Beauty Review: It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream

Should I have started using an eye cream in my 20s?!

I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that I have always kind of thought eye cream (that is, specific moisturizers designed for your eyes) was kind of a scam. The skin around our eyes is different from the rest of our faces, but how useful is it to apply a different cream to our eye areas? Should we be doing it? Does it matter? Does eye cream really make a difference?

One dermatologist says this: “The creams you use on your face are just as helpful as eye cream, regardless of name brand.” Basically, what I get from this is: just use moisturizer on your eyelids and eye area, gently, and it’s all good.

However, another dermatologist in the exact same article says this: “Many regular facial creams or moisturizers may irritate the thin skin.” And another says, “I can’t say [definitively that] eye creams really work — but I can say that certain ingredients work.”

TL;DR: there is conflicting information.

But the main takeaway here to me is that we should be moisturizing around our eyes, even if you aren’t using a specifically formulated eye cream. I realized as I was writing this that if I don’t use eye cream, I rarely apply moisturizer to my eye lids (or too close to my eyes). That was pretty jarring to realize; how much dehydration have my poor eyes experienced because I am not moisturizing them correctly?

We may never know.

The point of all of this is to review the It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream. Yay! I received it as a sample in my Ipsy bag; I paid $3 for a teeny tiny sample. (Ok, it’s actually fairly substantial for looking so small, as you don’t use very much).

Here’s what this eye cream promises:

“Confidence in an Eye Cream features the same hydrating, firming and wrinkle-smoothing benefits as your #1 anti-aging moisturizer*—plus it’s your best eye cream for dark circles!

While the exclusive apricot tint and Drops of Light Technology™ visibly color-correct and brighten, proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate™ and other high-performance skin-loving ingredients—including a super ceramide complex, chrysin, licorice root, avocado and squalane—work to hydrate, smooth and refresh. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time!”

My main takeaways here are that is acts as an anti-aging moisturizer and promises to reduce dark circles.

I’m genetically lucky in that I don’t have dark undereyes; some people naturally get darkness under their eyes, so I cannot necessarily speak to that. However, I do have a large melasma spot under my left eye that developed after I was pregnant. (Pregnancy often causes “pregnancy mask,” aka melasma spots that can worsen if you don’t use SPF. I have a line above my lip and a splotch underneath my eye. They’re fun! By which I mean, they’re not! They’re basically large, irregularly shaped freckles.)

My main concern for my under eye area is handling that melasma; there is not much I can do to make it better, but I don’t want to make it worse. My other concern is keeping the area moisturized and preventing wrinkles. I know that’s incredibly vain, but I really pride myself on my lack of crow’s feet. I’ve stopped squinting at things to prevent them!

(I haven’t really stopped squinting at things. I’m squinting at my computer screen in my non-prescription blue blocker glasses at this moment.)

I have previously really loved the It Cosmetics Confidence line; I love the Confidence in a Cleanser. I even glowingly reviewed it here. However, after doing a lot of work on repairing my pH barrier (learn more about the process I’ve been following for balancing & repairing my skin’s pH barrier here), I’ve come to the terrible conclusion that the thing that is wrecking my skin’s pH barrier is… the Confidence in a Cleanser. I realized this after dropping it from my routine for a month to exclusively use the FAB Daily Cleanser. I reused it a few days ago and my skin was immediately back to where it was before I did all that work!

So, the bad news is: I think the Confidence in a Cleanser is bad for my pH barrier (and potentially other people’s), so I highly recommend being careful if you use it or want to try it.

That has slightly colored my experience with the It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream because I was worried about the eye cream being responsible too. However, I used it throughout my month-long repair process and didn’t have any issues.

Here are a few things I noticed while using this eye cream for a month:

• My undereyes were able to hold concealer better without creasing or getting dry and flaky.

• I noticed my melasma faded slightly. (My husband even said it looked a little lighter, but this may have to do with sun exposure in the winter.)

• Plucking my eyebrows has become a lot easier. (Who knew moisturizing my eye area would make that easier?)

