Why do the eyes look so hollow even after a full night of sleep? A small dab of the right product can change the entire mood of your face by reflecting light where shadows usually settle.
Picking the Best under Eye Highlighter feels like choosing the right lightbulb for a dim room. A little shimmer or a subtle peach tone makes all the difference. Let us figure out which formula suits your routine best.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize a peachy or pink undertone if your goal is to neutralize dark blue or purple shadows under the eye.
- Check the finish of the formula because matte options work best for smoothing texture while shimmer adds a youthful pop.
- Consider a stick or pen applicator for high precision when you need to brighten the inner corner or the lower lash line.
- Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or shea butter to keep the thin skin around your eyes from looking crepey.
- Read the coverage level carefully to decide if you need a sheer brightening wash or a heavy-duty corrector for deep discoloration.
| Best Overall Brightener |  |
Thebom Aegyo Sal Under Eye Pencil | Perfect for aegyo sal | Highly precise tip | Catchy champagne shimmer | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Hydrating Color Corrector |  |
Catrice Under Eye Brightener | Deeply moisturizing feel | Neutralizes dark tones | Smooth application | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Smooth Daily Essential |  |
Colorgram Under Eye Highlighter Stick | Silky smooth texture | Long lasting formula | Versatile stick format | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best Matte Finish |  |
Girlcult Matte Under Eye Brightener | Non reflective finish | Blurring effect | Finely milled texture | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| High Coverage Glow |  |
The Saem Tip Concealer | Very high coverage | Luminous finish | Convenient applicator | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Skin Loving Treatment |  |
Palladio Under Eye Brightener | Includes caffeine peptides | Soft pink correction | Primer hybrid | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best Sun Protection |  |
Drmtlgy Luminous Eye Corrector | High SPF rating | Luminous glow | Protects delicate skin | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Lightweight Color Correction |  |
Beauty Pie Under Eye Brightener | Weightless feel | Natural finish | Easy to blend | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Instant Eye Opener |  |
Tarte Fake Awake Pencil | Makes eyes look wider | Long wear formula | Creamy application | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best Cool Toned |  |
Judydoll Liquid Under Eye Brightener | Cool undertone friendly | Highly buildable | Easy to blend | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
-
Thebom Aegyo Sal Under Eye Pencil
If you want to mimic that popular youthful, plump appearance seen in Korean beauty trends, this is your go-to tool. It provides a crisp, champagne beige tint that catches light exactly where you need it.
The pencil format makes application incredibly precise, which is perfect for hitting just the inner corners or the waterline. Because the formula includes subtle glitter particles, it acts like a spotlight for your eyes rather than just a flat concealer. Just be aware that the shimmer might be a bit intense for a very subtle, matte professional look.
- Brand Name:Thebom
- Product Type:Enhancing Pencil
- Primary Benefit:Eye brightening
- Finish Type:Glitter
- Additional Feature:Creates youthful eye look
- Additional Feature:Easy to carry pencil
- Additional Feature:Waterline safe application
-
Catrice Under Eye Brightener
This cream is a savior for anyone dealing with persistent dark circles. It uses a light rose tone to neutralize bluish or purple shadows under the eyes.
The texture feels like a dreamy, moisturizing balm because of the shea butter and hyaluronic acid. It blends out without settling into fine lines, which is a common headache with thicker formulas. It is quite sheer, so do not expect full opaque coverage if you have very dark pigment.
- Brand Name:Catrice
- Product Type:Color Corrector
- Primary Benefit:Dark circle reduction
- Finish Type:Natural
- Key Ingredients:Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter
- Container Size:0.14 oz
- Additional Feature:Vegan and cruelty free
- Additional Feature:Fragrance free formula
- Additional Feature:Buildable coverage level
-
Colorgram Under Eye Highlighter Stick
For those who want a quick morning routine, this stick is the ultimate time-saver. It glides over the skin with a silky texture that feels barely there.
The shade offers a natural-looking luminosity that stays put all day without smudging. It works beautifully not just under the eyes, but also as a contouring tool for the face. Keep in mind that the swivel mechanism requires a light hand to avoid snapping the product.
- Brand Name:Colorgram
- Product Type:Highlighter Stick
- Primary Benefit:Long wear brightening
- Finish Type:Radiant
- Additional Feature:Smudge proof wear
- Additional Feature:Multi purpose face use
- Additional Feature:Compact portable packaging
-
Girlcult Matte Under Eye Brightener
Sometimes you want to brighten without any sparkle or sheen, and this matte brightener fills that niche perfectly. It acts like a soft focus filter for the skin, blurring dullness away.
The formula is finely milled, allowing it to sit on the skin like a light powder. It is an excellent choice for those with oily skin who fear that creamy products will slide off by midday. Because it is strictly matte, it will not reflect light as strongly as a glittery pencil.
- Brand Name:Girlcult
- Product Type:Matte Brightener
- Primary Benefit:Dullness correction
- Finish Type:Matte
- Additional Feature:Ideal for oily skin
- Additional Feature:Soft focus effect
- Additional Feature:Precise color payoff
-
The Saem Tip Concealer
If you need serious pigment to hide tired eyes, this is a powerhouse performer. It packs enough coverage to mask dark spots while leaving a luminous, healthy glow.
