Beauty / The Magic Of Under-Eye Concealer

The Magic Of Under-Eye Concealer

Beauty Feb 05, 2015

by Meena Khan | Features Editor - Beauty

The Deal Behind The Conceal

South Asians are renowned for smouldering dark looks that are both pretty and mysterious, but for many of us women, the secret behind dealing with the under-eye dark circles that we're prone to is still a mystery.

Sleep reduces dark circles, but the shadows remain and make us look tired. That's why I believe the ultimate must-have beauty item for every South Asian woman is concealer, and in extreme cases, corrector too.

Causes

The eye contour is tough because the skin is thin. The first step is to moisturize the area by applying eye cream daily. This prepares the skin for make-up but it doesn't cover the veins, nor does it deflect the shadow created by the forehead.

The most effective solution is to select a concealer (and a corrector if needed) to mask the dark shadows.

What's a Corrector?

When I'm tired, my dark circles are still visible under concealer, which means that I need a corrector to neutralize the blueness and to create a base for the concealer.

For darker skins, the corrector should be in a peachy-orange range. Bobbi Brown makes an excellent range that suits South Asian skin tones.

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Selecting a Concealer

The theory that if the concealer is light, it will lighten the eye contour is completely wrong.

South Asian skin tones are warm, which means that the concealer should also be warm. Otherwise, you create the "reverse raccoon" look.

Another thing to consider is texture. If your skin is drier or lined, a creamier, liquid concealer is appropriate because it won't settle in the skin and look cakey. Try Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer or Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Concealer.

L–R: Clinique, Make Up For Ever

If your eye contour isn't dry, oily or lined, you might try a slightly thicker liquid that adds incredible brightness — like NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. If your skin is oily and the circles are pronounced, a pot concealer such as Benefit Erase Paste is ideal because it stays on longer.

Benefit Erase Paste Concealer

Application Tips

You should apply your corrector, like pot concealer, with a duck-billed stiff brush, such as Make Up For Ever's Straight Brush 226.

Make Up For Ever Brush 226

The key is to dip the brush in the corrector, tap it along the eye contour, and then blend the corrector with the skin.
If the concealer is liquid and comes with a doe-tip applicator, tap the applicator on the inner, middle and outer parts of the eye contour and then blend.

Apply the concealer after the foundation. Foundation provides slight coverage for the eyes and reduces the amount of concealer you'll need. Also, apply the concealer after the eye make-up because a few particles of eye shadow can ruin your efforts. After, set the make-up with a smidgen of powder to avoid cakiness.

Conclusions

Concealer (and corrector if needed) outranks kajal as the key make-up product for South Asian women.

When selecting a product, focus on warmer, peachier orange shades and select the right texture for your skin. Always set with a smidgen of powder so your skin won't look cakey.

^{_{Benefit image courtesy of Benefit Canada

Make Up For Ever Images courtesy of Make Up For Ever Canada

Bobbi Brown image image courtesy of Specialty Brands

NARS image courtesy of Jane Gill PR

Clinique image courtesy of Clinique Global Communications}}

Meena Khan | Features Editor - Beauty

Author

Meena (@meenalaregina) always loved the idea of exploring the non-conventional idea of beauty. Having grown up as a pimply chubby teenager, she wanted to see the change in the world that best reflected your uniqueness as well. Her well-received collection of blogs where she tries on various beauty p...

COMMENTS

Winter Beauty Tips For South Asian Skin Tones

A Desi Ponytail

Red Carpet Ready Skin Care Tips

Lush Lashes: Before & After

Fresh-Faced Day Look: Before And After

Get The Look: Alia Bhatt

The Truth Behind The Masque

Beauty Review: The Body Shop's Seductive Smoky Poppy Collection

Home Remedies for Stronger, Healthier Hair

Beauty Hot List For Spring

Beauty Review: THEFACESHOP's Mango Seed Line

Spring Forward With A Beautiful Body

How To Contour & Highlight

Get The Look: Mindy Kaling

Beauty Review: The BIOEFFECT Facial