The NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener is one of the brand’s newer products. I figured I’d finally post my thoughts on it since they have a sale going on right now. You can get 20% off by using the promo code SUMMER on their website. The sale ends at 3AM EST on September 14, 2024. [Update September 13, 2024: If you are also curious about the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, click here to read my review of the shades Syracuse and Tahoe in that formula.]
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**The NARS Eye Brightener retails for $34 and is only available in 6 shades. It would be amazing if they expanded the shade range in the future. I bought the shade Magic Hour, which is the fourth darkest shade and is described as medium-deep. It was hard to decide on a shade because the next shade down (impossible dream -medium) was a better depth for me but showed up way too pink against my olive undertone. Magic Hour is a little too dark and orange for my skin tone (NARS Tahoe, Estee Lauder 4W4), but I thought that made more sense than something looking so pink. It would work more effectively for me if the shade was a little lighter. When used as a corrector before concealer, it is too dark and deepens the color of my concealers. I also can’t use it as an all-over brightener for the same reason. I was, however, able to test it with concealers that are lighter than my skin tone to get to know the formula.
The NARS Eye Brightener has a luminous finish and medium coverage. The brand claims it is sheer to buildable. It can be applied very lightly to get sheer coverage, but without being careful or intentional, I do think a little goes a long way. I like this formula the best when used as a corrector because the shade Magic Hour leans so orange on my skin tone. I set this (and whatever concealer I’m adding on top) with powder when I use it, and it wears nicely throughout the day (8+ hours) with minimal creasing. Even some concealers I have more creasing and longevity trouble with wore better when paired with the eye brightener. Unfortunately, applying this on top of concealer didn’t work out for me. Applying it this way caused more creasing and broke my concealer down (reduced coverage by end of the day). While some of the shades offered in this range will work as correctors depending on your skin tone, I think several people can use it as a stand-alone product. If there is a shade that works as a brightener for your skin tone, I don’t think you’ll have issues with wear time. It was only when I layered it over other products that I ran into issues.
Comparison to Smashbox/Becca Under Eye Brightening Concealer Medium/Dark
I like the NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener formula much better than the Smashbox/Becca Under Eye Brightening Concealer in Medium/Dark. It is in the same pot format, but the Smashbox/Becca is much more emollient and has mica particles. The Smashbox/Becca formula breaks down concealers and causes creasing. If you have good luck with the Smashbox/Becca formula, you may not like the NARS formula’s thicker, less emollient nature.
Overall, I think this NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener functions well as a corrector, but it’s the wrong shade (for me) to fully review it as a brightener. Since the brand states that it can be used under concealer, I could still use it in one of the intended ways. Hopefully, in the future, they’ll expand the shade range, and I’ll be able to find something that suits me better.
TL;DR
| NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener Claims | Do I agree? |
| Illuminates and invigorates under eye area | Illuminates – yes. Invigorates – no. |
| Long wearing | It depends. I get better wear time when it is used under other products. When I wear it on top of other products, the longevity suffers. |
| Crease-resistant | Yes. |
| Sheer, buildable coverage | Yes. I’d call it buildable to medium, but applying it lightly can give a sheer coverage. |
| Luminous finish | Yes. |
| Brightness that lasts up to 24 hours | It’s hard to say since “up to” is vague in this claim. It is brightening, but especially if used under concealer, it is hard to say what is causing the brightness. And if used alone or over concealer, it does have a brightening effect. The shade can also come into play with this claim because if the shade you pick is close to your skin tone, you may not experience as much brightness. |
 | $ 17.00 SalePrice $ 34.00 RegularPrice |
| NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener, Magic Hour | |
 | $ SalePrice $ 34.00 RegularPrice |
| Nars Light Reflecting Eye Brightener | |
 | $ SalePrice $ 34.00 RegularPrice |
| Light Reflecting Eye Brightener Magic Hour | |
 | $ 34.00 SalePrice $ 34.00 RegularPrice |
| NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener in Magic Hour at Nordstrom | |
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Nikki From HR 