This eye cream includes a few key ingredients that are common in eye creams: collagen, specifically, which is supposed to firm the skin; and ceramides, which are natural lipids that help “reinforce the skin barrier.” The inclusion of ceramides is what makes me feel confident that this eye cream won’t damage your pH barrier. It also includes niacin, which can help even your skin tone, peptides, and licorice root.

All in all, if you’re in the market for an eye cream, I think this one is a strong contender. I really love It Cosmetics; they are one of my favorite brands. However, in terms of eye creams, it’s not the most affordable; it is $38 for 0.5 fluid ounces. That being said, you use such a small amount day-to-day, it will probably last a significant amount of time.

I’m debating repurchasing or trying a different eye cream; if you have suggestions, let me know!

My Favorite Products of 2019

It’s been a minute since I’ve written about beauty products, or products in general. In terms of my blog, I’ve been focusing more on personal and professional development—that’s just where my head is right now!

But that being said: we all deserve to take care of ourselves. We can’t be 100% business, goal-focused, super productive all the time. That’s unsustainable. And besides, it’s fun to take a break and talk about products that make it easier for us to live our lives with minimal hassle and maximum results. (I’m all about that life.)

And ultimately, my goal with my blog is to always push the point that you can be successful at whatever it is you choose (your job, or parenthood, or hitting that personal goal) while also taking time to pamper yourself and indulge in the things you love.

2019 was a big year for me. As Kylie Jenner so famously said, “I feel like this year is really about, just the year of realizing stuff.”

I’ve realized so much stuff.

But in all seriousness: 2019 was a big year for a lot of very good and bad reasons. I feel like I’m taking more steps towards being a better person than I was at the end of 2018, that’s for sure. I’m a lot less angry and scared this year than I was last year. More than that, I feel comfortable where I am professionally for the first time in a long time and I’ve learned how to take better care of myself.

When it comes to the products that really improved my life in 2019, I think of a few things: things that made me happy, that gave me more time, or just worked really, really well. In a year where so much was happening, especially in the 2nd half, some days I just needed things that made me feel really, really good. So, here are my top 5 products (mostly beauty-related) for 2019.

1. Apothehair by Scapes

I received a sample of Apothehair by Scapes in my Birchbox. As of right now, you can only buy it from Birchbox—which is what I did. It was fairly expensive, but you don’t use much of it at a time. It is an herbal leave-in conditioner that I highly recommend if you have dry, damaged hair. I always let my hair air dry, which can give me some flyaways… but I like that Apothehair helps calm those down, while also making my hair so dang shiny.

I got really into hair care products this year. I started keeping regular hair appointments for the first time in years (shout out to my stylist, Lindy); even though I don’t necessarily need a trim every 4-6 weeks, I like to go anyway. Sometimes, I get a scalp treatment. But mostly, I’ve realized that taking good care of my hair is one way I can take better care myself. That’s why I like Apothehair; it’s one product that helps me really feel like I’m taking care of my hair every single day without fail. It smells good. It feels good. It makes my hair look good. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better.

2. First Aid Beauty Oat & Cannabis Seed Oil

I got a (fairly large) sample of this in my most recent Ipsy bag and let me tell you: if you’re looking for a good oil to finish your skincare routine with, let me recommend this one. It’s a combination of oat-based oil and cannabis seed oil. You don’t need many drops and you can add it to your moisturizer or apply it afterwards to seal the skin.

Throughout November and December, I’ve been struggling hard with my nose being dry. I mean the skin on my nose. And around my nose. It looks awful. The skin was scaly and peeling and just kind of nasty looking. My nose is usually incredibly oily, but I actually stopped using powder because my nose was so dry. I started religiously applying the FAC oil in the morning and evening (sometimes twice in an evening, just for good measure) and it cleared up in a few days. All that hemming and hawing only for it to go away, and improve, over a few days. Sometimes, I surprise myself.

I fully plan to buy a full size of this oil once the new year starts (even though I’ll be on a mild spending ban to start hardcore saving for taxes next year) because I’m not sure I can live without it at this point.