The doe foot applicator makes it easy to deposit product exactly where you need it most. A tiny amount goes a long way, so do not overapply or it may become cakey. Its long-lasting nature makes it a reliable staple for long workdays.
- Brand Name:The Saem
- Product Type:Tip Concealer
- Primary Benefit:High coverage glow
- Finish Type:Luminous
- Container Size:0.2 fl. oz.
- Additional Feature:Long wearing formula
- Additional Feature:Easy to blend
- Additional Feature:Radiant finish
-
Palladio Under Eye Brightener
This is more than just makeup, as it incorporates caffeine and peptides to help depuff the eye area over time. The soft pink hue is specifically designed to correct tired, sallow skin.
It functions as both a primer and a corrector, which is a nice double-duty feature. Because it is lightweight, you might want to layer it under another concealer if you have very deep discoloration. It is a fantastic choice for those who want their makeup to work as hard as their skincare.
- Brand Name:Palladio
- Product Type:Under Eye Brightener
- Primary Benefit:Reduces dark circles
- Key Ingredients:Caffeine, Peptides, Vitamin E
- Additional Feature:Depuffing properties
- Additional Feature:Double duty usage
- Additional Feature:Lightweight feel
-
Drmtlgy Luminous Eye Corrector
Sun protection is the best anti-aging step you can take, and this corrector includes SPF 41 to keep the delicate eye area safe. It provides a nice amount of coverage that hides fatigue while brightening the skin.
The texture is elegant and spreads evenly, which is rare for a product with a physical sunscreen base. Since it acts as a skincare hybrid, it does feel a bit thicker than a standard cosmetic brightener. You get a protective layer that actually looks good on the skin.
- Brand Name:Drmtlgy
- Product Type:Eye Corrector
- Primary Benefit:Sun protection and brightening
- Key Ingredients:Mineral sunscreen
- Additional Feature:Physical SPF 41
- Additional Feature:Medium coverage
- Additional Feature:Nourishing formula
-
Beauty Pie Under Eye Brightener
This product is all about a natural, fresh-faced look. It is thin, weightless, and blends into the skin so well that people might think you just got ten hours of sleep.
It is specifically designed for light to medium tones and works to neutralize grey or brown tones under the eye. If you have extremely deep circles, you may find the coverage too sheer for your needs. It is best for those who prefer a clean, minimal makeup aesthetic.
- Brand Name:Beauty Pie
- Product Type:Color Corrector
- Primary Benefit:Minimalist brightening
- Container Size:4ml
- Additional Feature:Brightens dark areas
- Additional Feature:Natural looking
- Additional Feature:Lightweight formula
-
Tarte Fake Awake Pencil
When your eyes feel heavy and look dull, this pencil acts like a wake-up call. The nude shade is engineered to brighten the waterline and corners, instantly making your eyes appear wider.
The formula is creamy and long-wearing, meaning it will not fade away after two hours. It is essentially a professional trick packed into a simple wooden pencil. Since it is designed for the waterline, it does not have the pigment density of a full-coverage liquid concealer.
- Brand Name:Tarte
- Product Type:Highlighter Pencil
- Primary Benefit:Eye brightening
- Finish Type:Satin
- Additional Feature:Vegan and cruelty free
- Additional Feature:Great for waterline
- Additional Feature:Long lasting
-
Judydoll Liquid Under Eye Brightener
If you struggle with products looking too orange or muddy on your skin, this cool-toned liquid is a perfect color match. It provides a clean, bright look that stays true to its shade throughout the day.
The liquid formula is highly buildable, so you can choose how much coverage you want. It blends seamlessly with a brush or finger, making it very beginner-friendly. Just be mindful that the cool undertones are specifically for those with fair or rosy complexions.
- Brand Name:Judydoll
- Product Type:Liquid Brightener
- Primary Benefit:Precise highlighting
- Finish Type:Natural
- Additional Feature:Liquid contour hybrid
- Additional Feature:Ultra blendable
- Additional Feature:Cool tone focus
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I apply my highlighter before or after concealer?
Always apply your highlighter after your concealer. Think of your concealer as the foundation that cleans up the canvas and your highlighter as the finishing touch that adds dimension. Applying it last prevents you from smearing the pigment and keeps the reflective particles sitting on the surface where they can catch the light.
Can I use a regular facial highlighter under my eyes?
You can, but you need to be careful with the size of the shimmer. Many facial highlighters contain chunky glitter that will settle into your fine lines and make the area look older. Stick to products specifically formulated for the eye area, as they typically feature softer, light-reflecting pigments that behave better on thin skin.
How do I stop the highlighter from settling into my fine lines?
The secret is to use a very thin layer of product. Most people apply way too much, which leads to creasing as the day progresses. After you apply your highlighter, gently tap the area with a damp sponge to remove any excess product and ensure it sits flush against your skin.
What shade works best for my skin tone?
Fair skin usually glows with champagne or pearl shades that provide a soft contrast. If you have a medium to olive complexion, reach for gold or peach-toned highlighters to complement your natural warmth. Those with deep skin tones should look for bronze or copper hues to prevent the product from looking gray or ashy.
Is it necessary to set the highlighter with powder?
If you have oily skin or live in a humid climate, a light dusting of translucent powder is a great idea. However, be sparing with it. Too much powder will dull the luminescent effect you just worked to create, so focus only on the very edges of where you applied the highlighter.
