These are the 50 best eye products of all time, according to our beauty editors
Ask any beauty expert and they'll all tell you the same thing - 2021 is all about the eyes. From bushy brows and brighter under-eyes, to playful eyeshadow and lustrous lashes, we're all focussing on making the most of our eye area, with the help of both the finest eyecream formulas as well as enhancing and expressive makeup.
This newfound focus is hardly surprising, seeing as the past year has seen the proliferation of face masks and face coverings. They're now mandatory in all public areas, and there's no sign that they're going away anytime soon, meaning the only part of your face on show is, you guessed it, your eyes.
However, with beauty salons and cosmetic clinics shut, many of us are behind when it comes to our beauty schedules. Whether you've missed your last few brow threading appointments, you haven't been able to have a Botox top up, or you're missing your bi-monthly facials, more of us are calling on the power of at-home treatments and skincareproducts to make sure our beauty needs are being met.
Luckily, the GLAMOUR beauty editors have compiled the ultimate list of the tried-and-tested eye skincare and makeup products, from the concealers and brighteners that will fake a good night's sleep, to the massage tools and high-tech gadgets that will eliminate puffiness in a flash, to the brow pencil that will add structure to your face, to the portent skincare serums and targeted masks that will tackle fine lines and dark circles.
Keep scrolling to discover the very best beauty products for eyes...
If your under-eye bags are still giving you grief, check out our round up of the best products to treat dark circles, or if you need a bit more guidance when it comes to maintaining your brows at-home, check out our ultimate guide to threading your own eyebrows, as well as the best eyebrow tints.
Best all-rounder eye cream
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery, £48, Space NK
Celebrity facialist Sarah Chapman knows better than anyone what the skin needs. In the case of the eyes, she’s formulated a peptide-rich formula with hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins to cater to the area’s every concern.
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Best eye cream for smoothing lines
The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream, £9.99, Cult Beauty
It’s not every day you see an eye cream containing retinol, but the skin wizards at The Inkey List have concocted a formula that is able to utilise the rejuvenating benefits of the ingredient, while remaining gentle enough for the delicate under eye area.
Best eye cream for oily skin
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, £12, Look Fantastic
Non-greasy and super absorbent, this is the perfect cream for anyone with oiler skin types and who is worried about breakouts. Plus, it’s infused with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and a marine complex to target dark circles and puffiness.
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Best eye cream for hydrating
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream, £34, Look Fantastic
Great to use as a primer before applying makeup, this creamy formula delivers serious moisture without leaving a greasy residue. It’s all thanks to the Mineral Water Blend, which quenches skin’s thirst, as well as Squalane and Avocado oil for soothing hydration.
Best eye tool for smoothing wrinkles
Dr Dennis Gross SpectraLite EyeCare Pro LED, £175, Cult Beauty
Bring the clinic home with this high-tech solution to crow’s feet and fine lines. The red and amber LED lights penetrate the skin to jumpstart collagen production, improving elasticity and firmness within two weeks.
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Best eye tool for waking up tired eyes
Fraicheur Paris Ice Globes, £55.99, Cult Beauty
Decrease puffiness, reduce redness and perk skin up with these frozen balls of joy, which use the powers of cryotherapy to transform tired eyes. Simply pop in the fridge until cold and massage the eye area.
Best eye tool for boosting circulation
FOREO Iris Eye Massager, £119, Current Body
It might look slightly suspect, but this clever device is actually a seriously effective eye massager (promise!). The vibrations help to boost circulation and relax muscles to improve the appearance of dark circle and reduce fine lines.
Best eye tool for reducing fluid retention
ESPA Aventurine Jade Massage Tool, £40, Look Fantastic
The cooling stone helps to soothe puffiness and awaken skin while the unique shape optimises massage to reduce fluid retention and boost circulation.
