How to Treat and Conceal Dark Circles
By Wander Beauty | Mar 27, 2023
“You look tired” is the last thing you want to hear when you're tired. And sometimes, inadequate sleep is inevitable. You can have a 10-step skincare routine, drink a gallon of water each day, and there might still be days your under-eyes let the whole world know you were up working late or celebrating a friend's birthday.
On these days, simply take a deep breath, reach for your favorite eye masks, and trust in the magic of your makeup bag.
What causes dark circles under eyes?
You'll likely have noticed dark circles under your eyes after a few nights of bad sleep (or a complete lack thereof), during times of high stress, or after a festive night out. This is caused by poor circulation – when the body isn't getting enough oxygen or fluid, the blood becomes darker and flows more slowly. Dark circles are the visible effect of this poor flow.
So why doesn't your whole face look dark and sunken? That's because the skin under the eyes is particularly thin and transparent – lending to that unwanted bluey/purple or brownish tinge that screams, “Coffee. Now.”
Other causes include underlying conditions such as anemia, aging, allergies, and genetics.
How to get rid of dark circles under eyes fast
The fastest way to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes is with makeup. Here's how:
- Hydrate and de-puff: Use an icepack, cool teaspoon, or a dedicated eye mask to cool the under-eye area and relieve any accumulated fluid causing puffiness. Follow with a hydrating moisturizer and primer to nourish the skin and prepare for smooth makeup application without any caking.
- Color correct: Very dark circles will show up as ashy, even after applying foundation. A color correction concealer will help neutralize blues, purples, and browns. This allows you to use less foundation and concealer and avoid caking and pilling.
- Apply foundation: Apply your color-matched foundation (which should have the correct undertone) to your face and under your eyes using your fingers or a doe applicator, then blend using a damp beauty sponge such as the Wander Cushion in a bouncing motion. Build your foundation as necessary, blending to perfection.<product>1</product>
-
Conceal: You’ll need to use a concealer one to two shades lighter than your skin/foundation to brighten the under-eye area. A liquid concealer, such as Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, is great for the under-eye area as it won't sink into fine lines and amplifying creases. The matte stick provides maximum coverage for discoloration, blemishes, dark circles, age spots and redness with an optimized 360 precision tip for perfect application every time. The hydrating, lightweight liquid helps to reawaken dull complexions, brighten under eyes and diffuse fine lines. Both skin-loving formulas are enriched with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate skin, green tea extract to help protect against environmental damage, and chamomile extract to help soothe. Dot the concealer just below the inner corner of the eye, as well as from the middle of the eye up toward the end of the eye, for a naturally lifted effect. Again, build as necessary and blend to perfection.
<product>2</product> - Set: Apply a translucent setting powder to the area, allowing it to bake for a minute or two before blending, to fix the makeup in place.
If you want to know how to remove dark circles under your eyes permanently, you're going to need to make some lifestyle changes. These include improving the quality of your sleep, and alterations to your diet and skincare routine. For a more in-depth look at what you can do, take a look at these lifestyle tips to improve your sleep and reduce under-eye circles.
The best products for dark circles under eyes
We’ve covered makeup and lifestyle habits; now, let's take a look at the best skincare ingredients and products for reducing the appearance of under-eye circles both short and long-term.
Eye mask
Have some serious under-eye bags? Baggage Claim Eye Mask to the rescue! These travel-friendly masks de-puff, brighten, hydrate, and soothe the under-eye area with calendula and camu camu extracts, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract, and a powerhouse blend of 17 amino acids. In just 10 to 15 minutes, you can visibly improve the appearance of your under-eye area. Expertly designed to penetrate deep into the skin, Baggage Claim delivers instant results, helping you to look and feel refreshed.<product>3</product>
Vitamin C
Vitamin C reduces dark circles, evens skin tone, and brightens the skin. To give you the benefit of this wonder ingredient, we’ve created Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate – a lightweight formula that delivers a host of skin-loving ingredients. A combination of vitamin C, niacinamide, kakadu plum extract, squalane, and hyaluronic acid will brighten, protect, plump, and balance the area under the eyes while adding a natural luminosity with pearl light-diffusing optics. Add this to your morning and evening skincare routine for best results.<product>4</product>
Hydrating moisturizer
Dehydration can cause the skin under the eyes to look dull and sunken. This enhances dark circles and contributes to greater visibility of fine lines and crow's feet. To combat dehydrated skin, religiously apply a hydrating moisturizer, such as Staycation Hydrating Mask, after cleansing in the morning and evening. The intensely hydrating formula can be used as a daily moisturizer, overnight treatment, or soothing mask, allowing you to adjust the level of hydration according to your skin's needs.<product>5</product>
If your skin is showing signs of dehydration, be sure to increase your water intake and reduce your salt and alcohol consumption.
SPF
Because the skin under the eye is thin and delicate, it is especially prone to the damaging effects of harsh UV exposure. Sun damage can make the skin under the eyes weaker, which will further result in dark circles. As such, it is essential to apply a non-toxic sunscreen like Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 to your face and under the eyes regularly throughout the day. This sheer, lightweight formula will protect your eye area from potentially damaging UV exposure, prevent moisture loss, and prepare your skin for smooth makeup application.
<product>6</product>
Boost your confidence with Wander Beauty
Now that you know what to use for dark circles under the eyes, you’re ready to move into your day feeling confident and refreshed. To complete your look, browse our clean, cruelty-free makeup and skincare products. Designed for women on the go, our effortless everyday essentials work just as hard as you do.
