I am no stranger to the dreaded dark circle. Over the past few years, I've tried everything to rid my mug of these purple puffy monsters, from nightly treatments and tea bags to afternoon naps. Nothing has made a noticeable difference, save for one thing: a swipe of concealer under the eyes.
As a cover-up connoisseur, I'm always on the prowl for the best under-eye concealer at any price point, and this month, I've been blown away by two products in particular: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer + Treatment and MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Concealer.
Finding the right product is one thing, but even the best concealer in the world will cake and crease if it’s not properly applied. I chatted with two makeup masterminds – Jacquie Jeffery of MAKE UP FOR EVER and Grace Lee of Maybelline New York Canada – to get the 4-1-1 on buying, blending and setting under-eye concealer like a pro.
Thanks to these expert-approved steps, you'll never lose sleep over dark circles again.
1. Select the right shade.
Jacquie Jeffery, Lead Makeup Artist for MAKE UP FOR EVER, let me in on a little secret: women commonly choose the wrong shade and texture of concealer for their skin tone and type. Although "99 per cent of women need some form of concealer around the eye area," some women need an extra punch of pigment to camouflage "extreme dark circles, redness or discolouration." The HD Invisible Cover Concealer serves a double whammy when it comes to providing A-plus pigmentation and the perfect amount of slip and grip for seriously long-lasting wear.
2. Layer lightly and with purpose.
One of the reasons I'm loving the Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot Eraser + Treatment is because it's so lightweight and illuminating. Grace Lee agrees – and as the Lead Makeup Artist for Maybelline New York Canada, you can bet she knows what she's talking about. The concealer, Lee explained, "glides on effortlessly and blends beautifully," which is key when it comes to layering the product to achieve the opacity you desire. When concealer is applied with a heavy hand, "you end up just accentuating that area of the face as opposed to concealing it."
3. Blend, blend, and blend some more.
The HD Invisible Cover Concealer boasts a tackier formula, when provides long-lasting wear once blended into the skin. But beware: The "racoon eye" look ain't cute, so be sure to buff the product in with your ring finger or blending brush immediately upon application (this shadow brush from M.A.C does the job splendidly). While you're at it, blend some concealer around the eyes as well: "A thin layer of concealer on the eyelid helps to creat a nice, clean, fully blank canvas," Jeffery told me.
4. Set it and forget it.
I know how it is, ladies: Under-eye concealer rarely lasts from morning 'til noon, let alone midnight. To look wide awake longer, Lee stressed the important of setting your concealer with a light dusting of translucent powder to "make your concealer stay put all day." Jeffery couldn't agree more, and added, "always be sure to select a powder that doesn't leave texture behind," as heavier powders tend to draw attention to bags and discolouration.
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