Whenever I do a Q&A, I get asked about Tula… whether I use their products, what I’ve tried from the line, etc etc. Tula is a very popular brand within the influencer set. I first tried them back in 2015 before the hype really set in. (A lot of former BaubleBar girls work/worked there, so they sent me a bunch of stuff!) When I tried the line I was just medium on most of the products – they were good but not great. I loved the probiotic mask (which I really loved – it’s great for exfoliating and detoxifying; I featured it here), and I really liked the cleanser (featured here)… but everything else (for me!) was just medium. Nothing I tried ever did anything BAD but it didn’t turn me into a glowing and beautiful angel, does that make sense?
My net opinion of the brand is that I think the products are good; but I think they are probably better for someone younger.
I want really high-tech anti-aging products. They’re reasonably priced, no-frills, won’t make you break out, but they aren’t going to change your world. If you are in your twenties and less concerned with aging I think this line could be a great fit. (I also think – based on reviews I’ve read from other bloggers – that the line may be really great for both sensitive skin and acne prone skin.)
More recently, I saw the eye sticks literally EVERYWHERE on my Instagram stories and I got really curious. I wanted them! My eye area is probably my biggest concern; especially with puffiness and dark circles (and fine lines UGH) and I will do anything to brighten and tighten up that area. So I ordered both of the Tula Eye Balm Stick and have been playing with them for the past couple weeks.
Tula Eye Balm Stick Review
First of all, you definitely don’t need both. I wanted to try both to see if I had a favorite. They are essentially the same exact product with the same exact benefits but the blue one has a slightly blue cast and the pink one is (in my opinion) a little prettier. That being said, the blue cast isn’t very noticeable.
Both products work really well with concealer. You can use them under makeup and your concealer won’t get funky or pill, and if you apply over makeup it won’t mess with it. That’s a big perk to me as (at least in my experience) you can not put eye cream over concealer, ever, without looking like a hot mess. So that makes them really fantastic for that. The main benefits I saw from using these is a) brightening (you could use them as a highlighter if you wanted!) and b) cooling. The cooling sensation is really nice – it feels amazing and it’s really refreshing. I also saw a reduction in puffiness. The formula contains caffeine which is great for dark circles and puffiness.
The rose eye stick contains rosehip oil which they’re billing as a plant-based retinol alternative (you can read more about rosehip oil as an alternative to retinol in this article!)
My net takeaway:
I like these sticks a lot. They feel amazing on your skin and are super refreshing. Again, you definitely don’t need both of them; they’re basically the same product. I’d recommend the rose stick over the blue one because of the color, and that it contains rosehip oil (I still am not really sold on rosehip oil as an alternative to retinol – I wish they put Bakuchiol in it instead). I will say, and this is important: I don’t think that this product is a good alternative to eye cream. It’s more of an extra step that you can do before your makeup or over your concealer throughout the day. It definitely gives skin a boost. I’m still loyal to my banana bright eye cream in the morning and then I’ll use the eye stick throughout the day as a pick-me-up!
Edited to add: It’s GREAT for travel. It creates a nice moisture barrier around the eye area which can get so dry. For my trip to SF I applied it to my eye area before take-off and it was still super hydrated upon landing.
Have you tried these!? I’d love to hear what you think!
photography by Carter Fish.
Thanks for your honest opinion, Grace! I love the packaging of these eye balms. If I could get them where I live, I would! They sound really convenient to use. 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks Charmaine!!
I own the original (blue) eye balm and while I really do love the cooling aspect, I cannot deal with the color. Am I using too much (1-2 swipes)? Is my skin just the wrong color for it? Should I be gently patting it in after applying it? Am I applying it at the wrong time — after moisturizer instead of before? No matter what I do, the blue color is more visible on my skin than it should be. Has anyone else had this problem?!
That is so interesting! I definitely have to blend mine in a little bit (I’ll use a beautyblender to gently pat it in) but once I do that, I’m fine! I prefer the pink one for that reason.
I have the original blue one and really like using it as a pick-me-up. The blue coloring doesn’t bother me, but when I run out, I might switch to the pink one. My only complaint is the smell. It isn’t offensive, but I wish it smelled a bit more refreshing instead of waxy. Did you notice this?
Oh that is so interesting – I didn’t notice any smell at all!!!
I agree about the smell! I have the blue one and I swear it smells like popcorn.
I love the product and will buy the pink one when I run out. Does the pink one have any scent? Rose maybe?
That’s so funny. I have to smell the blue one again when I get home!
This is SO helpful! I need to get into a better eye cream/ care routine and have also seen these every where but if it’s more addition, I’ll try something else first.
Yeah, they’re great but I definitely think you still need eye cream! HIGHLY recommend the Banana Bright one!
Hi Grace! So fun meeting you and Becca last night, I wish we had more time to chat, but you two had quite the fan line! Can you buy Tula in stores? Or only online?
The rose stick looks good and I read several of the older ladies reviews, so it seems like they work for aging skin. Your skin looks amazing by the way. I hope you are enjoying your time in San Francisco
Hi Cy! It was so great to meet you, too!!! (And thanks for the gift <3 <3 <3)
You can only buy it online!
I’ve seen it at my local ultra!
Oh! Good to know!
Was super curious about your insights because I’ve also seen it EVERYWHERE and some bloggers are fanatical about it. I tried the blue one a few months ago and meh, it was fine but I think it was the slightly blue cast that I didn’t love (now reading your post) and so I haven’t really used it. The cooling sensation is nice but that’s all I really got from it. Traveling this weekend so will def test it out for the plane.
alyson
http://www.themodernsavvy.com
It’s great on the plane! Maybe try it under makeup. I def prefer the pink one!
I haven’t tried Tula, but I picked up the new Peach & Lily eye stick recently at Ulta and I feel the same – really helps under concealer and I can see a noticeable difference in puffiness! Maybe I’ll try Tula next time 🙂
Ooh I love Peach & Lily too- have to try!
I LOVE the blue one. I actually never even noticed the blue cast…but I probably will now LOL. I love how refreshing it is in the morning while I’m getting ready for work!
Dana | The Champagne Edit
I think that depending on skin tone everyone has a different experience! So interesting.
I have the blue and I agree with everything you’ve said. It’s cooling and a good highlighter. Definitely a cosmetic more than a treatment. I’m still on the hunt for the big difference maker in an eye cream for anti-aging. I’m trying ROC now. Have you ever used it?
I have not tried ROC – let me know how you like it! I use Banana Bright in the morning and Tatcha at night.
I currently have the blue and am still testing it out. It does have a weird smell… Thanks for reviewing these!
Hi Grace: Funny that you did a post on these. I also ordered both –my under eyes my biggest problem area .I have been using them for a few weeks and I don’t love them. I ordered them because one of my favorite bloggers ( not you) did a big piece on them….. Made at myself for falling for hype. I think there are much better products out there.
Love your honesty. Love your blog Keep doing what you do.
Thanks Marianne! Yeah, I think it’s a fun product but it’s not going to change your skin or do anything really dramatic and amazing!
Bravo. I have both and love how you were able to explain them. I don’t like the blue cast on the blue one. I do feel brightened and a little gooey after using them. I have exceptionally dark and aging eyes. I don’t wear concealer, so this paired with my vitamin E balm and Becca brightener do the trick. I’m so excited you finally did a review, thank you.
The pink one is definitely my fav 🙂