This post has a try on of ten different under eye color correctors for dark circle correction and coverage. My go-to for years has been the Becca Cosmetics corrector, but with news that they are shutting down, I set out to find an alternative. I ended up finding a ton of great correctors at every price point!
I have a try-on of each corrector, so you can see what it looks like before concealer is applied. Also, I listed the pros and cons of each, as the cons for me might not necessarily be a deal breaker for someone else. I hope this post helps you find the right dark circle corrector!
Color correcting works by countering either blue or grey dark circles by using an opposite shade, pink or orange over the discolored areas, so they better match the rest of your skin. Color correctors are applied after eye cream and before concealer.
Color correcting dark circles at the inner corner of your eyes is a really game-changer for a lot of people. This was my “missing step” and once I started using corrector, all my makeup, not just my concealer, started looking it’s best, in my opinion. I can use much less concealer when I color correct, so my concealer looks more natural and doesn’t crease.
I’ve heard from so many people who watched my concealer technique video and commented either on YouTube or IG after about how under eye color corrector was a game changing step for them too!
FINISH | Color corrector can have either an illuminating or matte finish.
I prefer an illuminating finish, as the corrector catches the light to minimize the look of the dark circles.
Coverage relies on the product having a lot of pigment, which covers the discoloration and preps the area to match your skin.
SHADE | Peach color correctors will even out grey dark circles and pink correctors will correct blue or purple dark circles (the category I fall in). You should aim for a corrector shade that is about the same shade as your skin tone.
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.08 oz/2.3 grams | $32 | cream formula
Pros | Once it’s mixed up, this formula is very creamy and has a ton of pigment. It’s great for covering very dark circles.
I’m really impressed with the coverage, it truly erases dark circles, but still looks natural.
I also love that they have four shades available.
This has become my go-to color corrector for my darker inner eye discolorations!
Cons | It’s a slightly higher cost-per-ounce vs the other correctors, but because it is so pigmented, I do find myself using far less product.
shop Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish | charlotte tilbury . sephora . spaceNK . cult beauty UK
.14 oz/3.9 grams | $33 w/shipping | cream formula
Pros | There are SO many pros to the Beauty Pie corrector.
It’s a total winner and is my go-to replacement for the Becca corrector! the Beauty Pie is an almost identical dupe for the Becca Corrector.
Cons | The pricing structure is atypical. You can pay what they call “retail price” at $25 or you can sign up for a membership (3 month minimum, starting at $10 a month) to get a discounted “member price.” Think Costco, but for makeup.
Even without a membership and with shipping, the BeautyPie still works out to be about the same price as the Becca at $33 vs $32. I will say their makeup formulas rival all the high-end formulas, so if you purchase makeup frequently, the membership might be worth it.
shop beauty pie corrector | beautypie
.16 oz/4.5 grams | $32 | cream formula
This is the product that changed the game for me! I had never tried an under eye corrector before this Becca product.
Pros | It’s a cream formula, so it has more coverage vs a liquid. It’s illuminating, so it’s a great 1 +2. The pinky peach color counteracts the blueish circles at my inner corner and the illumination further corrects by bouncing light off my skin.
Cons | Sadly, Becca Cosmetics has said that they are going to close down in September 2021. * Update, Smashbox has now purchased this formula and is selling the corrector as Becca x Smashbox.
shop Becca Under Eye Corrector | sephora . amazon
.22oz/6.2 grams | $6 | liquid formula
Pros | The Saem is one of Korea’s biggest concealer brands. The brightener really works. It’s a matte finish and very pigmented. It definitely corrects and brightens any skin darkness.
The price is a-mazing.
I also love how smooth the corrector is when applying. It’s also gentle and causes no skin irritation. This is a wonderful color corrector. The tube contains a lot of product, but is compact, which is nice for traveling. The smaller wand is the perfect size to get into the inner corner of my eyes.
Cons | I do wish they’d make an illuminating version because I love their products! Also, if my under eye area is not moisturized enough, this formula can look dry.
shop Saem Brightener | amazon . YesStyle
.51 oz/14.5 grams | $9 | liquid formula
This under eye tint is a new release from Milani, one of my go-to affordable makeup brands. I wear shade Pink Rose, because my under eye circles are blueish-purple. If yours are more grey or brown, go for one of the peach tints.
Pros | The finish is illuminating and so, so good. It’s so pretty and brightening. It feels lightweight. The tube contains a ton of product!
Also, the shade range on this new formula is great: pink, peach, and deep peach.
