Dark Under Eye Circles: Causes & How to Hide or Lighten Them with Makeup

Most women over thirty will at some point wonder how to get rid of under eye circles. There are three ways to attack the problem of dark under-eye circles: prevention, topical application and cosmetic restoration. Holistic prevention, while being the easiest solution for some people is also the least effective for most.

Tips to Cover, Hide & Conceal Dark Under Eye Circles with Makeup

But home remedies can only do so much. If your dark under eye circles don't budge even after a long nap and eight glasses of water a day, it's time to go the cosmetic or make up route. There are lots of options here, some more useful than others.

1. Apply a Good Moisturizer
   Moisturizers are helpful mainly in that if you have lines around your eyes, the shine from the moisturizer will help lessen them and create a lighter look. Look for moisturizers with natural ingredients such as avocado oil, sesame, Vitamin K and Vitamin E. Moisturizer also works well as a base for under eye makeup like concealer because it smoothes the skin and makes it easier to apply a tinted cosmetic. There are no make-up secrets here: moisturizer will help other makeup keep from caking.
2. Use a Makeup Primer for Long Lasting, Streak-Free Concealer 
   Makeup primers help makeup stay in place, last longer and fill in fine lines and wrinkles. Makeup primers are worn over your favorite moisturizer, but under your foundation makeup. If you have fine lines under your eyes, a makeup primer will stop concealer from filling in those lines creating an unnatural creased or streaked look. Makeup primers also stop natural skin oils from eroding away your morning makeup application throughout the day. Your makeup will look fresher much longer without re-applying.
3. Choose the Right Color Concealer
   The best beauty product for under eye circles is concealer, and most makeup artists agree that it's important to use one with a slight golden color, as yellow tones counteract dark ones. Chamomile has long been known as a natural remedy for skin, and some concealers contain this ingredient which can help cure as it covers. Concealer is great for dealing with dark circles as long as you get the right shade and apply it correctly.
4. Don’t Use Concealer that is too Light in Color
   Some women make the mistake of choosing a concealer that's too light: then you wind up with reverse-raccoon eyes, where the whiteness under your eyes looks strange and somewhat alien. The ideal concealer is usually a shade lighter than your foundation. To some extent, the area under the eyes is somewhat shadier than the rest of your face because the eye sockets naturally are somewhat receded into the face. If your concealer is too light, your eyes will disappear in the glare.
5. Dot Concealer Under Eyes with Ring Finger
   Concealer can be applied before or after foundation or without foundation at all. It is really a personal preference. When it comes to natural looking concealer less is more. Add “dots” of concealer in the darkened area under the eye starting with the inner corner and following your orbital bone. Next begin blending in the dots of concealer with your ring finger (preferred method) or concealer brush. Your ring finger is your weakest finger, therefore, the most gentle on your under eye skin. The under eye area is extremely delicate, so be very gentle when applying concealer to avoid adding future wrinkles and irritation.
6. Follow up with Power to Set
   To keep concealer in place, apply a light layer of power over the under eye area. If you find power is not enough to keep your concealer application fresh all day long, try adding a makeup primer to your daily makeup routine. Primers are worn under your makeup, but over your moisturizer (see Tip #2 above).

What Causes Under-Eye Circles & Darkness?

Dark circles under the eyes tends to be a genetic issue and practically unavoidable if dark under eye areas run in your family. But for people whose genetic background doesn't predispose them to dark circles, the easiest solution may be to get some sleep and drink a lot more water. One of the first signs of fatigue or dehydration is dark circles that appear under the eyes. The under-eye skin is thin, with a membrane that runs between a fatty layer and the outer layer of skin we see. When your body needs water, it shows up around the eyes first. Drinking liquor causes dehydration, as does over consumption of sugar and caffeine. Stress also causes under eye puffiness. Diet can impact your face too, especially if you have food allergies, and sulfites in wine can wreak havoc on the delicate skin around your eyes. So, once again, the answer nobody wants to hear: you might be able to banish undereye circles from within by taking care of your health.

Non Surgical and Surgical Treatments to Correct Puffy Under Eyes

If you're tired of trying to erase your circles with eye cream, you may be looking for a treatment or even a cure. Looking tired all the time can affect your morale as well as the way people treat you. There are non-surgical options to eliminate puffy or dark undereye areas: injections performed by cosmetic surgeons can fill the hollows, and need repeating every three or four months. A really good ocularfacial surgeon can tighten the skin of the eyelids, reducing the puffiness. Called blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery can get rid of puffy upper or lower eyelids and hollow, tired looking eyes. If you go this route, make sure to find a specialist who has done thousands of eyelids, ask to see before and after pictures and check with the local medical board to check the surgeon's history with other patients. 

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