How do I Choose the Best Under Eye Concealer?

One of the biggest problem areas on a woman’s face is her under eye region. Under eye concealer hides puffy eyes or dark under eye circles resulting from genetics or health issues such as dehydration and sleeplessness. While many women buy or use concealer, not all of them are using the proper ones for their skin. The best concealer for the under eye area blends well with your skin, in regards to both color and texture.

Concealer itself is a type of makeup used to cover or blur unwanted blemishes such as pimples and dark spots. While all-encompassing facial concealer could be used to cover under eye circles, it is often recommended to use a concealer made strictly for the under eyes region. As the skin under your eyes is far more sensitive and veiny than on the rest of your face, you need to take exceptional care of it. At the very least, use a concealer that doesn’t have additional acidic ingredients used to combat acne or blemishes, as such harsh ingredients can be damaging to the skin beneath your eyes.

Under eye concealer comes in a variety of shades for all skin colors. When choosing the perfect shade, it is best to consult a color wheel. In general, yellow under eye concealer is most often used, as it counteracts the natural bluish-purple effect caused by dark circles. For people who have more of a green tint to their circles, a slightly pinker concealer may be used. If you have very dark skin, orangey tones should work.

If possible, test the concealer color at the store before you buy it. Use the area of skin on your neck below your ear to test the color, as it closely resembles the skin beneath your eyes. The concealer shade should be a bit lighter — by about one or two shades — than your natural complexion or foundation.

Concealer comes in many forms, including cream sticks, cream smudge, liquid, powder, and liquidized brushes. Cream works for most people, though consumers should be wary of buying cakey cream sticks that dry out too quickly. Your concealer should not begin to flake off of your skin after just a few hours. Creamy concealers are great for most skin types, especially pale, thin, sensitive skin. Women with darker skin and larger pores can usually go with a heavier product. For very oily skin, a mineral powder based concealer could work well.

Most makeup artists recommend applying under eye products in this order: daily eye cream, facial foundation, under eye concealer, powder. The moisturizer helps seal wrinkles and lock in moisture before applying the foundation. Once the concealer is applied, powder should be pressed over the concealer to lock the makeup into place.