Makeup 101: How to Apply Under-Eye Concealer

Under-eye concealer (also called color corrector) is a beauty product applied below each eye to cover up dark circles or discoloration. Unlike foundation, under-eye concealer is not a full-coverage product, it’s sole purpose is to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and hide discoloration. Under-eye concealer should be lightweight and liquidy to blend in with the delicate skin below your eyes without caking. You can use concealer on its own or as a complement to liquid or matte foundation, and it comes in many forms, from liquid concealer to creamy concealer, pencil to powder—try a few different formulas and see what works best for your skin type.

You don’t have to be a professional makeup artist to learn how to apply under-eye concealer. Here are some helpful tips:

1. 1. Get the right shade. Since dark under-eye circles tend to have a bluish or purple cast, a pinky, peachy, or yellow-toned concealer can help counteract the cast, no matter your skin undertone. The best concealer should be one shade lighter than your foundation (or your natural skin tone) to neutralize dark spots and help your makeup look natural.
2. 2. Moisturize first. Moisturizer should be a part of everyone’s skincare routine, whether you have dry skin or oily skin—and your under-eye area is no exception. Before applying concealer, apply a tiny bit of hydrating eye cream to plump and hydrate the area. The skin under your eyes is very delicate and often laced with small wrinkles or fine lines. Using a small amount of moisturizer beforehand can help protect the skin and fill in wrinkles so your concealer can sit smoothly at the top of your skin without looking cakey.
3. 3. Include the inner corner of your eye. When using an under-eye concealer, many people focus on the dark circles beneath their eyes. It’s also essential to apply and blend concealer into the inner corners of the eyes. These inner corners can be just as dark as the circles—using concealer as a highlighter can brighten your face and make you look more awake (even if you only had a few hours of sleep the night before).
4. 4. Choose the best blending tool for you. You can use your fingers or a makeup brush or beauty blender to blend your concealer into your skin. Blending under-eye concealer with the warmth from your fingers helps to melt it into your skin seamlessly, but if you want more coverage, a concealer brush or makeup sponge would be more effective.
5. 5. Don’t forget the setting powder. After you apply and blend your under-eye concealer, set it with some powder if you’re wearing eyeliner, eyeshadow, or mascara to prevent the rest of your eye makeup from smudging or creasing. When choosing the right setting powder, whether pressed or loose powder, opt for one in your skin tone, rather than a translucent powder—translucent powders can make your skin look dry or ashy.

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