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I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles
I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles
Apr 30, 2026 2:47 PM

  When it comes to my daily makeup routine, I keep things radiant and fuss-free. I want formulas that last but are also easy to work with. I tend to avoid products that set too matte, as they can emphasise texture and make touch-ups tricky later on, because let’s be honest, most makeup will crease or fade after a few hours.

  In my experience, concealer is the number one culprit of this. At first it looks great, but as the hours go by, it tends to separate and start looking cakey. And it only gets worse if you try to buff out the patchiness or add an extra layer to cover it. But now, the Catrice Under Eye Brightener has entered my routine and completely changed the game.

  I dont want to spoil the whole Catrice Under Eye Brightener review, but if I had to describe this product in one word, all I would say is wow. It’s basically like a skin-blurring filter in a pot. But more on that and everything else I want you to know is below.

  Catrice Under Eye Brightener

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles1

  CatricePrice: £3.99

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles2

  View offerAlternative retailersNotino co uk£4.20View offerLiki 24 UK£5.60View offerQathu K Beauty Store£8.00View offerCosmetify£9.38View offer How I tested Catrices Under Eye Brightener As a beauty writer, I’ve tried plenty of concealers over the years, from ultra-matte formulas to lighter, sheer options. And because my days are a mix of meetings, press events, and the odd after-work dinner or gym session, I need a concealer that still looks good by the end of the day, not just at 9am.

  I have oily skin, which means full-coverage concealers can end up settling into the lines under my eyes as the day goes on. I did my usual base prep (moisturiser, SPF, primer) and, at first, skipped eye cream to see how it sat without anything too slippery underneath.

  I applied it in an upward motion, tapping it in with my fingers to reach the inner corners, and then swept it outwards for a lifted effect. After patting in a little with my fingers, I blended the concealer out with a brush and was genuinely surprised by how quickly it melted into the skin. It layered perfectly over my foundation (in the photo I’m wearing the Superdewy SPF30 Skin Tint from Revolution Beauty). There was a little creasing once I applied my setting powder, but it was very minimal.

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles3

  ©Closer / Phoebe Denman The Catrice Under Eye Brightener costs £3.99 and claims to help you achieve a fresh, alert look, all while delivering non-cakey, radiant coverage. But does it live up to the hype?

  Catrice Under Eye Brightener: My honest thoughts This concealer is ideal for anyone who prefers a dewy, radiant finish under the eyes. The formula is very hydrating and creamy, thanks to the addition of moisturising hyaluronic acid and plumping shea butter.

  The real test is always what it looks like later on, and this stayed put all day without me needing to touch up before my after-work event. The only thing I haven’t properly tested yet is how it holds up in heat and humidity, but for everyday wear, I really have no complaints. And while I suffer with oily skin, my under-eyes remained smooth and intact.

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles4

  ©Closer/ Phoebe Denman It’s not super full coverage, so it won’t completely work miracles, but it’s so lightweight it barely feels like you’re wearing anything, which is exactly what I like. The formula delivers on all of its promises and has officially secured its spot as my top under-eye concealer pick from here on out.

  My usual under-eye go-to is the NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer, £29.50, which does a brilliant job of evening out the complexion but still needs the occasional touch-up (you can read my full review). Yet heres the kicker: the Catrice Under Eye Brightener lasted just as long - if not longer.

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles5

  ©Closer /Phoebe Denman I went for the shade Light Rose, a pink-toned option that does a great job of brightening and concealing my under-eyes. There are currently only 4 shades on offer, and while these have been made to suit different skin tones and undertones, it would be nice to see a wider variety from the brand in the future.

  How to use Catrice Under Eye Brightener In terms of how to apply Catrice Under Eye Brightener, I found it works best with either a brush or by using your fingers to gently buff and blend the formula - I tend to go for fingers when I want a bit more coverage. You can also use a beauty blender, if youd prefer, but the Morphe M132 Angled Concealer Brush, for example, will offer more precision and may cause less movement and separation of products underneath.

  Catrice Under Eye Brightener

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles6

  BootsPrice: £3.99

  

I ditched my pricey concealer for this £3.99 eye brightener – it completely erases dark circles2

  View offerAlternative retailersNotino co uk£4.20View offerLiki 24 UK£5.60View offerQathu K Beauty Store£8.00View offerCosmetify£9.38View offer Phoebe Denman is Senior Style Writer for Closer. She writes across both print and online, covering trend reports and shopping pages to product reviews and chatting to celebs. When shes not covering all things beauty and fashion, she enjoys listening to country music and binge-watching One Tree Hill.

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