Dark circles are a liar. They tell the world you didn't sleep when you actually got eight hours, or they make you look exhausted when you're feeling pretty great. It sucks. I’ve spent a decade testing every "holy grail" concealer that hits the shelves, but honestly, I always end up crawling back to IT Cosmetics. Their Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer is a polarizing beast of a product. You either love it, or you’re using it wrong.
It’s thick. Really thick.
If you go into this thinking it’s a light, serum-based tint, you’re going to be horrified. This stuff was developed with plastic surgeons because the goal wasn't just to "brighten" the skin—it was to physically mask everything from hyperpigmentation to broken capillaries and even tattoos. Most people hate it because it feels like spackle. But that’s the secret. You don’t need a lot. You need a pinhead-sized amount for both eyes.
The Science of the "Spackle"
Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics, famously demoed this on live TV by wiping away her makeup to reveal her rosacea. That’s the heritage of Bye Bye Under Eye. It isn't just pigment suspended in water; it’s a high-viscosity formula packed with Expression Point Technology. Basically, that’s a fancy way of saying it’s designed to move with your face so it doesn’t crack like desert earth when you smile.
Inside the tube, you’ve got hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. It's basically skincare masquerading as a stage makeup.
The "waterproof" claim isn't marketing fluff either. Once this sets, it does not move. I’ve worn it through humid July weddings and literal rainstorms. It stays. However, because it’s so heavy on the pigments and oils, it has a tendency to "grab" onto dry patches. If your skin is flaking, this concealer will find those flakes and highlight them with a neon sign.
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Stop Using So Much Product
Seriously. Stop.
The biggest mistake—the one that leads to those 1-star reviews—is applying this like a TikTok influencer. Do not draw giant triangles under your eyes. If you do that with Bye Bye Under Eye, you will look like you’re wearing a mask, and it will crease into lines you didn't even know you had.
Here is how you actually use it:
Put a tiny drop on the back of your hand. Your body heat is the catalyst here. It softens the waxes and oils, making the formula pliable. Tap your ring finger into it, then dab it only where the darkness is deepest. For most of us, that's the inner corner of the eye. Don't smear it. Tap it.
I’ve seen people complain about the "greasiness." It’s a valid concern if you have oily skin. This formula has a very dewy, almost tacky finish. If you don't set it with a translucent powder, it’s going to slide. But for those of us hitting our 30s or 40s? That dewiness is a godsend. It mimics the look of actual hydrated skin rather than the flat, matte finish that makes you look ten years older.
The Shade Range Struggle
We have to talk about the shades. IT Cosmetics has expanded the range over the years, but it’s still tricky. Because the pigment load is so high (up to 70% in some batches), the color doesn't shift much once it dries. What you see in the tube is pretty much what you get on the face.
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The "Neutral" shades tend to lean a bit pink, which is actually intentional. Pink or peach undertones cancel out the blue and purple tones of dark circles. If you have very yellow or olive skin, you might find the "Light Natural" or "Medium" shades a bit "off" until you blend them out thoroughly.
Comparing the Competitors
How does it stack up against something like Tarte Shape Tape or NARS Radiant Creamy?
Shape Tape is dry. It’s a matte, high-coverage liquid that sets fast. If you have oily eyelids, Shape Tape is your best friend. But if you have any fine lines, Shape Tape can be unforgiving. NARS is the middle ground—it’s easy, it’s reliable, but it doesn't have the "nuclear option" coverage that Bye Bye Under Eye offers.
If you have a literal bruise or a vein that won't quit, NARS isn't going to cut it. You need the heavy hitters.
Why Your Concealer Is Creasing (It’s Probably Not the Product)
Creasing is the number one complaint with heavy concealers. Since Bye Bye Under Eye is so emollient, it wants to settle into the natural folds of the skin.
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- Prep is everything: Use a lightweight eye cream, but let it sink in for 5 minutes. If the surface is too slippery, the concealer won't "grip."
- The Tissue Trick: After blending, take a single ply of a tissue and gently press it against the area. This absorbs the excess oils without removing the pigment.
- Set it immediately: Use a puff, not a brush. Press the powder into the concealer to lock it in place.
Is It Actually "Anti-Aging"?
The term "anti-aging" gets thrown around a lot in the beauty industry. In this context, it refers to the ingredients like Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Vitamin E. Will this concealer erase your wrinkles over time? Probably not. No makeup really does that, despite what the box says.
However, it is "anti-aging" in its behavior. Most high-coverage products are incredibly drying. Dryness emphasizes texture. Because this formula is so moisturizing, it keeps the skin looking plump throughout the day. That is where the real value lies for anyone who isn't a teenager anymore.
The Verdict on the Waterproof Claim
I tested the waterproof claim during a particularly emotional viewing of a Pixar movie. It held up. The water beaded off the surface. The trick is that because it's oil-based, it repels water. This also means you can't just wash it off with a gentle foaming cleanser. You need a balm or an oil-based remover to break down the pigments at the end of the night. If you don't double cleanse, you’ll wake up with leftover product in your lashes.
Practical Steps for Your Morning Routine
To get the most out of this product, change your mindset about how much you need. It’s a concentrate.
- Warm a tiny amount between your fingers first. This is non-negotiable.
- Apply only to the "hollow" of the eye, not the entire cheekbone.
- Use a damp beauty sponge to bounce over the edges. This thins out the perimeter so it blends seamlessly into your foundation.
- Avoid the outer corners where "crow's feet" live. The more product you put there, the more likely it is to migrate into those lines.
- Finish with a dusting of silica-based powder to blur the surface and kill the tackiness.
Ultimately, Bye Bye Under Eye remains a staple because it does exactly what it says on the tube: it deletes the dark. It’s not for everyone, and it’s certainly not for the "no-makeup-makeup" crowd who just wants a sheer wash of color. But for the days when you look in the mirror and see a tired stranger staring back, this is the quickest way to find yourself again.
Invest in a good synthetic brush for detail work and remember that with this specific formula, less is always, always more. If you can see the makeup, you’ve used too much. If you can still see the dark circles, you haven't warmed it up enough to let the pigments do their job. It takes a week to master the learning curve, but once you do, you probably won't look at another concealer again.