Patchology | Rejuvenating Eye Gels

TL;DR: Mess-free undereye masks that brighten, tighten and depuff your under-eyes in five minutes.

Patchology Flashpatch Rejuvenating Eye Gel undereye masks are shimmery up close which makes them excellent at brightening: The first thing I noticed when I took them off was how they left behind the softest trace of opalescent serum that perked up my eyes without actually looking glittery on my skin. I wasn't the only one who noticed: About 30 minutes later, a work colleague told me that my skin looked fresh (totally normal office chit chat at Allure), and thatwas under fluorescent elevator bank lighting so I consider that a success.

The masks are made from gel, which I think clings to skin better, drips less, and just generally feels more comfortable than paper masks. The directions say to wear them for at least five minutes. I've worn them for the bare minimum time and I've worn them for longer (about 20 minutes), and both ways have made my under-eyes look brighter for the rest of the day, and feel tighter, too. They also helped de-puff and plump fine lines around my eyes — the masks are shaped like a swoosh, which means they cover crows' feet, too — but I was definitely most impressed by their brightening effect.

Because these undereye masks aren't drippy or messy, you can wear them to prep your under-eyes while you put on the rest of your eye makeup. It's an old makeup trick for catching mascara flakes and eye shadow fallout.

After you take off the masks, tap the excess serum into your skin. It's got skin-firming caffeine and hydrating glycerin, as well as a more bizarre ingredient: snail secretion filtrate. "Snail secretions contain a type of polysaccharide that is highly moisturizing as well as enzymes that gently exfoliate the skin leaving skin smoother and refined," says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson (who's not affiliated with the brand). It's interesting for sure, but if you're looking for a vegan product, this probably isn't the undereye mask for you.