I have been talking about Skyn Iceland and their eye masks for years... probably since I started the blog. The first time I spoke about them was in a post from 2015, all about their skin hangover kit. I did a brand buzz post about them in 2016 and then mentioned the eye gels again in 2018.

I figured it was time to do a truly dedicated post about the best eye gels in the world... and I've tried a lot of eye gels. 

For me, my eyes are extremely sensitive. I am constantly having allergic reactions to different products, I have eczema flare-ups once a week and I just need to be really careful with what I put around my eyes. 

How is October already over? It doesn't feel real and I'm so sad to say goodbye to truly my favorite month ever. It was a weird October -- I didn't do too much, some fall activities, lots of shopping, ate a ton of Reeses Pumpkins and I watched Hocus Pocus every single day. 

I would be lying if I said this month wasn't one of the harder ones during Covid. Cases have started spiking in New York again, I'm getting a little tired of working from home, and as each week passed the election loomed closer. We are now 6 days away from the most important election of our lifetime and I truly do not know how I am going to get through it. 

One hope I do have is that after next week, I could start to focus on myself and my goals a little more. All the stress I've felt in October has almost put my life on hold. I'm looking forward to hopefully gaining some control back.

That being said, I feel like I had a few great items that I loved and used a lot during October and that's obviously what this post is all about! I've been shopping a little more to combat the ~stress~ so next month I'm confident that I will have even more favorites. 

Rifle Paper Co To-Do List

I have gone through so many daily to-do lists over the past 7 months working from home and that's mostly because I love stationery. I like to test different notepads to see what works for me but I continually go back to this Rifle Paper Co list. I've purchased it a few times over the years and it's just a beautiful, minimalistic, easy-to-do list. It keeps me organized throughout the day and I love the quality of the paper. It's just a great notepad to keep on your desk throughout the day. 

The Book Club Blue Light Glasses

I think I have mentioned these once before but they were a real lifesaver this month. I experienced days of migraines; I'm talking about a migraine lasting for 4 days straight and while medicine helped, these blue light glasses were the hero. I simply cannot look at a computer screen as much as I do and not have blue light protection. This month especially, even though I was suffering I still needed to be at my computer so when I had these glasses on, the headaches were kept at bay. They also didn't distort my vision at all which is important because some blue light glasses have a weird tint to them and make seeing a little more difficult. Plus, they are big, pink, and super cute! The frames I have are called "Love In the Time of a Dollar" which aren't available at any US retailers (Book Club Eye Wear is Australia-based). 

I've said it multiple times before but I love a good concealer, and really anything related to the undereye area.

I feel like they're the products that I see the most difference when I use them, and because I have such harsh undereye circles, it's my problem area so I like to tend to that the most.

I've tried almost every gimmicky product under the sun and lately, I've been even more obsessed with finding the perfect under eye routine.

My no shopping for Lent is still going strong, so these products were purchased last month and I've been testing this for the past few weeks, and I have to say, I love every one of these products.

Whether everything really works or is it just a placebo effect is another story.



Physician's Formula Refresh Mint Cucumber & Bamboo Eye Depuffer: After washing my face in the AM with Simple Micellar Water, I run this under my eyes to depuff and cool. I first saw this in a Vogue Beauty Editor's Instagram Story and I needed it immediately. I loved that this was big enough to cover a large surface area, and I was just drawn to it. It feels so good on my under eyes and is naturally cool. It does do a great job at depuffing and prepping my skin for the rest of the products.

Julep So Awake Depuffing Gel Eye Cream: When I saw this first hit the market I knew it was something I had to have. It's not a traditional cream, but has a slight jelly feel to it. A little goes a long way and it really moisturizes my undereye area. It has caffeine which is one of my favorite ingredients in a beauty product because it really awakens the skin.

Becca Anti Fatigue Under Eye Primer: This is another new product that I ordered the minute it was available a few months ago. I apply it after I let the Julep cream sink into my skin as a good base for my concealer. It's a very solid balm, more solid than the Physician's Formula roller. It is NOT cooling at all but it claims to be so I was disappointed by that. However, I do like the feeling of it and I think it really does make a huge difference in my concealer. If you're priming your face and your eyelids, why not your under eye area?

