3 Illuminating Under-Eye Creams That Instantly Make You Look More Awake Without Makeup

We all know the feeling when you’re tired as hell and want nothing more than to faceplant back in bed, except you’re an adult with things to do and people to see. As you head out into the world, it’s nice to you know your face doesn’t have look as exhausted as your mind and body feel. Do that sans makeup with illuminating eye creams.

These types of products include super-fine shimmery ingredients that instantly make your under-eye area look more radiant and reflect light off the skin so your eyes look more awake. Plus, they help to camouflage darkness, which is why Deepica Mutyala, founder of Live Tinted, included them in the brand’s eye cream. “Color-correcting pigments and light-reflecting pearls neutralize darkness under the eye and instantly brighten while the formula provides the perfect canvas for color correction and concealer application,” she says.

Even if you’re not going to put on makeup, these light-reflecting ingredients can add instant brightness to your face. However, if you’re looking to fully cover up darkness, you’ll need to employ concealer. And, layering an illuminating eye cream underneath is the perfect pairing.

“Less is more, and skin care is always the first best step before makeup,” says Neil Scibelli, a celebrity makeup artist in New York City. “If you can add these glowing facial serums on that are going to help elevate your skin and give your skin that extra glow without having to wear makeup, that’s a great advantage.”

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Shop illuminating eye creams to fake 8 hours of sleep

Keys Soulcare Radiant Eye Cream — $30.00

Mica and gold foil in this formula give your eyes an instant illuminating lift. Plus, it has peptides to firm and strengthen, amino acids to smooth and hydrate, and sunflower seed oil to moisturize.

Live Tinted Superhue Brightening Eye Cream — $28.00

This lightweight-yet-powerful cream uses niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to illuminate and plump skin while evening skin tone and smoothing texture. Plus, it includes caffeine to boost circulation under the eye and turmeric to reduce inflammation, both reducing puffiness.