Dark circles come from a few places—blue/purple vessels, brown pigment, hollows, or just dehydration. Makeup can’t change the cause, but the right order and very thin layers will brighten fast and stay crease-light.
This guide builds on our skincare pieces:
Use the product picks and shade tips from Best Concealer for Dark Circles (peach corrector + thin, elastic concealer).
Pair your makeup with the routine from Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles (caffeine AM, retinol PM, tinted SPF by day).
The 3-Step Formula (works on most circles)
1) Correct (pin-dot of peach).
Cancels blue/purple. Use the tiniest amount only where it’s darkest—the inner corner trough.
2) Conceal (sheer veil).
A flexible, hydrating concealer restores skin tone without weight. Dot at the inner corner and a micro-dot under the outer corner; press to blend.
3) Set (whisper of powder).
Lock only the crease zone with a micro-fine pressed powder; skip heavy baking.
Quick Picks (makeup layer)
Corrector (peach)
- e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector – Peach — liquid, easy to shear out; great budget option.
- Bobbi Brown Under Eye Corrector (Peach or Bisque) — creamier, high-impact neutralization for stubborn blue.
Concealer (brighten)
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer — balanced, natural finish; wide shades.
- Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy — hydrating medium coverage for dry/mature under-eyes.
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind — quick daily brightener with a fresh finish.
Setting powder (crease control)
- Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed (Blur) — ultra-fine, photo-friendly.
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed — reliable budget option; use sparingly.
Tools
- Damp mini sponge for pressing (best for texture).
- Small soft brush (e.g., tapered mini) for pinpoint powder.
- Misting spray (e.g., NYX Plump Right Back or MAC Fix+) to melt layers at the end.
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Shade & Undertone Map (super fast)
- Corrector: pick peach/salmon that looks slightly too warm in the pot. It should disappear under concealer.
- Concealer depth: match your foundation or go half a shade lighter at most (too light turns grey).
- Undertone:
- Blue/purple → peach corrector under a neutral or warm-neutral concealer.
- Brown pigment → peach or peach-orange + neutral concealer, then tinted SPF daily (see eye-cream article).
60-Second Routine (school-run proof)
- Skincare on (from our eye-cream guide): quick caffeine gel or your usual hydrator; let it sit 2–3 minutes.
- Corrector: one pin-dot at the inner corner. Tap with ring finger until it vanishes.
- Concealer: micro-dots at inner corner and a tiny dot just under outer corner. Press with a damp sponge—don’t smear.
- Powder: look up, smooth any creases with finger, then tap a whisper of pressed powder right on the fold.
- Finish: mist once to take down powderiness.
Looks for Different Circles
If you’re puffy (AM bags)
- Keep layers ultra thin; avoid shiny highlighter on the bag itself.
- Place a tiny matte brightener (concealer or corrector) in the hollow beneath the puff—not on the puff.
- Add a cool-tone matte shadow on upper lid to balance.
If you have brown pigment
- Use tinted eye SPF from our eye-cream article under makeup (Supergoop! Bright-Eyed) to prevent worsening.
- Correct with peach-orange; go neutral with concealer; set lightly.
If texture/fine lines are your main issue
- Choose Tarte Ultra Creamy or Maybelline Age Rewind in thin layers.
- Skip baking; use a micro-fine pressed powder and setting mist.
If you wear glasses
- Conceal a touch deeper so the lens doesn’t wash out the under-eye.
- Softly line the upper lash line; curl lashes to lift shadows.
Common Problems & Fixes
- Looks grey → Warmer concealer or add a peach corrector first.
- Creasing → Use less, let concealer set 15–30 seconds before blending, then set only the fold.
- Cakey → Swap to a more elastic concealer (NARS / Ultra Creamy), apply with a damp sponge, finish with a mist.
- Fades by lunch → Add a proper eye-area SPF (grip), set with pressed powder, and carry the concealer to micro-touch up (press, don’t layer heavily).
Full-Day Touch-Up (10 seconds)
Look up → tap out crease with clean ring finger → press a rice-grain of concealer only where shadow returned → one tap of powder → mist once.
Wrap-Up
Bright under-eyes don’t need heavy makeup—just smart correction, a thin veil of concealer, and pinpoint setting. Keep layers tiny, match undertones properly, and pair your makeup with the skincare moves from our eye-cream guide. The result: rested, natural-looking eyes that last the day without creasing.
FAQ
Do I need both corrector and concealer every day?
Not always. If circles are mild, concealer alone works. For blue/purple tones, a pin-dot of peach under concealer makes a dramatic difference with less product overall.
Where exactly should I place concealer?
At the inner corner trough (closest to the nose) and a micro-dot under the outer corner. Leave the centre mostly bare; product collects there.
Can I use my foundation instead of concealer?
Yes, if it’s flexible and not too matte. Sheer it out and set lightly.
Is baking ever a good idea?
For under-eyes, usually no. A micro-tap of pressed powder controls creases without dryness.
See Also
- Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles — caffeine AM, retinol PM, and tinted SPF to make makeup work better.
- Best Concealer for Dark Circles — detailed product picks, shade guidance, and the full 60-second technique.
