Eye Creams | My Hits & Misses

July 19, 2022

Hi Everyone!

This is basically a repost of the blog post I wrote in May 2019, but I’ve added added new eye creams I’ve tried since then and also organized them into Hits, Likes and Misses. I’ve written a mini review of each eye cream I’ve tried and also said if I had a reaction to it or not.

Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Brows | Mascara

BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.

HITS

DearKlairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter – I like this eye cream. Based on the name, I thought it would be a bit creamier/heavier, but it’s a bit like a gel cream. At first, I was on the fence about repurchasing it since the Cerave Eye Repair Cream is a bit similar (and Cerave is a bit easier for me to purchase). After checking the cost per mL though, this one is actually cheaper because there’s more in the tube. So I think I would get this one instead. I’ve already been using it for about 8 months (once daily) and there’s still quite a bit left in the tube. I was using this one as my PM eye cream, but I think I would prefer using it as an AM and using one of the thicker ones at night. At the time, I was using the Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum which is a bit tacky, so I preferred using that one during the day, so naturally, this one became a part of my night routine.

Reaction? No reaction.

Cerave Eye Repair Cream with Hyaluronic Acid & 3 Ceramides – When I first started using this, I was a bit underwhelmed. I thought it would moisturize my under eyes more. I’ve finished the tube now and I changed my opinion about it. I liked this eye cream.

Reaction? No reaction.

Youth to the People Dream Eye Cream with Vitamin C and Ceramides – I’ve been enjoying using this eye cream. I have been using it at night, while I used the Cerave Eye Repair Cream during my morning routine.

Reaction? No reaction.

Pixi Retinol Eye Cream* – I enjoyed this one and my under eyes didn’t feel dry after using it. The tube also lasted a long time (8 months of using it twice daily).

Reaction? No reaction.

Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum* – If you like a more gel-like eye cream, this one is quite nice. If you prefer a cream, the retinol one is good. It is a little bit tacky, so I liked to use this one for AM.

Reaction? No reaction.

LIKES

Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment – If I remember correctly, this one was similar to the Youth to the People one in terms of how thickness. It was a good one for my night routine.

Reaction? No reaction.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – In my 2019 blog post, I said this was my favourite eye cream I’ve tried so far. I’ve tried several sine then and this one has been bumped from its top spot. Although it made my under eyes feel smooth, it didn’t really hydrate as well as other eye creams. When I initially purchased this, I had bought it from a warehouse sale for about $20-25 (15mL tube). I purchased it during the Sephora sale more recently and not only have they raised the price, they’ve also made the tube smaller (8.5mL). While I used the new tube, I found that I didn’t have the same love for it as I did four years ago. Also, I can no longer justify the price, especially when I don’t love it as much as I once did.

Reaction? No reaction.

Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel (read my review) – I think I would’ve liked this more if I had tried it in the summer time. It’s more of a smoothing eye gel than a hydrating or moisturizing one. They’ve also changed the packaging. I tried it in a pot, but now they have it in a bottle with a pump.

Reaction? No reaction.

belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb – I had a sample of this one and I enjoyed it. Although I’m not crazy about the slight scent to it (natural fragrance, it’s not scented).

Reaction? No reaction.

Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel* (read my review) – Even though I gave this a pretty high rating in my review, I found that my eye would twitch occasionally when I would use this so I had to stop using it. I also didn’t love the tackiness of it.

Reaction? Occasional eye twitching from caffeine.

Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate* – I received this from Calissa.com when I was receiving boxes from them. While I did like this eye cream, it’s not really as accessible to me as the other eye creams I’ve tried. I don’t know if it would cost an arm and a leg to pay for shipping or duties. It was a nice eye cream, but it wouldn’t be worth it for me.

Reaction? No reaction.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for Eyes (read my review) – Unlike the Hydro Boost Cream for the face, this didn’t have a smell and it wasn’t tacky at all, but it just didn’t ‘wow’ me.

Reaction? No reaction.

Lkins Skincare Vitamin C Eye Gel* (read my review) – This was a nice gel texture, but it just wasn’t hydrating enough. I have really dry under eyes.