3. It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser

I reviewed this cleanser in November and I’m not sure I have much else to say about it except that: it continues to be my favorite cleanser of the year; I still love the smell of it; and I love how moisturizing it is, especially with the dry winter air.

4. My Diffuser

I have never been much into essential oils; I don’t think they do even 10% of what some people claim and I think the consumption of them is incredibly dangerous and misguided. That being said: essential oils smell very good and I like when my house smells good. I resisted essential oils in diffusers for so long for everything I just listed, but let me tell you: my life improved dramatically when I just started using them for smell alone! This is the diffuser I bought at the beginning of the summer; I ended up buying a second one for my bedroom. I like that it came with a set of basic essential oils; however, it was about $10 cheaper when I bought both of mine, so I don’t know what to think about that!

My favorite oils to diffuser are bergamot anything; jasmine + eucalyptus; and tea tree and eucalyptus. I do find some scents help me feel better or more energized, but I think that’s just because I particularly like them—not because they hold any real medicinal properties.

5. Aveda Shampure Thermal Dry Conditioner

My hair stylist recommended this on my very first visit and I bought it right then and there. And I love it. The link above is to a similar product; I can’t find the one I actually use on the Aveda website, but you can read a blog post about it here. It is a dry conditioner that you can use on your hair when its dry to add a bit more moisture and shine, as well as to provide a small amount of heat protection (if you are curling your hair or anything). It also smells amazing. (The entire Shampure line from Aveda smells fantastic!) I like using it to refresh my hair throughout the day, or if my scalp is being particularly problematic; I spray, brush, and let dry. My hair is shinier and softer afterwards, which is always a plus.

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There you have it! My favorite products of 2019. Do you have anything you’re particularly loving from the last year? That you recently discovered? That changed your life? Tell me about it!

Beauty Review: It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser

Winter is a rough time for our skin. In the past week here in Oregon, the weather has gone from normal October weather to bitterly cold; I woke up this morning to the temperature being 22 degrees. 22 DEGREES! Fahrenheit! That’s low. My skin, of course, did not get the notice of the weather and therefore, was not fully prepared. I have thus been left with dry patches on my cheeks (typical), as well as my elbows, knees, ankles, and anywhere else that really feels like rebelling.

In short: I’m quite the sight right now, but I’m working on it.

One thing that has been helping a lot is the It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser, which I’ve been using for about a month. I first got it in my Ipsy Bag as an add on sample, then decided for my birthday to buy a full size bottle. The sample size lasted me quite a while and the full size is 5 fluid ounces, which will probably last me quite a while. (This is all to say: when I talk about the price, I definitely feel like it’s worth it for the amount.)

Here’s what Confidence in a Cleanser promises:

“Developed with plastic surgeons, Confidence in a Cleanser™ is your skin-loving cleanser and serum in one game-changing product! This breakthrough one-step skincare solution gently cleanses and moisturizes while leaving your skin feeling soft, refreshed and perfectly balanced. Ideal for all skin types and ophthalmologist-tested for your sensitive eye area, this sulfate-free and soap-free facial cleanser instantly removes all traces of makeup—even waterproof eye makeup—and improves your skin’s vitality.”

Basically: if you have dry skin, oily skin, acne prone skin, or aging skin (or the very fun combination of all of the above) this is a great cleanser for you.

I have to agree. The thing I like most about this cleanser is how thoroughly it cleans my skin without feeling like I’ve just sucked all the oil off and out of it. It leaves my skin softer and smoother without being super harsh.

One thing to note: it does have fragrance, which I know is a turn off for some people when it comes to their skincare. It smells like citrus fruit to me, which I quite like. My skin isn’t sensitive to fragrance (although perfume does give me headaches), so I don’t mind.

I usually use this after I use Micellar water or jojoba oil to remove most of my makeup. As I’ve written before, this two-step process is often the best for me to get my skin actually clean.

I love how this cleanser makes my skin feel. It’s more moisturizing, which in the winter and fall can be a huge issue for lots of people. Combined with a good chemical exfoliator and a good moisturizer + sealant combo, it’s pretty much the dream cleanser.

