Before I used a primer for my face, I used a primer for my eyes to help my makeup last longer, and to prevent creasing. Though I used moisturizers or foundations with SPF, and other skin nutrient rich ingredients, I never thought about doing the same for my eyes. Although I was concerned for my eyes, especially since they are blue and very sensitive, my idea of protecting them from the elements was to wear sunglasses and use gentle cleansers and moisturizers at night.
Then, Benefit introduced their revolutionary new eye primer, Air Patrol with broad spectrum SPF 20, $29, and I thought, well, duh, putting sunscreen on your eyes makes total sense. Why hasn’t anyone thought of this sooner? And, when can I try out this brilliant new product?
Benefit’s Air Patrol is infused with EnviroDefend complex, which is designed to protect the delicate skin on your eyes against sun, smoke and pollutants. It also extends the wear of eye makeup, and prevents creasing, fading, and smearing. According to the Benefit website and Air Patrol packaging, a consumer panel survey of 70 women who used Air Patrol for 1 week found:
- 93% said it feels calming & soothing
- 94% said it relieves dryness
- 91% said it extends the wear of eyeshadow
Those are pretty high standards to live up to, but I have to agree with those 70 women. Air Patrol felt cooling, helped my eyeshadow last without creasing, and relieved my dry eyelids. Since it is designed to help with dryness, I’m not sure how well it will work for those with oily eyelids. However, it does feel a little sticky after application, and you have to let it dry before applying shadow, which may mean it won’t cause your makeup to slide, even if you have oily lids.
Before I go further into talking about the formulation and applicator tip, I have to take a moment to pause and admire the packaging. One of the reasons I have always been drawn to Benefit, besides for the quality of their products, is for their packaging. They do a fabulous job designing whimsical and engaging items that call out to you to try them. Air Patrol is no exception. Just look at the stylish, retro-inspired airplane wing on the cap, as well as the tiny airplanes flying around the logo, and the silver stars on the twist bottom. Applause, Applause, Applause.
And speaking of inspired designs, the applicator tip definitely registers as one of a kind. Benefit calls it a CushionCalm™ tip. It is very cushioning and very gentle to use. It doesn’t tug or pull on the delicate eyelids. My only compliant with the cushion is it gets a big caked up with the product, but I was able to clean it off with a little micellar water. Another great feature of the Air Patrol is the click or twist base, which only needs one click per eye. This helps prevent product waste.
You can wear Air Patrol with or without makeup, since it is essentially a sunscreen for your eyelids. Plus, it helps even out skin tone. I need to remember to start using it both ways, as it is hard to break the habit of only using an eye primer when I am wearing eye makeup. But hey, these eyes and the skin on them, isn’t getting any younger. It must be cared for and protected, not just adored in glorious eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Like I said before, “Why hasn’t anyone thought of this sooner?”
Left Swatch: product blended in to skin. Right Swatch: initial product application.
Bottom line: Benefit Air Patrol, $29, has already received rave reviews, and not only from me. It has won beauty awards from Oprah Magazine, Nylon Magazine, and OK! Magazine. Though the price point is a bit high, the fact that it is essentially two products in one makes it worth the investment. And don’t forget, you can use Birchbox points and discounts (which is what I used), or Ulta Rewards to help cut down on the cost.
Have you tried Air Patrol? What are your thoughts on the eye primer/sunscreen combo?
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