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.

First Impressions with Almay Eyeshadows and Jelly Highlighters

April 29, 2019
Hi Everyone!

I haven’t tried a lot of products from Almay. I was sent 10 Almay products to review (5 different products with two different shades of each). While that was very generous and all of the products look really pretty, not all of the shades are ones I would personally choose and if I opened them, I would just end up wasting them. So, I’m going to review the products that I’ve decided to keep for myself and I will be putting the unopened products in a future giveaway.

Several of the products have that iridescent, unicorn vibe – especially the Jelly highlighters and glosses. These products are greatt for a fun makeup look, festival or Halloween…they would’ve been perfect to use for Coachella.

Smoky Eye Trios Eyeshadow
- Eye makeup with a velvety smooth texture
- 3 simple steps to a smoky eye
- Includes 1 dual ended applicator
- Ophthalmologist tested – suitable for sensitive eyes & contact lens wearers
- As always, hypoallergenic & fragrance free
I received 020 Smoldering Embers and 030 Coppery Blaze.

When you swatch the shadows with your fingers, they’re not the most pigmented. When you apply them though, they are very nice. For the Smoldering Embers palette, the shimmery bone shade is perfect to highlight the brow bone and I really love the brown shade because it’s smoky, but also perfect for an everyday look (this shade swatched the best out of the three shadows). You can add a bit more smoke by adding the purple shade.
From top: Smoky Eye Trio Eyeshadow in Smoldering Embers (top to bottom), Shadow Squad Eyeshadow in 160 Thrill Seekers (swatches are clockwise from top left)

Shadow Squad Eyeshadow
- Your favorite shades, in each of four finishes: matte, satin, metallic, glitter
- Mix it up in monochrome
- Soft texture for beautiful color payoff
I received 160 Thrill Seekers and 100 Unicorn.

The Unicorn shades are either not going to show up or look weird on my skin tone, so I will be giving that one away. The Thrill Seekers teal shades are more my style anyway. Again, swatching them, they’re not the most pigmented shades. If you want to add some more pigment, apply it on top of the Velvet Foil Shadow (the Lunar Disco shade is the perfect shade) or make sure to use a shadow primer that will brighten it up.

I prefer the bottom two shades from this palette. I usually prefer if my brightly coloured shadows are metallic or glittery because I’m not exactly going to use a matte green or teal as a transition shade. The matte shade was also a bit patchy.
Velvet Foil Cream Shadow

Wear each shade individually or combine for a dramatic customized eye look. Quick and easy application – apply with fingertips or an eyeshadow brush. No shadow fall-out during application.

Long wear formula – up to 24 Hour wear

High intensity color

Crease-proof, smudge-proof, fade-proof all day

Infused with Vitamin E and a botanical blend of ingredients

I received 070 Astro Girl and 060 Lunar Disco

I first swatched this on my hand (see below- it looks kind of black in that lighting, but it is more blue) and found it very difficult to wash off. It made me worry how hard it would be to remove from my eyes. I don’t have waterproof makeup remover, if you do, you’re probably fine, but it took me a bit more effort to remove it. Astro Girl is a white shade so that won’t really look good on my skin tone. I opened up Lunar Disco which is a blue shade. I tend to go for more neutral shadows, but this looks nice when you pair it with the Shadow Squad Eyeshadow in Thrill Seekers.
Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite 24K Dreams, Unicorn Light, Velvet Foil Cream Shadow in Lunar Disco

Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite

Jelly highlighter that illuminates and shimmers, giving you a celestial glow.
- Iridescent glitter sheen complements all skin tones
- Instantly illuminates and adds moisture to skin
- Buildable highlight for customized level of radiance
- As always, hypoallergenic & fragrance free
Pro Tips!
- Brush onto cheekbones and the bridge of your nose for an iridescent gleam
- Apply to collarbones and shoulders to make them pop
- Mix with moisturizer or primer for an all-over glow
- Add to foundation for customized radiance
I received 003 Unicorn Light and 004 24K Dreams

These jelly highlighters dry down a bit tacky. In the pro tips, it says to apply to bridge of nose, I think it’s a bit too chunky to do that, it’ll look like you had some fallout from an eyeshadow get onto your nose. Similar to the Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Livin’ the Highlight, this is a bit more chunky than I prefer my face highlighters to be. I prefer a wet look instead of shimmery chunks, so I think this would be best as a body highlighter for the collarbone and shoulders.