Reaction? No reaction.

Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream (read my review) – This one didn’t do much for me. It didn’t hydrate my under eyes as much as I needed it to and I didn’t get any reaction from it.

Reaction? No reaction.

OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème – I liked this eye cream, but after hearing about the lawsuit for allergic reactions for this eye cream, I decided not to risk re-purchasing it.

Reaction? No reaction after using the travel-sized pot.

MISSES

Tula Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum (read my review) – It seems like they’ve renamed a lot of their products. I believe this was renamed: Instant De-Puff Eye Renewal Serum. Both my mom and I tried this eye renewal serum. We both felt itchy using it and it wasn’t allergies or anything because we were using this in the winter time.

Reaction? No physical reaction (appearance-wise), but eyes felt itchy.

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream to Depuff and Brighten (read my review)

I’m not a huge fan of the smell of this. I accidentally bought this instead of another product – I meant to get the Ginzing moisturizer. A little goes a long way and while this does brighten the under eyes, you have to be careful not to use too much or it looks too white. I was using this off and on because I got one spot and I wasn’t sure if it was the eye cream or something else. I stopped using it until it got better and then I used it again and I’ve had a bit of texture under the eyes since. So, I won’t be using this anymore.

Reaction? Got a milium (singular of milia) and also got red bumpy spots

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (read my review) – I’ve been using this for about a while now and I’ve been using it on and off because whenever I use it, I get 1-2 red spots under both eyes. Also, it has a weird texture that’s almost glue-y. If you use too much, it doesn’t blend in very well, but if you use a very small amount, it absorbs into the skin and almost feels like water.

Reaction? Red spots under eyes whenever I used it.

Kiehl’s Eye Fuel* – After my reaction to the Creamy Eye Treatment, Kiehl’s messaged me asking if I would like to try a different product and I chose the Eye Fuel. THIS MADE ONE OF MY EYES TWITCH SO MUCH.

Reaction? Eye was twitching like crazy.

	Price (CAD)	Size (mL)	Cost per mL
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for Eyes	26.99	14mL	1.93
Lkins Skincare Vitamin C Eye Gel	22.99 USD ~ 30 CAD	15mL	2
Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream	25 USD ~ 32 CAD	15mL	2.13
Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream	46 USD ~ 60 CAD	30mL	2
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado	70	28g ~ 28mL	2.5
mini Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado	44	14g ~ 14mL	3.14
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream to Depuff and Brighten	44	15mL	2.93
mini Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream to Depuff and Brighten	36	10mL	3.6
belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb	60	25mL	2.4
Cerave Eye Repair Cream	27.99	14.2 g ~ 14.2mL	1.97
Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector	59	8.5mL	6.94
Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate	55 USD ~ 71 CAD	15mL	4.73
Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wakeup Eye Gel	8	15mL	0.53
Volition Helix AM/PM Eye Gel	70	15mL	4.67
Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye treatment	51	10mL	5.1
Youth to the People Dream Eye Cream	62	15mL	4.13
Tula Instant De-Puff Eye Renewal Serum	76	15mL	5.07
Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum	34	25mL	1.36
Dear, Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter	31	20g ~ 20mL	1.55

Here are some eye creams that I want to try:

Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Eye Serum
COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream
I’m From Ginseng Eye Cream
PURITO Centella Green Level Eye Cream

I’ve been looking for eye creams that don’t have caffeine because my right eye keeps twitching whenever I use eye creams with caffeine.

What’s your fave eye cream?

Love,

Last updated Aug 2023

Products marked with * were sent to me for review.

Nov-Dec 2021-Jan 2022 Product Empties

January 31, 2022

Hi Everyone!
I mostly finished skincare products in the past few months and I also decluttered a few things.

Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser – I’ve used a few bottles of this already. I use it as a cleanser in the morning since it’s very gentle.

Repurchase? Purchased bottles in bulk from Costco.

Cerave Moisturizing Cream – Love this body lotion during the colder months. It keeps my skin feeling moisturized.

