It doesn’t matter how well I sleep, my under-eyes always betray me. They are perpetually—and genetically—dark, so there’s not much I can do on the skincare front to lessen their effects. That’s why I turn to makeup, from concealers to color-correctors.
Trust me, not all products are meant for this delicate area. One wrong move, and you’ve got a cakey, creased mess on your hands. After much trial and error, I’ve landed on a streamlined edit of under-eye products that help me fake a well-rested, wide-awake look to the best of my ability.
Whether I’m rocking a full glam moment or simply working from home, I’ve found a handful of products that keep me from looking like a Tim Burton character, even when I’m running on four hours of sleep. Ahead, I’m sharing all my secrets to disguise dark circles like a pro.
Contents
Eye Masks Are Essential Glam Prep
While eye masks can’t necessarily do that much for dark under eyes (it is, after all, a largely genetic issue), they can help prep the area, creating the perfect canvas upon which to layer makeup. I’m not a fan of the slimy, slippery eye masks that drift all over the face; instead, I opt for drier formulas that I can leave on for as long as I please. And I always keep my eye masks in the fridge for additional depuffing.
Topicals
Faded Under Eye Brightening & Clearing Eye Masks
A potent blend of caffeine, kojic acid, and arbutin work to soothe, hydrate, and subtly brighten the under-eye area. Antioxidants work to even skin tone, while the cooling hydrogel calms inflammation and puffiness. Best of all, the masks leave under-eyes hydrated without feeling damp or over-saturated with product, a perfect base for your brighteners and concealers.
Rhode
Peptide Eye Prep Depuffing Eye Patches
Rhode’s under-eye masks are a cool girl favorite, and for good reason. They’re ultra-comfortable, cooling, hydrating, and brightening, all in one fell swoop. They subtly tighten the area, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as working to minimize darkness. Skin feels refreshed and calm afterward, perfect for glam prep.
Tinted Eye Creams for No-Makeup Days
If it’s a true no-makeup day (as opposed to a no-makeup-makeup day, which does, in fact, involve makeup), a tinted eye cream is key. They provide a hint of coverage—just enough to slightly reduce darkness and blur the under-eye area—alongside a range of skincare benefits. The best ones feature a peach undertone (for color-correcting) and a cooling metal tip.
Colorescience
Total Eye 3-In-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
SPF 35 is the cherry on top of this beloved eye cream, which expertly soothes, hydrates, and brightens under-eyes with as little as half a pump of product. The cooling tip transforms the application into a mini massage, relieving puffiness and stimulating blood flow to the area. It also comes in four shades, which, for a tinted eye cream, is fairly impressive.
Replenix
Tinted Brightening Eye Cream
This eye cream offers a real one-two punch, instantly depuffing and visibly brightening under-eyes, while improving elasticity and firmness over time. Packed with fractionated hyaluronic acid to seal in moisture and a collagen-boosting peptide blend, it’s my go-to for dull, tired eyes.
Color Correctors Are the Perfect Base
For everyday makeup, I start my under-eye routine with a peachy color corrector. The warmth helps deflect light away from dark circles, and the tacky formulas lay down a perfect base for concealer. Some days, I find it’s all I need to bring a bit of brightness to the area and I can skip concealer altogether.
Danielle Hardman after applying concealer.
(Image credit: danielle hardman)
Smashbox
Smashbox X Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
Hero products from the now-defunct Becca Cosmetics have gotten a second life under a Smashbox collaboration, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome this color corrector into my life. It features a full-coverage formula that’s surprisingly lightweight, with a slightly sticky finish that expertly grips onto concealer. The corrector works to brighten under the eyes on two fronts. First, via peach and apricot pigments that neutralize blue tones, and second, with its backlit technology, which brightens and illuminates the area by reflecting light.
Tarte
CE Full Coverage Under-Eye Color Corrector
I’m always a little hesitant when I see a product marketed too many times on TikTok, but this skin corrector has earned its spot in my rotation. Color-correcting clay works to offset the appearance of dark circles, alongside light-diffusing particles that to enhance brightness. The formula also features caffeine, which helps to improve microcirculation and de-puff the area.
Concealers That Brighten and Camouflage
When it comes to my under eyes, I look for a creamy, medium-coverage concealer that’s long-wearing and hydrating. It’s nearly impossible to avoid creasing altogether, but a great concealer will keep it to a minimum. Sometimes, I’ll use a shade slightly peachier than my skin tone to further offset the darkness.
Natasha Denona
Hy-Glam Brightening & Hydrating Serum Concealer
This concealer sits at the intersection of skincare and performance, with a creamy formula that melts into the skin. A little goes a long way here, and it’s gloriously buildable for customizable coverage; I like to apply a small amount of product to the back of my hand before dipping my brush in. It sets with a slightly luminous matte finish that looks truly natural, just better.
Haus Labs
Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-Puffing Concealer
Haus Labs’ concealer immediately brightens and conceals, while subtly depuffing the skin over time—a win on all fronts. The formula features flexible pigments that adapt to the skin as well as ingredients that visibly blur fine lines, making it the perfect under-eye option. The product is weightless on the skin and lasts all day.
Brighteners to Top It All Off
Brighteners can be used in lieu or on top of concealer to instantly brighten and illuminate the skin. It’s the kind of hybrid product that’s equally as useful for casual looks and full glam alike. The best ones are lightweight, easily blendable, and never disrupt the product underneath.
YSL
Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen
Perhaps the most iconic under-eye brightener, YSL’s Touche Éclat really is as fabulous as you’ve heard. The built-in soft bristle brush head makes it easy to customize coverage—I like to use just a few dots along the darkest line under my eye. After gently tapping the product into the skin, I’m left with radiant, second-skin looking under eyes, an effect that lasts throughout the day.
Caliray
Hideaway Brightening + Hydrating Under Eye Color Corrector Concealer
With a serum-like consistency, this three-in-one product (color corrector, concealer, and illuminator) really can do it all. The formula features peptides and hyaluronic acid for lightweight hydration, while functionalized creamy pearls work to impart instant radiance without the shimmer. The result is a smooth, brightened under eye that rarely creases or cakes.
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