The Secret to Concealing and Brightening the Under-Eye Area…
Dark under-eye circles are something I know I’ll never truly be able to get rid of. Of course a good night’s sleep and drinking plenty of water always helps but only so much – I think my dark circles are here to stay. I know I’m not alone though in that quest to find that perfect concealer and I’ve tried and tested a good few products that promise all sorts of miracles over the years. As I’m getting older though, what used to be the products I couldn’t be without just don’t perform in the same way anymore. I think it’s also that things have evolved so much now and achieving a flawless complexion seems to be going to new heights that I got bored of my old-time favourites.
So realising that there might just be something better out there, I’ve now found some products that have formed my new batch of ‘I can’t be without these’ – and I’m pretty sure they’ll see me into the New Year too. And I know that because having tried a few under-eye products in between, I’ve reverted back to these tried and tested products because they really do help brighten and conceal my dark circles.
Keeping the under-eye area hydrated is a must
The first step is always about making sure that the under-eye area is nice and hydrated. The By Terry Liftessence Eye Contour is a great one for smoothing and hydrating the delicate under-eye area. This rich and easily aborbed cream is comforting and cooling. Not only that, but it’s designed to tackle all the usual woes of fatigue, puffiness, wrinkles and the like. My under-eyes definitely feel firm and this makes for a great primer for my concealer.
Neutralise dark circles with a colour corrector
A colour corrector isn’t always a step I include in my routine, but when that extra helping hand is needed, these do work wonders. The trick is always to apply lightly. The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish Corrector helps to neutralise my dark circles. Silky smooth to apply, this cute little compact brightens the under-eye and it can also be used on other areas of the skin, particularly where I have any hyper-pigmentation for that extra touch of flawlessness.
I apply this before my concealer and have the shade Medium, which although garishly orange, is just the right shade to counter-act my dark circles.
A Flawless Finish Concealer
So when it comes to the actual concealer, then hands down I would recommend the Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer. This is one of those iconic products that everyone raves about…and for good reason – it really does work. For a flawless, creaseless and natural finish that is brightening and lasts all day, this is my holy grail concealer.
I do find it annoying that you can’t really swatch this product in the UK. It also takes a bit of research to decide on the shades for you, but when you do find your match, this stuff is perfection. I ended up going for two shades Medium and Light Medium Honey as although there is a pretty good shade range, both of these are that side of too dark or too light. But when mixed together they fit my NC30 / Nars Sheer Glow in Punjab complexion perfectly. When I want a more brightening effect then I just add a touch more of the Light Medium Honey (the lighter of the two).
This also works best when used with a damp sponge and if I have a bit of time on my hands I blend this little further down the cheeks, along the bridge of my nose and on my cupids bow and chin. A little sure does go a long way and this is one concealer I can’t be without.
Set it all in place
Another product I can’t be without is the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder. Up until recently I had never really thought of a separate powder for the under-eyes – I would just use whatever setting powder I’d use to set my foundation. However, since discovering the Secret Brightening Powder, I can’t go back to my old ways.
Lighter than air and completely translucent, this sets my concealer so that it doesn’t budge all day. Not only that, but it’s infused with oh so subtle shimmering particles which, don’t worry, don’t make your under-eyes all glittery but certainly helps to brighten things up.
Again a light dusting is all you need and to make sure I don’t overdo it, I like to use the Laura Mercier Fan Powder Brush. This picks up just the right amount product and allows for a light application – all you need for this to work its magic.
So that’s it – my little cocktail of under-eye products I can’t be without. What about you? What’s your secret and have you tried any of these products before?