I’ve compared these to the NYX Jelly Illuminator, check out my post (swatches included).

Goddess Gloss
A spectrum of prismatic lip glosses with holographic effects. Designed to be worn solo, mixed or layered.
- Gives lips a holographic, iridescent glow
- Lips feel moisturized and smooth, never sticky
- Made with pomegranate, grape and raspberry oils
- Available in 8 sheer, easy to wear, high-shine shades
- As always, hypoallergenic & fragrance free
Pro Tips!
- Rock it solo for an iridescent glow on lips
- Mix & match shades to create infinite ombré looks
- Layer over lipstick for a transformative holographic effect
I received 930 Dreamy and 900 Gilded

These lip glosses really aren’t my style. I don’t really like iridescent lip sticks, but if that’s your style, I think these would look really good.
This Almay collection is very fun and iridescent. I personally prefer a neutral look with a glowy highlighter so my favourite out of all of the products was the Smoldering Embers Smoky Eye Trio…boring, I know. As you may know, I’ve been trying to streamline my makeup collection. While fun shades and products are cool to try out, I don’t think I would’ve bought anything from this collection because I want to have products in my collection that are timeless and neutral (with maybe a nice pop of colour here and there).

Have you tried Almay products? What were your thoughts?

Love,
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August 2018 Product Empties

September 3, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I finished some makeup products which brings me one step closer to streamlining my makeup collection! Yay for progress! → Check out my makeup goals

Pearlessence Cucumber Water – I bought this at Winners for $10. I liked that it was in a glass bottle, but the mist would sting my eyes. I got it in my mouth a few times and it tasted horrible.

Repurchase? No.

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer in 01 Creamy Vanilla – If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you’ll know that I am planning to only purchase high-end foundations from now on. This was a very thick foundation/concealer, if you used a beauty sponge to blend it, it could sheer out a bit. It looked nice, but it was way too full coverage for me. I’d rather use a sheer, dewy foundation and then use a spot concealer on areas that need covering up. I would’ve used this more as a concealer, but the shade I bought was a tad too yellow for me. So, if I didn’t use it all over the face, I would have random yellow splotches on my face. It had a bit of a perfume-y scent to it that I didn’t really like. I didn’t really give this a proper wear test (as a foundation). I mostly used it when I took pictures for Instagram and practised applying my makeup.

Repurchase? No.

The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream Colour-Adapting Tinted Cream (read my review) – I gave this a 5/5 in my review, but since then, I have tried the Lancome Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation which I really love (read my review).

L’Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in 370 Jennifer’s Nude – This is one of my fave lipsticks! It’s interesting because when I swatch it on my arm, it’s like a sheer peachy-pink, but when it’s on my lips, it’s a beautiful pinky-nude.

Repurchase? I bought another tube a few months after purchasing the first one because I thought it was going to be limited edition. I think I will wait until I’ve used up some other lipsticks before breaking out the new tube though.

GOSH Click’N Conceal Pen in 01 Light (read my review) – I liked this concealer, but they no longer sell it at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Repurchase? Unavailable.

Repurchase? Probably not. I really like it, but I looove the Lancome Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation.

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo – I don’t love the smell of this one, but it does make my hair look shiny and feel soft.

Repurchase? Not this particular Live Clean shampoo.

Live Clean Apple Cider Ultra Light Conditioner – Like the shampoo, this conditioner smells like apple juice to me. It doesn’t make my hair feel as soft as the other ones.

Repurchase? Not this particular Live Clean conditioner.

The Ordinary “Buffet” Multi-Technology Peptide Serum (read my review) – After my initial first impressions review, I realized just how tacky it made my face feel. I want a skincare product that doesn’t feel tacky or cause my makeup to pill.

Repurchase? No.

Love,

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