Saturday, January 18, 2014

Spoon and Balm

RMK is a high end Japanese brand that I haven't heard much about except for a few mentions in Lisa Eldridge's videos. The Eye Balm is the newest addition to their skin care range, designed to be used at night as a treatment product to moisturise and replenish the eye area and combat dehydration and signs of ageing. I always find it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of eye creams as I'm fortunate to not have many issues when it comes to fine lines, darkness, dryness or puffiness. I'm also frequently too lazy to use a separate product for my eye area, preferring instead to slather moisturiser all over and be done with it. But the baobab, argan, olive, jojoba and grape seed oils in the ingredients, unique balm texture and somewhat puzzling inclusion of a flattish metal spatula had me intrigued.





RMK Eye Balm, 'How to massage'

RMK advises to use the applicator to scoop out a rice grain amount and melt the solid balm with the fingers before applying it to the eye area. They provide step-by-step instructions, complete with accompanying illustrations, about how to use the spatula as part of a recommended massage. I did try it once and found it bizarre. I've never thought to place a kitchen utensil over my eye, but that's essentially what it is. The main point seems to be the cool surface of the spoon calms and soothes the eye area and moving the spoon around and targeting the "pressure points" promotes circulation. In the process, any balm that you've freshly applied to your eye area gets partly transferred onto the spoon. It's also a bit unhygienic and bothersome to have to clean or wipe the spoon afterwards each time. There might be some longer term benefits to carrying out a massage routine nightly, but I'll be smearing it on with my fingers and leaving it at that.

The texture is reminiscent of a lip balm or Vaseline (petrolatum is after all, the first ingredient). It's a bit hard and waxy at first, but softens with warmth. It's quite unusual for an eye cream — it's not a traditional, thicker cream like Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes, or a lighter, fresher, more watery serum like Alpha-H Absoluté Eye Complex. It doesn't immediately sink in, but instead sits on top of the skin like a protective, nourishing barrier. I imagine the 12.5g tub lasting a long time given you need only a very small amount with each application. I do think the balm is effective at softening and hydrating the eye area overnight, but for me it's a bit too close to Vaseline mixed with a face oil to justify the elevated price tag.

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Isocetyl Myristate, Paraffin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Microcrystalline Wax, Octyldodecanol, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polyethylene, Fragrance (Parfum), Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, BHT, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, Royal Jelly Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Citral, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Iron Oxides (CI 77492)

Disclosure: RMK Eye Balm was sent to me for review. Post contains affiliate links.

49 comments:

  1. This sounds like the coolest thing ever. Me neeeeeeeds:)) x

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    1. Haha there's definitely a hefty dose of novelty!

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  2. This is really interesting :) I actually find it quite comforting when i massage around my eyes sometimes~ The eye area's skin is alot thinner than the rest of the face therefore its best to invest in a nice eyecream and work the product in. I am currently using L'oreal revitalift laser renew eyecream and i find that the shape of the applicator is good for massaging too :) Although this RMK one seems much more fancy and definitely pricier too.

    I love reading about new products, thank you for posting :) Have a lovely day!

    Ying ♥ || *- YingcBeauty-*
    X x X x X

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    1. I should really treat my eye area more delicately, most of the time I just squeeze a blob of moisturiser into my hand, warm it up by rubbing my palms together and then slather it all over my face with my eyes closed :p

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  3. Honestly when it comes to applying different skincare products by the end of the night, you just wanna get it all over and done with. I can't imagine anyway being that religious and following the instructions each and every night haha
    Having petrolatum as the first ingredient is probably not doing the consumers any favours in justifying the price tag :P

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    1. LOL I know exactly what you mean. Usually I procrastinate doing all the last stuff of the day like brushing teeth, washing hair and showering that by the time I have to slap on the toner/moisturiser/serum/etc. I really could not be bothered with a separate eye cream.

      Yeah, how funny it's not listed on the RMK website? I had to go to Beauty Bay for the full list.

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  4. I never heard of this product but sadly, because of the first ingredient, I'll probably pass it. I've been removing products containing ingredients like Petrolatum or sulphates from my routine and I've been quite happy with that.
    Anyway, thank you for the amazing and informative post :3 Take care*

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    1. Totally understand, you're definitely not alone in that approach. I'm a bit iffy with those ingredients too but I find them hard if not impossible to avoid in all products.

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  5. I quite like the spoon massage idea, but I've heard mineral oil/petrolatum in eye creams unfortunately promotes puffiness of the eye area. My favoirte so far has probably been the Murad Hydro Dynamic one you mentioned, I just loved the consistency and how moisturizing it was.

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    1. Ugh yes, I received a 5ml sample of the Murad and I was so sad when it ran out!

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  6. oh this sounds like a fancy cream! the spoon is one interesting idea, but too bad the cream itself is nothing groundbreaking..
    even though I always try to be disciplined and apply eye cream every day, I don't really pay attention to it..I am also fortunate to have relatively problem less under eye area ^^

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    1. Maybe it's an Asian thing :p What eye cream are you using currently? I'm not really the biggest advocate of eye cream and I'm frequently too lazy to bother applying it at night ... though a part of me thinks I really should, if not for current problems, for prevention!

