under eyes Archives

VIIcode O₂M Oxygen Eye Mask for Dark Circles | #Sponsored Review

December 3, 2023

Hi Everyone,
This post is sponsored by VIIcode, a skincare brand that focuses on eyes. A few years ago, I reviewed their VIIcode O₂M Oxygen Eye Mask for All Night Repair (read my review). Today, I’ll be reviewing the VIIcode O₂M Oxygen Eye Mask for Dark Circles.
These individually wrapped gentle oxygen eye masks are designed for continuous 8 hour use overnight. They contain a natural, alcohol-free, non-irritating formula and are completely safe to use. Each mask is infused with a potent blend of nourishing ingredients that work hard to reduce dark circles and puffiness so you wake up looking youthful, refreshed and well-rested.
VIIgarden website
Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Cellulose, Carbomer, Mentha Arvensis, Butylene Glycol, Cellulose Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanol Amine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Allantoin, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitamin E, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia, Aloe Barbadensis, Algin, CO-Q10, Sodium PCA, PEG-40, Betula Alba Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sorbitol, y-PGA, Citric Acid, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride.

VIIcode recommends wearing the patches for 6-8 hours. On the back of the pack, it says to “let the masks work their brightening and hydrating magic no more than 8 hours, then remove.” Make sure to follow their instructions, since you don’t want to have any irritation (especially to your sensitive under eyes).

Comparing these to the All Night Repair masks, these also have a cotton-y side and the other is like a gel-like membrane. It’s been a few years since I reviewed the All Night Repair ones, so I don’t know if they’ve changed the shape. The ones for Dark Circles are symmetrical, while the All Night Repair masks had one side that was slimmer. I prefer the symmetrical ones since it covers more surface area. Also, I like that both eye masks aren’t scented.

To apply, your skin should be clean and dry. Make sure to put them on carefully because repositioning them will make them less tacky on the sides and they might lift while you sleep. I tried wearing them both before bed and overnight. Some people might wear a sleep mask to bed, I don’t so I’m not used to having anything on my face while I sleep. While wearing them, you can definitely feel them on your face, but it’s not uncomfortable. They aren’t like pimple patches where you can’t feel them once you put them on. I can definitely tell they are on since they are quite big and right under my eyes. So when you move your face, you can feel them.

If you’re wearing them to sleep and you’re a side/stomach sleeper, I would make sure to take them off a good amount of time before you leave the house, they left a mark on my face once or twice. Like when you wake up from a good sleep and realize you have a line on your face from your duvet.

I like that these are dry eye masks. They won’t slide down your face and because of the cotton-y side, you can wear them to bed without getting serum/product all over your pillowcase. The gel makes them stay in place, but they aren’t so sticky that it leaves a sticky residue after. It just feels tacky like you applied some eye cream, but it goes away once it absorbs into the skin and feels smooth. I didn’t get a chance to try, but I think makeup would apply nicely after wearing the masks overnight.

The gel of the eye masks makes them feel nice and cool. These would be great to use during the summer. Sometimes I throw my sheet masks into the fridge to cool them down, so I tried putting a pair of these eye masks in the fridge for half an hour. On the initial application, they felt quite cold. After a few seconds though, I got used to the cold and it didn’t feel that much different from the eye masks at room temperature. I also found it a bit harder to peel the backing off when they were cold (the gel seemed stickier), so I prefer keeping them at room temperature.

RATING: 3.5/5

I think you would have to do more than 6 treatments to know whether these help in the long-term. You would have to be using them for a few months instead of just a few weeks. A box of masks comes with 6 pairs which is only enough for three weeks if you use them twice a week.

I think I prefer the All Night Repair Masks since I don’t have dark circles. For me, these are more of a self-care item than a treatment since I’m not trying to target dark circles or wrinkles.

Check out VIIcode’s socials: Blog | Shop | Instagram
Love,
*This post was sponsored, but all opinions are my own. Links are NOT affiliate links.

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First Impressions with Klorane

August 18, 2021
Hi Everyone!
Today, I’m reviewing two products from Klorane. This is my first time trying Klorane products. I know their dry shampoo is popular, but that’s pretty much all I know about the brand. After taking a look on their website, it looks like they have collections based on specific ingredients. For example, I’m reviewing products from the Organic Cornflower selection. To name a few, they also have calendula, chamomile, mango and oat products.

Scientifically proven effectiveness of our plant-based ingredients. A quality approach resulting from our pharmaceutical background, which applies to all our plants.

I received the water cream and eye patches from Topbox to try. According to their website, the Water Cream is best suited for dehydrated or tired skin. For rejuvenating skin in the morning. The eye patches help eliminate signs of fatigue (wrinkles, bags and fine lines).

