by Daniella Di Nenno

Created on: July 24, 2008

Concealer: Putting Dark Circles Out of Sight and Out of Mind

Dark circles and tired looking eyes are a beauty blunder for many women. It isn't the greatest feeling to look in the mirror when you wake up to see a sleepy racoon staring back at you. With all the lotions and potions on the market now that claim to do justice to dark circles and puffy eyes, many women still resort to hiding the problem and putting dark circles out of sight and out of mind. Concealers are meant for the under-eye area, and many formulations now have other benefits such as anti-aging properties and UV protection from the harmful rays of sun. A good concealer is a girl's best friend, and can make you look refreshed, revised, and younger in only a few minutes.

Best Under-Eye Concealers

MAC Studio Finish Concealer
This creamy textured concealer blends effortlessly and contains the added benefit of SPF 15 sunscreen to protect the eyes from sun damage.

The Balm: Time Balm Anti-Wrinkle Concealer
This miracle product lasts all day and protects the delicate eye area. It contains vitamin a, c, and e, and soybean oil as added benefits. This can be worn overnight to fight wrinkles during the night so u wake up looking great in the morning, as well as in the daytime to cover circles and fight wrinkles simultaneously.

Dermablend Concealer
This heavy duty concealer will cover dark circles effortlessly and blend in seamlessly. The texture is creamy and light, rather than thick and chalky, and it lasts all day long.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer
This liquid concealer lasts long and feels light and looks fresh for a longer period of time. This is best for tired looking eyes and less helpful for more serious dark circles because the coverage is light to medium.

Prescriptive Camouflage Cream
This concealer is a lightweight liquid formulation that covers adequately and feels light. This formula lasts long and covers dark circles and discolorations with ease.

How To Properly Apply Under-Eye Concealer
One of the best tools you can buy now is a concealer brush. It is a little wand with a flat brush on the end that allows you to apply and blend concealer with featherlight precision to the undereye area. This allows for a gentle application without the damage that can be caused by pulling and tugging at your eye when using your fingers to apply concealer. Begin at the inner corners of your eye and work your way down into your under-eye area blending close to the lower lash line. Another good idea is to apply it also to the top of your eye lids for an eye-opening effect that makes you look well rested, while giving the added benefit of being a great eye shadow base.

With a little bit of product knowledge and correct application, you can be rid of those dreaded dark circles and tired looking eyes. A fresher, youthful look will ensure that you feel your best when you step out of the house. Concealer is like a little pick-me-up for tired looking eyes, and people will think you've had a full night's sleep even if you only got a couple of hours. Take the time to invest in a good concealer that works for you, and you will be glad you did.

Learn more about this author, Daniella Di Nenno.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.