comes in a bold, red pump bottle that feels indulgent and high-end.
I do appreciate that the bottle is refillable, which feels like a thoughtful eco-friendly touch. However, one little flaw is that you can’t actually see how much product is left inside. As a planner who likes to know when I’m running low, this made me a bit uneasy.
The price? $95 for 0.5 oz. Definitely on the splurge side.
How to Use
Clarins recommends using just one pump for both eyes. I warm the product between my fingers before gently pressing it around my under-eyes and onto my eyelids. The cream has a silky, lightweight texture and sinks in fairly quickly without leaving behind greasiness. I use it both morning and night before applying moisturizer.
My experience using Clarins Total Eye Lift
When I first pumped out that creamy formula, it felt promising; light, smooth, with that faint “luxury skincare” fragrance that instantly makes you feel like you’re treating yourself. The scent isn’t overpowering and it fades within a minute, but if you’re sensitive to perfumes in your skincare, you might not be thrilled.
At night, the cream felt calming and pampering. In the morning though, I ran into my first issue. My concealer and this eye cream simply don’t get along. No matter how I tried, whether I gave it five minutes to sink in or thirty, my concealer would cake and crease on top. Instead of making my under-eyes look smoother, it highlighted texture I didn’t even realize was there.
As for results, hydration was the most obvious benefit. My under-eye area felt comfortable and moisturized, and I didn’t wake up with that tight, dry feeling I sometimes get. But when it came to the promises of “instant lift” or visible smoothing, I didn’t notice anything dramatic. My eyes didn’t suddenly look more awake, and the fine lines looked pretty much the same after weeks of use.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad. It felt nice to use, and the ritual gave me a moment of self-care. But for $95, I wanted something more tangible, like that “wow” moment when you look in the mirror and actually see a difference. That just never came for me.
Does It Work?
In my honest opinion, Clarins Total Eye Lift works for hydration and a bit of pampering, but not for immediate or noticeable results. If you’re looking for an indulgent step in your skincare routine and don’t mind waiting months for very subtle changes, it might suit you. But if you want quick, visible effects on puffiness, dark circles, or lines, this probably isn’t the one.
Better Alternatives
If you’re looking for something that actually delivers results faster than Clarins Total Eye Lift, here are some highly rated premium eye tighteners and de-puffers on Amazon that work differently but deliver real results:
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream – This is another amazing eye cream lots of mom swear by in my mom’s forum. With a 4.6 star positive reviews from 600+ users. This gives lasting results unlike Instant FirmX. I do believe it’s a good investment. I found this before and after results from someone in the mom’s forum. Notice the wrinkles are almost gone?
Neocutis Lumiere Firm – Illuminating and Tightening – A premium anti aging eye cream that has seen massive success. It has a 4.6 positive reviews from more than 600 premium users. Yes, it’s far expensive compared to Peter Thomas Roth but you get what you paid for 100%, long term results. With FREE international returns and
Pros and Cons of Clarins Total Eye Lift Cream
Pros
- Luxurious, refillable packaging
- Silky, lightweight texture
- Hydrating and comfortable to wear
- Feels soothing as part of a self-care routine
Cons
- Added fragrance (might bother sensitive users)
- Concealer cakes and creases on top
- No immediate visible results
Final Thoughts
Overall, Clarins Total Eye Lift is a lovely, hydrating cream that feels indulgent to use. But when it comes down to performance, it didn’t blow me away. It gave me moisture, yes, but for nearly a hundred dollars, I was expecting more visible results. It’s one of those products that looks gorgeous on your vanity and adds to the ritual of skincare, but if you’re like me and want quicker improvements, you might feel underwhelmed.
Sometime last month I also bought and tested the viral Peter Thomas Roth Instant FirmX cream, here’s my honest review of it.