Best eye serum for calming
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £5.75, Beauty Bay
Think of this serum like a cup of coffee for your skin - the caffeine constricts blood vessels to reduce discolouration and swelling, while the EGCG serves as an anti-inflammatory to prevent dryness.
Best eye serum for hydrating
Pure Ceramides Elastic Boost Moisture Eye Serum, £40, Beauty Pie
If your undereye area is looking a little less "elastic" and bouncy than it used to, you might be missing Ceramides. This eye serum boasts 10% pure encapsulated Ceramides, Phytosqualane from Olive Oil, NMF-boosting Biomimetic Moisturizing Molecules and Deep Water Brown Algae which work together to tone your skin and increase glow. You should apply this serum twice daily under your eye cream.
Best eye serum for antioxidants
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair eye Supercharged Complex, £43.47, Feel Unique
Devotees of the original Advanced Night Repair will be instantly converted to the eye version of the cult serum. The hero ingredient, ChronoluxCB, focuses on repairing the under eye skin, helping eyes to appear smoother, brighter and less puffy, while antioxidants provide protection for the day ahead to prevent further damage.
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Best eye serum for massaging away puffiness
Clinique All About Eyes Massage Serum, £26.50, Boots
Applying your eye serum will never be a task again with this heavenly massage serum. The cooling rollerball dispenses the perfect amount of hydrating serum while gently massaging away fluid build up and puffiness.
Best eye serum for minimising bags
The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Eye Concentrate, £20, The Body Shop
This clever serum is enriched with edelweiss plant stem cells, which helps to refresh the under eyes, and reduce bags in an instant. Plus, the rollerball application is a dream.
Best eye serum for reducing the appearance of dark circles
Chanel Le Lift Firm Eye Concentrate, £69, John Lewis
A little luxury goes a long way in the case of this potent eye concentrate. As well as being an indulgent moment of self care, the formula contains marine actives to smooth lines, and activate microcirculation to reduce dark circles immediately.
Best eye mask for tired eyes
Bioeffect EGF Eye Mask Treatment, £80, Cult Beauty
Thanks to the hero ingredient EGF (a protein key to the production of collagen and elastic) as well as hyaluronic acid and Icelandic water, this eye mask will help you to look like you’ve had a restful night’s sleep in just 15 minutes. Just apply one pump of the EGF Eye Concentrate and place a mask on top.
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Best moisturising eye mask
Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask, £55, Look Fantastic
Infused with hyaluronic acid and watermelon snow algae extract, this refreshing formula plumps the eye area with moisture for up to 24 hours. It also makes for a great primer for makeup, helping to reduce creases and keep skin firm.
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Best eye mask patches
Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels, 5 pairs for £14, Cult Beauty
Perfect for a fuss-free pick me up, these sheet masks for eyes can be applied anytime to refresh, rejuvenate and visibly brighten the eyes and ward off dehydration and tightness.
Best eye primer for preventing creasing
Urban Decay Eyeshdaow Primer Potion, £19.50, Look Fantastic
This sheer primer will give ultimate longevity to your eyeshadow, preventing creasing and keeping colours vibrant.
Best eye primer for smoothing lids
Anastasia Beverley Hills Mini Eye Primer, £15, Look Fantastic
Anastasia Soare proved herself as the ultimate authority when it comes to brows, and this eye primer shows she’s an all round aficionado. We love it for its smoothing effect, helping to even out fine lines and provide an even base.
Best eye primer for keeping shadow in place
Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Primer for Concealer, £22.50, Boots
If you want to make both your eye makeup and your concealer stay in place all day long, look no further than this multitasking primer. It contains sodium hyaluronate to hydrate skin and vitamins C & E to help boost skin health.
Best for fluffing-up brows
Glossier Boy Brow, £14, Glossier
This quickly became cult thanks to its ability to fluff up hairs, set everything in place and give perfectly un-done brows. The clear shade makes it perfect if you want to go for a no makeup-makeup look, but it’s also available in four tinted shades.