Cornflower water cream with ORGANIC Cornflower and 100% plant-based Hyaluronic Acid

The Water Cream with Organic Cornflower and 100% plant-based Hyaluronic Acid moisturizes and plumps dehydrated or tired skin, leaving it refreshed and glowing.
+83% immediate hydration* thanks to the gel-like texture of the 98% natural formula.

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Betaine, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ci 42090, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate.

It retails for $37 CAD (50mL) at Shoppers Drug Mart.
I was sent the tube, but it’s also available in a jar for the larger size.

The water cream has a gel cream texture that I like. It doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin and hasn’t pilled with any of my products. It smells like cornflower which is pleasant and it doesn’t linger all day once you’ve applied it. If you’re unfamiliar with cornflower, it kind of reminds me of the blue Mr. Sketch scented markers (even though that is a blueberry-scented marker). It’s possible I’m remembering wrong, but that’s what comes to mind when I smell the cream.

I know it’s more cost effective to buy the jar, but I like that the tube is more hygienic. I don’t have to dip my finger or a spatula into a jar every morning.

RATING: 3/5

It’s a nice water cream and it’s perfect for the warmer months for my dry skin. I probably wouldn’t be able to use this on its own in the colder months. Even now, I use it with a drop of facial oil.

Smoothing and soothing eye patches with Organic Cornflower

Smoothing and relaxing eye patches with Organic Cornflower and 100% plant-based Hyaluronic Acid is a refreshing anti-fatigue treatment for eye contour area after a long day or a short night. With 99% of natural ingredients and 100% biodegradable, the new patches with hydrogel technology hydrates, smooth away fine lines, promotes decongestion and reduces signs of fatigue (dark circles, puffiness, etc). Patches with a refreshing effect for a revived look!

Ingredients: Water (Aqua)*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride*, Glycerin*, Pentylene Glycol*, Algin*, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water*, Sodium Hyaluronate*, Blue 1 (Ci 42090). Butylene Glycol*, Calcium Sulfate Hydrate*, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate*, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum*

A box of 7 pairs retails for $35 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart.
The patches are a pretty blue shade (not that it matters what colour they are). They look like whales to me lol. This is a minor thing that doesn’t really affect the efficacy of the patches, but it looks like they were all made in moulds that face the same way. So one of the patches won’t lie against your skin in the same way as the other (one side is flat and the other side is more rounded). You can see what I’m talking about in the second picture of patches.

I personally don’t like under eye patches. I prefer to just use an eye cream or gel. Similar to sheet masks, they can be nice to use from time to time, but I find it a hassle to do it every single day. Having to put on a mask/patches, wait 15-20 mins and then take it off. I’d rather just apply my skincare and be done with it.

RATING: 1/5

There wasn’t enough serum in the patches to be hydrating enough after taking them off. They felt nice and cool while they were on, but there wasn’t much to tap into my under eye area after.

Overall, both products were okay, but I don’t see myself purchasing either of them on my own and I’m not curious enough to try other products from the Cornflower selection.

Have you tried Klorane products? What are your faves?
Love,
*Products were received complimentary from Topbox.
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October/November 2020 Product Empties

December 14, 2020

Hi Everyone!
I know it’s been a while since my last post. I know I’ve already said this, but I haven’t bought many new products this year, so I don’t have a lot to review. Here are my empties for the last 2 months. I decluttered the makeup items since I’ve had them for a while.
Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule* – I really liked this product. I was sent it to try, but would repurchase it in the future. It comes in a huge bottle which lasted a long time. When I used this at night, I noticed that it calmed down the redness on my face. The redness wasn’t completely gone, but it didn’t look as bad as the day before.

Repurchase? Yes.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This lip mask lasts so long. I wish it came in a tube to make it a little more hygienic since it took so long to finish. I would wake up with my lips feeling moisturized.

Repurchase? Probably.

Burt’s Bees All Aflutter Volumizing Mascara* – The Burt’s Bees Mascaras are nice and natural. They don’t look clumpy at all. While it was a nice mascara, it’s a bit more expensive than other mascaras I like better.

Repurchase? No.

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in 65 Seductress – I really liked this lipstick and would definitely repurchase in the future and consider other shades as well. It was a comfortable matte lipstick, but it was time to declutter it.

Repurchase? Yes. I would try other shades too.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel (read my review) – It was a good cleanser, but it’s expensive and it didn’t do much more than my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser which is a fraction of the price.

Repurchase? No.

Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Eye Patches – They felt cooling to use, but I didn’t really notice a difference after using them.

Repurchase? No.

What have you finished lately?
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review or gifted.

