In my search to find concealers that act like a “friend with benefits,” I picked up By Terry’s Hyaluronic Eye Primer, a lid primer and concealer that promises lightening, brightening and moisturizing effects.  Although there is a By Terry boutique in Paris stocked with the entire line, I picked this up at a Parisian Sephora which also carries quite a few By Terry products.

Unlike the more expensive Le Metier de Beaute’s Peau Vierge Concealer ($95), which also promises skin care benefits, By Terry’s sells for around 35 euros.  By Terry’s is more of an eye-area treatment that includes coloration to correct darkness on the lid and under eye area.  Peau Vierge is a true concealer, which is more opaque and can be used anywhere on the face.

By Terry’s product comes in a large silver tube with a doe-foot applicator.  It smooths on quite easily by using the doe foot to dab product on, which can be then gently smoothed out with a finger tip.  The effect was very natural, there was no hint of funny little cakey bits, pooling into crevices that you didn’t realize that you even had, or visible pigmentation spottiness.  It melts in the skin and looks quite natural once smoothed out.

I’ve been hearing really good things about By Terry’s skincare range.  By Terry’s Hyaluronic Eye Primer fits within that perception–that is, the skin care benefits of the product are quite nice.  I did notice a softening effect, and my eye area did look brighter and more moisturized.  Unlike Peau Vierge, By Terry does not promise full long-term or “cosmedicine-like” effects.

I found that I did prefer By Terry’s product to other brightening products such as Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat.  There is a visible effect on the quality of the skin that I don’t get with Touche Eclat–my eye area does look improved with By Terry’s.  As you would expect with a product called a “primer,” the coverage of By Terry’s Hyaluronic Eye Primer was good, but not as bullet-proof as Le Metier’s Peau Vierge, a Bobbi Brown Corrector or Cle de Peau’s stick concealer. To maximize the skincare benefits, I applied By Terry’s Eye Primer on first (because that is the layer closest to the skin), then dabbed a bit of another concealer on top to really cover the last bit of undereye color.  Used this way, the staying power was excellent.  Unlike Le Metier’s Peau Vierge and Cle de Peau’s stick concealer, By Terry’s is an eye-only product.  It is likely too emollient to use elsewhere on the face.

If you find yourself shaking your head over spending upwards of $60 for a good concealer with skincare benefits, you should definitely look at By Terry’s.  Other ones in this price category with skincare benefits (for comparison purposes) include Dior’s Diorskin Sculpt and Guerlain’s Precious Light.