Repurchase? Yes.

How long does it last? 3 months – used once a day on full body.

Boscia Plant Stem Cell and Ceramide Barrier-Defense Moisturizer* – This was an okay moisturizer. I probably should’ve tried it in the spring/summer because it definitely isn’t enough on its own for my dry skin.

Repurchase? Maybe in the summer time.

How long does it last? About 100 uses (took 1.5 months) two times a day. I used a generous amount to moisturize my face and neck.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – I had this as my fave eye cream in the past, but the size of it is getting smaller and the price is going up. I feel like there are eye creams that are more hydrating than this one. I know that hydration isn’t the target for this, but it does keep my under eyes pretty smooth.

Repurchase? Undecided.

How long does it last? 6 months, used two times a day.

Volition Beauty Hibiscus Unspottable Correcting Oil* – I really enjoyed this oil. I also noticed that a dark-ish spot on my nose got lighter as I used it.

Repurchase? Yes.

How long does it last? Almost a year (about 11 months)! I used 2 drops per use, two times a day.

Decluttered

Oh K! Soothing Face Lotion* – I used this for a while, but didn’t notice any improvements in my skin.

Repurchase? No.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum* – I didn’t like this. I found this product too tacky for my liking. I think I don’t like Hyaluronic Acid when it’s on its own. I prefer it with other ingredients. I also didn’t like the bottle this came in. The serum would often get on the top and dry.

Repurchase? No.

L’Oreal Ever Pure Bond Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner* – I had to give this to a friend. At first, I thought the scent of it was really nice and fresh when I smelled it from the tube. But once I actually used it, it was way too powerful for me.

Repurchase? No.

Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Primer* – I did not like this primer. It just sat on my skin and when I tried rubbing it in, it would pill.

Repurchase? No.

What products did you finish lately?
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review or gifted.

Read More

Reviewing My 2020 Beauty Expenses

February 22, 2021

Hi Everyone!

Today, I’m reviewing my expenses for 2020! I bought makeup in January before our first lockdown happened. So I have some unopened makeup sitting in my drawer. The rest of my beauty purchases were all skincare or hair related.

Check out my previous beauty expenses posts:

2017 | 2018 | 2019

My 2019 Beauty Budget

Category	Budget	Actual
Skincare	500	230
Primers	150	0
Foundations/Powders/Sprays	150	0
Concealers	120	0
Eyeliners	50	0
Brows	50	45
Mascara	50	0
Lips	100	20
Blush	60	0
Highlighter	60	0
Bronzer	60	0
Miscellaneous	250	–
– Makeup Tools	–	10
– Makeup Remover	–	30
– Haircare	–	105
– Perfume/Deodorant	–	15
TOTAL	1600	460

As you can see, I spent just over a quarter of my planned 2020 budget. I only purchased makeup in January and I also spent less on skincare. I’m not exactly sure why the skincare expenses went down too. I am still using skincare on a daily basis whereas I haven’t used my makeup in a year.

My 6 most expensive beauty purchases of 2020 (all products purchased from Sephora during VIB sale at 15% off, prices are approximate):

Volition Beauty Snow Mushroom Water Serum – $75
Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel – $62
Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – $52
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Superfoods Shampoo & Conditioner Hair Pack – $53
Briogeo Scalp Revival Soothing Travel Kit – $29
Glow Recipe Papaya Enzyme Smoothing Cleansing Balm – $28

Out of the products listed above, I would repurchase the Volition Snow Mushroom Water Serum, Clinique Even Better Eyes Darck Circle Corrector and Glow Recipe papaya Enzyme Smoothing Cleansing Balm. You can read my review on the Helix AM/PM Eye Gel.

For the Briogeo products, I didn’t like the Scalp Revival Soothing Travel Kit and ended up sending the products to my friends. The Banana + Coconut Superfoods Shampoo & Conditioner are nice, but I’m not the biggest fan of the scent. I might consider trying the Be Gentle, Be Kind Matcha + Apple Replenishing Superfood Shampoo and Kale + Apple Replenishing Superfood Conditioner.

