Dark. Under-eye. Circles. UGH! These pesky things require my constant attention, and when not handled properly, they can ruin my entire look with their very presence. The good news is, I have a fool-proof under-eye "system" that works. Every time. So, let's go through the necessary steps to covering up those nasty under-eye circles.
Begin with a good eye cream or gel.
Using a hydrating, non-greasy eye cream or gel prior to applying primers and makeup moisturizes the delicate skin around the eye ensuring a smooth, long-lasting look. H20 Plus Eye Oasis Moisture Replenishing Treatment is a light-weight gel that absorbs quickly, making it the perfect choice for use under makeup. Use your ring finger (it's the weakest and, therefore, applies the least amount of pressure) to dab the hydrating gel under eyes and onto brow bones. Give the product 5 minutes to absorb before moving on to the next step. Now, you're ready to proceed...
Use a primer under eyes, too.
The same creasing, fading, shining nonsense that happens to your eye shadow can and will happen to the makeup under your eyes too! After allowing your eye gel to absorb, be sure to apply a primer to the skin under your eyes. Too Faced Shadow Insurance helps to prevent creasing, fading and other makeup mishaps. Apply a whisper-thin layer of this wonder-stuff to eyelids and under-eyes. Be very gentle. The skin under your eyes is ultra-thin and needs to be handled delicately.
Select the perfect concealer.
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This can be tricky. You need to take into account both the color and the depth of your under-eye circles in order to make the proper choice. Let's talk color first. We need to identify the predominant shade present under your eyes in order to figure out the best way to conceal it. Think back to art class in grammar school. Did you ever learn the color wheel? Need a refresher? The basic idea is that the best way to neutralize one color is with the one opposite it on the color wheel. Refer to the diagram to better understand this idea. This color-correction is the most important part of the concealing process. Issues of depth can usually be corrected by mixing the concealer with your foundation. Now, let's use this theory on the problem at hand...
If your under-eye circles are blue-ish:
The color opposite blue on the wheel is orange. So, the best way to conceal blue-ish circles is with an orange-based concealer. Typically, this will be some shade of peach. The one I like for most skin tones is Diandra Perfect Blend Concealer Duo in Beige Buff (the darker shade of the split bullet.) If it's a bit too light or too dark, try adding a bit of your foundation. This will often do the trick.
If your under-eye circles are purple-ish:
The color opposite purple on the color wheel is yellow. So you'll want to use a yellow-based concealer to neutralize the purple tones. Sistina Tinta Naturale Concealer in Natural Beige is a great one to try. Again, remember the foundation trick if the shade is off a bit.
If your under-eye circles are green or yellow-ish:
A pink-toned concealer works best to correct this problem. The red base will neutralize the greens and yellows and will brighten the eye area as well. Try Sistina Due Tinta Naturale in Milanese Beige (the darker side of the split bullet) for great, long-lasting coverage.
Now that you've selected the perfect concealer, you want to pat it onto the problem area using your ring finger and a gentle tapping motion until well-blended.
Set the perfection.
Now that you've done all that hard work, you want it to last, right? That's where the light-reflective powder comes in. The more natural, more dimensional cousin of traditional face powder, these have small particles that reflect light, creating a soft, dewy appearance to the skin. Like traditional face powders, they add hours of wear to the makeup underneath them. Your concealer-perfection isn't going anywhere! Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight is great for under the eyes.
Use a brush like Japonesque Medium Eyeshadow Fluff Brush to apply an ultra-thin layer of powder under the eye to set your concealer. Simply roll the brush lightly through the powder and pat under eyes. Do not use a wiping motion or you will remove the concealer you just applied. Use the brush to dust off any excess product when finished.
Et Voila!
Now you have gorgeous, well-rested eyes that are prepped and ready to wear any makeup you want! You'll be amazed at how much more your eyes pop once you've solved the problem of the "dreaded under-eye circles."
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