Are your days filled with more work and less sleep? Before reaching for that third iced latte, you might want to try the best eye brighteners—hydrating and light-reflecting formulas designed to make your under-eyes look like you got a full eight hours of sleep (even if that’s far from the truth). Unlike concealers or color correctors, these illuminating serums create a soft, radiant glow before you even apply concealer. Think of them as your skin’s personal lighting team, working all day to keep you looking fresh.

Celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick breaks down the difference between color correctors and brightening serums. In a recent TikTok, she explained that color correctors are highly pigmented and meant to neutralize blue or red undertones (like deeper discoloration), while brighteners are more subtle and refined. They contain light color-correcting pigments, but their real magic comes from light-reflecting particles that soften shadows just enough to revive tired eyes without looking heavy. This reminded me of the (now-discontinued) KKW Beauty under-eye brightening powder—its perfect pink hue and matte finish were once a staple in my routine, and I still miss it.

### Vogue’s Favorite Eye Brighteners:

Best Overall
Kosas Revealer Extra Bright in Magic Bright Color Corrector
$32 | NORDSTROM

Best TikTok Viral
Tarte CC Undereye Corrector
$32 | TARTE

Best for Coverage
Smashbox x BECCA Undereye Brightening Corrector
$33 | NORDSTROM

A few strategic dabs can make your under-eyes look instantly brighter and more awake. Need more convincing? Even Hailey Bieber swears by them—her simple yet effective eight-step routine includes an eye brightener. Keep reading for her favorite pick, plus more editor-approved formulas to add to your beauty collection.

### What’s the Difference Between Concealer and Eye Brighteners?
Eye brighteners aren’t meant to cover dark circles like concealers—instead, they add radiance and subtly diffuse shadows for a well-rested look.

### The Benefits of Using an Eye Brightener
– Light-reflecting particles brighten the under-eye area
– Hydrating ingredients prevent creasing
– Creates a soft-focus effect for a natural glow

### How to Choose Your Eye Brightener Shade
Pink tones neutralize blue undertones, while peach shades work best for darker discoloration.

### Best Overall: Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Corrector
$32 | NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Hailey Bieber recently shared her trick for brighter under-eyes—applying a pink brightener over concealer for extra luminosity. Kosas is a staple in her routine, and this formula includes peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and dullness. Pro makeup artist El DeBratto also calls it their all-time favorite: “This is my go-to brightener—I love the lightweight texture.”

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, light-reflecting minerals
Shades: 5
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.17 oz

### Best Affordable: Catrice Under Eye Brightener
$6 | AMAZON
Why We Love It: Infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, this creamy formula feels more like skincare than makeup. It blends seamlessly to blur and brighten without creasing. I like applying it over concealer in the inner corners for an extra pop, but it’s pigmented enough to wear alone.

Key Ingredients: Candelila wax, mica, shea butter
Shades: 4
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.15 oz

### Best for Coverage: Smashbox x BECCA Undereye Brightening Corrector
$33 | NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: RIP Becca Cosmetics—this cult-favorite brightener was one of their bestsellers in 2018. Luckily, Smashbox brought it back. The rich, emollient formula melts effortlessly when warmed on your hand, providing medium to buildable coverage that hides dark circles beautifully.

Key Ingredients: Light-reflecting pigments, hydrating oils
Shades: 3
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.16 ozThis product comes in four brightening shades to suit various skin tones.

Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, berry wax, kaolin, sunflower seed oil, squalane
Shades: 4
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.15 oz

### Best TikTok Viral: Tarte CC Undereye Corrector
Price: $32 at TARTE

Why We Love It:
For a while, my TikTok feed was flooded with rave reviews about this under-eye corrector—tutorials, GRWMs, and before-and-after posts convinced me to try it. And the hype was real. The creamy formula glides on smoothly, doesn’t settle into fine lines, and offers nearly full coverage. Pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard also swears by it: “It color-corrects beautifully and has a subtle reflective glow that brightens the under-eye area.”

Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, caffeine, licorice root extract, kaolin, mica, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, tocopherol
Shades: 4
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.08 oz

### Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Putty Color-Correcting Eye Brightener
Price: $6 at AMAZON

Why We Love It:
This budget-friendly option has a velvety, putty-like texture that blends effortlessly, blurring shadows while hydrating with squalane and hyaluronic acid. The finish is soft, natural, and radiant—perfect for light coverage or as a base under concealer. A little goes a long way for the price.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid, ginseng root extract, pearl extract
Shades: 6
Formulation: Putty
Size: 0.14 oz

### Best Shade Range: Fenty Beauty Brightfix Eye Brightener
Price: $28 at FENTY BEAUTY

Why We Love It:
As makeup artist DeBratto puts it, “Anything Rihanna does has to be good.” True to Fenty’s reputation, this brightener offers 16 shades—the most inclusive range available. The hydrating, serum-like formula provides sheer to buildable coverage that looks like skin, but better. Infused with sodium hyaluronate and jojoba oil, it feels lightweight yet stays put without creasing.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, allantoin
Shades: 16
Formulation: Liquid
Size: 0.34 oz

### Best with Peptides: Palladio Under Eye Brightener
Price: $12 at AMAZON

Why We Love It:
Packed with caffeine, peptides, biotin, and vitamin E, this brightener hydrates while plumping the under-eye area. The buttery texture blends easily, offering medium, buildable coverage to disguise dark circles. However, with only one shade, it’s best suited for light to medium skin tones.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, microcrystalline wax, silica, biotin, caffeine, glycerin
Shades: 1
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.12 oz

### Best Two-in-One: Morphe Wake Up Artist Under Eye Correcting Concealer
Price: $12 at ULTA

Why We Love It:
This dual-purpose product works as both a concealer and brightener. Makeup artist Murdick loves it: “The four shades color-correct and brighten beautifully, and they stay put under concealer. Plus, it’s affordable!” For olive skin tones, experts recommend the shade Peach.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba seed oil, copolymer, tocopherol
Shades: 4
Formulation: Cream
Size: 0.2 fl oz

### Everything You Need to Know
What’s the difference between concealer and eye brighteners?
“A concealer is mainly for coverage—it should match your skin tone to hide imperfections,” says Spickard. “Eye brighteners, as the name suggests, are designed to brighten and correct discoloration.”What Are Eye Brighteners?

Eye brighteners are designed to make your under-eye area look brighter. They usually have color-correcting and illuminating properties, giving a radiant finish.

### The Benefits of Using an Eye Brightener

Celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick explains why eye brighteners are so effective: “They’re a two-in-one product—they color-correct dark circles while also using light-reflecting particles to minimize shadows,” she says. “They’re perfect for people with deep under-eye hollows (like me) because they make the area appear more lifted.”

### How to Choose the Right Shade

Picking the right shade is simpler than you might think. “Eye brighteners should match your skin tone—not too light or too dark,” says Murdick. “Most brands offer different depths, so go for the closest match. If you’re unsure, opt for a slightly lighter shade rather than darker.”

They’re also super versatile. “You can wear an eye brightener alone for a natural look—it neutralizes blue and purple tones under the eyes,” says makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “Or, use it as a base before concealer. This way, you’ll need less concealer while still achieving a bright, refreshed look.”

### Meet the Experts

– El DeBratto – A New York-based editorial makeup artist whose clients include Coco Rocha, Flower Beauty, Kristin Ess, and Glamour Magazine.
– Melissa Murdick – A Los Angeles celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Lizzy Caplan, and more.
– Kasey Spickard – A professional makeup artist based in New York and Los Angeles, with clients like Jenna Lyons, Kamie Crawford, and Brynn Whitfield.