Makeup Tips: How to Put Concealer Under Eyes
Concealer is the magic eraser of makeup, giving you a flawless finish. However, applying concealer to your under eyes can be tricky.
If you put it on correctly, you can give yourself that fresh-faced look even if you are coming off a sleepless night. On the flip side, you can end up with lousy coverage and creasing if you put it on incorrectly.
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when it comes to concealer, from the formulation to your skin type.
If you need a fool-proof guide to concealer and how to apply it to your under eyes, then you're in the right place. Find out what to look out for and how to apply it like a pro to brighten your face and minimize dark circles.
Common Under Eye Issues
Ahhh yes, the familiar permanent looking black eye that is dark under-eye circles. There are many causes of under-eye circles, and you're definitely not alone if you have them.
Before we get into concealer specifically, let's review some common reasons you may have dark under-eye circles, bags, or wrinkles.
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Fatigue: If you're not getting enough sleep, you will be more than groggy. You may see dark circles start forming under your eyes.
Sleep deprivation can make your skin look lackluster and pale, allowing the natural dark tissue under your eyes to show through.
- Puffiness: Lack of sleep can also lead to fluid building up underneath your eyes, giving you that dreaded puffy eye look. Puffy eyes can also create shadows, making your dark circles stand out even more.
- Allergies: “Spring is here” are three words you dread if you have bad allergies. Your body releases histamines as a response to your allergies, which can cause your blood vessels to dilate. Your blood will be visible on the surface of the skin resulting in, you guessed it, dark under-eye circles.
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Sun Exposure: If you get too much sun exposure, you can develop an excess amount of melanin in your body.
Melanin gives your skin color, and if you have too much, it can lead to the skin around your eye area darkening. Since the skin around your under-eyes is so thin and delicate, changes in the color often show up there first. So, try to remember to wear your SPF and UV blocking sunglasses.
- Fine Lines And Wrinkles: Whether you're young or old, you probably have a few fine lines around your eyes. We move our faces and smile with our eyes just as much as our mouths, which can create wrinkles over time. Your concealer loves to settle into these fine lines and causes creasing if you don't take steps to prevent it.
What Are Color Correctors?
The first step to covering your under-eye area is to consider how much discoloration you have. If you have exceptionally dark under-eye circles, you may want to consider a color corrector.
What is a color corrector, you may ask? Well, it's this brilliant idea of canceling out the color with a corresponding color on the color wheel. If you're struggling with blueish under eyes, redness around your nose, or brown sunspots, there's a color corrector for that.
You can simply look at the color wheel, find the color you want to disguise, and apply the color to your skin on the opposite side of the wheel.
Since dark circles are primarily blue, you want to look for shades in the orange family. It does depend on your skin tone for the exact orange hue you should use.
- Fair Skin: Use a more peachy color.
- Light To Medium Skin: Look for a bisque color corrector.
- Dark Skin: Reach for an orange-based concealer.
Once you have the correct shade, apply your color-correcting in a thin layer over your dark circles. Next, cover the area with a skin-toned concealer one shade lighter than your everyday shade and gently blend it out. If you still see your color corrector peaking through, apply another thin layer of concealer until you have an even-looking finish.
Keep in mind that HIDE Premium Concealer has enough pigmentation to cover most people's under-eye circles without the help of a color corrector.
Different Types Of Concealers
There are many different options on the market for concealers. However, not all of them work well in your under-eye area.
Let's go over the various concealers out there.
Stick
Stick concealers are thicker and heavier in texture than other concealers.
Since they are highly pigmented, some reach for a stick when covering blemishes. Stick concealer offers full coverage and also works well for acne scars. You generally only need a few dots of stick concealer and a little bit of blending to cover your imperfections.
Some people like to use a stick concealer as a highlighter. You can use one a few shades lighter than your skin tone and use it on the top of your cheekbones, above your brows, and on the bridge of the nose. Once you blend it out, it can give you the appearance of natural highlights. There are also some stick concealers with ingredients like light-diffusing properties, making them ideal for highlighting.
A stick concealer also travels well and is helpful for quick touch-ups on the go. Since it is in a stick form, it makes it simple to target specific areas. You can control precisely where you are placing it.
However, since it is so thick, it can be more prone to creasing under the eyes.
Cream
Cream concealer also has a thick consistency, but it offers slightly more hydrating powers than a stick concealer. It is a very pigmented product that also does an excellent job at covering things like acne.
However, some cream concealers can clog your pores and aren't ideal for use in all areas of your face. Like stick concealers, they look heavy when applied in your delicate eye area and can cause creasing.
Liquid
Liquid concealers are great for covering imperfections anywhere on your face. They also provide a high level of coverage but won't feel too heavy or cakey on your face.
Like HIDE Premium Concealer, a high-quality concealer is versatile and can cover acne, dark under-eye circles, and hyperpigmentation. It's easier to prevent creasing in the under-eye area since it's a lighter product. You can also use liquid concealer to highlight and contour with minimal blending since it can easily combine with your foundation.
HIDE Premium Concealer works with all skin types, whether you have normal, dry, oily, or combination skin. It's oil-free, waterproof, and lightweight, so you'll barely even notice you're wearing it, but it will still last all day.
How To Apply Concealer
Now that you know all about concealers, let's go over how to apply them to your undereye area.
1. Prime
Whenever you're putting makeup on a primer is something to at least consider. However, you should at least start with a moisturizer. Let it absorb into your skin before you go in with makeup.
There are primers formulated for your under-eye area, providing a little extra hydration or made to help cover dark circles. They help your concealer go on smoothly and can prevent it from settling in fine lines.
You can apply just a pea-sized amount of primer on your ring finger and gently dab it under your eyes.
2. Apply Concealer
Before you apply your concealer, make sure it is the right shade for the area. Ideally, you will have a shade one or two shades lighter than your foundation. The lighter shade will help to achieve a brighter under-eye area. However, try not to go too light because you can look scary with white under eyes.
Once you have the correct shade, apply a thin layer under your eyes in an inverted triangle shape. Next, use a concealer brush or a damp makeup sponge to blend out the concealer.
You don't want to rub or tug on your skin when applying concealer. You can cause more wrinkles by pulling at the delicate skin in this area, plus you will end up moving the concealer around and not covering the skin.
3. Set
Finally, pat the area with a tissue to remove excess concealer and prevent creasing. Next, apply a small amount of translucent powder under your eyes for all-day wear.
In Summary
Applying concealer to your under your eye area doesn't have to be a difficult task.
While you may have dark circles that make you feel less confident, there are several things you can do to conceal them. You can also take steps to prevent creasing in your fine lines.
Remember to prep and prime your skin and try to find a concealer that will brighten but not whiten your under-eyes. Always be delicate with your skin, not rubbing or tugging as you blend in your concealer. Love your under-eye areas, and they will love you back!
HIDE Premium Concealer works well when it comes to covering your under eyes to give you that fresh-faced slept all-night appearance.
Sources:
5 Remedies for Dark Circles Under Your Eyes | Web MD