Ever feel like your eyes are shouting “tired” even when you’re not? That little bit of darkness or dullness under your eyes can make a big difference in how bright you look. You want to fix it, but where do you even start? It feels like there are a million highlighters out there, and they all promise to make you glow, but how do you know which one is best for *you*? It’s easy to get confused and end up with something that doesn’t quite work.
But what if we told you that finding the perfect under-eye highlighter could be simple? Imagine waking up your face with just a few swipes, making your eyes look more awake and radiant. This post is going to be your secret weapon! We’ll break down what to look for, how to choose the right shade, and what products actually deliver that magic glow. Get ready to say goodbye to tired-looking eyes and hello to a brighter, more refreshed you!
Top Under Eye Highlighter Recommendations
No. 1
Catrice | Under Eye Brightener | Conceal & Brighten Dark Circles | With Hyaluronic Acid & Shea Butter | Vegan, Cruelty Free & Paraben Free (010 | Light Rose)
- BYE-BYE DARK CIRCLES! Say goodbye to heavy eye baggage with the Under Eye Brightener from Catrice. It ensures an instantly alert effect with its light pink, nourishing texture that is specially developed for the under-eye area.
- CARING AND COLOR ADAPTING: The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, which nourish the skin and give it a radiant glow. The pink color visibly balances out the bluish tones of under-eye shadows and dark circles.
- NATURAL AND RADIANT: The Under Eye Brightener has a medium coverage and can be easily applied with your fingers, a make-up sponge or brush, and gently blended to help you achieve a natural & fresh look.
- CLAIMS: Vegan & Cruelty Free. Formulated without Gluten, Parabens, Fragrance, Phthalates & microplastic particles.
- CRUELTY FREE: Catrice Cosmetics is certified and acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty-free brand. We do not test any of our products on animals, and never have.
No. 2
e.l.f. Soft Glam Brightening Corrector, Helps Minimize Dark Circles & Discoloration, Hydrating With A Natural Finish, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, White
- BRIGHTENING COLOR CORRECTOR: Lightweight, creamy brightening corrector delivers medium buildable coverage and a natural finish.
- PERFECT PAIRING: Layers beautifully under e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Concealer to help minimize dark circles and discoloration.
- HYDRATING FORMULA: Infused with 1% hydrating hibiscus complex, hyaluronic acid, and amino acid-coated pigments.
- LONG LASTING: Long-lasting formula is cake-resistant, crease-resistant, and transfer-resistant.
- VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE: e.l.f. stands with every eye, lip, face, paw and fin. Proudly vegan, e.l.f. is double-certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny & PETA. e.l.f. brushes are synthetic, vegan & cruelty-free.
No. 3
Palladio Under Eye Brightener, Conceal, Brightens, Reduces Appearance of Dark Circles, With Caffeine Peptides & Vitamin E, Tired Skin Color Correcting Brightener & Primer, Light to Medium (Soft Pink)
- WHAT IS IT: Brighten and awaken your under-eye area with Palladio’s new Under Eye Brightener, a powerful blend of skincare and makeup in one.
- FORMULATION/ BENEFITS: Formulated with caffeine, this under-eye brightener helps detoxify and diminish the look of under-eye bags, leaving you with a refreshed, well-rested look all day long.
- AVAILABLE IN 3 SHADES – Soft Pink (Light to Medium skin tones), Medium Nude (Medium to Tan skin tones), and Golden Tan (Tan to Rich skin tones) for a customized brightening effect across a wide range of complexions.
- HOW TO USE: Apply a small amount of Under Eye Brightener under your eyes, focusing on dark circles and areas needing a lift. Gently blend with your fingers or a brush to brighten and smooth the area.
- BOTANICAL AND VITAMIN INFUSED COSMETICS: Infused with caffeine, peptides, and vitamin E, this medium-coverage brightener is designed to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, giving you a refreshed, well-rested look.
