If you deal with aggressive under-eye circles and bags like I do, you're in luck today. I just took the advice of TikTok's favorite beauty person Alix Earle on exactly how to correct them. Earle's two-step hack is surprisingly easy and requires two key products.
I'll admit I was skeptical when I first watched her TikTok about it because it was sponsored content she created with a brand. While that might be true, I'm also happy to report that it doesn't mean the hack doesn't work. I can personally attest that it does. Don't believe me? Keep scrolling! I'm sharing everything you'll need for this hack, plus my before-and-after photos.
First of all, it's oddly comforting to know that I'm not the only one who looks like they've seen better days when they first wake up in the morning. If I don't get a full eight hours, the bags and dark circles come out in full force. It's definitely frustrating, but according to Earle, you can 100% fake a full eight hours as long as you have the below products from Olehenriksen.
You'll start with the brand's cult-loved Banana Bright Eye Crème. I'd never tried it until Earle mentioned how it transforms your under-eye area, giving it a glow and brightening any under-eye bags and dark circles. The key ingredients here are a triple vitamin C complex, bioflavinoids, and orange extract. All these ingredients work together to neutralize free radicals and create a dramatic brightening effect.
Next, you go in with Olehenriksen's Vitamin CC Eye Stick. I opted for the shade Apricot here since it's meant to act as a brightener and color corrector. It contains a hefty dose of vitamin C along with caffeine and banana powder–inspired pigments. These light-reflecting mineral pigments naturally illuminate your complexion and under-eye area, making it appear more awake.
I gave this hack a go myself, and I have to say wow. It instantly perked up my under-eye area in a big way. It's kind of hard to tell in the photo below, but it was taken before I applied anything. My under-eye bags were definitely prominent. I've been a little under the weather this week and, shocker, didn't get a ton of sleep last night, so they were not looking cute today.
Before trying Alix Earle's under-eye brightening hack.
After trying Alix Earle's under-eye brightening hack.
I wasn't too heavy-handed with the Vitamin CC Stick because I didn't want to go overboard, but I could have amped it up even more. Earle definitely applies a generous amount around her entire area, and it does give you a serious glow. I've definitely been sleeping on these Olehenriksen products, but now, I know. Since we're not in the business of gatekeeping here at Who What Wear, I had to share this trick with anyone else who struggles with dark circles and under-eye bags because it's so easy and has a near-instant effect.
More Great Products for Under-Eye Bags and Dark Circles
On a budget? This caffeine-rich eye serum from The Ordinary is another great option for dark circles.
This is another under-eye brightener from Beauty of Joseon that contains retinal. It's easily one of my favorites from the brand besides its sunscreen.
This TikTok-viral eye tightener is perfect for bags. It works to quickly firm the skin around the eye area and even helps with puffiness.
Another great budget option is CeraVe's Eye Repair Cream that helps reduce puffiness, bags, and dark circles while hydrating the skin with ceramides.
With an almost perfect five-star rating on Amazon, this under-eye serum from Enaskin Naturals contains brightening caffeine and provides instant hydration.
Another great vitamin C–powered eye cream, this option from Paula's Choice improves hydration, the look of puffiness, dark circles, and bags.
This eye cream from Sunday Riley, quite literally, presses the delete button on dark circles and under eye bags. You only need the tiniest amount and after a few minutes, your under eye area will be much improved.
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