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 (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. And 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. All of this is to say that I’m picky about the products I add to my arsenal. Yet, despite this fact, I found myself compelled to try Rare Beauty’s product.
My initial draw to testing out this under-eye brighter is that I’ve struggled with periorbital hyperpigmentation for a while now and have been wondering 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 so many suggestions for handling them that it can become overwhelming. Do you change your diet? Get a chemical peel? Or do you buy a product? And if it’s the latter, how do you choose between getting a concealer, serum, cream, patches, or brighter?
There are so many different ways you can deal with dark circles that this is the moment in the story that I should note you have to choose what works based on your own skincare needs and advice from your dermatologist. However, in my case, I knew I wanted a simple solution. Enter, Rare Beauty into the chat again. Launched in late 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 product.
What led you to become a makeup artist? And what do you love about being a part of the Rare Beauty team?
CDM: 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 eye-brightener. As a seasoned expert, what do you feel makes this product worth the hype?
CDM: 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 (like myself), 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?
CDM: 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?
CDM: 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?
CDM: 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 (like myself) when it comes to trying new products?
CDM: 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.
CDM: 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 first-hand about Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Under Eye Brightener…
Though I had a vague idea of how I’d feel about Rare Beauty 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 had multiple colleges 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 landed on trying 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.
I must admit that 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 fanatic who loves Rare Beauty) to have her walk me through some application tips. Per her advice, I placed about 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; however, I didn’t have one. So I used Rare Beauty’s liquid touch concealer brush and lightly dabbed it from the corner of my eyes outward to fully blend the brightener. While the brush did the job, I defiantly would want to use a sponge moving forward as I feel it give 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 immediately 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 not only easy to incorporate into my routine, but the results of using the product were far more impressive than I even anticipated. Even a few days later, as I finish writing this story, 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. Some products you want to hit the snooze button on, to skip past them, and get those extra few minutes in the morning; but Rare Beauty’s Light Under Eye Brightener, isn’t worth skipping.
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