Veena Concealer has been the default fix for tired eyes forever. Now TikTok is swapping part of that job to a different product: under-eye highlighter. Instead of covering shadows, a thin layer of liquid glow bounces light off them, so you look rested without the heavy, creased-concealer finish. Grazia reported on 11 November 2026 that searches for “under-eye highlight” have skyrocketed. This guide, part of our makeup trend coverage, covers where to put it, which formulas actually work, the shade rule people get wrong, and who should skip this one entirely.
The quick answer: how to use highlighter under your eyes
Tap a rice-grain amount of liquid or cream highlighter onto the inner part of your under-eye, where shadows sit deepest, and blend outward with your ring finger. Pick a pearly, glitter-free formula close to your skin tone. Add concealer on top only where you still need coverage, then set lightly.
That’s the whole trick, and it slots straight into a simple daily makeup routine. The rest of this post is about doing it so it reads “slept eight hours,” not “disco ball.”
Why a glow works better than more coverage
Dark circles are partly a shadow problem. Thick concealer tries to paint over that shadow with opaque pigment, and on a thin, mobile under-eye it often cracks or settles into lines by lunch.
Highlighter takes a different route. Its reflective pearl particles diffuse light, so the shadow looks softer even though it’s still there. Bustle’s July 2026 explainer quotes makeup artist Emily Wood saying she reaches for highlighter under her eyes more often than concealer, because it brightens without covering the skin. Grazia’s panel makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis makes a similar point: skin usually benefits from a slight reflection.
Here’s the trade-off nobody puts in the TikTok caption: highlighter brightens, it doesn’t cancel. Deep blue or brown pigmentation will still show through. Think of it as a dimmer switch, not an eraser.
| Concealer only | Under-eye highlighter | Highlighter + spot concealer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Covers with pigment | Bounces light off shadows | Glow everywhere, coverage only where needed |
| Finish | Matte to satin | Dewy, luminous | Dewy with targeted coverage |
| Creasing risk | Higher with thick layers | Lower (very thin layer) | Low if concealer stays minimal |
| Best for | Strong pigmentation | Dull, tired-looking eyes | Most people trying the trend |
How to apply under-eye highlighter, step by step
You don’t need new tools. Fingers work best for liquids and creams because body heat melts the product into skin.
- Prep the skin. Pat on your usual eye cream or a lightweight moisturizer and give it a minute to sink in. Highlighter skids on a greasy surface.
- Place a tiny dot. One dot on the inner under-eye, close to the nose, where the shadow is darkest. Start with less than you think.
- Tap, don’t rub. Use your ring finger to press the product outward toward the middle of the eye. A small fluffy brush or a damp sponge works too.
- Spot-conceal if needed. Still seeing darkness? Add a little concealer only on that patch, on top of the glow.
- Set the right way. A light mist of setting spray keeps the dewy finish. If you get oily, press a tiny amount of translucent powder only on the outer corner.
- Echo the glow. Grazia’s piece suggests a touch on the inner corner or top of the cheekbone so the under-eye glow looks intentional, not random.
The viral 3-dot hack
If you’ve seen the “3-dot” video, it’s a mash-up of both products. You put a dot of concealer on each side of the under-eye and a dot of liquid highlighter in the centre, then stipple everything together with a fluffy brush. It went viral after Rare Beauty replied to a creator’s video on TikTok, and Bustle’s writer reported it helped with creasing on her dry under-eyes. It’s a good middle ground if highlighter alone feels too sheer.
Picking the right formula and shade
Texture matters more than brand here. Liquids and creams melt into skin; powders sit on top and grab onto every fine line.
| Formula | Under-eye verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Best pick | Thinnest layer, blends with fingers, can be mixed into concealer |
| Cream / balm stick | Good | Easy to tap on; can feel heavier on oily skin |
| Powder | Skip | Settles into lines, looks dry by midday |
| Chunky glitter | Hard no | Reads as stage makeup and highlights texture |
The shade rule: go close to your own skin tone, not lighter. A shade that’s too pale turns grey on deeper skin and gives a reverse-panda effect on fair skin. Bustle’s guide suggests a soft beige-champagne for most people, a gold or copper for medium and deep skin, and something pinky-pearl for very fair skin. L’Oréal Paris’s highlighter guide adds one more rule for the under-eye: choose a luminous formula, not a shimmery one.
Highlighters people are using for the trend
These are the products named in the coverage driving the trend.
| Product | Why it’s in the conversation |
|---|---|
| Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter (Halo) | The product at the centre of the viral TikToks |
| Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer | Liquid formula in 10 shades, plus the original 3-dot hack |
| Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener | Made specifically for the under-eye area |
| Dior Forever Glow Maximizer (Sugar Icing) | Sheer liquid glow Grazia picked as an alternative |
| M.A.C. Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter (Double-Gleam) | Beige-champagne shade Bustle flagged as flattering on most |
| Rhode Highlight Milk (02) | Bustle’s pick for fair skin |
On a budget? You don’t need the luxe bottle. Any glitter-free liquid illuminator in your skin tone does the same job, so check the texture and the shade, not the logo.
Who should skip the trend (or tweak it)
Under-eye highlighter isn’t for every face, and that’s fine.
- Textured or crepey under-eyes. Grazia flags this one: reflection can make texture more visible, the exact opposite of what you want. Mix one drop into your concealer instead of wearing it alone.
- Very deep pigmentation. You’ll still need a colour corrector or concealer. Use highlighter only on top, in the centre.
- Puffiness. Light pulls attention forward. On puffy bags, a glow can make them look bigger. Keep the highlight to the inner corner.
- Sensitive eyes. Keep product away from the waterline, and patch-test anything new around your eyes first.
Mistakes that ruin the look
- Too much product. If you can see the shimmer from across the room, you’ve gone too far. Blot with a clean finger and start again.
- Wrong order with powder. Liquid goes before powder. Putting liquid on top of set powder makes it patchy. Our guide to the right contour and highlight sequence walks through the full layering order.
- Shade too light. That greyish cast? It’s the shade, not the trend.
- Dragging it outward. Rubbing pulls the thin under-eye skin and moves product into lines. Tap only.
FAQs
Can I use highlighter instead of concealer under my eyes?
Yes, if your dark circles are mild and you like a natural finish. If you have strong pigmentation, use highlighter first and a small amount of concealer on top only where you need it.
Should highlighter go before or after concealer?
For this trend, usually before. The glow goes on first as a base, and concealer is added on top only where you need it. In the 3-dot hack, you apply both at the same time and blend them together.
Does under-eye highlighter work on dark skin?
Yes. Choose a warm gold or copper shade rather than a pale champagne, so it brightens without turning ashy.
Will it make fine lines look worse?
It can if you use powder, glitter, or a thick layer. Stick to a liquid, use a tiny amount, and press it in rather than swiping.
Liquid or powder highlighter under the eyes?
Liquid or cream. Powder sits on top of the skin and settles into lines on the thin under-eye area.
The bottom line
Under-eye highlighter is a smart swap if your concealer keeps creasing or your eyes just look dull. Go liquid, go glitter-free, match your skin tone, and use less than you think. It won’t erase deep pigmentation, so keep concealer on hand for that. For a full low-effort look, pair it with the one-and-done eyeshadow trend. If you’ve tried the trend or the 3-dot hack, tell us in the comments how it held up through a full day.