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  7. That it the oddest thing! I wouldn't mind trying the spoon with other eye creams.
    Imogen's Typewriter. <3 

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  8. That is so weird... but cool. Trust the Japanese to come up with something like this! Although it does seem to be a little gimmicky which is the trick - if you the eye cream isn't great, like you said. Still amusing though, haha!

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    1. It was interesting when I first opened it and found a spoon in there with these detailed instructions about how to use it as part of a massage. But unfortunately I couldn't stick to it :p

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  10. This is really cool, I didn't even know such products existed! Sounds super soothing! :) x

    www.natalielovesbeauty.com

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    1. I'd not heard of an "eye balm" either - didn't think that kind of consistency was suitable for the eye area!

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  11. Wow, fragrance is way high on the list, too! I kind of dig the cool spoon idea but am way too lazy to ever explore that option. I think when it comes to RMK, I'd probably just stare at their makeup. (Although, I can't remember if this is the same company, but they have a rose scented makeup removing face balm that's super nice??)

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    1. Lol I didn't even notice how high up it was ... weird since it hardly smells like anything. It's mild and faintly pleasant ... kind of fruity? But nothing that sticks or is all that prominent/obvious. Perhaps with the rose scented face balm - I think I saw some reviews when I was Googling this Eye Balm because they both shared the word "Balm" in their name :p

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  12. The spoon is an interesting concept! I'm always searching for the perfect eye cream but I doubt this one it is. Thanks for the review xx

    zoeblogsbeauty

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  13. Oh my gosh, the novelty of it all!!! Japan really is the master of all things novelty if you ask me… explains why I love the country so darn much (if only I could be in there in person… maybe someday; I can dream!!). Anyways this really does sound interesting but if it seems like a Vaseline then I'd say the novelty isn't worth it. I'd rather just scoop out some balm with a spoon from my kitchen rather than spend a pretty penny!

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. I really want to go to Japan as well - hopefully sometime in the next 1-2 years! Fingers crossed you'll be able to visit soon too :) It's completely like Vaseline ... not a surprise given they essentially share the same first ingredient. The spoon is kind of cool though, you could reuse it for eating purposes LOL.

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  14. This is an interesting idea, and definitely not something I have heard of before.
    xx
    Celina | The Celution | Bloglovin’

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    1. Can't fault them for trying to innovate I suppose!

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  15. Thanks for reviewing. I've heard of the cold spoon trick for under eye bags. It's about time a product started to use it. Looks like something worth trying.
    Beauty Fashion Skin Care Blog -Girlie Blog Seattle | Casual Chic Style

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    1. The coolness of the spoon's surface can be somewhat calming and nice ... not sure about the rest of the massage though!

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  16. I wanted to give this a try spoon and all until you mentioned that petrolatum is the first ingredient... I'm just not a big fan ... thanks for the great review :)

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    1. Yeah, it makes it very similar to Vaseline. You might as well be putting that under your eye area to be honest :\

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  17. I don't use a dedicated product for underneath my eyes, but I suppose I should. This is an interesting concept, but I'm guessing it's too fiddly to want to do every night. x

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    1. Well if we're talking the massage part, then definitely waaaayyyy too fiddly. I could only be bothered to do it once and trust me, it ain't happening again. Like the subject of your latest post - ain't nobody got time for that.

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  18. This is such a cool concept all I ever do for my under eyes is use origins ginzing!
    babblingbrigid.blogspot.com

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    1. I really want to try that cream - and anything Origins! :)

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  19. The first ingredient is really off putting, especially considering how pricey the product is! The spoon is bizarre, I'm not sure anyone has the time to faff about with that every day!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. LOL you'd have to be pretty dedicated to carry out that spoon massage every night. I'm definitely not that person :p And yeah, petrolatum as the first ingredient isn't terribly inviting for an eye cream.

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  20. I like the spoon idea too but the ingredients are very off putting.

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    1. I can understand your sentiments - this wouldn't be my top pick for an eye cream given the similarity to Vaseline.

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  21. That is one interesting looking eye treatment! I'm on the hunt for one myself so thank you for the review :)

    x
    Phoebe
    www.eatliveloverepeat.com

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    1. No problem :) Hope you find the perfect eye treatment for yourself!

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  22. what an interesting eye balm! i'm a bit iffy on such heavy eye products, so i'm not sure i'll enjoy this either, but the spoon is really creative. perhaps we should just try using a spoon from our own kitchens! i came across your blog thanks to jennie from sailboat's recommendation, love your reviews and am your newest reader now :)

    rachel x
    blush&brunch

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    1. That was sweet of Jennie to mention me, and welcome! :) Just followed you on Bloglovin' so looking forward to reading your posts in the future.

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  23. Most of the time I skip eye cream as well, though I would probably be more inclined to apply it regularly if I found one I really loved.

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  24. the balm may not contain the best ingredients but i really like the concept of this product. i carry a lot of tension along my brow bone & pushing on those pressure points feels amazing. might have to give it a go with my eye gel & a regular old spoon haha xx

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  25. This looks fancy. I have an eye cream but I never use it.. lol I should probably start.

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  26. if you're not having problems, then you must be doing something RIGHT! hahaha this is different. like it. thanks for sharing.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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