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution: I bought this before any of the other products and I primarily use it at night. At first, it was drying my skin out but it just took a little getting used too. I think it has helped my dark circles over time because at one point, they were really, really bad but they have gotten a bit better. It is a pure, concentrated serum filled with Caffeine and Green Tea so it's probably your best bet when it comes to your under eyes!

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels: I don't know how much more I could talk about these masks but I have to include them in this post. I've tried so many eye masks but these are the ones I continually go back too. They are so cooling, I shiver when I put them on my eyes, and they are the most comfortable masks out there. I hate when the eye mask slides all over your face but these definitely DO NOT do that!

What are your favorite under eye products?
xoxo
B

I've spoken time and time again about how my makeup purchasing has decreased, but I've been more obsessed with trying skincare.

Skincare is having a major moment and it's not going away in 2018; one of the biggest trends you're going to see is skincare as makeup. That means more natural finishes, more radiance, more hydration, and just more natural beauty. I for one am excited about this because I love a good trend and I'm ready for some new stuff!

Now, this post isn't necessarily about skincare but it is about masks. I'm not talking about face masks or sheet masks, I'm talking about nonface masks.

There are masks for everything now, for every part of your body and for every concern. I love a good nonface mask and I've tried my fair share. I think I love the 'gimmick' but just as you take extra care of your face, you need to take extra care of other parts of your skin/body as well.

I've tried my fair share of all different types and I've come up with these as my current favorites.



1. Skyn Iceland Eye Masks: I've tried so many eye masks but I always go back to these. They're soft, smooth, and very cooling. They don't tug on the skin and don't slip or slide all over the place. They are the perfect undereye mask and I don't know if I'll ever be able to try anything else.

2. Sephora Lip Masks: Sephora Collection is sneakily becoming one of my favorite brands and I love their lip masks. They're inexpensive, easy to use, and makes your lips super soft. I always make sure I have at least one on hand.

3. Patchology Lip Masks: In the same breath, I love the Patchology lip masks too. They're gel masks that fit on your lips perfectly and feel really nice on your lips. My lips feel very soft and smooth after using these! I don't think these are better or worse than the Sephora ones but just different in texture.

4. Sephora Collection Hair Masks: I bought one of these masks on a whim and used it one random night when I knew I had to wash my hair in the morning. OMG I was stunned. I've never used a hair product that made such a quick and noticeable difference. After using the rose mask, my hair was softer, shinier and easier to style. I need everyone to try one of these, ASAP.

5. Nails Inc Overnight Detox Mask: I wouldn't forget your nails, would I? I love a good at home manicure and probably get a salon manicure 1-2 times a year. This overnight detox mask has really helped my nail growth and strength. Every so often I'll take my nail polish off, let this sink in overnight and then repaint in the morning. It's nice to give my nails a breather

6. Sephora Collection Foot Mask: TMI but I have really terrible feet. They're always dry, cracked, and just gross. I do my best to take care of them with the Emjoi Micro Pedi but sometimes I need extra help and these Sephora foot masks are the ticket. They leave my feet so soft it's actually insane. After using one of these, my feet feel like a baby's butt.

What are your favorite non face masks?
xoxo
B

A few months ago, I was looking for something new to spend my Birchbox points on and stumbled along this kit from Skyn Iceland. It's called the Skin Hangover Kit and if you know me, you know that I'm fascinated with any beauty product that has the word "hangover" in it.



I immediately placed it in my shopping cart and patiently awaited for it to arrive.

Before seeing this kit, I had no idea what Skyn Iceland was. I have never heard of the brand and was very curious to have something new from a brand I never tried.

After doing some research, I found out that Skyn prides itself on having products that are stress free and help decrease the signs of stress, especially in the eye area. They are inspired by the coolness and natural resources of Iceland (makes sense from the name) and their products are made with soothing ingredients that help balance your skin out.

That description of the company and products made me even more excited to try everything. My expectations were high.

Now, this was a few months ago and I've had time to try it the products in the kit, my predictions were right. I was surely not disappointed.



The Skin Hangover kit consists of 2 Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, Icelandic Relief Eye Pen, Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion, and 2 Fresh Start Masks.

The things I used first were of course the firming eye gels. I love eye masks and these are definitely the best ones I've ever tried. I mean, they should be, they're $30 for 8 of them. They were very cooling and hydrating -- they depuffed my under eye area and I was able to see a slight difference after wearing them.

