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Vogue

The Best Eye Brighteners for an Instantly Awake Look

Have your days become more work, less sleep? Instead of a third iced latte, you might want to consider the best eye brighteners—hydrating and light reflective, they're designed to make your under eye area look like you got a full eight hours sleep (even if that couldn't be farther from reality). Not to be mistaken for concealer or color corrector, these illuminating serums impact a soft-focus radiance before under-eye concealer even enters the picture. Think of them as your skin's private lighting crew, for all-day wear. Celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick explains the difference between color correctors and brightening serums even further. In a recent TikTok, she showed how the former are highly pigmented and designed to neutralize, say, blue or red undertones (i.e. deeper discoloration), whereas brighteners are gentler, more refined. They contain moderate color-correcting pigments—but their true magic lies in the light-reflecting particles that diffuse shadows in just the right way, reviving tired eyes without the cakey weight. My mind instantly went to the (now-discontinued) KKW Beauty under-eye brightening powder in its perfect pink hue and matte finish—a former mainstay in my routine that I still think of fondly. Vogue's Favorite Eye Brighteners: All to say: just a few strategic dabs stand between you and a visibly brighter, wide-awake under-eye. Still need convincing? It-girl and clean beauty muse Hailey Bieber revealed recently that her simple yet efficacious eight-step routine includes one, too. Keep reading for her go-to—and more editor-approved formulas to add to your beauty arsenal. In This Story Best Overall: Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Corrector Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Color Corrector $32 NORDSTROM Why We Love It : In her recent Vogue Beauty Secrets, Hailey Bieber revealed a new trick for brightening the under eye: applying a pink eye brightener on top of her concealer extra 'luminosity to the skin.' Kosas is a mainstay in her beauty bag; the cruelty-free formula features peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid to actively reduce dull skin and puffiness. Pro makeup artist El DeBratto adds that it's their all-time favorite, too. 'This is the go-to eye brightener in my MUA kit—I absolutely love the lightweight texture,' they tell Vogue. : In her recent Vogue Beauty Secrets, Hailey Bieber revealed a new trick for brightening the under eye: applying a pink eye brightener on top of her concealer extra 'luminosity to the skin.' Kosas is a mainstay in her beauty bag; the cruelty-free formula features peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid to actively reduce dull skin and puffiness. Pro makeup artist El DeBratto adds that it's their all-time favorite, too. 'This is the go-to eye brightener in my MUA kit—I absolutely love the lightweight texture,' they tell Vogue. Key Ingredients : Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, light reflecting minerals : Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, light reflecting minerals Shades : 5 : 5 Formulation : cream : cream Size: 0.17 oz Best Affordable: Catrice Under Eye Brightener Catrice Under Eye Brightener $6 AMAZON Why We Love It : Infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, he Catrice Under Eye Brightener is a creamy, cushion-soft formula that feels more like an eye treatment than makeup. It melts into the skin to softly blur and brighten without creasing or caking. Taking cues from Bieber, I like to dot this eye brightener atop my concealer, just in the inner corner, and then finish off with setting powder. If you'd rather stick to a single step, it's also pigmented enough to be worn on its own. : Infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, he Catrice Under Eye Brightener is a creamy, cushion-soft formula that feels more like an eye treatment than makeup. It melts into the skin to softly blur and brighten without creasing or caking. Taking cues from Bieber, I like to dot this eye brightener atop my concealer, just in the inner corner, and then finish off with setting powder. If you'd rather stick to a single step, it's also pigmented enough to be worn on its own. Key Ingredients : Candelila wax, mica, shea butter : Candelila wax, mica, shea butter Shades : 4 : 4 Formulation : Cream : Cream Size: 0.15 oz Best for Coverage: Smashbox x BECCA Undereye Brightening Corrector Smashbox x BECCA Undereye Brightening Corrector $33 NORDSTROM Why We Love It : Rest in peace Becca cosmetics—I loved your eye brightener (as did many—it was one of brand's bestsellers back in 2018). Thankfully, Smashbox revived it. The most emollient formula on this list, it melts down effortlessly after warming on the back of your hand. In my experience, a little goes a long way in hiding dark under eyes, and leaves behind medium to buildable coverage. Plus, this pick offers four different brightening shades to cover a range of skin tones. : Rest in peace Becca cosmetics—I loved your eye brightener (as did many—it was one of brand's bestsellers back in 2018). Thankfully, Smashbox revived it. The most emollient formula on this list, it melts down effortlessly after warming on the back of your hand. In my experience, a little goes a long way in hiding dark under eyes, and leaves behind medium to buildable coverage. Plus, this pick offers four different brightening shades to cover a range of skin tones. Key Ingredients : castor seed oil, berry wax, kaolin, sunflower seed oil, squalane : castor seed oil, berry wax, kaolin, sunflower seed oil, squalane Shades : 4 : 4 Formulation : Cream : Cream Size: 0.15 oz Best TikTok Viral: Tarte CC Undereye Corrector Tarte CC undereye corrector $32 TARTE Why We Love It : There was a stretch of time when I couldn't swipe through my TikTok FYP without someone raving about this under-eye savior. Tutorials, GRWMs, and before-and-afters flooded my feed until I finally gave in—'Fine,' I thought. 