Sparkled Beauty

Hi guys, I am reviewing H2O Instant Hydrating stick from the Eye Oasis line today (provided by PR), with a comparison to a similar product that you might have heard about on YT :)

Specified as an oil free marine hydration source, H2O Instant Hydrating stick illustrates its name well - instantly cools, refreshes and nourishes the under-eye area with:
- Caffeine: reduce dark circles and puffiness
- Marine rich algae extract: moisturize and sooth
- Hydrolyzed pea peptides: nourish and protect the skin.

I used the stick in the eye area in the morning (before makeup) and night, with no other moisturizer on top. The stick glides on very smoothly and the cooling and soothing effect was indeed instant. The skin does not appear to require extra moisture after, so the stick must have done its job.

I found applying the stick to my under-eye was pretty addicting. It feels good and it wakes up my eyes. The puffiness, as a result of those late nights we all have, is less visible with constant usage. What late night? :)

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sorbitol, Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alanine, Arginine, Betaine, BHT, Bisabolol, Caffeine, etc.

I do realize that caffeine is pretty far down from the top of the ingredient list, but it was enough for me.

The only drawback: the price - $30 for a tiny tube (4ml/ 0.13oz, available at Lawtons). The plastic cap that sits over the top of the stick when swiveled down (before the metal cap goes on) is nice to keep the stick from drying out, but with the speed I am using it right now, it won't :)

Another version of a hydrating stick that comes to mind? Elf Studio Daily Moisture stick you say?

Well, the elf version is 4 times bigger for a fifth of the cost ($6, 15g/ 0.53oz), very hard to beat! It is promoted as a multi-purpose balm, not limited to the eye area only. The formula has antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients (grape, cocoa, shea, avocado, macadamia, aloe and chamomile), quite moisturizing as well.

Texture wise, elf Daily Moisture stick feels drier, hence it does not glide on as smoothly nor feel as cooling. It takes a bit longer to absorb and become less sticky for other products to go on. I find it works better if I transfer it to my finger, then apply to the skin rather than gliding it on directly.

It does the basic moisturization well but does not do anything to the puffy under-eye area (which it does not claim to).

Ingredients for elf: Water, Sodium Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Menthol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mica, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkll (Shea) Butter, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, etc.

The first few ingredients are the same as those in the H2O stick, in slightly different order. The elf stick has menthol and a few oils that might cause mild irritation if you have sensitive skin, but it also has cocoa and shea butter vs the caffeine in H2O. Ultimately, it would all come down to what your skin needs and the ingredients that work for that.

For me, I'll continue to use the H2O Instant Hydrating stick on the eye area. Not sure I'll repurchase as I have other eye creams to finish. The elf Daily Moisture stick for my nose, chin and elbows, including touchups.