I couldn't believe the difference this eye bag eraser made to my tired eyes – and it's now 60% off

Sleep is a luxury in my house. Between perimenopause symptoms and young kids, disturbed nights are the norm, and my eyes are always the first place to give away just how tired I am.

I'm very fair-skinned and prone to puffy eyes, so the combination of under-eye bags and dark circles is particularly noticeable. I've tried more of the best eye creams for dark circles than I care to admit over the years, with varying degrees of success. Few have made any real difference. A bit more sleep might help, of course, but until then, I am always on the lookout for products that might help me look - and therefore feel - a bit less tired.

So when I first tried L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Instant Eye Bag Eraser, which promises to 'depuff and smooth eye bags in 15 minutes', I was sceptical. But this is one of the few products I've tried where I could genuinely see a difference almost immediately – and in my before-and-after photos.

Prime Day deal: save 62% on the eye treatment I actually use

My before-and-after

I wasn't expecting miracles from an eye cream, but I was surprised by just how much difference I could see after 15 minutes.

Below are two photos, taken before application and 15 minutes afterwards. The difference in how puffy and smooth the skin under my eyes looks is striking.

Before application (left), after application (right): the cream visibly reduces puffiness, smooths the skin and makes the area look brighter.

The biggest 'wow' factor is the de-puffing effect. I couldn't believe how much less defined the bags under my eyes looked after 15 minutes. The skin also appeared smoother and brighter, which made the whole eye area look less tired.

What does L'Oréal Eye Bag Eraser actually do?

The important thing to know is that this isn't a conventional eye cream that needs weeks of use before you might notice a difference. Its appeal is the instant cosmetic effect.

When I first tested this cream, I checked back after 15 minutes and, surprisingly, my initial reaction was disappointment. I could still clearly see my dark circles.

But I quickly reminded myself that there are no miracle solutions for those and went back to reassess the results.

That's when I noticed the difference. My dark circles were still there, but the puffiness had reduced, and the skin looked brighter, smoother and generally less tired. That distinction is important. If pigmentation is your main concern, I wouldn't expect this product to erase it. If puffiness and tired-looking texture are what bother you most, however, the instant effect is impressive.

The product does have a slight clinical odour, but it's very subtle and wears off over time. You can also feel it working, which is why I'm guessing the instructions advise making no facial expressions for 15 minutes while it's working.

This is easier said than done, but feeling the skin tighten – without it feeling uncomfortable – is a gentle reminder to keep your face as still as possible while it does its thing.

Why does the Eye Bag Eraser work so quickly?

Woman&home Digital Beauty Editor Fiona McKim is a fan, too.

"I'm forever trying to warn people that creams cannot dramatically firm loose skin (trust me, I wish they could). However, what they can do – and what this eye treatment does extremely well – is temporarily tighten everything, usually with a mix of polymers, for a very convincing, temporary lifted effect."

"This is a great bit of skincare technology for events, or simply day to day, when you want a bit of a boost – and it's amazing to see it at such an accessible price point, too."

L'Oreal is known for delivering excellent technology for the price, but if you're keen to shop around, there are a couple of other brands on the market offering products with similar effects. These are the two Fiona recommends:

How long does one tube last?

Don't be put off by the small tube. You only need the smallest amount, and in my experience, it lasts far longer than you might expect.

I've been using this product almost daily and, based on how much remains in my tube, I'd expect one to last me around three months.

The small size is also a bonus if, like me, you want to keep something in your handbag or take it away with you. I can quickly apply some whenever I want my eyes to look a little more refreshed.

So far, I haven't needed to top up or reapply after putting it on first thing in the morning. I make sure to properly wash it off at night, as advised in the instructions.

My verdict - is it worth buying?

Yes – if puffiness is your main concern. I'm not going to pretend this product can erase dark circles, permanently tighten loose skin or compensate for years of lost sleep. It can't.

What it can do is give the eye area a surprisingly convincing temporary smoothing and tightening effect in around 15 minutes.

That's what makes it useful. I've continued using mine since I first tested it, particularly when I want to look a little more awake without applying lots of makeup.

At its usual £29.99 price, I'd still consider it a clever product. At less than £12 during Prime Day, it's an easy recommendation for anyone whose main concern is puffy, tired-looking eyes.

Just don't expect it to erase your dark circles – think of it as a clever, temporary 'I look more awake' button for your eye area.