Under-eye circles are a woman’s worst enemy when it comes to makeup issues. If you leave them alone, they’ll make you look tired (even when you’re not). You can spend hundreds of dollars on creams and treatments that are supposed to rid you of this plague, but many of them are woefully ineffective. And often, when you try to conceal these eyesores (pardon the pun) you end up with a cakey mess that only emphasizes fine lines in the delicate skin around your eyes, or worse, the reverse raccoon (equally creepy white circles around your eyes instead of the dark ones). What’s a girl to do when there seems to be no simple solution? Well, you simply have to try harder. To that end, there actually is a combination of makeup products that will give you the beautiful, natural, fresh and rested look you crave.
You’ll want to start with a color neutralizing cream. This is not only several shades lighter than the dark spot (and possibly even lighter than your skin tone); it also contains the opposite color to the dark circle, so as to neutralize it. Generally you’ll find that these types of creams have a slightly yellow or green tint in order to counteract the blue and purple tones of under-eye circles. When you apply this base, it is important not to fill in all around the eyes or even along the entire under-eye area. If you look closely you’ll see that the darkness generally starts at the inner corner of the eye and slants down and away from the bridge of the nose. This is the area you need to concentrate on so as to avoid covering a large area and caking makeup into fine lines. Dab a line of neutralizing cream along the darkest portion and then use your finger, a sponge, or a concealer brush to blend outward.
The next step is to lay a concealer over the top. This will be much closer to your natural skin tone (nothing more than a shade lighter) and you will pat it gently over the neutralizing cream (a light touch with a sponge works best), up to your lower lash line and down to your cheek bone to blend. Finally, you’ll add a brightening powder to set the creams (so that they don’t smear or sink into fine lines) as well as add a minimal amount of highlight to the dark area, thus bouncing light rather than absorbing it. If you’re worried about finding each of these products separately, simply opt for a 3-in-1 solution (there are several on the market)
Now that your under-eye circles have virtually vanished, it’s time to get rid of the glasses you were hiding behind and throw in some contact lenses to show off your baby blues (or greens, or browns). You can still try everything from pricy night creams to old-school remedies (cold tea bags, cucumber slices, or coffee pouches, for example) to reduce the darkness. But in the meantime, at least you’ll have a quick and easy means of hiding the offending under-eye circles.
(Guest Post by Carol Montrose)
You’ll want to start with a color neutralizing cream. This is not only several shades lighter than the dark spot (and possibly even lighter than your skin tone); it also contains the opposite color to the dark circle, so as to neutralize it. Generally you’ll find that these types of creams have a slightly yellow or green tint in order to counteract the blue and purple tones of under-eye circles. When you apply this base, it is important not to fill in all around the eyes or even along the entire under-eye area. If you look closely you’ll see that the darkness generally starts at the inner corner of the eye and slants down and away from the bridge of the nose. This is the area you need to concentrate on so as to avoid covering a large area and caking makeup into fine lines. Dab a line of neutralizing cream along the darkest portion and then use your finger, a sponge, or a concealer brush to blend outward.
The next step is to lay a concealer over the top. This will be much closer to your natural skin tone (nothing more than a shade lighter) and you will pat it gently over the neutralizing cream (a light touch with a sponge works best), up to your lower lash line and down to your cheek bone to blend. Finally, you’ll add a brightening powder to set the creams (so that they don’t smear or sink into fine lines) as well as add a minimal amount of highlight to the dark area, thus bouncing light rather than absorbing it. If you’re worried about finding each of these products separately, simply opt for a 3-in-1 solution (there are several on the market)
Now that your under-eye circles have virtually vanished, it’s time to get rid of the glasses you were hiding behind and throw in some contact lenses to show off your baby blues (or greens, or browns). You can still try everything from pricy night creams to old-school remedies (cold tea bags, cucumber slices, or coffee pouches, for example) to reduce the darkness. But in the meantime, at least you’ll have a quick and easy means of hiding the offending under-eye circles.
(Guest Post by Carol Montrose)
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I wish I had read this post last year when I suddenly developed under eye circles. I was hoping I could avoid it but between waking up multiple times a night and not enough sleep those circles cought up with me.
ReplyDeleteBefore use, test all new makeup on the inside of your wrist to prevent an allergic reaction.
ReplyDeleteyou can cover up your dark circles at home if your doctor approves.
ReplyDeleteUsing too much concealer actually draws more attention to what you are trying to hide. Start by using only a little concealer under the eye, and add more only if necessary.
ReplyDeleteThe skin tends to be thinner under the eyes so the veins become more noticeable. usE a mineral concealer in this area, because it covers and won't sit in the fine lines under your eyes.
ReplyDeleteGoing to bed without cleansing ages you.
ReplyDeleteBefore applying any makeup, hydrate the eye area with an eye cream. The extra moisture will ensure that your concealer glides on the skin, making it less likely to appear cakey or heavy.
ReplyDeleteIf you concealer feels too thick, or tends to look dry and cakey, mix into it a drop or two of your favorite eye cream. The eye cream will help it absorb into the skin and thin the concealer into a more workable consistency.
ReplyDeleteAs you get older, the elasticity of your skin tends to get weaker and the thickness of your eyelids becomes thinner. This resolves in the blood vessels coming closer to the surface of your eyes and giving you that dark and weary lookIit is very important to keep yourself hydrated.
ReplyDeleteMake sure to choose the right shade when choosing concealers for your skin that is the one closest to your skin tone. It should be no more than two shades lighter than your foundation. Make sure to blend it well so that it doesn't stand out and become noticeable. For under eye circles, they should be applied under and around the eye area.
ReplyDelete