In terms of price, a 5 fluid ounce tube (the size I’m holding) costs $29. The sample size (less than 1 fluid ounce) lasted me about 2 weeks, so I suspect this will last me 6-8 weeks, maybe up to 3 months. That’s pretty good! If you are diligent about your skincare, you end up using a lot of cleanser, so for this product, I feel like that’s not a bad price, especially as it comes from a prestige brand.

Have you tried a new product lately? Or have you wanted to try something, but haven’t? Let me know in the comments. What’s working for you lately?

Beauty Review: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Airbrush Powder

I know I write about this a lot, but I have oily skin. Very oily skin. Skin so oily that I have a special routine I follow to keep my foundation from breaking down after just 3 hours. (You can read about my oily skin foundation routine here.) 

Way back in October, I received a sample of It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores pressed powder in my Ipsy bag. (You can read that review here.) I really loved that pressed powder and was really devastated when I ran out. At $29 per pan, I couldn't really afford to buy a full size at the time--so I kept using my elf HD powder. 

However, after some thought, I realized: I go through a lot of that elf HD powder. At $6 a pop, it's not that expensive--but I use a lot of it. If a full size pan or pot of pressed or loose high end powder costs $29-32, but lasts 3+ months, is it worth it? 

Without having tried the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Airbrush Powder, I didn't want to jump in to a $32 purchase without some reassurance. My chance came during the Ulta sale, when I received a 20% off everything coupon (including prestige). I bought a full size of the Bye Bye Pores Airbrush Powder (the loose version) and excitedly got home to use it. 

Here's what it promises: 

“Instantly erase the appearance of imperfections with Bye Bye Pores™, your airbrushed perfection in a jar! Developed with plastic surgeons and infused with Bye Bye Pores Optical Blurring Technology™, this anti-aging, skin-perfecting powder utilizes real silk to make your pores disappear from view, and hydrolyzed collagen to smooth away the look of wrinkles. Loads of antioxidants, peptides and skin-loving ingredients give you a shine-free, airbrushed finish. Plus, the universal translucent shade goes on completely clear and works on all skin tones!”

This powder feels so differently from the elf HD powder. It is extremely finely milled and very soft. It also doesn't come out of the little sifter as well, is slightly clumpier, and harder to pick up with a brush. Those aren't necessarily bad things, just a few details about the powder! 

I've incorporated it into my routine in place of elf HD powder. Basically, I use it on top of my moisturizer, underneath my foundation, to keep my natural oils from breaking down my makeup throughout the day. Instead of using a brush (as I do with my elf HD powder), I have found it's much easier to apply the It Cosmetics powder with a slightly damp beauty blender. 

The first day I wore this powder, I was blown away by how long my foundation lasted. However, I occasionally have a few fluke days where my skin doesn't get as oily. I knew I needed to wait before I sang its praises! However, after several days in a row of perfect make up after 6, 7, or even 8 hours... I was pretty convinced. 

I'm notorious for always wanting to choose a more affordable product over a more expensive one. However, here are a few factors that have swayed me towards continuing to purchase this powder at $32 a pop: 

• I am using less product. I don't need as much of this powder as I did of previous powders I used. Therefore, I am ultimately saving money in the long run. 
• My makeup is lasting longer. All parts of my makeup--foundation, blush, highlight--are lasting longer, as my makeup isn't breaking down or transferring onto my clothes or hands throughout the day. This is such a relief! Less laundry is always a good thing. 
• It really does minimize pores and my makeup goes on smoother. Since I use a somewhat unique method to put on my foundation, I do notice that this powder works the way primer does on those with different skin types. (As a note: Primer has never worked on my skin!) My pores are much less noticeable and I don't have to spend as long blending my foundation around my difficult areas, like my nose. 

Am I convert to more "expensive" (or even luxury) powders? I suppose I am! I've always argued for how good drugstore brand powders are--and truly, there is nothing wrong with my elf or Maybelline loose powder. I'm just really impressed with this powder from It Cosmetics and can't see myself going back ever again. 

