Tired Eyes? This Makeup Hack Makes You Look Wide Awake in Seconds

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but they're often the window to how much we've slept, too. If you have a bad night's sleep, the eyes are usually the place that show it. Whether it's puffy eyes, dehydration lines or dark circles, sometimes there's just no escaping when you've not had enough shut-eye. And even with the best eye creams, sometimes the skin around our eyes can become inflamed with redness.
However, while we were scrolling through our feeds, our thumbs paused at a post from Victoria Beckham, who reminded us of a quick yet super-effective makeup hack to instantly make you look wide awake. She was using her new Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil. "I distinctly remember the first time a makeup artist used a nude pencil along my waterline, I looked instantly polished and like I’d had 8 hours sleep (far from it!)," VB said on her Instagram video. "I’ve been searching for the perfect clean waterline pencil ever since. Now, I’ve created it with the Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil, my number one beauty tip."
As Beckham can attest, brightening waterline pencils are your fast-track to looking refreshed. These nude, neutral toned eye pencils can be run along the waterline (the area between your eyelashes and eyeball) to neutralise redness and hide a bad night's sleep. Plus, they can make your eyes look bigger and more impactful when you're creating an eye look. Here, we've rounded up the best ones that are worthy of a slot in your makeup bag for those days when a coffee alone won't suffice.
Shop the Best Eye Brightening Pencils:
Eye Cheat is the name and it certainly delivers on that promise. This waterproof eyeliner promises to last for 14 hours of wear.
Much like all MAC products, this eyeliner pencil is designed to stay put thanks to its waterproof formula. The creamy formula glides on without dragging and instantly brightens the waterline. It also comes in varying neutral tones so you can find the best one to suit your skin tone.
This story was previously published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Up Next: I Have Hooded Eyes—a Makeup Artist Just Showed Me How to Do Eyeliner

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.
-
This Viral Makeup Artist Is Basically the Beauty World's Picasso—Here's Why We're Obsessed
She's taking TikTok by storm.
-
If You're a Brunette With Light Eyebrows Like Me, This MUA Tip Will Change Your Whole Face
Small tweak, huge difference.
-
Taylor Russell Is the Epitome of Baby-Doll Beauty—6 of Her Best Moments I'm Copying RN
She's taking over my makeup and hair inspo boards.
-
Darling, Delicate, and Expensive-Looking—These "Rich Grandma" Beauty Staples Double as Heirlooms
Elegant antique jewelry, but make them beauty items.
-
I'm a Warm Autumn, so These Makeup and Nail Looks Are Basically My Neutrals
Are you color analysis curious?
-
Inside the Brain of a WWW Beauty Editor—5 Summer Mood Boards With Endless "Add to Cart" Potential
Your warm-weather inspo awaits.
-
My Eye Shadow Stick Obsession Runs Deep, But Nothing Compares to This Crease-Resistant Fave
Plus, more options for mature and dry skin.
-
Blurred Makeup Is Trending, and Gracie Abrams Is the Blueprint—the Pre-Show Glam She Swears By
It's all about soft-focus skin.