2018 was the year I spent the most on beauty products. I bought a lot of makeup at Winners back then. In 2018, I had 340 makeup items (including nail polish, perfumes and makeup remover). The majority of those were eyeshadows (I counted each pan instead of the number of palettes). I decluttered a bunch of makeup/nail polish by the end of 2018. Since 2019, my makeup inventory has been under 100 items. I’m hoping that I can get my inventory down to 30-50 items by the end of this year. I know it sounds counterintuitive as a beauty blogger, but I’m just not as drawn to new launches as others. When new products launch, I don’t HAVE to have it immediately. I actually prefer to read the reviews on products and wait until the hype has died down to see if others actually like the products and continue to use them in their daily makeup routines.

For 2021, I hope to spend the same amount on beauty products (around $500). I doubt I will buy much makeup this year, but maybe I will buy a few items just so I can have some new reviews on the blog. I know last year, I didn’t write many blog posts and I’d like to get back into it again.

Love,

Haul | April 2020 Sephora VIB Sale

April 17, 2020
Hi Everyone!
Here’s my haul from the Sephora VIB Rouge Sale. I decided not to buy any new makeup because I already have more than enough makeup to get me through the year. So, I only purchased skincare and hair products…and one lip oil. I’ve been wanting to try Briogeo and other Volition Beauty products. I’ve tried the Celery Green Cream and Strawberry-C Brightening Serum from Volition Beauty. I thought I’d give their eye gel a try and also one of their serums. At the last minute, I decided to throw in a Sephora PRO eyeshadow brush.
- Fresh Rose Cleansing Foam
- Volition Beauty Snow Mushroom Water Serum
- Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel
- Jouer Cosmetics Essential Hydrating Lip Oil
- Briogeo Scalp Revival Scalp Soothing Travel Kit
  - Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
  - Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Conditioner
  - Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea tree Scalp Treatment
- Briogeo Banana + Coconut Superfoods Shampoo & Conditioner Hair Pack
  - Be Gentle Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo
  - Be Gentle Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Conditioner
- Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector
- Tatcha Routine Refresher
  - The Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser
  - The Water Cream
- Sephora PRO Fan Shadow Brush #25
Will you be ordering anything during the sale?
Love,
Read More
Eye Creams I’ve Tried

May 10, 2019
Hi Everyone!
Today, I’m going to be talking about eye creams I’ve tried. I never realized that I’ve tried quite a few and there’s actually only one that I love that made my under eyes feel smooth and didn’t give me milia. Several of the eye creams were just okay for me. I need one that hydrates because I have dry under eyes, but I also want one that helps with dark circles. Usually eye creams are hydrating OR for dark circles. So, maybe I have to find one to use for the day and one for night. I’m still on the hunt for one. While I do have a fave on this list, it’s the most expensive eye cream out of all of them, but you don’t get a lot for the cost.
I’ve written a mini review of each eye cream I’ve tried and also said if I had a reaction to it or not. Keep reading to find out which one is my fave!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for Eyes (read my review)

Unlike the Hydro Boost Cream for the face, this didn’t have a smell and it wasn’t tacky at all, but it just didn’t ‘wow’ me.

Reaction? No reaction.

Lkins Skincare Vitamin C Eye Gel (read my review)

This was a nice gel texture, but it just wasn’t hydrating enough. I have really dry under eyes.

Reaction? No reaction.

Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream (read my review)

This one didn’t do much for me. It didn’t hydrate my under eyes as much as I needed it to and I didn’t get any reaction from it.

Reaction? No reaction.

Tula Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum (read my review)

Both my mom and I tried this eye renewal serum. We both felt itchy using it and it wasn’t allergies or anything because we were using this in the winter time.

Reaction? No physical reaction, but eyes felt itchy.

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream to Depuff and Brighten (read my review)

I’m not a huge fan of the smell of this. I accidentally bought this instead of another product – I meant to get the Ginzing moisturizer. A little goes a long way and while this does brighten the under eyes, you have to be careful not to use too much or it looks too white. I was using this off and on because I got one spot and I wasn’t sure if it was the eye cream or something else. I stopped using it until it got better and then I used it again and I’ve had a bit of texture under the eyes since. So, I won’t be using this anymore.

