Concealing Dark Under-Eye Circles

Plagued by shadows beneath your eyes? Here's what you need to know about what causes dark under-eye circles — and advice on how to get rid of them from makeup pro Vincent Longo.

accoon eyes aren’t pretty. They age you and make you look tired, stressed, or even sickly. Dark under-eye circles are primarily caused by leaky capillaries that create tiny pools of blood beneath the surface of the skin. Age-related thinning of the face, hormonal fluctuations, and vitamin deficiencies tend to make these bluish-black discolorations worse.

Some home remedies can help minimize the appearance of dark under-eye circles. For example, placing fresh-from-the-fridge cucumber slices on each eye while lying down will help lighten the skin and also cool and soothe your eyes. You can also use caffeinated tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness, which can make dark circles more prominent.

However, the best way to get rid of stubborn raccoon eyes is to conceal them with makeup. Vincent Longo, celebrity makeup artist and creative director for Vincent Longo Cosmetics, recommends cream concealer for reducing dark circles. Follow his steps for application to ensure that your under-eye circles are truly diminished.

1. Using the hand as a palette, use a wedge sponge or concealer brush to create a 50-50 mixture of concealer and your regular foundation. This keeps the texture light while providing enough coverage for problem areas. The combination also minimizes the contrast between the concealer and your skin tone.

2. Layer the mixture onto the dark areas around the eyes, making sure to blend seamlessly, using patting motions.

3. Set the makeup with a light dusting of powder using a powder puff, paying special attention to the inner corners of the eyes.

Choosing the right brand of concealer is also important. Shop around to find the one that works best for your skin type and skin tone, keeping in mind that your concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your foundation. Here are a few that get rave reviews from makeup experts and users alike for their ability to cover dark circles:

• Vincent Longo Crème Concealer — There are four color palettes (light, medium, dark, and amber); each blends easily and offers medium to full coverage for under-eye shadows ($28, vincentlongo.com).
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch — Smooth and creamy, this highlighter pen with a built-in brush brightens eyes and works for all skin types ($40, yslbeautyus.com).
• MAC Select Cover-Up — This highly pigmented formula (you only need a dab!) has a superlight texture and comes in 14 different shades, so you’re sure to find one that suits your skin tone ($16.50, maccosmetics.com).
• Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector Concealer — The concealer is packaged in an easy-to-use lipstick-like tube, and you can choose from one of three color-correcting shades (yellow conceals dark circles) or hues made for light or medium complexions ($5.49, walgreens.com).

Once you’ve found a great concealer — and learn to apply it properly — the result will be eyes that look younger, wider, and brighter!