The Relief Eye Pen is great for those mornings where you feel gross, sick, and your face is puffy and needs an SOS. Like the eye gels, this is very soothing and calming. It has a slight tingly sensation (at least for me) and it is a very relaxing eye gel.

The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion is something I just started using and my goodness, I feel like my face drank a glass of water and then played outside in the snow after applying it! It's insanely cooling, tingly, and refreshing. My skin is super dry, especially in the winter months, and I know this is going to be super satisfying.

I have not tried to the Fresh Start Masks yet (I have a lot of face masks and keep forgetting about them) but I will be trying them this weekend!

After trying this little set, I think it's safe to say that I am a big fan of Skyn Iceland. I love kits like this, especially for brands I haven't tried yet, because it gives you a chance to try a bunch of products at once.

I'm eagerly awaiting to try the rest of the line and find some more amazing products! Also, those eye gels are on my wish list -- I am lost without them!

Have you ever tried Skyn Iceland? What is your favorite underrated beauty brand?

Shop my Skyn Iceland picks below! 

Ever since I was a little girl, I suffered severely from allergies. Once April rolled around, I knew I would have a rough few months and allergy season was in full force.

At first, it was just my eyes would water up and itch really badly--this was a quick fix with some eye drops. As I got older, the allergies and the symptoms got worse. And now it wasn't just the typical, Spring allergy season--it was when the weather changed in the Fall as well.

Now, I was coughing and sneezing and feeling drowsy because of the stupid pollen, along with my itchy, watery eyes. Not to mention constant sinus headaches and pressure from being having a stuffy nose *mad cute, right? It's honestly a nightmare, and sometimes, even after "allergy season" has passed, if the pollen count is really high, I'll still wake up knowing exactly what is wrong--it's my allergies.

Allergies aren't an excuse to stay home from school or work and you must muster the courage to get through the day. Looking good & feeling good with allergies, is a little difficult but I've had a lot of practice.

Also, this post may seem a little outdated since allergy season has sort of passed and it's officially summer, but like I said, I suffer all year around if the pollen index is high.

If this sounds like you, here are some of my favorite beauty (and lifestyle tips) to cure your allergies!



1. Eye-drops: Your eyes are going to be red and puffy, constantly wanting to touch your eyes because they itch so bad and nothing will relieve them. I recommend carrying around eye drops with you 24/7. You shouldn't overuse them but when the pain is unbearable, these won't steer you wrong. These have been my favorite since I was little and I always go back to them!

2. Nude eyeliner: With your eyes red & puffy, you're going to want to make them look more awake. There's nothing worse than walking around with puffy, squinted eyes. I recommend staying away from black eyeliner on your lash line and applying a nude colored eyeliner pencil in your waterline. It will instantly lift your eyes and make you look more awake. Your eyes look more open and less red immediately! I LOVE the NYX Wonderpencil for this--it's one of my favorite beauty products.

3. Eye Masks: This is something new I've been trying out and I'm kind of obsessed. I love face masks so when I realized eye masks were a thing, I was sold. I've used a few and there are some great ones out there. They're great for reliving puffy under eye bags and the cooling effect that they leave is wonderful. I love using these even when my allergies aren't acting up--waking up on a weekend morning, washing your face, and placing one of these on for a few minutes is an immediate wake up call. I love the Sephora brand because there are so many for all different skin types and needs.

4. Bare face: Sometimes it's best to go sans eye make-up when your allergies are acting up. Let your eyes breathe and relax by only applying some nude eyeliner & waterproof mascara. Leave the heavy eyeshadows and black liquid liner at home and go simple. It'll be a relief when you accidentally rub your eyes and don't end up looking like a raccoon.

5. Calming Skin: Your skin is probably a mess from rubbing your eyes and blowing your nose so counteract the redness with calming face products, like a moisturizer to help combat redness, or a nice, soothing face mask. Go easy on the heavy foundation and opt for powder or a BB Cream. Your skin will thank you!

Aside from these beauty tips, find your favorite non drowsy allergy medicine to keep on hand, stock up on the tissues, and stay hydrated. Pollen will not get me down!

What are your favorite allergy tips? Tell me in the comments because I could use all the help I could get :)