5 Eye creams that treat dark circles and double as eye primers

The latest eye creams are multitasking, potent solutions which also act as eye make-up primers, and contain anti-ageing and brightening properties. Many work instantly too. 

SAVE:

#1 Vichy Ideal White Eyes Deep Whitening Illuminating Concentrate
$65, from selected personal care stores

Made to immediately correct the skin tone with fine, light-reflecting mother-of-pearl particles, it also contains a skin-brightening complex to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes.

Review: This moisturising and relatively rich pearlescent golden-beige cream immediately lightened the appearance of my greyish dark circles.

#2 First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy Overnight Balm
$67, from Sephora stores

Contains sunflower seed wax, shea butter, acacia flower wax, algae extract and niacinamide to tone and nourish the entire eye area while you sleep.

Review: Has the texture of a cold cream that sinks easily into the skin. A treat for tired eyes. 

 Splurge:

#3 Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Forever Light Creator Eye Fluid
$99, from YSL Beaute counters

Claims to rejuvenate skin with the brand’s signature glycanactif blend, as well as a skin-illuminating complex of caffeine, vitamin C and chlorella.

Review: This beige-coloured eye cream immediately lightened the light grey circles around my eyes. The silky texture of the cream makes it suitable as an eye make-up primer as well. 

#4 Lancome Advanced Genifique Yeux Light Pearl Eye Iluminator Youth Activating Concentrate
$110, from Lancome counters

This product comes with the same skin-soothing tear-drop-shaped metallic applicator as the previous formulas. What’s new: An ergonomic elastic neck on the applicator and an improved formula with light-reflecting particles.

Review: After massaging the entire orbital area of my eyes with the applicator for two minutes, my eyes immediately looked less puffy and a teeny bit larger. 

#5 La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Eye Cream
$370, from La Prairie counters

Contains alpine plant and algae extracts for their resilient properties, as well as moisturising shea butter and hyaluronic acid.

Review: A rich cream that is easily absorbed. The rich texture is perfect for massages and it plumped up my fine lines instantly. Best used at night. 

Photos of products: First Aid Beauty, Lancome, Vichy, La Prairie, Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, Photo of model: showbit.com

This story was first published in The Straits Times on April 24, 2015. For more similar stories, go to http://sph.straitstimes.com/supplements/urban/.