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Review | Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel

August 27, 2020
Hi Everyone!
Today, I’ll be reviewing the Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel.
This is the 3rd Volition Beauty product I’ve tried. I’ve previously reviewed 2 products that I received from Volition.

Celery Green Cream | Strawberry-C Brightening Serum

I wanted to try more from the brand so I purchased the Helix AM/PM Eye Gel and Snow Mushroom Water Serum during the Sephora VIB sale.

Benefits
- Hydrates and rejuvenates skin
- Cools and reduces visible puffiness
- Improves appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Priming effect for ideal makeup application
Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Cruelty free and gluten free.

I have dry under eyes, so it’s hard to tell if this helps prime the skin. When I apply concealer, my under eyes look dry still.

On a good skin day, my under eyes does feel smooth after I use this eye gel. I don’t have fine lines or wrinkles so I can’t say if it helps with those. It has a silicone-y texture that’s similar to the original Smashbox primer.

I find that eye creams in pots are easy for me to overuse. I used way too much when I first started using it. I purchased it earlier this year and I’m almost finished. I was using it twice daily (day and night) until I got the Retinol Eye Cream from Pixi Beauty.
RATING: 3.5/5

I’ve tried a handful of different eye creams and some have caused reactions under my eyes (milia and even red spots). This is one of the few eye products that hasn’t caused any reactions to my under eye area.

While it is a nice eye gel, it’s not my favourite Volition Beauty product. As someone with dry skin, I think I can only use it during the warmer months. Even now, my under eyes are dry. I need something that moisturizes and hydrates in the colder months.

UPDATE: They sell this in a bottle with a pump now which I prefer. I may consider trying this during the summer and using it in the morning only.

Have you tried Volition Beauty products? What are your favourites?
Love,
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50/50 | Under Eye Masks

August 20, 2019

Hi Everyone!
I’m starting a new blog series – talking about the differences in opinions for a certain beauty topic.

Today, the topic is split at 50/50 on under eye masks…how do you wear them?

You know how some eye masks are shaped like an apostrophe? Skinny on one side and wider on the other side? How do you wear them? Skinny on the inside or the outside?

This all started when I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a girl wearing under eye masks where the skinny part was on the inside. and I thought…OMG! Is that how you’re supposed to wear them? I’ve always worn the wider part on the inside because it covers more of the under eye area….so I looked it up on Google to see and saw masks worn both ways.
wide on inside (top), wide on outside (bottom)
I did an Instagram poll to see what you guys thought and the results were 50/50. I also made a post on Instagram and I got quite a few comments. Here are some of their answers (in my caption, I wrote that I use wide on the inside):

I’ve wondered this exact same thing!!! I’ve always worn mine with the fat part on the inner eye too, but saw someone wearing them the other way so I thought I was wrong! 😅 Let us know the results of your poll! – @mom_into_beauty

Interesting, I’m the opposite! My crows feet expand pretty far down, so I prefer the wide part on the outside. Never tried the other way though – @classic.skin

Maybe I’m doing it wrong lol the ones I buy the girl on the package has the skinny edge to the inside – @melsmakeupdesk

I do mine either way depending on what area I want to target but for the most part, I wear the fat side on the inner part to help with dryness. I’ll put the fatter part on the outside every now and then to target crows feet! – @lipglossnlashes82

Lol I switch it up, that way I figure I’m doing it correctly at least half of the time. #itsamystery – @nowjenplans

I tried it out both ways and I found that skinny on the inside looked more aesthetically pleasing when taking a selfie. When the skinny part is on the inside, I apply the masks closer to my nose (and slightly on my nose). This makes your face and nose look slimmer. When I put the wider part on the inside, they don’t touch my nose and therefore my face and nose look wider.

I asked my family and it was also 50/50. I’ve always done wider on the inside because I have dry under eyes. I asked my dad and he said he would do the same. I asked my mom and sister and they both said wider on the outside. My sister said she instinctively put the wide part on the outside, but it’s also because her cheeks are dry.

There’s no right or wrong way to put them on. We are all different and we use under eye masks for different purposes. Most people wear them to target different areas: dark circles, puffy under eyes, crow’s feet, etc.

You wear the wider part depending on what you’re targeting.

WIDER ON THE OUTSIDE: If you have crow’s feet
WIDER ON THE INSIDE: If you have dry or puffy under eyes, or dark circles

How do you wear under eye masks?
Love,

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First Impressions with Sdara Skincare

June 7, 2019

Hi Everyone!
Today, I’ll be reviewing some products from Sdara Skincare. They sent me a rose quartz roller and some eye gel patches! Keep reading to see what I think about these products!

