Help for dark circles—no concealer required

Looking ready to face the day without makeup just got a lot easier.

One of my biggest decisions every morning is whether to put on make-up or not. If I have a Zoom on my schedule, that’s a yes—but if I’m running errands with a mask on, it’s a hard no. In the latter situation, tinted sunscreen gets the job done, but I always feel compelled to add a bit of concealer under my eyes (and a light coat of mascara) to brighten things up.

Though hardly a big deal, this unique 2020/2021/2022 concern conjures fond memories of Natura Bissé’s Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye. I ran out of this incredible tinted eye cream quite some time ago, and the $175 price tag has prevented me from buying another.

In exciting news, it would seem that Summer Fridays has launched a significantly less expensive dupe: The Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream. On the eye-care-ingredient side you get line-smoothing and antioxidant protection courtesy of vitamin C, skin-firming and wrinkle-relaxing peptides, de-puffing caffeine and soothing thanks to allantoin and vitamin E. But the real highlight (no pun intended) is the universal tint that adds extra luminosity to all skin tones. (It also works well as a makeup primer if you choose not to wear it alone.)

This morning multitasker is also vegan, cruelty-free and packed with hydrating botanically-derived butters, oils and extracts—and boasts 133 five-star reviews just days after its debut. This is at the top of my list for when I need a new AM eye cream, I just hope it’s not sold out when the time comes!