We test under-eye brighteners at all price points to help you fake being wide-awake
HANDS up if you have spent the last few months burning the candle at both ends.
If you are still catching up on beauty rest, a good under-eye brightener can fake wide-awake in a few steps.
Budget
Makeup Revolution Eye Bright Under Eye Corrector, 8g, £6, lookfantastic.com: I had high hopes for this after looking at the product photos and description online, however when I applied it the formula was much more sheer than I expected.
It’s also quite a fluid formula so a little goes a long way.
The consistency is so creamy, I struggled to apply my foundation over the top without it looking congealed so I had to leave it for five minutes to dry before doing the rest of my make-up.
It’s definitely brightening, so if you’re worried about dullness and discolouration, this will do the job well.
Similarly, if you don’t wear foundation, the consistency won’t be an issue, but it’s too high-maintenance for me to use every day.
Mid-range
Beauty Pie Superluminous Under-eye Genius, 4g, £12 for members, beautypie.com: If you are a beauty fan, you will probably remember the uproar when much-loved Becca Cosmetics was axed a few years ago, mainly because the brand’s under-eye corrector was by far the best on the market, and despite many dupes, nothing came close.
Well, let me tell you, this Beauty Pie concealer is almost identical.
I ran out of Becca a long time ago, so I haven’t done a direct comparison, but it’s just as foolproof and slots into my routine seamlessly.
It’s not heavily pigmented or glittery, but the clever light-reflecting pigments diffuse discolouration and puffiness in a flash with different shades to suit all.
Luxury
Nars Light Reflecting Eye Brightener, 6g, £26, spacenk.com/uk: The first time I tried this, I hadn’t read the instructions and applied it underneath my foundation.
The results were underwhelming, but once I read the packaging and applied it as directed, on top of my base, my opinion completely changed.
I didn’t think anything could top the Beauty Pie product, but I love that this has slightly more pigment and the formula is slightly drier, so lasts longer.
Also, with it sitting on top of foundation you can easily touch-up if needed.
I’ve also used it by itself on no make-up days and you can’t tell I’ve got anything on, which is exactly what I want!
It’s quickly become my favourite.
Pick of the week
AS the make-up artist of choice to more celebrities than you can name on both hands, Charlotte Tilbury knows a thing or two about looking flawless.
This week the brand new Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream, £79, finally hits shelves.
I’ve been using the gel-cream moisturiser for the past few weeks, and I love it so much.
It’s lightweight and sinks in fast while still hydrating your face and creates the perfect base, so if you’ve got oily skin like me, I guarantee you will be obsessed.