Soap Opera Digest
August 10, 2000
Product Queen

Every so often I come across a beauty product that is so fabulous, I get downright obsessed over it. During the taping of the fire at Club Indigo on One Life to Live, we were putting in 16-18-hour days, and let me tell you, this babe was toasted. During a break, I ran to the drugstore for something to wake up my tired eyes. (I looked like the Sta-Puft marshmallow woman.)

My prayers for renewal were answered by something called Eye-Q Anti Stress Eye Mask made by a company called Andrea. They are wet little eye masks that you place under the eyes for 10 minutes, and they come individually wrapped in four pairs per box. And they are little miracle workers -- after the dinner break, I looked like I had banked eight hours of sleep!

I decided to do some further beauty snooping. As it turns out, Esteé Lauder makes a similar eye mask which I tried but didn't like quite as much. It was also more expensive. Product Queen doesn't mind spending money on herself, but it had better be worth it. I also found something Andrea makes something called a 2 in 1 Renewal Patch, which is supposed to be used twice a week, and has a dual action effect to diminish dark circles and fine lines. Guess What? I think it works!

Warning: Only use products that are designed for the eyes around your eyes. Don't put face or body cream near your eyes, or your eyes can become irritated. If you need eye cream info, please look at last month's Product Queen on my Web site (www.hickland.com).

Another eye product that thrills me is L'Oreal's Le Grand Curl mascara. I don't believe you have to spend a lot of money on mascara, and I have tried them all. Many people like Maybelline Great Lash, but I don't find that it has the staying power that I need for a 12-hour day. Plus, it didn't make my lashes devastatingly soft and long like L'Oreal did. (And really, soft is what you're after... blink, blink.)

The last thing for perking up the eye area is your eyebrows. Ladies, did you know that you can actually look like you've had a face lift by having your eyebrow's shaped? Consider having them done professionally, and see how you like it. Make sure you go to someone good; ask your friends or your hairdresser for a referral. Clinique makes a Brow Shaper, which comes with a brush applicator. The next time you're at the mall. ask the salesgirl to show you. Remember, you are never committed to buying something just because you asked to try it.

Next up? Eyeshadows. See ya next month!