Cons | My one wish: the formula had a bit more coverage. It’s a true tint: very sheer, almost like a tinted moisturizer, but for under your eyes. I will wear this tint under my thicker cream concealers to add luminosity.
The illuminating aspect of this product has come the closest to Becca’s finish, but it just doesn’t have the same level of coverage over my blue circles. I truly hope they come out with a cream version of this to get a bit more coverage!
shop Milani Supercharged Undereye Tint | ulta beauty . milani official
.2 oz/5.7 grams | $10 | liquid formula
This was the 2nd color corrector I’ve ever tried after the Becca. I wanted to find a great drugstore option to share. I did not have any skin reaction to the brightener the same way I did the first few times I wore their concealer.
Pros | I love the formula, it has the same rich pigment, that still looks natural, as the concealer. This is a perfect pinky tone for blue-purple circles. It covers, it lasts, and it’s super affordable!
Cons | I do wish they’d make an illuminating version. I know I sound like a broken record here, but I do love a well-done illuminating finish.
shop Maybelline Brightener | ulta beauty . amazon
.08 oz/2.3 grams | $29 | cream formula
Pros | Bobbi Brown offers a range of 16 different shades, which is the most I have found out of any brand. There is truly a shade for everyone. I am impressed with this shade range. I actually think I went a bit too light purchasing the Porcelain shades for myself, I’d go up one for two levels for next purchase, I’ll probably try Light Bisque next.
This cream corrector has been a go-to for me during testing. I love the cream formula, it’s equally as creamy as the Becca, which has been hard to find! Many creams have been too stiff, but this one really melts into my skin.
I’m secretly hoping they come out with an illuminating version to add to their line up! This is a great formula and incredible shade range, I just personally prefer a light-diffusing finish.
Cons | The size is very small, about half the size of the Becca, so I do anticipate running out more quickly. This makes it nice for traveling, but a more expensive cost-per-ounce.
shop Bobbi Brown Corrector | bobbi brown official . sephora . nordstrom . ulta beauty
.34 oz/9.6 grams | $25 | liquid formula
Pros | Extremely pigmented and brightening! This formula really does brighten up any dark circles. Great range of correcting shades.
Cons | The packaging: even with the lightest squeeze, so much product comes out. It’s more than I can use, even with applying that amount to both eyes, with two layers. So I end up wasting a lot of product.
Also, I find that the formula looks a bit dry on my under eye area and concealers only accentuate that dryness.
shop fenty bright fix | fenty official . sephora
.40 oz/11.3 grams | $48 | liquid formula
Pros | Amazing hybrid formula that feels like skincare, but works like makeup!
This is the perfect base step for someone who needs extra hydration and/or someone who doesn’t wear a lot of base makeup and wants a more natural result.
This formula feels cooling when it touches the skin and has an incredible luminous finish.
I wear this on days I need an extra boost of moisture.
Cons | Not as much dark circle coverage as the Becca or Beautypie for someone looking for opacity.
shop tatcha the pearl | sephora . qvc . tatcha
.12 oz/3.5 grams | $17 | cream formula
Pros | This corrector has great coverage and it really does last all day. It comes in a range of shades, although I do wish I had purchased a lighter shade. This corrector has a ton of pigment.
Cons | The cream formula feels a bit heavy, even after I properly mixed it. Shade 2 was surprisingly dark and peach. Overall a good corrector, just not my personal favorite.
shop MUD | amazon
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Thank you for reading and being a part of the blog! – Molly
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I realize this is a 2023 post that I am making on a 2021 article so you may already know about these products. If you were looking for a more illuminating colour corrector, I suggest trying the new one from Nars or the one from CT London, great article. Thanks. What I’m really missing right now is the newly discontinued smash box under eye primer it worked great for my dryer eyes for the whole day.
Thanks, this was super helpful especially the pictures & your pro/con of each colour corrector! I’m in UK but luckily you’ve tested products that are still available online for me to buy, think I’ll try the Milani Rose as I too love a little illumination for my purpley, dark under eyes!
This was super helpful as I don’t wear foundation but need help covering my purple dark circles, as despite my No7 concealer being great, it doesn’t quite cover the inner corner darkness! It’s also super convenient that we have very similar skintones too – thank you
Smashbox+Becca has brought back the under eye brightener!! Just bought it yesterday at Ulta. It seems to be the same. $32 and I think 4 shades.
I am going to try and stock up on the Becca, if possible. Then I will move to Beauty Pie (thanks so much for the recommendation)! The reason is I tend to be clumsy and the less mixing the better for me 🙂