Waking up with dark circles under your eyes is not the best way to start the day. Unfortunately, it is very common after a night of excessive drinking or sleeplessness. Lack of sleep and tiredness are the main culprits behind dark circles, so the best way to combat them is to get a good night’s rest. However, for times when that’s not feasible, there are concealers to cover your dark circles and help you look as fresh-faced as possible! Take a look at the best concealers for dark circles.
What causes dark circles under the eyes?
There are a number of reasons why you may develop dark circles under your eyes. The most common reasons are lack of sleep and genetics. If your family members have dark circles, you are more likely to have them too. Lack of sleep can make your skin dull and pale, allowing the dark tissues and blood vessels under your skin to show through. Lack of sleep can also cause fluid to build up under your eyes, making them look puffy, and puffy eyelids can cast shadows that look like dark circles.
Natural aging is another cause of dark circles. As you age, your skin thins and you lose fat and collagen needed to maintain your skin’s elasticity. When this happens, the dark blood vessels under the skin become more visible, making the under-eye area darker.
Other things that can cause dark circles are eye strain, allergies, excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, and excessive sun exposure. More serious medical conditions, such as anemia or iron deficiency, can also cause dark circles.
How to apply concealer to hide dark circles
1. Start with a smooth canvas
Properly cleansing and moisturizing the skin is an important step prior to concealer to ensure it goes on smoothly, without flakes or dryness. Exfoliating the under-eye area can help create softness, and be sure to use a moisturizer or serum that absorbs but doesn’t overburden the skin so your concealer doesn’t slide all over the place.
2. Apply foundation first
If you’re also going to apply foundation, apply it before concealer, including under the eyes. This way, you won’t have to use as much concealer to cover up your dark circles. Sometimes using too much can make what you’re trying to hide look even more obvious.
3. Find the right tone
Using the wrong shade of concealer can make your skin look ashy or make the concealer stand out too much. It is very important to combine your shades to correctly hide dark circles. Warmer skin tones should look for yellow or orange undertones, while cooler skin tones should look for pink undertones. You should also use a light-reflecting formula that is one shade lighter than your skin to brighten the under-eye area.
4. Apply from the inside out
Dark circles usually cover the inner third of the eye and a bit of the outer corner. Start your application at the inner corner of the eyes and move outward for the best coverage. Apply the concealer with a small synthetic bristle brush, then use your fingertips or a beauty sponge to rub it carefully. Be sure to also hit the sides of the nose that hit the inner corner of the eye.
The best concealers for dark circles
1. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
This under-eye concealer provides highly-pigmented, long-lasting full coverage to hide dark circles. It’s a multitasking concealer that conceals the look of blemishes, including dark bags, redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, and age spots. Infused with ingredients like anti-aging peptides, vitamins, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, it helps your skin look younger too!
2. Tarte Shape Concealer Tape
This super-blendable concealer helps brighten, smooth and give your skin a firmer, smoother appearance. Conceals all imperfections and is formulated with nourishing mango seeds and shea butter to brighten the skin with a lifting effect. It also contains licorice root extract to correct color and brighten the appearance of dark circles.
3. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
This multi-action concealer highlights, corrects and perfects with an ultra-creamy formula. Provides medium to buildable coverage and leaves you with a naturally radiant finish. Instantly masks blemishes and conceals dark circles and signs of fatigue. The botanical blend hydrates, firms and fortifies the look of skin by helping its barrier retain moisture, and light-diffusing technology gives skin a fresh, radiant finish.
4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser
Erase the look of dark circles and brighten dull skin with this drugstore concealer! This anti-aging eye treatment is infused with haloxyl, known to diminish the appearance of dark circles and firm and tone the eye area. Say goodbye to fine lines and dark circles and hello to a fresh, radiant eye area.
5. ILIA True Skin Correcting Serum
This light and creamy concealer offers medium coverage with a silky, serum-like texture that blends seamlessly into the skin. Protects skin from free radicals and environmental damage while helping to firm, soothe, and nourish skin.
6. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
This is a full coverage liquid concealer that reduces the appearance of dark circles, blemishes and blemishes for fresher looking skin. With ingredients like Persian Silk Tree Bark Extract to fade dark circles and Wild Indigo Extract to enhance skin’s radiance, it’s the perfect concealer for bags under the eyes.
7. elf 16 hour camouflage concealer
If you’re looking for a cheap eye concealer, this is for you! It is a 16-hour product that conceals, corrects and enhances your most flawless skin. It’s a highly pigmented formula that dries quickly and won’t settle into lines or wrinkles. Enriched with avocado oil to hydrate and protect the skin and kaolin clay to control excess oil and shine, this concealer is an amazing product.
Finding the right concealer to combat dark circles is easy when you know what to look for. Try these tips and products for brighter, healthier skin!
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