The Eye Pen by Crystal Clear Skincare is a gadget that, when I'm told will instantly reduce the look of puffiness and "literally provides an alternative to eyelift surgery", is a product that reminds me of a blind date: really exciting but the chances are that it will turn out to be a disappointment.

Beautifully packaged in a sleek black box that slides out to reveal a DVD demo and neatly layed out black pen, box of refills, carrier pouch and batteries are included (just as girls always wish they would be when we buy gadgets).
I follow the easy instructions to insert the batteries and eye serum cartridge and then, as any of you would do, I can’t wait to watch the DVD and flick on the switch to get started!
The knobley black plastic tip (was I really expecting too much to get an actual natural rock crystal?) starts to spin and I apply it to my under eye area. It pulls and snags on my skin until I press down on the tip a few times to release a measure of the eye serum. I curl it around my eye area in tiny circles from inner corner to temple, being a professional make up artist and having worked in the beauty industry for over a decade I know the lymphatic massage techniques to reduce the look of puffiness, so always massage towards the temples! I repeat this on the other eye and along the brows and my first “at home eye lift treatment” is done. The blind date was over. I was left less than impressed.

Now the question: Do I return Blind Dates call the next day? Being of the mindset that everybody deserves a second chance I decided to pop in the demo DVD and see if I missed something. The demo showed what I had guessed, a few circular movements, a few sweeping movements, a few different directions and even a once a week super treatment by utilising the pens massage and serum all the way up the brow towards the hair line.

Second date time. I flick on the switch and give it a real go, sincerely hoping I get something I missed the first time!

Conclusion: I have used at least 2-3 pumps of serum per eye including the brow area and I am left feeling sticky and once again, less than impressed. So I 'mercy date' the eye pen for another 2 weeks just to be completely sure and finally must concede that the serum is not particularly to my liking.  I prefer either a light cooling gel for the mornings or a richer cream for the night time and that the pen is just a vibrating eye gel dispenser.  Now if it was a toothpaste dispensing electric toothbrush or a lube dispensing vibrator (to compensate for all those bad dates!) they may be on to something!

With 20 seconds attention and care with a good eye gel and the tips of my fingers I can do what the pen has done.

At RRP £89.50 for the pen which comes with 4 serum cartridges and RRP £35 for further refills (4 cartridges which should last about 3 months), I would sooner spend that on a proper facial treatment. The Oxygen Facial at Crystal Clear Skincare Salons sounds devine or a fuller skin care regime of more products.

My advice: You wear your face and your hair every day ladies, look after them and invest in good products.

RRP: £89.50, available from Selfridges stores and at selected Fenwick stores nationwide
See www.crystalclear.co.uk or contact the Crystal Clear Helpline: 08705 934 9034 for more information

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