Reaction? Got a milium (singular of milia) and also got red bumpy spots

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (read my review)

I’ve been using this for about a while now and I’ve been using it on and off because whenever I use it, I get 1-2 red spots under both eyes. Also, it has a weird texture that’s almost glue-y. If you use too much, it doesn’t blend in very well, but if you use a very small amount, it absorbs into the skin and almost feels like water.

Reaction? Red spots under eyes whenever I used it.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

I love the metal applicator on this and this is my favourite eye cream I’ve tried so far! It kept my under eyes smooth and hydrated. It also helped with darkness around my eyes for a while, but I stopped seeing results after a while. Maybe it did everything it could or my skin got used to it and stopped working for my dark circles. It still kept my under eyes nice and hydrated though. This is the most expensive eye cream I’ve tried (if you work out cost per mL). I like that it comes in a tube and not a pot which keeps it hygienic.

Reaction? No reaction.

Here are some eye creams that I want to try:
- IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream
- IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream
- Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment
- Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
- Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum
What’s your fave eye cream?
Love,
Read More
Sephora 2018 Wishlist

October 22, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I decided to do No Buy October (no makeup or skincare products) in preparation for the Sephora sales. I didn’t realize there would be a sale so soon! I think I will spread out my purchases across the upcoming sales. I will buy the things I NEED during the first one and then things I WANT later.

I have quite a few products on my wishlist. I probably won’t buy everything on the list during the sale. Whatever I don’t buy, I will pick up during the sales next year. I have some favourites that I want to repurchase, but most of the products on the list are ones that I haven’t tried/purchased before.

I am on the fence about purchasing a Charlotte Tilbury product. I know I want to own Charlotte Tilbury products (lip cheat, lipstick, blush and airbrush powder), I just don’t know if I should purchase now or wait until my current makeup inventory has gone down.

…I think I will wait because I have a feeling that I will love the products I purchase and I won’t want to use anything else.

PRODUCTS I LOVE

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo – I looove the smell of this! I got two compliments from my sister and aunt when I used it.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – I originally got this at the MAC Warehouse Sale, and I really liked it. The metal applicator felt very cooling when I applied it and it helped my under eyes feel moisturized.

Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion – This is a great eye shadow primer. If I’m finished my current one, I will replenish my stock.

PRODUCTS TO TRY

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector – I want an under eye product that brightens and doesn’t emphasize my dry under eyes.

Kopari Coconut Deodorant – I want to try a deodorant without aluminum and I’ve read some good reviews on it.

Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel – I’ve used the Kate Somerville EradiKate and I wanted to try this one.

Waso Fresh Jelly Lotion – I tried this out in store and it smells nice and I love the texture of it.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation – I’ve heard amazing things about this and I really want to compare it to the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick. I know they’re different finishes and coverage, but it’d be interesting to see how they compare.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation Stick – Before I wanted to get the Hourglass stick, I really wanted to try this because it’s a soft matte finish that feels so smooth when I swatch it on my hand. I’m thinking of getting both sticks to compare them with the Bobbi Brown one.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer – I want to get this in the same shade as my foundation because then I don’t have to try and colour match a different brand’s concealer with my foundation.

Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil – I haven’t seen a lot of reviews for this and I was at Sephora and swatched this. The strokes are even finer than the Benefit Precisely, My Brow, so I thought I’d give it a try.

WISHLIST FOR A FUTURE SEPHORA SALE

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – I’ve heard amazing things about this powder. If it’s in stock, I’m going to grab this.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat – Again, if this is in stock, I will get it in Pillow Talk.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation – Lancôme foundations are beautiful and I wanted to get this one after trying a sample.

Click here to see what I got during the sale!

What’s on your wishlist?

Love,

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HITS

LIKES

MISSES

Decluttered

Check out my previous beauty expenses posts:

2017 | 2018 | 2019