Review -- e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer

Over a year ago, I reviewed the Tarte Tight & Bright Eye Perfector, which I absolutely love.

It's a dual-ended wand with one product meant to prime the under eye area for concealer and another to brighten up the area after concealer.

Personally, it's really just the primer end that I love because the brightener isn't that unique a product in my book (I've got lots of concealer type things that can do that). The primer, though, does a great job hydrating and smoothing the under eye area so my concealer goes on easily and without creasing.

Now, it's not a miracle product -- some concealers still do crease by the end of the day -- but my under eye concealer never looks as good without the primer as it does with it.

I must have been one of the few people who enjoyed the Tight & Bright, though, because Tarte has discontinued it. I managed to snag a couple of tubes when Tarte was on HauteLook a while back, but I'm going to run out eventually.

So that's why I was really excited to try the e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer.

Review -- IT Cosmetics Eyelift in a Tube

One of the first products that I ever tried from IT Cosmetics was the Bye Bye Under Eyes Concealer.

This was probably three or four years ago when I decided to give the brand a try after watching them on QVC for so long. I picked up the concealer and the Bye Bye Pores Powder and came away impressed with both products -- which is why I've tried more and more of the brand's products and become a seriously big fan of IT Cosmetics.

In fact, they're probably up there with Tarte and bareMinerals as my favorite makeup brands at the moment.

But while I love IT Cosmetics and the Bye Bye Under Eyes Concealer, I have to admit that it probably isn't the easiest concealer to use. It offers a ton of coverage, is pretty thick, and can sometimes feel a little sticky, so it's definitely one of those 'a little goes a long way' products.

But Bye Bye Under Eyes comes in a squeeze tube and it can be a little difficult to get out the right amount, which can sometimes lead to applying a little too much.

When that happens, it can definitely look a little cakey.

That's why I was really intrigued when IT Cosmetics came out with the Eyelift in a Tube, a double-ended product that contains Bye Bye Under Eyes on one end and Hello Light Liquid Brightener on the other end.

Review -- Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Dark Circle Concealer

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I certainly don't have a problem spending money on beauty products.

It's kind of my one real indulgence.

So I'm just as likely to pick up a lipstick or eye shadow palette at Sephora or a department store makeup counter as I am at the drugstore. I like to try all different brands, at all different price points, because I just love makeup and I'm curious about everything that's out there.

But I do tend to shy away from what I consider the real luxury high-end beauty brands like Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Tom Ford, YSL, etc., because those prices are a little too rich for my blood.

The only time I really indulge in those kinds of brands is when I've got some extra cash or gift cards burning a hole in my pocket.

That's how the Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Dark Circle Concealer found its way into my life, anyway.

Review -- Tarte Tight & Bright Eye Perfector

I'm not a fan of gimmicky products.

I much prefer simple, no frills products that don't promise the moon and the stars and the sun.

But I'm also pretty curious by nature, so sometimes when a new product comes out that makes some lofty claims, I can't resist the urge to try it.

That's what happened with the Tarte Tight & Brighten Eye Perfector Double-Ended Priming Serum & Brightener.

Tarte does promise quite a bit with this product -- they claim the double-ended priming serum and brightener can help you fake a good night's sleep by reducing dark circles and softening the appearance of fine lines. It is also meant to enhance the wear your under eye concealer, which is something I'm always looking to do.

New QVC TSV Installment -- Mally Easy on the Eyes #2

It seems like just yesterday that I received the Mally Easy on the Eyes TSV from QVC, but the second installment already showed up last week -- and I think I might actually like it better than the first kit.

The AD collection contains six items:

• Mally Citychick Celebration Shadow Palette
• Mally Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightner
• Mally Volumizing Mascara in Black
• (3) Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liners in Steele, Enchanted Violet & Sailor 

It also comes with a small pencil sharpener for the eyeliners. 

My Favorites (But Not Monthly or Weekly) and Some Other Ramblings

I've been a bad beauty blogger lately.

I keep skipping out on monthly favorites posts.

And as someone who loves to hear about other beauty junkies' favorites, I've really got no excuse.

Except that, for some reason, lately I find recapping my monthly favorites overwhelming.

Because each month there might be too many products or not enough and I wind up obsessing over it like a crazy person.