My Chronic Dark Circles Didn't Stand a Chance Against This Under-Eye Brightener

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market's most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

The majority of our Deep Reviews will feature our editors' honest, ultra-hot takes on entire product categories or multiple products from a particular beauty brand, but every so often, we'll sprinkle in a special single-product format called Honestly, I Love It. As the name suggests, these reviews will hone in on one standout beauty formula our editors quite literally can't shut up about. This time around, I'm highlighting the Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener ($24). 

I should preface this entire story with a confession: I'm not a makeup expert. It's not that I'm not a fan of beauty. It's just that I'm more of a novice to the concept of having a makeup routine. Throughout my adolescence, I never wore makeup because I grew up with a single father, and he didn't exactly have the trappings of what it takes to be a pro in the makeup department. Additionally, I was far more focused on picking out what to wear or how to style my curly hair. All of this is to say that I didn't really understand the importance of building a skincare routine or why you'd even want to use products like an under-eye brightener.

It wasn't until I began working in the industry and learning from fellow editors that I began to test out makeup. While my curiosity has led me to branch out more over the years, admittedly, my makeup routine is still rather bare-bones. I'll add a dash of brow gel, a smear of lip gloss, and maybe a little highlighter if I'm feeling spicy that day, and I'm picky about the products I add to my arsenal. Despite this fact, I found myself compelled to try Rare Beauty's products. 

I've struggled with periorbital hyperpigmentation for a while now and have been researching how to get rid of dark under-eye circles. Admittedly, when I began to wonder how to mitigate hyperpigmentation, I became flustered by the amount of information on the internet. Not only are there different theories about what causes dark circles (some studies say it's influenced by sleep, others say nutrition, and some say genetics are at play), but there are also so many suggestions for handling them that it can become overwhelming. Do I change my diet? Get a chemical peel? Buy a product? If it's the latter, how do I choose between a concealer, serum, cream, patch, or brighter?

There are so many different ways you can deal with dark circles, and you should choose what works based on your own skincare needs and advice from your dermatologist. In my case, I knew I wanted a simple solution. Enter Rare Beauty's under-eye brightener. Launched in December of 2022, the product has arguably become one of the buzziest beauty products of the moment, so I knew I had to try it out for myself and learn more about it.

Ahead, you'll hear from Rare Beauty's global makeup stylist, Cynthia Di Meo, about why this product has become so popular, the benefits of using an under-eye brightener, and her tips for trying out any new makeup. 

What led you to become a makeup artist? And what do you love about being a part of the Rare Beauty team? 

It was a happy accident! While pursuing graphic design, I decided to work part-time at a makeup counter to support myself through school. Surprisingly, all the skills and knowledge I gained in my art studies seamlessly transitioned into the realm of makeup artistry. Before I knew it, people started contacting me for makeup gigs. After two decades, I cherish every single moment of what I do. As a makeup artist, my focus has always been to help individuals embrace and celebrate the inherent beauty within each of us. That's why I felt an instant connection when I discovered Rare Beauty's mission and knew we were meant to be. 

There's been a lot of buzz around Rare Beauty's under-eye brightener. As a seasoned expert, what do you feel makes this product worth the hype?

Our Positive Light Under Eye Brightener is my favorite Rare Beauty product. It's a super-lightweight liquid that you can wear on its own for a fresh, wide-awake look or layer it over concealer for an extra brightening effect without adding texture. You can also use it to brighten areas of the face where you get natural shadows. It reminds me of those light reflectors that photographers use to bounce light back into a person's face.

For those who have never used an eye brightener, what should they know about the benefits and drawbacks of using one? Is there anyone you'd advise not to incorporate a brightener into their routine?

It really is a product for everyone and can be incorporated into any look, from a no-makeup makeup look to a full-glam look. The important thing to know about the Positive Light Under Eye Brightener is that it is not a concealer. It's a product that attracts light.

Do you swear by any hacks to reap the full benefits of this eye brighter? 

When I'm applying over a concealer, I recommend using a small fluffy brush or fingertip. I apply it using a light tapping motion to avoid disturbing the concealer underneath. 

Do you have any application tips for this product that can make a difference?

You can add a light dusting of translucent powder over the top for longer wear.

Finally, what advice would you give to a makeup novice when it comes to trying new products? 