'I'll add it to my TikTok Shop cart.' The hype was justified. The creamy texture doesn't settle into fine lines thanks to an emollient-rich formula, and provides almost full coverage. Pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard found this pick from TikTok too. 'It color corrects beautifully and has this hint of reflective illumination that helps bring light and radiance to the under eye,' Spickard shares. : There was a stretch of time when I couldn't swipe through my TikTok FYP without someone raving about this under-eye savior. Tutorials, GRWMs, and before-and-afters flooded my feed until I finally gave in—'Fine,' I thought. 'I'll add it to my TikTok Shop cart.' The hype was justified. The creamy texture doesn't settle into fine lines thanks to an emollient-rich formula, and provides almost full coverage. Pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard found this pick from TikTok too. 'It color corrects beautifully and has this hint of reflective illumination that helps bring light and radiance to the under eye,' Spickard shares. Key Ingredients : Castor seed oil, caffeine, licorice root extract, kaolin, mica, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, tocopherol : Castor seed oil, caffeine, licorice root extract, kaolin, mica, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, tocopherol Shades : 4 : 4 Formulation : Cream : Cream Size: 0.08 oz Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Putty Color-Correcting Eye Brightener Why We Love It : Another drugstore pick, e.l.f.'s velvety, putty-like texture, smooths on effortlessly and blurs shadows while hydrating with squalane and hyaluronic acid. The finish is soft, natural, and radiant—ideal for light coverage days or as a base beneath concealer. At its price point, it's a small jar of serious payoff. : Another drugstore pick, e.l.f.'s velvety, putty-like texture, smooths on effortlessly and blurs shadows while hydrating with squalane and hyaluronic acid. The finish is soft, natural, and radiant—ideal for light coverage days or as a base beneath concealer. At its price point, it's a small jar of serious payoff. Key Ingredients : Squalane, hyaluronic acid, ginseng root extract, pearl extract ( : Squalane, hyaluronic acid, ginseng root extract, pearl extract ( Shades : 6 : 6 Formulation : Putty : Putty Size: 0.14 oz Best Shade Range: Fenty Beauty Brightfix Eye brightener Fenty Beauty Brightfix Eye brightener $28 FENTY BEAUTY Why We Love It : 'Anything queen Riri does has to be good,' says DeBratto, noting how Rihanna never fails on shade range, including this eye brightener. This hydrating, serum‑like formula offers has hands down the most inclusive shade range on the market with 16 options tailored to every skin tone. Delivering sheer to buildable coverage that truly looks like your skin—but better. Infused with sodium hyaluronate and jojoba oil, this weightless formula whispers luxury rather than announcing makeup, delivering a long‑wear, crease‑ and sweat‑resistant finish that effortlessly layers under concealer. : 'Anything queen Riri does has to be good,' says DeBratto, noting how Rihanna never fails on shade range, including this eye brightener. This hydrating, serum‑like formula offers has hands down the most inclusive shade range on the market with 16 options tailored to every skin tone. Delivering sheer to buildable coverage that truly looks like your skin—but better. Infused with sodium hyaluronate and jojoba oil, this weightless formula whispers luxury rather than announcing makeup, delivering a long‑wear, crease‑ and sweat‑resistant finish that effortlessly layers under concealer. Key Ingredients : Dimethicone, glycerin, jojoba Seed Oil, allantoin : Dimethicone, glycerin, jojoba Seed Oil, allantoin Shades : 16 : 16 Formulation : Liquid : Liquid Size: 0.34 oz Best with Peptides: Palladio Under Eye Brightener Palladio Under Eye Brightener $12 AMAZON Why We Love It : Infused with a hardworking blend of caffeine, peptides, biotin, and vitamin E, Palladio's under-eye brightener plumps skin while simultaneously combatting dryness. The buttery texture blends with ease, imparting medium buildable coverage to disguise dark circles. With only one shade available, this pick will is better suited for light to medium skin tones. : Infused with a hardworking blend of caffeine, peptides, biotin, and vitamin E, Palladio's under-eye brightener plumps skin while simultaneously combatting dryness. The buttery texture blends with ease, imparting medium buildable coverage to disguise dark circles. With only one shade available, this pick will is better suited for light to medium skin tones. Key Ingredients : Dimethicone, microcrystalline wax, silica, biotin, caffeine, glycerin : Dimethicone, microcrystalline wax, silica, biotin, caffeine, glycerin Shades : 1 : 1 Formulation : Cream : Cream Size: 0.12 oz Best Two-in-One: Morphe Wake Up Artist Morphe Wakeup Artist Under Eye Correcting Concealer $12 ULTA Why We Love It : This pick is a two-in-one concealer and eye brightener. 'This is one of my favorite under-eye brighteners right now,' says Murdick. 'They have four shades in this line that color correct (I use the shade Blossom) and brighten beautifully, and I love how they dry down to stay put beneath your concealer. Plus, it's very friendly on your wallet.' For more olive-toned skin, experts suggest opting Peach. : This pick is a two-in-one concealer and eye brightener. 'This is one of my favorite under-eye brighteners right now,' says Murdick. 'They have four shades in this line that color correct (I use the shade Blossom) and brighten beautifully, and I love how they dry down to stay put beneath your concealer. Plus, it's very friendly on your wallet.' For more olive-toned skin, experts suggest opting Peach. Key Ingredients : Glycerin, jojoba seed oil, copolymer, tocopherol : Glycerin, jojoba seed oil, copolymer, tocopherol Shades : 4 : 4 Formulation : Cream : Cream Size: 0.2 fl oz Everything You Need To Know