How to Treat and Conceal Dark Circles
“You look tired” is the last thing you want to hear when you're tired. And sometimes, inadequate sleep is inevitable. You can have a 10-step skincare routine, drink a gallon of water each day, and there might still be days your under-eyes let the whole world know you were up working late or celebrating a friend's birthday.
On these days, simply take a deep breath, reach for your favorite eye masks, and trust in the magic of your makeup bag.
What causes dark circles under eyes?
You'll likely have noticed dark circles under your eyes after a few nights of bad sleep (or a complete lack thereof), during times of high stress, or after a festive night out. This is caused by poor circulation – when the body isn't getting enough oxygen or fluid, the blood becomes darker and flows more slowly. Dark circles are the visible effect of this poor flow.
So why doesn't your whole face look dark and sunken? That's because the skin under the eyes is particularly thin and transparent – lending to that unwanted bluey/purple or brownish tinge that screams, “Coffee. Now.”
Other causes include underlying conditions such as anemia, aging, allergies, and genetics.
How to get rid of dark circles under eyes fast
The fastest way to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes is with makeup. Here's how:
- Hydrate and de-puff: Use an icepack, cool teaspoon, or a dedicated eye mask to cool the under-eye area and relieve any accumulated fluid causing puffiness. Follow with a hydrating moisturizer and primer to nourish the skin and prepare for smooth makeup application without any caking.
- Color correct: Very dark circles will show up as ashy, even after applying foundation. A color correction concealer will help neutralize blues, purples, and browns. This allows you to use less foundation and concealer and avoid caking and pilling.
- Apply foundation: Apply your color-matched foundation (which should have the correct undertone) to your face and under your eyes using your fingers or a doe applicator, then blend using a damp beauty sponge such as the Wander Cushion in a bouncing motion. Build your foundation as necessary, blending to perfection.<product>1</product>
-
Conceal: You’ll need to use a concealer one to two shades lighter than your skin/foundation to brighten the under-eye area. A liquid concealer, such as Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, is great for the under-eye area as it won't sink into fine lines and amplifying creases. The matte stick provides maximum coverage for discoloration, blemishes, dark circles, age spots and redness with an optimized 360 precision tip for perfect application every time. The hydrating, lightweight liquid helps to reawaken dull complexions, brighten under eyes and diffuse fine lines. Both skin-loving formulas are enriched with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate skin, green tea extract to help protect against environmental damage, and chamomile extract to help soothe. Dot the concealer just below the inner corner of the eye, as well as from the middle of the eye up toward the end of the eye, for a naturally lifted effect. Again, build as necessary and blend to perfection.
<product>2</product> - Set: Apply a translucent setting powder to the area, allowing it to bake for a minute or two before blending, to fix the makeup in place.
If you want to know how to remove dark circles under your eyes permanently, you're going to need to make some lifestyle changes. These include improving the quality of your sleep, and alterations to your diet and skincare routine. For a more in-depth look at what you can do, take a look at these lifestyle tips to improve your sleep and reduce under-eye circles.
The best products for dark circles under eyes
We’ve covered makeup and lifestyle habits; now, let's take a look at the best skincare ingredients and products for reducing the appearance of under-eye circles both short and long-term.
Eye mask
Have some serious under-eye bags? Baggage Claim Eye Mask to the rescue! These travel-friendly masks de-puff, brighten, hydrate, and soothe the under-eye area with calendula and camu camu extracts, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract, and a powerhouse blend of 17 amino acids. In just 10 to 15 minutes, you can visibly improve the appearance of your under-eye area. Expertly designed to penetrate deep into the skin, Baggage Claim delivers instant results, helping you to look and feel refreshed.<product>3</product>
Vitamin C
Vitamin C reduces dark circles, evens skin tone, and brightens the skin. To give you the benefit of this wonder ingredient, we’ve created Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate – a lightweight formula that delivers a host of skin-loving ingredients. A combination of vitamin C, niacinamide, kakadu plum extract, squalane, and hyaluronic acid will brighten, protect, plump, and balance the area under the eyes while adding a natural luminosity with pearl light-diffusing optics. Add this to your morning and evening skincare routine for best results.<product>4</product>
Hydrating moisturizer
Dehydration can cause the skin under the eyes to look dull and sunken. This enhances dark circles and contributes to greater visibility of fine lines and crow's feet. To combat dehydrated skin, religiously apply a hydrating moisturizer, such as Staycation Hydrating Mask, after cleansing in the morning and evening. The intensely hydrating formula can be used as a daily moisturizer, overnight treatment, or soothing mask, allowing you to adjust the level of hydration according to your skin's needs.<product>5</product>
If your skin is showing signs of dehydration, be sure to increase your water intake and reduce your salt and alcohol consumption.
SPF
Because the skin under the eye is thin and delicate, it is especially prone to the damaging effects of harsh UV exposure. Sun damage can make the skin under the eyes weaker, which will further result in dark circles. As such, it is essential to apply a non-toxic sunscreen like Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 to your face and under the eyes regularly throughout the day. This sheer, lightweight formula will protect your eye area from potentially damaging UV exposure, prevent moisture loss, and prepare your skin for smooth makeup application.
<product>6</product>
Boost your confidence with Wander Beauty
Now that you know what to use for dark circles under the eyes, you’re ready to move into your day feeling confident and refreshed. To complete your look, browse our clean, cruelty-free makeup and skincare products. Designed for women on the go, our effortless everyday essentials work just as hard as you do.