Rose Quartz Roller

Get the glow – Be blown away by a younger and more radiant YOU. Prepare yourself to see even skin tone in the mirror that it might shock you, until you remember that you used our Sdara Skincare Rose Quartz Roller! Slow down aging (if you want to) – Bless yourself with aging gracefully. You’ll think, “Woah! What happened to that wrinkle? Why are my pores so small?” Because that’s the power of collagen reproduction and lymphatic drainage from our little pink miracle worker. Product Penetration – Your products will apply effortlessly with increased absorption! Massage products into your skin for increased effectiveness. Treat Yourself – You’ll want to roll our roller all over your body! That’s what one of our Sdara beauty gurus had to say. It’s the best to soothe irritated skin.

RATING: 5/5

I am loving the Rose Quartz Roller! I love the colour and the coolness of the roller just feels so nice on the skin. It makes your face feel nice, refreshed and ready for your skincare and makeup. The coolness from the roller is also great for those hot summer days. It’s also useful when you’ve already applied your skincare and it helps work it into your skin.
Eye Gel Mask

For days when under-eye concealer just won’t do, (no one has to know you didn’t relax the night away), Sdara Eye Gel Mask acts like a soothing second skin to immediately target and soothe the area. Promoting brighter, plumper, and more youthful-looking skin, preventative ingredients like natural snow mushroom, sodium hyaluronate, peptides, and gold restore natural moisture, boost collagen production, and firm your skin. Puffy, tired-looking eyes, we’re coming for you.

RATING: 3/5

The eye gel patches are also quite nice. They feel cool on the eyelids and undereyes and my skin feels smooth and soft after using it. Although I could do without the glitter that comes off the eye masks.
I am impressed with the products I received from Sdara Skincare. I would be interested in trying the microneedle roller (0.25mm). While I already have one from a different brand that has 0.5mm needles, it would be interesting to try one with smaller needles. Maybe have one for the body and one for the face.

Have you tried facial rollers?

Love,

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Review | Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff

May 3, 2019

Hi Everyone!
Today, I’m reviewing the Origins Ginzing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff. This one and the Ole Henriksen are super popular brightening eye creams. I thought I’d give this one a try first.
A refreshing eye cream that visibly brightens the eye area by diminishing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
It does illuminate the under eye because of the peachy tint. When I first started using it, I used too much and it brightened my under eyes too much. It would also dry down quickly and wouldn’t blend out well. Now that I know how much to use, it does brighten the under eye nicely. I don’t love the smell of this and I think I had a reaction to it because I got a milium (singular of milia since I only got one).
RATING: 3/5
I need a more hydrating under eye cream because my skin is so dry. I won’t be repurchasing this one.
Love,

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Review | Gosh Cosmetics Click’N Conceal Pen

January 5, 2018

Hi Everyone!

When I was at Shoppers Drug Mart a few months ago, they were having a 50% off sale for GOSH Cosmetics products. There wasn’t a lot left, but they did have a click concealer pen in light and I thought I’d try it. Since it’s a click pen, I figured the formula would be more runny than the usual concealer you get in the wands and I was right. The consistency is similar to the YSL Touche Eclat pen. I can’t say whether or not this is a dupe for the YSL Touche Eclat, but I really like the Gosh Cosmetics pen. At first, I thought the shade would be too peachy for me, but it actually helps concealer the darkness under and around my eyes. One you blend it, it somehow looks lighter than when you dab it onto your skin.

I like that it’s not drying- after I apply concealer under my eyes, it’s not cakey or heavy. It has a natural finish and it’s a perfect consistency for under the eyes. I also love Rimmel’s Wake Me Up Concealer for under eyes too (I use 030 Classic Beige, but think I could go a shade lighter).

Gosh Cosmetics Click’N Conceal in 01 Light

CLICK`N CONCEAL is a high quality concealer with a smooth and soft texture. The brush will easily brush away imperfections and spots on your skin leaving a refreshed and flawless skin. Ideal for hydrating and protecting the delicate skin around the eyes. Reduces dark circles & puffiness. No perfume, no parabens.

I swatched it on my hand and then the right side is after it’s blended.

Below is before and after I applied it. You can see that before applying it, I have a bit of darkness around my eyes, but once I applied the concealer, it brightened up the area. I primed my under eyes with Smashbox’s Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer.

RATING: 4/5

I dock a point because it’s not very easy to find, especially now that Shoppers is having a going out of stock sale for it. I found 2 more at another Shoppers and stocked up.

What’s your favourite concealer for under the eyes? I know Maybelline’s Age Rewind and Tarte Shape Tape is a fave for many.

Love,

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Cornflower water cream with ORGANIC Cornflower and 100% plant-based Hyaluronic Acid

Smoothing and soothing eye patches with Organic Cornflower