How to Use Under Eye Brightener: Find Your Shade & Brighten Dark Circles

Dark circles, meet your new makeup essential. Whether you're looking to brighten tired-looking eyes, neutralize discoloration, or create a more refreshed appearance, the right under eye brightener can make all the difference.

The secret isn't piling on more concealer. It's choosing the right shade, applying product strategically, and blending for a natural-looking finish.

Enter the CATRICE Under Eye Brightener, a creamy color-correcting formula enriched with hyaluronic acid and shea butter. Designed to visibly neutralize dark circles while adding radiance, it's an easy addition to your everyday makeup routine.

Ready to discover how to brighten dark circles? Here's everything you need to know.

 

What Does an Under Eye Brightener Do?

Unlike traditional concealer, which primarily provides coverage, an under eye brightener helps counteract the appearance of discoloration.

Dark circles can have blue, purple, or brown undertones. A color-correcting brightener uses complementary tones to help balance their appearance, creating a more even-looking under-eye area.

The CATRICE Under Eye Brightener combines color correction with a blendable, creamy texture. Wear it alone for a naturally refreshed look or layer concealer over it when you want additional coverage.

 

How to Choose Your CATRICE Under Eye Brightener Shade

Finding your shade is the first step toward achieving a seamless finish. Rather than simply choosing a lighter color, consider your skin tone and undertone.

The CATRICE Under Eye Brightener comes in five shades:

• 010 Light Rose: Ideal for fair to light skin tones with cool undertones.
• 015 Light Nude: Designed for light skin tones with neutral undertones.
• 020 Warm Nude: Suited for light to medium skin tones with warm undertones.
• 030 Golden Toffee: Designed for medium to dark skin tones.
• 040 Dark Mocha: Ideal for dark to rich skin tones.

Pro tip: Choose a shade that helps neutralize your discoloration without creating a noticeable contrast against your complexion. The goal is a naturally brighter appearance, not an overly light under-eye area.

 

How to Apply Under Eye Brightener: Step by Step

Step 1: Prep Your Under-Eye Area

Start with clean, moisturized skin. For an extra-smooth base, reach for the CATRICE Under Eye Primer Stick. Gently glide it beneath your eyes to prep the delicate under-eye area before applying makeup.

Designed to help grip under-eye makeup and prevent creasing, the primer creates a smooth canvas for your brightener and concealer, helping products stay in place for a more seamless, long-lasting finish.

Pro tip: Allow the primer to settle briefly before layering your brightener and concealer for the smoothest application.

 

Step 2: Apply a Small Amount of Brightener

Using the CATRICE Under Eye Concealer Brush, pick up a small amount of CATRICE Under Eye Brightener.

Focus on the areas where discoloration is most noticeable, typically near the inner corners and beneath the eyes. The brush allows for targeted application, helping you place the product exactly where you need it.

A little goes a long way. Start with a thin layer and build only where needed.

 

Step 3: Gently Blend

Using the same CATRICE Under Eye Concealer Brush, gently tap and blend the brightener into your skin, working from the inner corners outward.

Avoid dragging or rubbing. Use light tapping motions to maintain coverage while softening the edges for a seamless transition into the surrounding skin.

 

Step 4: Layer Concealer If Needed

For additional coverage, apply CATRICE True Skin High Cover Concealer over your brightener. Its buildable coverage helps even out the appearance of the under-eye area while maintaining a natural-looking finish.

Apply a small amount where extra coverage is needed, then gently blend with your Under Eye Concealer Brush.

 

Step 5: Set for a Smooth Finish

Finish with a light application of the CATRICE Under Eye Brightener Setting Powder to help set your makeup and prevent creasing.

Use a small fluffy brush or the CATRICE Magic Perfectors Powder Puffs and apply only where needed.

 

Under Eye Brightener vs. Concealer: Do You Need Both?

Not necessarily!

If your main concern is discoloration, a brightener may be all you need for an everyday look. For more coverage, pairing it with a drugstore concealer for dark circles can help create a more even finish.

Think of brightener as your color-correcting step and concealer as your coverage step. Together, they offer a customizable approach to under-eye makeup.

 

CATRICE Under Eye Brightener Review: Is It Worth Adding to Your Routine?

Wondering what makes this product stand out? The CATRICE Under Eye Brightener offers a combination of color correction, creamy blendability, and skin-loving ingredients at an accessible price.

Its five-shade range makes it easier to find an option for different complexions, while its buildable application lets you decide how much correction you want.

The takeaway? Brighter-looking under-eyes don't require a complicated routine. Choose your shade, apply strategically, blend gently, and add coverage only where you need it.

Sometimes, a little brightness makes all the difference.