Prep + Prime Highlighters clockwise from light pink brush: Radiant Rose, Bright Forecast and Light Boost
Most of the time I curse my dark circles, but sometimes they come in handy, like when I’m doing my impression of Lurch from The Addams Family 
or testing under-eye brightening products.
Which brings us to today! The new four-piece MAC Primed For Perfection collection of products to brighten and highlight launches April 7 in North America (internationally, some time in April), and, like the Bronze Everyday collection coming out the same day, MAC plans to add the items in the collection to their permanent line.
To say “I’m stoked” about the lightweight Prep+Prime Vibrancy Eye ($30) primer would be an understatement of epic proportions. Designed to be worn beneath concealer, this dark circle-defeating angel of awesomeness moisturizes and illuminates the under-eye area. MAC also claims it could be a long-term solution for puffy, tired-looking eyes by diminishing creases, bags and dark circles.
Yes, please!
The release also features three new brightening click pens called the Prep + Prime Highlighters ($23), which look to me a little like YSL’s Touche Eclat. MAC says they can be worn on bare skin or atop concealer or foundation.
I believe my dark circles and I shall evaluate these directly, as in immediately. 🙂 In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the products and swatches. I’ll update you on my dark circle progress (or lack thereof) soon.
Swatches from the left with the flash: Vibrancy Eye Primer, Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast, Light Boost and Radiant Rose
Without the flash
Anyone else really jazzed about this release? Rise up, my fellow dark circled comrades! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here’s an interesting Q & A on the new Primed For Perfection collection with Nick Gavrelis, MAC Vice President of Global Product Development…
What is the strategy behind launching Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye and Prep + Prime Highlighter? What void do they fill in MAC’s primer category?
We launched Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye and Prep + Prime Highlighter to add diversity to our Prep + Prime Eye formulas. We have our original Prep + Prime Eye formula which evens out the skintone and texture on the eyelid, but we felt that we needed a primer to perfect the skin for concealer application. This formula was created to be used specifically for the delicate eye area.
The Prep + Prime Highlighter allows for precise application and more targeted luminosity to add light and radiance to the eye or any area of the face in one easy step. The difference between Prep + Prime Highlighter and Prep + Prime Skin is that this new formula provides a more targeted luminosity and it can be used under and over foundation for touch-ups.
How does Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye work? What are its main ingredients?
Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye immediately improves radiance and clarity around the eye area with the following main ingredients: Vitamin C Complex with Melannite (K3 aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate and 2CME ascorbyl tocopheryl maleate) serves as a brightening agent and antioxidant. The anti-angiogenics phytosphingosine, glycosaminoglycans and gingko biloba help strengthen skin. For optics, a cocktail of light reflective pearls in multiple colours renders the maximum skin-enhancing effect. A range of peptides — sweet orange extract, red algae extract, caffeine and sucrose — soothes and depuffs the eye area, while glycerin, trehalose, sodium hyaluronate and shea butter add up to a powerful combination of moisturizers and emollients. Over time, this combination of ingredients can brighten the appearance of dark circles, reduce puffiness and add moisture around the delicate eye area.
How should Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye be applied? Should it be worn above or below foundation/concealer?
Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye should be applied gently with your fingertip, patted gently around eye area until blended. It should be worn under concealer.
What are the benefits of the click pen applicator on Prep + Prime Highlighter? Where and how should it be applied?
The Prep + Prime Highlighter click pen allows for precise, easy application and provides just the right amount of product. Prep + Prime Highlighter should be applied with the brush tip directly to the high place of the face to help brighten. Additionally, it can applied over bare moisturized skin, or over concealer/foundation. Blend well with fingertips.
I also have dark under eye circles which are the bane of my existence. Probably a third of the money I’ve spent on cosmetics in my life has gone toward trying to correct or conceal the darkness. I really want to try the pink one. I think it may be light enough for my skin. I’m excited to see what you think!
