Top 5 Under Eye Highlighters: Your Brightening Guide

Ever look in the mirror and wish your eyes just popped a little more? You know, that bright, awake look that says, “I’m ready to conquer the day!” But sometimes, dark circles or tired-looking skin can make that wish feel impossible. Finding the perfect under-eye highlighter can be tricky. There are so many shades, formulas, and brands out there, it’s easy to feel lost. You want something that brightens without looking glittery or cakey, and that actually lasts!

That’s where we come in. This post is your secret weapon for unlocking that radiant under-eye glow. We’ll break down what makes a great under-eye highlighter and how to pick the one that’s just right for you. Get ready to learn how to banish shadows and add a touch of magic to your look. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for and feel confident choosing a product that will make your eyes shine.

Top Under Eye Highlighter Recommendations

No. 1

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

Plman 2PCS Under Eye Highlighter Stick with Brush, Waterproof & Smudge-Proof Under Eye Brightener Pencil, Highlighter Makeup Pen, Lying Silkworm Pencil Highlight & Contouring Stick (DC01-Beige)

Two-tone Design: The under eye contour stick is 70% brightening, used to brighten the lower eyelid; 30% contour, used to create a deep and three-dimensional eye contour; combine brightening and contour to instantly enlarge your eyes
Dual-Ended Design: Features a eye highlighter stick on one end to precisely brighten your the lower eyelid; the other end is a delicate brush head for blending highlighter powder; dual-ended design allows for efficient natural makeup application
Smooth Application: Our under eye highlighter stick has a smooth and delicate touch, even color and high saturation; it is light and close to the skin, maintaining a smooth texture for a long time, and will not clump or cause skin peeling problems
Highly Waterproof: Excellent waterproof and sweat-resistant, no fear of moisture and rain; whether it is exercise or rainy days, the highlighter makeup pencil can effectively prevent smudging and keep your eye makeup refined all day long
Delicate Brush Head: One end of under eye brightener stick is a makeup brush, which can accurately blend the range of highlighter powder; this brush head can also be used to blend eye shadow and eyebrow powder, with a multi-effect function

Shine Bright: Your Guide to Under-Eye Highlighters

Tired of dull, tired-looking eyes? An under-eye highlighter can be your secret weapon! It brightens the area, making you look more awake and refreshed. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you find the perfect highlighter to make your eyes pop.

1. Key Features to Look For

When shopping for an under-eye highlighter, keep these important features in mind:

Shade: The best shade matches your skin tone or is a few shades lighter. This creates a natural lift. Avoid shades that are too yellow or too pink, as they can look unnatural.
Finish: Highlighters come in different finishes.
- Shimmer: Adds a subtle sparkle.
- Glowy/Radiant: Gives a dewy, lit-from-within look.
- Matte: Less common for under-eye, but some prefer it for a very soft brightening.
Coverage: Some highlighters offer light coverage to just add a touch of shine. Others provide a bit more coverage to help hide dark circles.
Longevity: You want a highlighter that stays put all day. Look for formulas that are smudge-proof and don’t crease easily.
Formula Type: Highlighters come in liquid, cream, and powder forms. Each has its own benefits.

2. Important Materials and Ingredients

The ingredients in your highlighter can make a big difference. Here are some to look for:

Hydrating Ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter help keep the delicate under-eye skin moisturized. Dry skin can make fine lines more noticeable, so hydration is key.
Light-Reflecting Particles: These are what give the highlighter its shine. They can be mica-based or made with other fine pigments that catch the light.
Soothing Agents: Ingredients like chamomile or vitamin E can help calm and nourish the skin.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Try to steer clear of parabens and sulfates, which can be drying or irritating for some.

3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Several things can make a highlighter work wonders or fall flat.

What Makes a Highlighter Great:

Blendability: A good highlighter blends seamlessly into your skin. It shouldn’t look like a stripe of glitter.
Non-Cakey Formula: The best formulas don’t settle into fine lines or look thick and dry.
Buildability: You should be able to add more product for a stronger effect without it looking heavy.
Good Packaging: Easy-to-use applicators, like a doe-foot wand or a pump, make application simple.

What Can Make a Highlighter Less Ideal:

Chunky Glitter: If the shimmer particles are too large, the highlighter can look unnatural and emphasize texture.
Poor Pigmentation: If the color is too sheer, it won’t provide enough brightening.
Drying Formula: A formula that absorbs moisture from your skin will make the under-eye area look worse.
Creasing: If the highlighter settles into your under-eye lines, it can make them look more prominent.

4. User Experience and Use Cases

Using an under-eye highlighter is simple and versatile.

Application: Most people apply highlighter after their concealer. A little goes a long way. Dab a small amount on the inner corners of your eyes, just below your brow bone, and on the highest point of your cheekbone, extending towards your temple. Then, gently blend it in with your finger, a sponge, or a brush.
When to Use It:
- Everyday Brightening: To look more awake and refreshed for work or school.
- Evening Out Dark Circles: To make the under-eye area appear lighter and more even.
- Adding a Glow: To give your face a luminous, youthful appearance.
- Highlighting Features: It can also be used on other high points of the face, like the bridge of your nose or your cupid’s bow.

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 light and brightness to the skin under your eyes. It helps you look more awake and refreshed.

Q: How do I choose the right shade?

A: Pick a shade that is one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. It should complement your skin, not look too stark.

Q: Liquid, cream, or powder – which is best?

A: Liquid and cream highlighters are often best for dry or mature skin because they add moisture. Powder highlighters can work well for oily skin but might settle into lines.

Q: Can I use concealer instead of a highlighter?

A: Concealer hides darkness. A highlighter adds light and dimension. You can use both for the best effect: concealer first, then highlighter.

Q: Will it make my wrinkles look worse?

A: A good quality highlighter, especially a creamy or liquid one, should not make wrinkles look worse. It actually helps to draw attention away from them by adding light.

Q: How much highlighter should I use?

A: Start with a small amount. You can always add more. Too much can look unnatural.

Q: What’s the best way to apply it?

A: Dab a little product under your eyes and blend it gently with your finger, a damp sponge, or a soft brush.

Q: Can I use it if I have dark circles?

A: Yes! Highlighters are great for counteracting dark circles by bringing light to the area.

Q: How long does an under-eye highlighter last?

A: Longevity varies by product and your skin type. Many last for several hours. Some formulas are designed to be long-wearing.

Q: Can I use highlighter on other parts of my face?

A: Absolutely! You can use it on your cheekbones, brow bone, nose, and cupid’s bow to add more glow.