When I hit my mid-20s, I started noticing something that I know a lot of women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s can relate to: stubborn dark circles. No matter how much I slept, my under-eyes made me look more tired than I felt. And because I barely have ten minutes in the morning to get ready, I needed something quick, brightening and kind to my fine lines.
This led me to test three products side by side: Beauty Pie’s Superluminous Under-Eye Genius, DRMTLGY’s Luminous Eye Corrector Concealer and Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant FIRMx Eye Tightener. After weeks of trying each, here’s how they compare – and why Beauty Pie became the one I can’t live without.
If you want instant brightening…Beauty Pie
Beauty Pie’s Superluminous Under-Eye Genius was the clear standout here. A tiny dab gave me that “eight hours of sleep” look, even after staying up too late scrolling. The light-scattering pigments softened shadows without looking too heavy, so I could wear it on its own on no-makeup days or layer it under concealer for extra coverage.
DRMTLGY’s Luminous Eye Corrector did a decent job of neutralizing darkness, thanks to its peach tone, but the thicker texture wasn’t as flattering – it sometimes settled in the fine lines.
Peter Thomas Roth’s FIRMx Eye Tightener worked more like a quick trick than a brightening solution. It visibly tightened the skin, but it didn’t do much for making me look fresh-faced.
If you’re looking for comfort and all-day wear…Beauty Pie
This is where the differences became obvious. Beauty Pie felt lightweight and hydrating all day long and it didn’t crease, even when I was running around after work.
DRMTLGY, while protective with its built-in SPF 41, leaned heavier. By lunchtime, it sometimes looked cakey, which isn’t great for drier under-eyes.
Peter Thomas Roth gave me the least comfortable wear. The tightening sensation was strong, and layering makeup over it just made things patchy.
If you want results that actually last…Tie
For this, things weren’t so cut and dry. Beauty Pie gave me reliable brightening results that stayed put and I loved that the soft-focus finish held up from morning until night.
DRMTLGY also deserves some credit in this category. While the immediate results weren’t as glowy, the SPF 41 is a huge bonus for long-term skin protection and for women who care about preventing sun damage around the delicate eye area.
Peter Thomas Roth delivered an impressive quick fix that faded after just a few hours.
In this round, I’d call it a tie between Beauty Pie and DRMTLGY: Beauty Pie for dependable brightening, DRMTLGY for suncare.
If you’re shopping with value in mind…Beauty Pie
Here’s where Beauty Pie really shines. Thanks to its membership model, the Superluminous Under-Eye Genius feels luxurious, but for only a $14 price tag. It’s the kind of product that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked a secret in the beauty world.
DRMTLGY is priced around $24 for 0.5 oz, which isn’t outrageous but it doesn’t multitask quite the same way.
And Peter Thomas Roth, at $38 for 1 oz, felt overpriced for such a quick fix.
If you want to stretch your beauty budget without sacrificing quality, Beauty Pie is the easy choice.
If you’re focused on sensitivity and transparency…Beauty Pie
Beauty Pie took this one home. It’s C-List recommended, which means it’s gentle enough for cancer treatment sensitized skin and it avoids harsh acids, fragrance and retinoids. This gave me confidence knowing I could rely on it every day without irritation.
DRMTLGY offers sun protection, but the texture isn’t ideal for very dry under-eyes.
Peter Thomas Roth didn’t irritate me either, but the uncomfortable tightness made it hard to use regularly.
Beauty Pie is the under-eye hero
After putting all three through their paces, here’s where I landed: DRMTLGY deserves the recognition for its SPF protection and Peter Thomas Roth is a quick tightening fix for an event. But Beauty Pie’s Superluminous Under-Eye Genius checked every box for me.
It instantly brightens, smooth and hydrates, while actually fitting into my rushed morning routine. And with the membership pricing, it’s the smartest beauty buy I’ve made in a while.
For anyone juggling busy mornings, fine lines and the desire for luxury without the luxury price tag, Beauty Pie is the one I’d recommend every time.
