As many of you know, I began my career in the beauty industry as a cosmetic chemist for none other than Clinique. So this brand always holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I get a chance to review one of their new products, I jump at the opportunity.

I recently received Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream in the mail. What struck me first about the product was the bright orange packaging, which is great because I can certainly spot it in my bag when I need a quick boost after a long, stressful day. I also noticed the unique round applicator.

Clinique’s new Pep-Start Eye Cream, is a lightweight cream that brightens, awakens, and refreshes tired-looking eyes. The innovative custom-spherical massaging applicator de-puffs eyes to help keep them looking fresh. It also creates a smooth canvas for makeup application and makes eyes look wide awake in seconds.

INGREDIENTS FOR ANTI-AGING:
A blend of seven peptides help maintain collagen that can be threatened by stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep – the tell-tale signs of a busy life.

• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 help stimulate natural collagen and elastin production, which plumps skin, helping to diminish fatigue, sallowness, and discolouration under
  the eye area.Whey Protein is a natural, high-quality polypeptide, rich in amino acids, that helps firm the thin skin around the eye area helping skin to look and feel firmer and more resilient.Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 when combined together naturally helps to stimulate the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fibronectin helping to ease inflammation.Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 is a biomimetic peptide that helps to improve skin elasticity and firmness by reducing the synthesis of progerin, which is a toxic protein that builds up and causes premature aging.Soybean Protein is rich in peptides, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides, helping to reveal a smoother, more youthful and revitalized skin appearance.

INGREDIENTS FOR CALMING, SOOTHING AND DE-PUFFING:

• A combination of soothing and energizing ingredients helps keep the eye area calm and balanced to maintain an up-for-anything attitude.Caffeine is an anti-irritant, which helps to energize skin while reducing puffiness.Algae Extract is a botanical extract that provides exceptional anti-irritant benefits, helping keep skin
  soothed and calm so that it less susceptible to irritation-induced dark circles.Phytospingosine diminishes the appearance of dark circles by helping reduce the excess pooling of fluids in the thin skin under the eye area.Molasses Extract is a botanical that helps combat dark circles, and brightens the eye area revealing
  a well-rested look.Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract is a botanical that soothes the under eye area helping to reduce dark circles and puffiness.Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract and Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum are botanicals that when combined combat fatigue and stimulate the production of ATP helping speed up cellular metabolism.

UNIQUE PACKAGING AND USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Snap open new Pep-Start Eye Cream’s custom-spherical applicator to dispense a pea-size amount of cream to the tip. Pop the applicator to the closed position and swipe product in a circular motion around the eye area, including lids. Pat in residual product as needed with fingertips. Eyes now look brighter and more refreshed, like after a good night’s rest.

See the packaging up-close in the video below:

COSMETIC CHEMIST ASSESSMENT:
This product is full of peptides which are known to stimulate collagen. And it also contains Caffeine, Algae and Molasses extract which help to soothe and reduce under-eye puffiness. After popping the applicator, I swiped the product around the eye area as recommended. The product is very lightweight and smooths on effortlessly. It left my skin instantly more brightened and refreshed.
Available exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com beginning February 2016 for a suggested retail price $26.50.

Review, Swatches: Clinique Chubby Lash Fattening Mascara, Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pens, Skinny Sticks, Just Browsing Brush-On Styling Mousse

Review, Ingredients: Clinique Best New Facial Masks, Even Better Brightening Moisture, Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal