13 Eye Creams Makeup Artists Recommend Using Before Concealer

Naturium Vitamin Bright Illuminating Eye Cream ($18)

Makeup artist Natalie Dresher says she likes to go with a brightening, lightly tinted eye cream on her clients—especially for those with more mature skin. “The eye cream comes in two tones to brighten the under-eye area, camouflaging the area without makeup! This allows for me to go in and fully color-correct with cosmetics but allows me to use less product!”

BUY NOW – $18

The Outset The Smoothing Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream ($42)

“This is of my favorite eye creams to use before makeup application,” says celebrity makeup artist Melanie Inglessis. “It minimizes the look of fine lines around the eye (and mouth) while plumping and smoothing the skin. It never pills and is always reliable.”

BUY NOW – $42

OneSkin OS-01 EYE ($109)

Lately, makeup artist Daisy Toye says she’s been loving this refillable option. “Designed specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, it’s ultra-hydrating, improves firmness and doesn’t cause concealer to crease.” 

BUY NOW – $109

Orlane Paris Absolute Skin Recovery Care Eye Contour ($130)

Celebrity makeup artist Ermahn Ospina says one of his favorite eye creams before concealer is this luxe option. “This cream especially designed to provide biological rest for that very delicate skin around the eyes,” he says. “It is super absorbent and it mixes well with concealer.”

BUY NOW – $130

Curél Japanese Skincare Moisture Repair Eye Cream (originally $21, now $17)

“I love this eye cream for under concealer because it absorbs quickly and nourishes for lasting hydration,” makeup artist Kristine Studden says. “It helps add to that smooth, defeated concealer look.”

BUY NOW – $17

Obayaty Eye Booster ($82)

Saying it’s “perfect for my male clients because of its ease of use,” celebrity makeup artist Ashley Gomila likes the built-in applicator of this formula. “I love this product because Obayaty thoughtfully paired hyaluronic acid and caffeine to create a tinted eye cream for immediate and future results.I also use the Eye Booster alone to refresh my clients’ under-eye or as a prepping product to go underneath before I conceal when more coverage is needed. The ingredients smooth out and balance the under-eye area, essentially doing most (if not all) the work for me!”

BUY NOW – $82

Murad Retinal Resculpt Eye Lift Treatment ($92)

Another favorite of Ospina’s right now is this potent treatment that has hundreds of five-star reviews at Sephora. “This eye cream lifts and firms and reduces the appearance of deep-set wrinkles and restores elasticity. I let it rest on the skin for a couple of minutes, before concealer application.”

BUY NOW – $92

Saint Jane Eye Cream ($65)

Calling this the “perfect pairing with concealer,” celebrity makeup artist Molly R. Stern says this product is, in two words, very hydrating. “It also soaks into the skin beautifully leaving a great surface to apply your makeup.”

BUY NOW – $65

Naturopathica Vitamin K Brightening Eye Complex ($86)

Tagging this as a brightening solution she’s “loving” right now, makeup artist Suzy Gerstein says she was first introduced to it through a treatment at their spa. “It revitalized my tired eyes, leaving the eye area illuminated and brighter.”

BUY NOW – $86

Odacité’s Intense Repair Eye Cream ($68)

The key to perfect makeup is skin care, stresses Dillon Peña, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Leland Francis. “That’s to say, you’ll never see me using a concealer before moisturizing, especially under the eyes. I love to use this eye cream for my clients who need a little bit of TLC on the under-eye area. This eye cream is made for all skin types, even the most sensitive ones, which makes it a go-to in my kit. It’s also packed with peptides for a more youthful look, along with aloe vera, calendula and chamomile to soothe.”

BUY NOW – $68

The Inkey List Caffeine De-puffing + Dark Circle Eye Cream (originally $11, now $9)

Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg says the affordable brand makes an amazing eye cream with caffeine that she “loves to use before I apply makeup because it reduces puffiness and the appearance of dark circles. A gem.”

BUY NOW – $9

YSE Beauty Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream ($65)

Describing it as a “multitasking eye cream that melts into your skin,” celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder loves this Molly Sims–approved option for both its brightening and super hydrating powers. “I love how lightweight it feels on your skin.” she says. “The ingredients are amazing such as vitamin C and niacinamide.”

BUY NOW – $65

111Skin Black Diamond Eye Cream ($300)

Makeup artist Lisa Aharon likes this super luxe eye cream, and offers this tip: “Apply your eye cream sparingly. A pea-sized amount of eye cream is usually sufficient for both under-eye areas. Using too much product can cause your concealer to slip and slide.”

BUY NOW – $300