Best brow pomade
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, £19, Cult Beauty
Every product by brow queen Anastasia Soare is ultra considered to help you get perfectly proportioned brows at home. This pomade, used with an angled brush gives the most incredible precision so you can sketch in every hair. Plus when it says it stays put, it means it.
Best precise brow pencil
NYX Micro Brow Pencil, £9, Boots
In an impressive range of eight shades, this soft pencil is ideal if your brows require some serious filling in. The pencil is super thin but not too heavy or waxy, so you don’t have to worry about going too OTT. And it’s under £10, so our bank accounts are happy, too..
Best brow gel
Benefit Gimme Brow, £22.50, Boots
A classic for a reason, this volumises tames and tints brows and helps to give the illusion that they’re much thicker.
Best brow kit
Bobbi Brown Brow Kit, £35, Look Fantastic
In an age where the gel formula rules the roost, this proves a powder can brow-build with the best of them. Not only does this give a soft, natural look but the two shades mean you can get an even more realistic finish.
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Best brow pencil
Hourglass Arch Brow Perfecting Sculpting Pencil, £33, Feel Unique
The slanted tip of this pencil is ideal for creating hair-like strokes, particularly if you're lacking fullness at the front or tail-end of your brows. If the price is putting you off, rest assured it lasts for ages.
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Best drugstore eyeliner
Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner, £2.99, Bootsr
Don't be fooled by the purse-friendly price of this liner; Fast Stroke has become the fashion and beauty industry's best-kept secret. It's easy to apply, never smudges and lasts all day.
Best gel eyeliner
MAC Chromaline Gel Liner, £17.50, MAC
One of our favourite gel liners (possibly ever), this jet black product is great if you find liquid liners too messy to work with, the slightly more solid gel texture glides easily along the lash line and it’s just as good for pros or beginners, once you find your angled brush bae.
Best nude eyeliner
Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eye Cheat, £19, Charlotte Tilbury
Described as a “universal nude” Charlotte Tilbury tested this out across a huge range of skin tones and uses this shade to brighten waterlines to make you look more awake. It’s a pro hack that’ll have you instantly looking fresh.
Best pencil eyeliner
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil, £16, Look Fantastic
Not only is the formula silky soft and beautifully blendable (thanks to jojoba oil and vitamin E), it comes in over 50 colours, so whether you’re looking for a smoky black or a fun bright, it’s got you covered.
Best felt tip eyeliner
This ultra fine and perfectly precise liner has achieved cult status in the beauty world. Not only is it water- and smudge-proof, it's super pigmented (no washed-out or watery colour here) and, like all the products in KVD's range, it is 100% vegan making it an ideal cruelty-free addition to your make-up bag. No wonder one Tattoo Liner is sold every 30 seconds around the world.
Best eyeshadows for darker skin tones
Huda Beauty Medium Nude Obsessions, £27, Cult Beauty
HUDA’s inclusive eyeshadow arsenal features palettes specifically designed to suit all different skin tones, such as Light, Rich and the best-selling Medium Nude Obsessions Palette. Each comprises nine carefully chosen shades that beautifully complement eyes and skin.
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Best individual eyeshadows
MAC Eyeshadow, £15, Look Fantastic
The OG in kaleidoscopic eye shades. MAC knows what it’s doing when it comes to eyeshadows. The pigments are buttery, the colour options are endless and you can pick up the individual shades you like most and build your own custom palette.
Best bright eyeshadow palette
Morphe Bright Matte 42 Colour Palette, £23, Beauty Bay
If you think nudes are basic and you'd much rather cover your lids in a hit of blue, red, yellow or green - this is the palette for you. Of course there are a few neutral options hidden in there too for days when you want to be a bit more understated.
Best all-rounder eyeshadow palette
Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette, £39, Look Fantastic
Everything we loved about the original Naked palette (neutral, soft chocolate and terracotta hues in a mix of textures) but with four "extra wide" pans for the most popular shades, meaning we won't run out before we've used the other shades up.
