If you’re looking to hide dark circles under your eyes or reduce puffiness using an optical illusion, makeup is your best ally. The following steps will guide you on how to;
Step one; Cleanse and moisturize the eye area
Always apply makeup on a clean and well-hydrated skin. Always use a special eye lotion to freshen up. This removes dead skin cells from the night and excess sebum. Avoid using a biphasic product before makeup as it leaves a greasy finish; Prefer it for end-of-day makeup removal. Then, I moisturize the eye area with a suitable eye cream that you have kept in the refrigerator to reduce puffiness through its cooling effect. A small amount is sufficient. Perform a draining massage using gentle pressure to wake up the eyes.
Step two; conceal dark circles with makeup
Whether they’re red, brown, or bluish, dark circles can be bothersome. While it’s essential to identify the cause and choose appropriate skincare – sometimes even considering a medical option, the easiest and quickest solution to conceal dark circles is makeup.
Step three; follow the pro’s
Use a primer that corrects blemishes before applying concealer. Thanks to the primer’s color correction and luminosity, it already diminishes the bluish tone and brightens the area. As a result, you will need less concealer, ensuring a more natural look. Regarding concealer, choose one that’s half a shade lighter than my foundation to add a bit of radiance while remaining natural. You apply more in the inner and outer corners and slightly less under the eye, forming a triangle. Then, you blend it with a brush or fingertip for better coverage by gently tapping. This is better than following the round shape of the dark circle for a subtler result. Add a light veil of powder to set it.
Once you’ve concealed the dark circles, avoid some common missteps that can make them reappear. Do not use eyeshadow or mascara under the eyes, as they tend to create shadows in that area. Opt for a fine eyeliner instead.
Stay away from shades that make your eyes look tired, like red, violet, navy blue, warm brown, or anything that darkens the eyes, such as the smoky eye.
Also, avoid mistakes like using concealer significantly lighter than your foundation or excessive powder, especially if you’re going to be photographed (flash is unforgiving).
Conversely, feel free to add a touch of illuminating eyeshadow to the inner corner for added
radiance.
Step four; concealing under-eye puffiness with makeup
Dealing with under-eye puffiness is a different story. These accumulations of water and fat under the lower eyelid are harder to conceal because they are raised. You’ll need to play with optical effects to visually reduce their volume.
Pro’s right steps
“I choose a concealer in a shade half a tone lighter to apply in the inner corner and the small dark hollow with a fine brush. Then, I take my foundation, which is half a shade darker, and apply it to the puffiness. This way, I create an optical illusion: what’s raised appears flatter.”
In summary, using makeup to hide dark circles and under-eye puffiness is an effective approach. Start to clean and moisturize your skin, use the right products, and follow professional tips for the best results.
