I was switched on to Reviva Labs by Copley and I was so impressed by the value for money of its Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Night Cream, which she billed as a low-cost (it's $13!!!) alternative to Dr Perricone that I recommended it in an upcoming interview for Woman's Weekly magazine. So I was excited when Reviva got in touch to send some samples of brand new products, including the Collagen-Fibre Eye Pad Kit.

At around $38 for a kit (with the need to buy more pads down the line), this isn't quite a bargain basement find. But as Copley figured when she brought up Dr Perricone, it depends what you compare it to. Part of my monthly facial with Ildi Pekar includes the positioning of collagen-filled pads under my eyes. So, if you compare it to a salon treatment, it could be a great buy. Assuming it works.

Actually it does, but I'll come back to that after I've described the process. The kit comes with a 2oz bottle of Skin Energizing Gel, which is applied around the eye area before positioning the pads. The gel is mostly something that is described as Hawaiin seaplant. This was sufficiently vague to prompt me to ask Reviva for more information (sorry but I have an irrepressable cynical gene). The seaplant turns out to be ahnfeltia concinna extract and it seems to be full of proteoglycans, polypeptides and peptides. Ahnfeltia concinna extract’s peptides are thought to trigger a signal to the epidermal and dermal cells that a substantial breakdown of collagen has occurred.

Just the thing before adding some replacement collagen. Enter the pads, which are applied over the gel, under the eye and up to the crow's feet area. In addition to collagen, there is Myoxinol in the pads. This comes from hibiscus and I think it may have something to do with okra. Anyway, it has intrigued me enough to warrant some more research later on.

In the meantime, I tried out the kit yesterday. After leaving on the pads for about 20 minutes or so, the results were really striking. Fine lines and crow's feet were significantly diminished. Reviva Labs says that although the initial results are superficial, there are long-term cumulative effects with continued use. In the meantime, they are brilliant to perk you up before a night out and a must for the morning after the night before.

I had such fun with Reviva's eye pads that very soon we'll post a video or picture gallery how-to. Watch this space.

Ingredients in Collagen -Fibre Eye Pads

100% Pure Medical Grade Collagen Fibre, Myoxinol (Hibiscus Flower Extract). NOTE- No preservatives are necessary because no bacteria can grow on this freeze-dried pad and because the pad is discarded after one use.

Ingredients in Skin Energizing Gel

Purified Water, Algae Extract (Hawaiian Seaplant), Phenoxyenthanol and Chlorphenesin and Sodium Dehydroacetate (Preservative System).