No. 4
COLORGRAM Under Eye Highlighter Stick 03 Real Tone | Silky-Smooth Long-Lasting Highlighter & Contouring Stick for Smudge-Proof, Shining Daily Makeup | K-Beauty Face Highlighters & Luminizers
- ✨[Easy-to-Use, Double-Sided Design] Creating the perfect aegyo-sal has never been easier with our innovative double-sided highlighter stick. Designed for convenience, this product allows you to add depth with the shade liner and volume with the shadow/concealer. Achieve a natural and youthful look effortlessly, enhancing the beauty of your eyes with just a few simple steps.
- ✨[Perfect Size for Precision Application] The COLORGRAM Under Eye Highlighter Stick is designed with precision in mind. Its compact size and ergonomic design make it perfect for applying in small, delicate areas like the under-eye region. The creamy formula melts into the skin and adheres smoothly, even in thin and wrinkled areas, ensuring a flawless finish every time. Enjoy the comfort of a light-weight, opaque glitter eye makeup that feels weightless on your skin.
- ✨[Versatile and User-Friendly] Whether you're a makeup novice or a seasoned pro, our highlighter stick is designed to be versatile and user-friendly. It allows you to create a variety of looks with ease, from subtle daytime shimmer to bold evening glam. This all-in-one product is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their makeup routine with a simple yet effective tool.
- ✨[Step-by-Step Application Guide] Achieving a flawless aegyo-sal look is simple with our step-by-step application guide. First, draw a shadow with the shade liner to create depth. Next, add volume with the shadow/concealer for a more pronounced effect. Finally, blend lightly with your fingertip for a seamless finish. This easy process ensures that you achieve the perfect aegyo-sal look every time.
- ✨[Ideal for Natural Looking Makeup] The COLORGRAM Under Eye Highlighter Stick is perfect for those who want to achieve a natural-looking aegyo-sal with a single product. Its dedicated formula and design make it easy to create a subtle, realistic enhancement to your eyes, making them appear larger and more youthful. This product is a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of elegance to their everyday makeup routine.
No. 5
L'Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion, Natural Glow Enhancer, Illuminator Highlighter, Bronzing Drops For a Sun-Kissed Glow, 902 Light
- Glow Enhancing Make Up: Instantly hydrate and luminize your skin for an all over, natural glow with Lumi Glotion; This liquid face and body highlighter delivers an illuminating color tint to enhance your skin’s natural glow
- Hydrating Makeup Highlighter: Our glow lotion is infused with glycerin and shea butter for all day hydration; Available in 5 shades for all skin tones, the glow drops can be worn alone, under foundation, or on target areas for a more luminous effect
- Liquid Highlighter to Glow: Use Lumi Glotion illuminator to get a healthy, sun kissed glow with no sun; Try our complete line of bronzing drops, bronzers, luminizers, glow enhancing lotions
- Because You're Worth It: Create the look you want with our full line of makeup including foundations, concealers, highlighter makeup, brow pencils, eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and much more
- L'Oreal Paris Beauty: A leading total beauty care company based in Paris, we offer innovative products and unique expertise from beauty experts in makeup, skin care, hair care, styling and hair color
No. 6
COLORGRAM Under Eye Highlighter Stick 02 Cool Tone | Silky-Smooth Long-Lasting Highlighter & Contouring Stick for Smudge-Proof, Shining Daily Makeup | K-Beauty Face Highlighters & Luminizers
- ✨[SILKY-SMOOTH APPLICATION] Experience the luxurious texture of our highlighter stick, which glides effortlessly over your skin for a smooth, even application. Its creamy, soft formula ensures a flawless finish every time, perfect for highlighting and contouring.
- ✨[LONG LASTING & SMUDGE-PROOf] Enjoy a radiant glow that lasts all day with our highlighter stick. Its longwear formula is designed to stay put, ensuring your makeup remains vibrant and smudge-proof from morning to night, no matter the occasion.
- ✨[ENHANCE YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY] Illuminate your complexion with our highlighter stick that provides a beautiful shimmer. Perfect for brightening the inner corners of your eyes, enhancing your cheekbones, or adding a touch of glow to your everyday makeup routine.