Best eyeshadow quad
The Bella Sofia Palette, £40, Feel Unique
Charlotte Tilbury's luxury eyeshadow palettes come in a whole range of colour-ways, but this is our fave. Use it to create the smokey eye of your dreams or dial the blendable shades down for a seductive daytime look.
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Best eye crayon
KIKO Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick, £6.99, Feel Unique
The ultimate on-the-go or quick eyeshadow option. Scribble this on, blend with your fingers and you’re good to go. You can layer a couple of shades, or keep it simple with one.
Best affordable eyeshadow palette
Zoeva Voyager Caramel Melange Eyeshadow Palette, £14, Look Fantastic
Delicious in name, delicious in colour. This rusty bronze and terracotta orange selection is perfect for warming up complexions.
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Best concealer for all skin tones
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, £19, Boots
Fenty makes it easier than ever to find a perfect shade match. From the products on offer (there’s 50 shades) to the imagery used and online matching tool, it’s totally democratic. Plus, the formula stands up to scrutiny with a longwear, crease proof consistency that blends like a dream
Best creamy concealer
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, £24, Cult Beauty
If you’re looking for complete coverage with a light texture, try NARS. Enriched with hydrating ingredients and light-diffusing technology, it’s our pick for natural-looking buildable coverage and the women of Reddit (beauty's most honest beauty forum) have hailed it the best concealer in the world. We're sold.
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Best drugstore concealer
L’Oreal Paris Infallible More Than Concealer, £9.99, Boots
This is a good all-rounder covering blemishes and under-eyes equally well, plus the shade range is inclusive.
Best concealer for correcting
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer, £30, Look Fantastic
Before you conceal, you want to correct, which is why the warm-toned shade on the right is perfect for counteracting dark circles and the two shades mixed together means you can create something bespoke to you.
Best concealer for brightening
Uoma Stay Woke Luminous Brightening Concealer, £21, Cult Beauty
Uoma understand undertones. The Stay Woke formula offers a spectrum of shades whilst also offering up some incredible brightening action.
Best concealer kit
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, £26.50, Bobbi Brown
This cream and powder duo is the perfect long-lasting cover-up. Apply the corrector to any discolouration under eyes then set with the powder for a flawless finish.
Best mascara for volumising
Benefit They're Real, £23.50, Feel Unique
An absolute favourite since its 2011 launch, Benefit's They're Real really delivers. The bouncy brush makes for easy and precise application, while the blacker-than-blacker formula keeps lashes looking thick and dramatic all day long.
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Best mascara for lengthening
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, £9.99, Superdrug
Launched last month, this mascara became a viral TikTok sensation within hours of landing on shelves. People were astounded at how much length it can add to lashes (note: LOADS!). Here's what our deputy beauty editor though when she tried it.
Best mascara for waterproof lashes
Max Factor False Lash Effect Volumising Mascara,
£11.99£9.59, BootsThis can make short lashes look full and lustrous, plus it’s waterproof so there’s no chance of smudges.
Best mascara for full-looking lashes
Lancome Hypnose, £27, Look Fantastic
Lancome’s Hypnose is iconic. The simple straight wand brush belies the fact that it gives lashes some seriously sculpted volume. Plus its buildable so you can go as bold or as natural as you fancy.
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Best mascara for fluttery lashes
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, £22, Cult Beauty
While we can't promise that this mascara is actually better than sex, as far as mascaras go, it’s pretty damn good. Two coats of the stuff make you look like you're wearing false lashes - super long and dark ones, at that. And the flutter is phenomenal.
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Best mascara for natural-looking lashes
Future Lash Mascara, £26, Victoria Beckham Beauty
VB’s first foray into mascara offers a little something different. The dinky wand gets into corners and coats every lash beautifully, plus it’s magic on bottom lashes. This is the perfect choice if you want a natural-looking off-duty mascara that doesn’t look like you’ve overloaded on spidery lashes.