If you're extremely oily like me, and want a powder that will keep your makeup set all day, this is definitely one to look for! 

Do you have a product that you've always bought affordably--but would love to try high end? 

Beauty Review: My February Ipsy Bag

Another month, another Ipsy bag! I'm quite excited about this one. If you remember, last month's bag was a bit of a let down... so this month needed to be big or I was going to be over it. 

Well, Ipsy seems to know when they are starting to make me mad and this bag was truly my favorite in a long time! Don't forget to read my past Ipsy reviews to get an idea of how I review these and determine the value of each item. 

Let's jump into what I received!

1. F.A.R.A.H Angled Contour Brush 30F, $13

F.A.R.A.H actually sells these brushes in a variety of colors, but I received "Your Majesty" (purple). These are vegan brushes, which us always a plus, and quite soft for synthetic bristles. This brush is designed specifically for contour, bronzer, and blush. I am a little bit of a brush fanatic and I already have a preferred brush for my blush and contour. However, I do like this one for blush just a little bit more, although I find that the bristles are almost a little too soft. It's not a huge flaw, however, and it's nice to have a second option when it comes to blending blush! 

2. Ofra Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Ipsy Unzipped, $20

This is a dark pink color--not mauve-y, for once! When I first saw I was receiving it, I was a little frustrated because I have a ton of mauve-y pinks. However, this one definitely falls more into the "berry" family--making it ideal since I don't have a ton of light berry shades! I've never used Ofra before so I was really excited to try this liquid lip. I found the formula quite soft and comfortable, and very matte without being dry. However, I did find that it transferred and faded a lot, very quickly. Not a huge downside because it's such a pretty color and so comfortable, but something to be aware of! 

3. Estate Cosmetics Dew Me Baked Highlighter in Afterglow, $10

Estate Cosmetics is a brand known for making highlighters in unique, pretty shades. This one, Afterglow, is a iridescent lavender color; it's very pigmented, without being like a blush, and gives a nice highlight. Just be sure to go easy; when I first applied it, I realized I went a little too hard and looked a little like an Easter egg until I did some blending! The formula is very smooth and easy to use and the packaging is so cute. Millennial pink, baby! 

4. Biobelle Perfecting Primer Facial Mask, $9.98

I love getting face masks in my Ipsy bags! Seriously, if I get a mask, it's a good bag. These ones from Biobelle feature masks made of botanic fibers, which means they biodegrade (really cool!) These masks promise to boost texture, minimize pores, and even skin tone, making them ideal for wearing before you put on your make up. They contain tea tree oil, rosehips extract, vitamin C, and niacinamide, ingredients that are known to be good for the skin. However, I don't know about you, but I rarely have time to wear a mask for 10-15 minutes before I put on my make up! Not with a toddler, that's for sure. I wore these at night and definitely felt like my skin felt amazing afterwards. At $4.99 a piece, for valuation, I just doubled it--since I received 2! That means, this weekend, I'll be able to test this out before I put on my makeup. 

5. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye in Light, $24

I literally just bought Shape Tape, so at first I was a little disappointed to receive a concealer in my bag. However, this concealer really blew me away. In terms of coverage, it covers everything. Seriously, everything. It is extremely thick and sticky, making it ideal for not just undereyes, but blemishes and more. And even though it's $24 for a tube that is barely bigger than a lipstick, a little goes a long way. I used a half-pea-sized amount on my entire face basically! I will say: the shade range is extremely disappointing with only 6 shades and only 2 of those shades being appropriate for people of color. I do my best to amplify brands that are diverse in terms of their offerings; it sucks that IT Cosmetics makes such an amazing product that most of the population simply can't use. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, this bag is valued at $76.98. That's pretty good for a bag that I love everything in (despite my disappointment in the late of IT Cosmetics shade range). Considering I did not love my bag last month, this felt like a nice breath of fresh air and I am really happy with everything I received. If you'd like to try out Ipsy, click here to use my referral link.