- ✨[CONVENIENT & RETRACTABLE DESIGN] Our retractable highlighter stick is designed for easy and convenient use. Its compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, so you can maintain your glowing look wherever you are.
- ✨[K-BEAUTY INNOVATION] Embrace the latest in Korean beauty with our cruelty-free highlighter stick. Formulated without animal testing, our product offers the best of K-beauty innovation, providing you with a high-quality, ethical choice for your makeup collection.
No. 7
TULA Skin Care Spresso Energizing Eye Balm, Rose Glow - Energizing & Hydrating Caffeine Under Eye Treatment for Dark Circles, Portable and Perfect to Use On-the-go, 0.35 oz.
- WAKE UP TIRED EYES: Instantly brighten & hydrate your under-eyes with this cooling eye balm stick. Formulated with caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and prebiotics, it instantly cools & brightens while helping to de-puff over time.
- COOL AND BRIGHTEN: Energizes & brightens, cools & de-puffs, hydrates deeply, provides a rosy glow.
- POCKET-SIZED POWER NAP: Portable and super easy to use. Glide this eye balm onto the under-eye area and orbital bone for an instant cooling sensation and a luminous, refreshed look. Use morning or night, or for a midday boost.
- Prebiotic Power: TULA Skincare utilizes a unique superblend of prebiotic extracts & superfoods to nourish your skin's microbiome and reinforce the natural barrier.
- Healthy Glow: Doctor-founded and clinically effective, our Eye Balm formulas are crafted to reveal your most radiant, confident self.
No. 8
THESAEM Cover Perfection Tip Concealer 0.2 fl.oz. - Brightener Highlighting Concealer for Luminous Glow - High Coverage Long Lasting - Korean Makeup Highlighter for Defined Radiant Look
- HIGHLIGHTING BRIGHTENER FOR LUMINOUS DEFINED LOOK: Illuminating formula highlights and brightens key areas for defined, radiant complexion. Perfect for applying to high points of face including under eyes, bridge of nose, cupid's bow, and cheekbones for professional luminous glow.
- LONG-LASTING ADHESION WITHOUT CREASING: Formulated with high-adhesion texture that sits lightly yet firmly on skin, preventing smudging or fading throughout the day. Enjoy fresh, luminous look from morning to night without caking or settling into fine lines.
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMFORTABLE BREATHABLE WEAR: Despite full coverage, lightweight liquid formula feels breathable and comfortable on skin. Glides on smoothly without clogging pores or feeling heavy. Provides all-day comfort while maintaining perfect brightening effect for radiant results.
- BUILT-IN SPONGE TIP FOR PRECISE APPLICATION: Soft, precise sponge tip applicator allows easy, mess-free application perfect for targeted highlighting or full-face brightening. Convenient design ensures hygienic, effortless blending for naturally bright, healthy complexion with professional finish.
- LEGENDARY K-BEAUTY CONCEALER TRUSTED BY MILLIONS: Ultimate everyday brightening concealer combining high coverage, lasting wear, and skin comfort. Creates dimensional luminous look by highlighting features. Apply after foundation, blend gently, and layer as needed for buildable radiant coverage.
Shine Bright! Your Guide to the Perfect Under-Eye Highlighter
Tired of dark circles or a tired-looking gaze? An under-eye highlighter can be your secret weapon! This magical makeup product brightens, lifts, and makes you look more awake. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you find your perfect glow.
What to Look For: Key Features of a Great Under-Eye Highlighter
When you’re shopping, keep these important features in mind:
- Color: This is super important! You want a shade that’s just a little bit lighter than your skin tone. Too light, and it might look chalky. Too dark, and it won’t brighten. Look for shades with peachy or yellow undertones to cancel out blue or purple darkness.
- Finish: Do you want a subtle shimmer or a blinding glow? Highlighters come in matte, satin, and shimmery finishes. For under the eyes, a satin or soft shimmer often looks most natural. A matte finish can sometimes settle into fine lines.
- Formula: Highlighters come in different forms: liquid, cream, and powder.
- Liquid: These are great for a dewy, natural look. They blend easily.
- Cream: These offer a bit more coverage and a lovely glow. They are good for dry skin.
