For real though! I could spend hours at the MAC counter if left unchecked. Allegedly, when I went to the mall the other day, it was “just to browse” (yeah, right!), but next thing ya know, I’m chatting with the MAC artists about concealers, and WHOOPS! Would ya look at that? It’s 30 minutes later. 🙂
We talked about our faves, and we each had different ones, but one thing all us agreed on (and gushed about) was the awesomeness of today’s unsung makeup hero, MAC Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer ($30).
An under-eye makeup primer of heroic proportions, this puff-reducing powerhouse deserves a key to the city. It brightens dark areas with a hint of glowing pink shimmer, and preps the skin for concealer by creating a smooth, perfect surface upon which it can be applied.
Vibrancy unblended (left) and blended (right)
When I apply MAC Pro Longwear or Mineralize Concealers on top of Vibrancy, my concealer just flat-out lasts longer, looks better (more like real skin) and creases less throughout the day.
With Vibrancy, I feel like I can get away with wearing less makeup overall but still get the benefits of smoother, brighter skin under my eyes.
To use it, I gently pat half a drop beneath each eye. I give that about 10 minutes to absorb, during which time I’ll usually do my hair (to save time), and then blot any excess with a tissue.
Next up comes concealer, unless I’m in a big hurry, in which case I’ll apply Vibrancy first, only wait a minute or two (as opposed to 10), and then blot with tissue. Both approaches seem to work well, but I do think I can eek out a little more wear time from my concealer when I give Vibrancy the extra time to sink in.
It’s not an inexpensive product, especially considering the small 0.5-ounce bottle, but for what it’s worth, a little goes a loooong way. At the counter the other day, the MAC artists were all joking about how one bottle could probably last a gal four or five years.
I actually 
Vibrancy so much that I gave it top billing in the same drawer beside two more of my MAC faves, MAC Cleanse Off Oil and Strobe Cream.
Using Vibrancy involves an extra step in your routine, but it might be worth it if you have stubborn dark circles and are determined to get the most out of your concealer.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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Teri says
April 16th, 2012 at 5:24 pmSounds like a great product! I didn’t know you could use a primer under your concealer, it really sounds like worth a try! I actually love a lot of Mac Prep+Prime products, they are often overlooked by many, but really good!
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ricky blue says
April 16th, 2012 at 5:30 pmNow that I am poised to bid farewell to my late early thirties I’m suddenly having to come to terms with all these fine lines under my eyes. It’s weird because they don’t look that noticeable until I put concealer under my eyes, after which point I suddenly look like a double for Shirley MacLaine.
I’m hoping this will help me, because lately my choices seem to be unconcealed hereditary dark circles or pleasantly colored creases that make me look about ten years older.
I hope my little sister listens to me and starts using the sunscreen I just sent her! (to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun” in the style of Nina Simone)
CrystalCandy says
April 16th, 2012 at 5:35 pmThat sounds like an amazing product, I will check it out!
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JennySue Makeup says
April 16th, 2012 at 5:47 pmOne bottle could last 4 years- wow!! Sold!! But if you use it on your upper lid and underneath the eye, do you think it’d go quicker?? I love the idea of it having a pink shimmer to help neutralize those pesky veins that show up underneath the skin! Thanks for the great convincing review as always- man, you cost me a lot of money Karen!! Ha!!
Karen says
April 16th, 2012 at 6:23 pmHi JennySue,
They said it jokingly — I don’t know if a bottle could really last four years. I think they meant you could get a lot of use from one bottle. Probably not four years, but probably a year or two at the most.
Nina says
April 16th, 2012 at 7:17 pmIve gone through 2 bottles of this stuff, id say it lasts 6 months or so.
🙂
KSlone says
April 16th, 2012 at 6:44 pmI love this product! It is everything MAC claims and more.
One note….if you apply a retinal or AHA acid based eye cream before Vibrancy, you may experience some stinging.
breyerchic04 says
April 16th, 2012 at 6:50 pmI had a really bad nights sleep and then went to an important dog show one day in march, so I ended up with terrible dark circles, then when we went out to dinner we went to MAC and asked about concealer. She matched me with this and select cover up. It’s perfect, apparently I get dry under the eye very easily, and because of the permanent lack of sleep and allergies, this makes me so much prettier. I just use those two, a bit of mascara or liner, and concealer by my nose, no need for foundation or anything else, then lip color to my hearts content!
Nina says
April 16th, 2012 at 7:16 pmThis is a staple in my routine. The effect is so subtle but it really makes a difference. Makes me look more awake!
Joyce says
April 16th, 2012 at 7:32 pmI gotta check this out the next time I’m at MAC. I’ve never really looked into their skin care line or primers, but I’m in love with their Pro Long Wear concealer. <3
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Audrey says
April 16th, 2012 at 7:34 pmOoh thanks for posting this! I was looking for a good under eye primer of sorts and when I went to the MAC store recently, they didn’t mention this! Thank goodness for you! I know they tout their Fast Response Eye cream for depuffing and what not, how do you think these two compare? Or is it apples and oranges?
Katrina says
April 16th, 2012 at 7:46 pmHuh. I didn’t know this existed! Maybe I should have gotten this instead of the skin smoother
Sarah says
April 16th, 2012 at 9:17 pmThank you for this review! I have dark circles as well and any product to help conceal those is worth the price.
LeAnn says
April 16th, 2012 at 9:54 pmHey Karen! Do you feel like this helps with creasing? That’s my biggest makeup issue- creasy concealer. I’ve started using Pro Long Wear, and it has the best staying power so far, but definitely still emphasizes my fine lining. Thanks so much for this post!
Edelmc says
April 17th, 2012 at 12:09 amHi Karen. Does this act as an eye moisturiser or do you use a seperate one? Also, have you tried the prep and prime highlighter pens under the eyes- they are fab
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
April 17th, 2012 at 3:17 amPuff-reducing? Did someone say puff-reducing? Now this sounds like something I should try! The dark circle under my right eye is darker and slightly puffier than my left eye, and it has started to bother me a little. Let’s hope this baby will brighten things up!
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Kim says
April 17th, 2012 at 8:49 amLike a couple of others above, I think this sounds great but I’m concerned about emphasizing my fine lines. Even things like High Beam or Photo Op seem to find a cozy home in my wrinkles. Adding concealer is even worse. Do you think Vibrancy help or hurt?
Priya says
April 17th, 2012 at 9:56 amCan you also use this on the lid? I guess I am looking to see if this can act as an eyeshadow primer as well as concealer primer…..anyone know?
corallista says
April 17th, 2012 at 2:15 pmI have recently been hearing a lot of good stuff about this one! Can it be used as an eye shadow primer?
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Van says
April 18th, 2012 at 2:11 amYou don’t know how lucky you gals are, the nearest MAC shop to me is 2 hours away and in a different country. I don’t want to give an insane amount for postage just to get this (I’m so lemming this!).
Nora says
April 18th, 2012 at 11:20 amThis is literally my favorite product! I never hear enough about it. Coming from someone who is SUPER prone to concealer creasing – this is my savior! It lasts FOREVER, too! Took me a year to get through a whole bottle…and that’s with using it everyday.