I’ll have some more time to play this weekend. Will let you know soon!
oh goodness, the primer is EXACTLY what i need!
You and me both!
oh this is very promising …. 🙂 this is something i will definitely check out!
I’m very excited about it too! LOL, you know you’ve got insomnia when you get all psyched for dark circle products.
i hear ya!
ive been on a concealer kick these days. im still pretty loyal to time balm but i also have been using erase paste and studio sculpt. 🙂
im also very curious about that primer!
Ahh, good ol’ Time Balm. I haven’t taken her out to play ever since MAC Pro Longwear came into my life… but we had some good times.
I’m curious — do you set your concealer with powder? Or do you just let it go au natural?
i used to not set it with powder. im a concealer before foundation gal.
however – i discovered bare escentuals well rested and laura mercier’s secret brightening powder. i played around with those products and fell in love with both.
i still do concealer before foundation but set it w/ either of those 2 powders and it really makes a difference. it makes my eyes pop, and makes my dark circles lighter! 🙂
I’m wondering if the Prep+Prime Vibrancy Eye is anything like the Prescriptives Vibrant-C..
Hmm, I’m not familiar with that product! Was that a primer like this one?
Oh, bring this on!
Haha! I feel EXACTLY the same way.
Has the rain let up there? We’re having a small break in the storm right now…
Ooh, please do tell us! I’m always looking for new products that will send my demonic under eye circles back to the hell from whence they came, lol.
april 7th is gonna be a big day!
MAC does such a wonderful job with its concealers–I became addicted to Pro Longwear because of this blog. I can’t wait to read how these products tested out.
Hey Karen,
Do you know when the new MAC stuff will be available online for the Pro’s?
ACK!!!! I’m excited!!! Let us know how the primer compares to Photo Op – I still have 1 more unopened tube of that stuff but maybe the MAC primer will work better with Pro Longwear since they’re from the same brand…
I’m glad I work right across a MAC store so I can perhaps sneak off at opening on April 7 to pick one up (not to mention the nail lacquers from Quite Cute)… haha 🙂
I’m really excited for this! I wonder what which one is good for purples bases dark circles on yellow tone skin?
Are these shimmery at all?
Im praying these are a cheaper alternative to my beloved YSL Touche Eclat! It would be quite a holy gift to those who spend $45 on a single highlighting pen 😀
Can it really moisturize, depuff and hide dark circles? I really need something for my under eye area but I have so many fine lines /wrinkles that it’s just hopeless these days. I end up looking worse than before.
I have tried the smashbox photo op under eye. Is it something like that or perhaps with more coverage?
I always have to set my concealer with powder and that ‘s the thing… it ends up too dry and my lines are more visible. I hate it! But if I need a very heavy eyecream the concealer just won’t stay put all day long.
If they really do all they claim I will be so excited! I hate my under eye circles and sometimes i feel like they look worse when I try to cover them up. I’m still in college but (or maybe thats why) I have the worst under eye circles. Lately however I’ve been using that dark circle roller ball thing from Garnier, and not putting anything on top, and I swear it almost makes a difference. Maybe I just like the roller ball. Please let us know how these work for you!
CRAZY!! I just got into prolongwear concealer this wkend and I love it, that stuff really does not budge or move and it was this very morning I was thinking what will happen in the summer? I need a concealer primer! and vah-la!
the one thing I don’t understand is every eye product is made for puffy undereyes. what if you have dents instead of puffs? what will these products do to my sunken undereye area? is there a product for me?
It’s great for undereye circles! I think i’ve finally found something for my dark circles a Mac mua applied it on me and it looked great even without concealer!
I have both, the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters AND Touche Eclat, and I’m really surprised/happy to say that I like the MAC one better! it’s much more pigmented…
The only thing I like more about the YSL is that it has considerably less sparkle to it, making it easier to look like I literally just woke up like that!
I love the idea of these, but was wondering- have you found something similar to these highlighters for a lower price?