First and foremost, remember that makeup should never define your beauty. You are naturally beautiful just the way you are. Consider makeup a fun tool, an accessory that you can choose to use or not to use depending on your mood and preferences. Don't let the overwhelming content on social media intimidate you. Use social media as inspiration to try something new, and remember that everyone's beauty routine is personal and unique. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for you, and that's okay. Start with small steps. It can be as simple as adding a new technique or product into your everyday routine. Find what feels comfortable and enjoyable for you.

Most importantly, your makeup routine should make you feel good about yourself. If it boosts your confidence and brings you joy, then it's the perfect routine for you, regardless of what others may be doing. Lastly, don't be afraid to seek guidance and learn from others. Find a content creator that reflects the style of beauty that interests you. They can offer valuable insights and tips. Embrace the learning process and have fun along the way!

Keep scrolling to find out what I learned firsthand about Rare Beauty's Positive Light Under Eye Brightener.

From my conversation with Di Meo, I gleaned that choosing which type of product to test out to diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation depends on what you want. If you wish to, for example, ensure that your foundation looks the same around your under-eye area as it does on other parts of your face, then you need a color correcter to mitigate discoloration. If you're interested in fully covering dark circles, shadows, and fine lines, you'll want to invest in an eye concealer. But if you're going for the whole no-makeup makeup look, then Rare Beauty's brightener will be right up your alley. 

Unlike other products, this brightener has a liquid formulation, so it's lightweight upon application, ensuring that it doesn't have that caked-on look—hallelujah! While it won't fully cover dark circles, it does provide hydration under the eyes, which reduces the appearance of discoloration. Even though that may seem like a con, don't be fooled. The nascency of this product allows it to be easily layered under or over a concealer without creating the appearance that you've used every product in your medicine cabinet. Plus, its formula allows for long-term reduction in hyperpigmentation, so instead of having to use concealer forever, you can combat some of the underlying issues.

What makes this product so powerful is that it includes great ingredients, the most noteworthy being vitamin E. Typically found in leafy greens, this nutrient helps skin cells heal from sun damage and helps with collagen production to combat wrinkles and dark circles. In addition to containing vitamin E and a blend of other anti-inflammatory ingredients, this product has been tested to be noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores or irritate sensitive skin. Suppose you're like me and have easily irritated skin. I've suffered from eczema around the eyes in the past, and eye makeup will often cause flare-ups. In that case, finding a hydrating brightener is nonnegotiable. Luckily for me, it seems like I found exactly what I was looking for.

Though I had a vague idea of how I'd feel about Rare Beauty's Positive Light Under Eye Brightener, I didn't really know how much of my initial perceptions of the product were based on hype. After all, this product has not only gone viral on TikTok, but I've also had multiple colleagues and friends sing high praises for it, and it's been sold out at my nearby Sephora. But I'm happy to report that it lives up to the hype. 

The brightener is available in six shades, and since I don't wear a ton of makeup, I tried two shades to figure out which would work best for my complexion (Medium and Medium Tan). After trying both shades on my hand, I found that the former was a better fit for me, as I don't have a ton of peach undertones on my skin. In terms of the application process, Di Meo was spot-on in saying that the metal-tip applicator creates a cooling sensation on the skin when applied, but it also makes the product easier to put on.

Once it came time to apply the brightener to my under-eye area, I did get a bit nervous—remember, makeup novice here! So I FaceTimed my best friend (an avid beauty enthusiast who loves Rare Beauty) to have her walk me through some application tips. Per her advice, I placed two tiny dots in the middle of my under-eye area and then used my fingertips to spread the product evenly. Normally, she recommends using a sponge to blend the product, but I didn't have one. I used Rare Beauty's Liquid Touch Concealer Brush instead and lightly dabbed it from the corner of my eyes outward to fully blend the brightener. While the brush did the job, I definitely will use a sponge moving forward, as I feel it gives a bit more of an all-natural blend to the product.

Nevertheless, after I finished applying the Positive Light Under Eye Brightener, I noticed an immediate reduction in the appearance of my dark under-eye circles. My skin looked dewy, and it was the first time in months I didn't feel like my eyes were giving feral-raccoon energy. The formulation was also super lightweight and didn't irritate me as I wore it throughout the rest of the day. Overall, as someone that's generally more inclined to sleep in rather than wake up and put on makeup, I found that this product was easy to incorporate into my routine, and the results of using it were far more impressive than I anticipated. Even a few days later, I've seen a visible reduction in the darkness and puffiness around my eyes, which has challenged the whole concept of beauty sleep for me. You'll want to hit the snooze button on some products and get those extra few minutes in the morning, but Rare Beauty's Positive Light Under Eye Brightener is worth getting out of bed for. 

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