Some swear by a sweep of red lipstick to instantly boost confidence, others are devoted to a few layers of mascara to transform themselves in the mornings. But for anyone who experiences under eye bags, the only makeup product you can’t live without is concealer.
Under-eye bags can occur as a result of a number of reasons, with the obvious one being lack of sleep. However, with our screen-centric lifestyles and a constant stream of stress from the newsfeed, it’s not exactly hard to become a little sleep deprived at the moment.
Other reasons can include using the wrong skincare products, especially ones that are too harsh on the skin. When applied to the delicate under-eye area, skincare acids and retinol products can cause thinning of the skin, making the blue blood vessels underneath more visible and creating more prominent looking bags.
There are also some lifestyle habits than can exacerbate dark circles including dehydration and not removing makeup properly before bed (hello, panda eyes). In some cases, under eye bags occur because of genetics, which of course, makes them harder to treat. However, there is help at hand, including some clever non-surgical cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers and, for a more low-maintenance and needle-free option, a great under-eye concealer.
What makes a good under-eye concealer?
When you’re covering up acne and breakouts, it’s a good idea to use a drying concealer to try and reduce the production of oil. However, when you’re selecting an under-eye concealer, you might want to consider a more hydrating formula to nourish the skin around the eye and provide anti-wrinkle benefits while also covering up dark circles.
What shade should I go for?
Many makeup artists suggest choosing an under eye concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation shade, which helps to lighten dark circles and bring extra brightness to the area.
How do I apply under-eye concealer?
While it’s tempting to paint your concealer all over your under eye area, there’s a more targeted approach to application that works wonders to eliminate dark circles. All you have to do is draw an upside down triangle starting from the inner corners of eyes, down the side of the nose and then back up towards the outer corners of the eye. This is a form of contouring and helps to creating a lifting effect as well as concealing the darkest part of eye bags (the inner corners). This technique is especially effective at concealing hollow eyes.
When it comes to choosing a sponge, a makeup brush or fingers for application, the jury is still out with makeup artists divided as to the best method. Whatever you use, make sure to be gentle when applying to avoid tugging the skin.
I have oily skin – what under-eye concealer is best for me?
Everyone with oily skin will know that makeup usually slides off after a few hours of wear – unless you select the right products and apply them in the right way, that is. When it comes to your under-eye concealer, choose an oil-free cream or liquid, and always make sure to set the product with a finely-milled translucent powder.
How do I apply under-eye concealer on fine lines?
Choosing the right formula is also important if you have fine lines and wrinkles as the wrong concealer will settle into creases and make them look more visible.
To conceal under-eye bags as well as wrinkles around the eyes, it’s always a good idea to apply a blurring or smoothing primer first, followed by a creamy concealer formula. Also, make sure that you’re using the correct amount of product – too much will encourage creasing.