Aging gracefully has its charms, but the persistent dark circles under my eyes? Not so much. Determined to tackle these unwelcome shadows, I tested two acclaimed contenders: Dr. Brandt’s No More Baggage and Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant FirmX Temporary Eye Tightener, both celebrated for their quick action and potential long-term benefits.
Before we jump into the detailed review, let's glance at the key takeaways:
- Speed of Results: Both deliver swift results in under five minutes.
- Reduction of Under-Eye Bags: PTR's product does get rid of under-eye bags but I saw a noticeably larger reduction with Dr. Brandt's formula.
- Natural Look: Dr. Brandt achieves a natural look; PTR may leave behind residue.
- Texture & Feel: No More Baggage is remarkably light; PTR is heavier and tighter.
- Subscription Value: Dr. Brandt provides more substantial savings with a subscription.
- Ethical Standards: Dr. Brandt upholds vegan, cruelty-free principles.
- My Choice: Dr. Brandt’s No More Baggage, for its ethical stance and overall performance.
With the basics outlined, let's dive deeper and compare each product's specific results.
If you want instantly smooth, de-puffed, and brightened eyes that look natural…Dr. Brandt
First, I’m flabbergasted by the speedy, noticeable effects of both these products. The under-five-minute claims are completely accurate! That said, Dr. Brandt’s No More Baggage successfully smooths, de-puffs, and brightens while looking completely natural and glowing. I absolutely love this effortless transformation!
I can’t say the same for Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant FirmX Temporary Eye Tightener. While it was just as effective, it left a white, clayish residue that was quite noticeable.
If you’re after a product that feels great and lightweight…Dr. Brandt
With Dr. Brandt’s No More Baggage, it barely feels like I’m wearing anything! Made with proprietary Filmatrix technology combined with caffeine and peptides, the orange gel forms an invisible “second skin” that’s super lightweight yet effectively tightens the area around the eye.
Meanwhile, Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant FirmX Temporary Eye Tightener brings a warmth and a tightness that's hard to ignore, much like the pull of a facial mask as it dries. Some people may like the heat and tight, tingly finish, but I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing anything.
If you’re looking for a product that temporarily minimizes crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles…Peter Thomas Roth
The one thing Peter Thomas Roth has on Dr. Brandt is its more drastic effect on wrinkles. Mine are mostly in my crow’s feet area and in between my eyebrows, so I used the Instant FirmX in those spots in addition to under my eyes. It definitely smoothed out my wrinkles, but again, at the price of having extremely tight-feeling skin and glazed residue that looked unnaturally light.
So, is it a true win? If the above side effects don’t bother you and you really want to drastically reduce wrinkles, then yes. However, it's worth noting that Dr. Brandt’s No More Baggage is also adept at addressing fine lines and wrinkles, albeit in a subtler, more natural-looking way without the drawbacks of tightness or residue.
If you appreciate substantial savings on skincare subscriptions…Dr. Brandt
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If you’re looking for the best value, Dr. Brandt is for you. With a subscription, you’ll get the No More Baggage at a reduced price of $33, down from the regular $42. This deal is especially attractive compared to Peter Thomas Roth's Instant FirmX Temporary Eye Tightener, which only drops from $38 to $36.10 with its 5% subscription discount.
For those dedicated to maintaining their under-eye care routine, the Dr. Brandt subscription not only promises a more significant cut in cost but also the convenience of regular deliveries.
My Ultimate Winner… Dr. Brandt’s No More Baggage!
You may have guessed it, but Dr. Brandt takes home the gold as a natural, lightweight, 100% vegan and cruelty-free product that actually does the job it claims! I love how my skin feels wearing it, and I’ve already noticed longer-term improvement in my dark circles after a few uses.
It’s clinically tested, as well as paraben-free, phthalates-free, sulfates-free, and devoid of synthetic fragrance, making it perfect for all skin types. I couldn’t be happier with this product and so excited to see the improvements over a long period of time!