- Powder: These are good for oily skin and can offer a more buildable intensity.
- Longevity: You want a highlighter that stays put all day without fading or creasing. Check reviews to see how long it lasts.
- Packaging: Is it easy to use? Does it have a good applicator? A wand or a doe-foot applicator is common for liquid and cream formulas.
Important Ingredients to Consider
While makeup ingredients can be complex, a few things can make your under-eye highlighter work better:
- Hydrating Ingredients: Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These help keep your under-eye area moisturized, which prevents creasing and makes the skin look smoother.
- Light-Reflecting Particles: These are the magic! Mica and silica are common ingredients that catch the light and make your skin look brighter.
- Pigments: These give the highlighter its color. Natural pigments are often preferred by some.
What Makes a Highlighter Great (or Not So Great)?
Several things can make your under-eye highlighter a winner or a miss:
- Factors that Improve Quality:
- Blendability: A good highlighter melts into your skin easily. It shouldn’t look like a stripe of color.
- Smooth Application: It glides on without tugging or feeling rough.
- No Glitter: For everyday wear, tiny, finely milled shimmer is better than chunky glitter. Glitter can make the area look textured.
- Good Shade Range: When brands offer many shades, it’s easier to find your perfect match.
- Factors that Reduce Quality:
- Settling into Fine Lines: If the formula is too dry or thick, it can gather in the lines under your eyes, making them more noticeable.
- Chalky Appearance: A shade that’s too light or has the wrong undertone can make the skin look ashy.
- Oily Residue: Some formulas can feel greasy, which isn’t ideal for the delicate under-eye area.
- Difficult to Blend: If you have to work hard to blend it, it might not look natural.
User Experience and When to Use Your Highlighter
Using an under-eye highlighter is simple and effective. You usually apply it after your foundation and concealer.
- How to Use:
- Apply your regular concealer to cover any darkness.
- Take a small amount of highlighter on your finger or applicator.
- Gently tap it onto the inner corners of your eyes, just below the brow bone, and on the highest point of your cheekbone. You can also dot a little bit on the inner half of your under-eye area.
- Blend it out with your finger, a small brush, or a damp sponge.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday Brightening: To look more awake and refreshed on busy mornings.
- Evening Out Tone: To counteract any dullness or sallowness.
- Adding a Subtle Glow: To give your face a healthy, lit-from-within look.
- Enhancing Features: To subtly lift and highlight your cheekbones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Under-Eye Highlighters
Q: What is an under-eye highlighter?
A: An under-eye highlighter is a makeup product that adds brightness and a subtle glow to the skin around your eyes. It helps make you look more awake and can minimize the appearance of dark circles.
Q: How do I choose the right color?
A: Pick a shade that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. Look for peachy or yellow undertones to help cancel out blue or purple darkness.
Q: Liquid, cream, or powder – which is best?
A: Liquid is good for a dewy look, cream is great for dry skin and offers more glow, and powder works well for oily skin and provides buildable intensity.
Q: Will it make my wrinkles look worse?
A: A good highlighter should not settle into fine lines. Look for hydrating formulas and avoid very shimmery or glittery products, which can sometimes emphasize texture.
Q: Can I use a regular face highlighter under my eyes?
A: Yes, you can, but be cautious. Under-eye highlighters are often formulated to be more gentle and less likely to irritate sensitive skin. They also tend to have shades that work better for brightening.
Q: How much product should I use?
A: Start with a small amount. You can always add more. Too much can look unnatural.
Q: Can I wear under-eye highlighter without concealer?
A: You can, but it’s usually best to apply concealer first to cover darkness. The highlighter then adds brightness on top.
Q: How do I blend it properly?
A: Gently tap and blend the product with your fingertip, a small brush, or a damp makeup sponge. Avoid rubbing.
Q: How long does it typically last?
A: A good under-eye highlighter should last for several hours. Some formulas are designed for all-day wear.
Q: Can I use it on all skin types?
A: Yes, but choose the formula that suits your skin. Oily skin might prefer a powder, while dry skin might like a cream or liquid.