PrimeEyes Brightener vs. Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener: I “See” a Clear Winner

As a 55-year-old lifelong makeup enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for the best makeup products and techniques for mature skin. I want high-quality products that brighten and enhance my beauty, not cover it up. And there is perhaps no better place to add a vibrant glow to my face than around my eyes.

My eyes draw the most attention, and I want eye products that apply seamlessly to my aging skin and give the illusion of lift. I’ve asked around and found two very highly-reviewed eyeshadow pencils: Prime Prometics' PrimeEyes Brightener ($28) and Thrive Cosmetics Brilliant Eye Brightener ($26). They claim to be creamy, smooth, and long-lasting, but which one gives my eyes the brightness they deserve? 

If You’re a Beginner at Makeup... PrimeEyes Brightener

While the Thrive Brilliant Eye Brightener is easy enough to apply, the product seems to dry down fast, so I had less time to blend it into the areas I wanted. That left me tugging and pulling on my mature eyes to get it where I wanted.

The Eye Brightener by Prime Prometics glides on like a dream, allowing me to build it up seamlessly. It doesn’t sink into my fine lines and wrinkles! To make my eyes look more awake, I love using the Estrella shade in the corners of my eyes and above the brow bone, and to create depth I use Nebula shade in the eye crease and over my lids. It’s perfect for women who don’t want to spend a lot of time on makeup, since it applies so easily and quickly. glides on like a dream, allowing me to build it up seamlessly. It doesn’t sink into my fine lines and wrinkles, and I love using it in the corners of my eyes, above the brow bone, and on my eyelids. Plus, it’s perfect for women who don’t want to spend a lot of time on makeup, since it applies so easily and quickly. 

This one was easier to call: Prime Prometics wins!

If You’re Looking for Brightness... PrimeEyes Brightener 

Thrive Causemetics has been known for their eye brighteners for a while, and they do a really good job. Their eyeshadow pencils include light-reflecting pigments that deliver a shimmering veil of color that helps boost radiance and diffuse the look of fine lines. 

Prime Prometics' Eye Brightener also does a fantastic job at brightening and reflecting light to help diminish the appearance of the lines around my eyes. What I love even more about the PrimeEyes Brightener is how long-lasting it is. I didn’t need to touch it up all day, and there was no smearing, even on my hooded eyes!

Though they both provide the brightness I want, the PrimeEyes Brightener was the only product that didn’t need to be touched up throughout the day.

If You’re Looking for a Range of Eyeshadow Colors... Thrive Cosmetics Brilliant Eye Brightener

Though I prefer more natural eyeshadow colors in shades of brown, I have been known to experiment with brighter colors and shades. So I was amazed by the 17 different eyeshadow colors Thrive Causemetics offers, ranging from browns to tans to green, making sure you’ve got a variety of options available. 

PrimeEye Brightener offers 3 colors, which is a more limited palette. Each color has been carefully developed to brighten the hooded eyes of women over 50. The formulation lays better on my skin than the Thrive Causemetics, but it doesn’t offer the color variety I’d love. 

This has to be a win for Thrive Causemetics.

If You’re Looking for Hydrating Makeup... PrimeEyes Brightener

As my dry skin has matured, it’s become even more dry. Both products do contain moisturizing ingredients in them, but was there a difference between the two? 

The Thrive Brilliant Eye Brightener includes natural emollients like macadamia + meadowfoam seed oil, while the PrimeEyes Brightener contains Jojoba Oil so both seem hydrating, at first glance. Because the Thrive Brilliant Eye Brightener dried down quickly, it felt somewhat dry on my eyes. It didn’t cake or crease, but it also didn’t feel like it provided any additional hydration to my skin.

Prime Prometics' Eye Brightener, on the other hand, dried down enough to stay in place throughout the day, but it still felt creamy and nourishing all day! So this means it’s another win for the Eye Brightener.

The Ultimate Winner… PrimeEyes Brightener

On the surface, both eye products look great. They both have beautiful shades, include nourishing ingredients, and help brighten the eyes, making them appear more vibrant and youthful. The biggest differences between the two were in the execution of the product, how it performed, and how long it lasted.

For those reasons, PrimeEyes Brightener is the clear winner for me. If you’re looking for a product that’ll transform your eyes, look no further than Prime Prometics.