Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener

Bobbi Brown's new Tinted Eye Brightener ($30) was inspired by requests from her fans. Bobbi’s Tinted Eye Brightener is now available in a new portable vial with a soft doe-foot wand for easy and seamless application. The soothing lightweight brightener instantly reduces the appearance of under-eye circles and evens out skin for a refreshed and flawless look.

Tinted Eye Brightener provides sheer, natural looking coverage and comes in shades of Bisque and Peach, which neutralize undereye discoloration and darkness. In addition to the new, convenient packaging, the brightener is available in two new shades (not available in its predecessor) to complement a wider range of skin tones.

I'm not sure these shade circles are perfectly representative of the actual colors. I purchased Light Bisque at the recommendation of my friends Diron and Vernon at Nordstrom Tysons Corner Center, and it is much less pink than the circle above. If the sun will come out full force today, I will get a swatch photo and attach it to this feature.

Tinted Eye Brightener is formulated with hops extract to reduce the appearance of dark circles; a blend of licorice extract, vitamin C and bamboo extract to brighten and
even out skin tone; and gentian extract to soothe the skin.

Here are Bobbi's recommendations for application. Always prep the under-eye area with a lightweight eye cream and allow it to absorb. Then apply Tinted Eye Brightener at the inner corner of the eyes and underneath, close to the lashes, using smooth strokes. Gently blend by pressing with your fingers. Use it alone or follow with a layer of Creamy Concealer. You can even use it over your concealer.

I was stunned when I applied it the first time. Suddenly, I looked bright and perky. Tinted Eye Brightener is definitely worth the small investment.

Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Le Métier de Beauté MARCHESA Sheer Illumination Brightener

Le Métier de Beauté MARCHESA Sheer Illumination Brightener ($48) is a Touche Éclat-like pen from the debut MARCHESA Collection, a collaboration between Le Métier de Beauté and the designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig. Given the choice of the Sheer Illumination Highlighter (golden in tone) or the Sheer Illumination Brightener (pink-based), I chose the Brightener.

The Brightener is intended to make you look refreshed and revived in an instant. Sheer Illumination Brightener’s liquid-to-powder formula lightly conceals while brightening. It reduces redness and diminishes dark circles to revive and refresh your look. The Sheer Illumination Highlighter works instantly to highlight and contour in a sheer, neutral golden shade that should be flattering on every skin tone. It's ideal for mixing with under-eye concealer, enhancing cheekbones, or reviving a tired complexion. Both products are ideal for use any time of day or evening, on bare skin, with powder, and under or over foundation to give you instant luminosity wherever you want it.

The MARCHESA Collection caused quite a splash, in magazines (InStyle, October 2010 issue) and on beauty blogs. I wrote about the other pieces I purchased in September. The Brightener is the last of the items I ordered.

In my arm photo at right, you can barely see the blended shade above the unblended swatch. The photo was taken in full sun. I applied the Brightener with the brush that's part of the pen for the unblended swatch, and I used the pen, but blended the product with my finger in the swatch above. The arrow points to the center of the blended shade. When blended, it matches my skin tone so perfectly that it's hard to see in the photo.

Unlike some of the other pieces in the MARCHESA, Sheer Illumination Brightener is the size you would expect (.08 fl oz) - not tiny. I like its sheer qualities and the pick-me-up it provides. I'm glad I bought it!

I purchased mine from Bergdorf Goodman. The MARCHESA Collection is also available at Neiman Marcus.

Update 10/11: I purchased the golden Highlighter today at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. I stopped there on my way to a doctor's appointment. Two of my favorite Neiman's gals, the lovely Lisa and my super-SA Kathy helped me. Even got to visit with Dana for a few minutes. Dana manages the beauty department. I wish she would "will me" her job when she retires (of course, that will be long after I do!). Wouldn't it be fun to manage beauty?

Photo at top courtesy of Neiman Marcus