How To Use Concealer To Brighten Dark Circles
When you have dark under-eye circles, concealer is going to be your best friend. This magical makeup product can erase the signs of discoloration to give you an overall brighter complexion. However, using the wrong shade or subpar concealer can be a recipe for disaster.
If you're using concealer for the first time, there are some things you need to know. You want to select certain shades and formulations that are going to be ideal for covering your under-eyes. When done correctly, you can have flawless skin and a fresh-faced appearance.
We are going to give you a fool-proof guide to brightening your under-eyes. You will be able to cover your dark circles and learn how you even got them in the first place.
Concealer for Dark Circles
The first step is finding a concealer that works for your skin type. There are many different formulations, like liquid, cream, and stick. However, when it comes to the delicate under-eye area, liquid concealers are often the best option. They are hydrating and can be easily blended out without too much effort.
If you have extremely dark circles, you may want to consider a color-correcting concealer. A color corrector can help hide the discoloration by preventing it from showing through your normal concealer. For bluish under-eyes, you want to find a red, pink, or orange concealer to help balance out the discoloration.
The different colors work to cancel out the blue hues, and your normal concealer will provide extra coverage and cover the color corrector. The color corrector shade you choose will depend on your skin tone. For people with lighter skin tones, you will want a pink or peachy shade. If you have medium-toned skin, reach for an orange shade. Red corrector is for those with dark skin.
If you use a color corrector, you need to use a liquid concealer because a cream or stick formulation won't go on smoothly. It will end up mixing with your color corrector, and you won't get the desired results.
HIDE Premium Concealer is an excellent option for a liquid product. It can cover any imperfection with an undetectable finish. Our concealer even works without a color corrector, easily covering dark circles and even tattoos. Plus, it lasts all day and won't slide off your face.
How To Hide Your Dark Circles
When you find a concealer you like, you may want to get a few different shades. You want a concealer one or two shades lighter than your natural skin to go under your eyes. This lighter shade will help the area look brighter. However, don't go too light because the contrast will negatively accentuate your under-eye area.
You may need a second concealer the same color as your foundation to cover blemishes. You don't want to use the lighter shade to cover blemishes because it will highlight them instead of concealing them. Once you have the concealer shades you need, it's time to apply.
Color Correct
If you are going to use a color-corrector, you will want to start out with that product first. Apply the concealer in a thin layer on your dark circles. You can use your ring finger to dab it on, a concealer brush, or a small damp makeup sponge.
Apply Foundation
You'll want to apply your foundation before your skin-toned concealer. Start in the center of your face and work outwards to blend out your foundation. Avoid applying foundation to your under-eye area since you will cover that with concealer.
You don't want to go overboard with the foundation since you will be using concealer. If you use too much product, your skin won't look smooth and natural. Plus, the excess product can end up shifting throughout the day.
If you're looking for a liquid foundation, try HIDE Premium Foundation. You can get the same foundation shade as the concealer you're going to use to cover blemishes. Our foundation provides medium to full coverage and has pigments that mimic skin for a flawless natural finish.
Apply Concealer
After you've blended out your foundation, it's time for concealer. Apply the product in an inverted triangle shape under your eyes. You can also apply some in the t-zone. Place it on your chin, around the corners of your nose, and on the center part of your forehead just above your brows.
Next, use a damp makeup sponge to begin blending it out. You want to dab it into your skin, especially under your eyes. Using a rubbing motion will just move the product around and won't provide very good coverage.
Set Your Concealer
Set your makeup with a translucent setting powder to lock it in place. Use a fluffy powder brush to buff a small amount onto your skin. If you have dry skin, you'll be better off with a setting spray. Translucent powder can stick to any dry patches and highlight them. A setting spray will hold your makeup in place and give you a little extra hydration.
Why You Have Dark Circles
You may be wondering how your dark circles even developed in the first place. There may be several different things contributing to your dark circles. Let's go over some of the causes of under-eye discoloration.
Fatigue
One of the first causes that come to your mind may be fatigue. Not getting enough quality sleep can definitely cause dark under-eye circles. Sleep deprivation can make your skin look paler, which allows the blood vessels under the thin skin in this area to show.
Not enough sleep can also cause fluid to accumulate under your eyes, making them puffy. These bags could create shadows making the skin appear darker.
Age
Another typical reason for dark circles under your eyes is natural aging. Your skin gets thinner as you get older, and you also lose the fat and collagen required to keep your skin supple. The dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more apparent as a result leaving you with dark under-eye circles.
Genetics
Your dark circles could be genetic. You may have always noticed under-eye discoloration, which is a sign you inherited that trait. It can also be a sign you have predispositions to certain medical conditions, like thyroid disease.
Eye Strain
You may be causing a lot of strain on your eyes from looking at screens all day. You sit in front of your computer at work for hours and then go home and watch TV, not to mention looking at your phone throughout the day. All this screen time can cause the blood vessels under your eyes to expand, causing dark under-eye circles.
Allergies
Your dark circles may be from your body's allergic response. When your immune system identifies a possible threat, your body releases histamines to attack the germs. These histamines cause your blood vessels to grow and become more prominent beneath your skin.
You may also experience itchiness, redness, and swollen eyes. However, resist the urge to scratch your under-eyes. Itching your under-eyes can aggravate them more and cause more inflammation and even blood vessel breakage.
How To Treat Dark Circles
There are a number of different options available to help you treat your dark circles and brighten up your under-eyes.
Cold Compress
A cold compress can help shrink dilated blood vessels and reduce swelling. It can also help to minimize the look of puffiness. You can wrap a clean towel around a bag of a few ice cubes or small ice packs and place them over your eyes. Leave them there for 20 minutes or until the ice melts.
Tea Bag Treatment
Cold tea bags can be used to brighten up your under-eyes. The caffeine and antioxidants in tea can help increase blood circulation, diminish blood vessels, and minimize water retention beneath the skin. Place two tea bags in boiling water for five minutes. Next, take them and allow them to cool down completely. After they are no longer hot, place them over your eyes for 10 to 20 minutes. When the time is up, wash the tea off with cool water.
Get Plenty of Rest
Since we know how sleep deprivation can contribute to the appearance of dark circles, it's essential to get plenty of rest. You want to make sure you have time to get eight hours of sleep a night. Sleep isn't just helpful when it comes to reducing dark circles, but it can benefit your whole body.
Elevate Your Head
While getting enough sleep is important, you also need to consider how you sleep. You should try to elevate your head with pillows while you're sleeping. Your head raised means fluid can't pool under your eyes and cause puffiness.
In Summary
There are many options available to brighten up your under eyes. There are treatment options you can do at home to help reduce the appearance of dark circles. There is also always makeup to cover any discoloration you may be experiencing.
Sources:
Dark Circles Under Your Eyes: Causes and Treatments | Healthline
Histamines: What they do, and how they can overreact | Web MD