The wheel of beauty trends is always spinning; and it doesn’t always smile kindly upon outdated beauty notions. Case in point: under-eye concealers. Once considered the holy grail for concealment of dark circles and under-eye patches, a new generation of netizens is questioning the need for cakey coverage under the eyes. A heavy hand of wall paint under the eyes to camouflage a sleepless night? That’s so 2000-and-late. For years, murmurs of dissent have been fleeting across the beauty-verse and it is now official: bright, spot-me-from-a-distance under-eye concealer is over. Now, it’s more functional, sheer and coupled with skincare and colour correctors.
Skin-embracing tints and light coverage creams are ushering in a new era of beauty acceptance. Same as skinny jeans, anything that feels too constrictive has no place in the lexicon of the modern beauty savant. Namrata Soni, celebrity makeup maestro and founder of Simply Nam, agrees. “Concealers have been seeing a decline, especially since the pandemic era when people started embracing and accepting their skin for what it is,” she observes.
So, what comes next?
Your search starts with the level of concealment you want to opt for—tinted moisturisers and BB creams are your first port of call for natural-looking coverage.
From there, you can choose to level up with colour correcting creams. As a more targeted skin tint, these formulas offer up spot concealment as needed—without leaving behind a patchy finish. If you are looking to find the right one for your needs, a formula that matches your skin tone will offer all-over coverage. Looking for spot coverage? Opt for one shade lighter than your actual skin tone.
But what about those days when you are looking for heavier coverage after a restless night? If you are ready to get creative, there is an array of quick fixes waiting in your makeup kit. In a pinch, a vibrant red lipstick can serve as a handy replacement for under-eye concealer—the bright pigments in this hue work on neutralising dark circles. The trick is to go in with light layers and build on it from there to avoid a patchy finish.
The easiest way to conceal under-eye circles with makeup products
On days when you are feeling creative, lean into the rockstar girlfriend aesthetic by embracing your under-eye circles. Simply reach for a deep purple eye pencil and run it along your lashline. Smudge it in gently when done to give any dark circles an intentional finish. When deciding the rest of your eye makeup products, run the same pencil on your waterline and dab some eyeshadow in a coordinated hue for a lived-in finish.
For an easy-to-follow guide, Soni has you covered. “If you have naturally good skin and don’t struggle with dark circles but still appear tired-eyed, there are effective makeup techniques to brighten your under-eye area without a cakey appearance,” she says. Start by prepping your skin with a skincare routine tailored to your skin type. Apply a thin layer of foundation, including under your eyes, and gently pat it in. If you still appear tired, use a peach or orange colour corrector. Place a small dot in the inner and outer corners of your under-eyes and blend it in with a sponge, a brush or your fingertips.
“Take a step back, assess the result and add more foundation if needed to make sure it doesn’t look too orange. If it’s looking beautiful and fresh, powder it and you’re done for the day. But if you feel that you still need a little bit of brightness, use a concealer with an integrated eye cream for added brightness,” she signs off.
Tira recommends:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30
Faces Canada Peaches N Cream Tinted Moisturizer - Light 01, Non Oily Lightly Tinted BB Cream
Huda Beauty Faux Filter Color Corrector – Mango
Swiss Beauty Liquid Lightweight Concealer With Full Coverage
