We all want our skin to look natural and flawless, but sometimes we need a little extra help. Concealer has become an integral part of many people’s makeup routine, especially when it comes to covering up dark circles under the eyes. But how do you decide which shade of concealer is right for you?
Should under eye concealer be lighter or darker? Keep on reading for some tips on how to choose your perfect under-eye concealer.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Concealer Under Your Eyes?
Concealer is a fantastic makeup tool that truly works wonders for enhancing your appearance.
When it comes to your under-eye area, concealer helps to brighten and minimize the appearance of dark circles, giving you a refreshed and more youthful look.
Applying concealer under your eyes can significantly reduce the appearance of dark circles.
These pesky, unwelcome shadows can make you look tired or older than you are, and luckily, with the right concealer for dark circles, they can be diminished.
An under-eye concealer can also help to even out the surface of your skin. If you have fine lines or wrinkles beneath your eyes, concealer can work to smooth out your skin’s texture.
This not only makes your complexion look more flawless, but it also helps the makeup you apply on top of your concealer to blend seamlessly.
Don’t forget! It’s important to know how to properly apply and blend the concealer to get the most out of it. Start by applying a small amount of product to your under-eye area, where you notice the most darkness.
Then, using a brush or your fingertips, lightly press or tap the concealer to blend it smoothly. This gentle blending technique ensures your concealer doesn’t cake or crease, leaving you with a natural and beautiful finish.
How to Choose the Right Shade of Under Eye Concealer
Choosing the right shade of under eye concealer for your skin tone is crucial for achieving flawless, natural-looking coverage.
Here’s a helpful guide on selecting the perfect concealer shade for your unique complexion!
You first need to determine your skin’s undertone. Look at the veins on your wrist – if they appear greenish, you have a warm undertone, while blue or purplish veins indicate a cool undertone.
If your veins match your skin color, you most likely have a neutral undertone. This information will help you narrow down the right concealer shades based on your skin tone.
Next, consider your foundation and concealer’s relationship. It’s essential to choose a concealer shade that blends seamlessly with your foundation.
Ideally, you should pick a shade that’s close to your foundation shade or slightly lighter. However, avoid going more than one shade lighter than your foundation, as it might create an unnatural appearance.
To test the concealer shade, apply it on your jawline – not your wrist or hand – to ensure the most accurate match. If the shade blends well with your skin, that’s the one for you!
For under eye concealing, it’s generally recommended to use a shade lighter than your skin tone. This brightens the area and helps counteract dark circles or shadows.
However, if your under eye area is only slightly darker than the rest of your face, choose a concealer that matches your skin tone or is just a half shade lighter.
Follow these simple steps to choose the right shade of under-eye concealer:
- Determine your skin’s undertone
- Aim for a shade close to or slightly lighter than your foundation
- Test concealer shades on your jawline
- Opt for a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone for under-eye concealing
Should Under Eye Concealer Be Lighter Or Darker?
First things first, a general rule of thumb is that your under-eye concealer should be one to two shades lighter than the color of your foundation.
Choosing a lighter shade can help brighten up your under-eye area and make you look more awake and refreshed.
Not to mention, it creates an illusion of a lifted, more youthful appearance.
However, be cautious not to opt for a concealer that is too light or too dark, as this could result in a noticeable contrast between your under-eye area and the rest of your face.
To find the perfect formula for your skin, follow these simple tips to ensure success:
- Match Your Foundation: Your regular concealer should closely resemble the shade of your foundation to provide seamless blending. This way, it will work perfectly to cover any blemishes peeking out from under your foundation.
- Know Your Tone: Women should choose a concealer that suits the unique undertones of their complexion to achieve the most natural look possible. If you’re unsure of your undertone, ask for assistance at a beauty counter near you.
- Blending Matters: To apply your concealer, use the right amount of product and blend it well. This will prevent a stark contrast between the under-eye area and the rest of your face. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Under-eye concealer should ideally be one or two shades lighter than your foundation. This allows for a refreshed, brightened appearance while maintaining the natural balance of your skin tone.
What Skin Tone Determines Whether Under Eye Concealer Should Be Lighter or Darker?
Your skin tone plays a crucial role in determining whether your under-eye concealer should be lighter or darker.
Start off, by looking at your foundation shade. You should use this as a guide when selecting the concealer that would work best for your skin tone.
Keep in mind that your concealer should either perfectly match your skin tone or be one to two shades lighter for the under-eye area.
Now, let’s focus on brightening and lifting that under-eye area. If you use a concealer that is lighter than your foundation, you can create the illusion of a more youthful and refreshed appearance. This helps diminish any dark circles or puffiness around your eyes.
However, you’ll want to be careful not to go too light with your concealer shade. Doing so might result in a noticeable contrast between your under-eye area and the rest of your face. Instead, aim for a balance that works well with your unique skin tone.
In the case of concealing blemishes or dark spots on the face, you might want to consider a concealer that is the same shade as your foundation or even one to two shades darker. This strategy can help you achieve a more flawless and natural-looking complexion.
Lastly, remember to have fun experimenting with different shades to discover what best suits your skin tone.
Does Your Under-Eye Concealer Shade Need To Be Lighter Than Foundation?
Your under-eye concealer should be one to two shades lighter than your layer of foundation.
This helps to brighten the under-eye area and make you look more awake and refreshed. Plus, it draws attention away from any dark circles or shadows that you might have.
It’s important to find a concealer and foundation that match your skin tone as closely as possible. If you have a concealer that’s too light, it’ll look like white triangles under your eyes, and if it’s darker than your skin tone, you’ll end up with noticeable tide marks along your jawline.
You want your makeup to blend seamlessly with your natural complexion, which means that the shades should complement each other. Remember to test the shades on your jawline or neck to ensure they blend well with your skin.
Here are some tips to help you nail it:
- For minor under-eye discoloration, choose a concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation shade. This will subtly brighten the area without looking too stark or obvious, and will even out the skin tone.
- If your under-eye area is considerably darker, you may want to consider a concealer that’s two shades lighter than your foundation for optimal brightening and coverage. But be cautious when going too light, as it could make the area appear ashy or unnatural compared to your natural skin tone.
- In some cases, a slightly darker concealer might be necessary to correct severe darkness or discoloration under the eyes. Just be mindful not to go too dark, as it could make the area appear heavier and more noticeable.
When using both foundation and concealer, always remember to blend well with a damp makeup sponge or a brush for a seamless, natural appearance.
You can also use a color corrector to neutralize darkness under your eyes.
Is Lighter or Darker Under Eye Concealer More Effective in Covering Dark Circles?
Choosing the right shade of concealer for your under eye area can be tricky. You might be wondering whether a lighter or darker shade would be more effective in covering those pesky dark circles. Good news! We’ve got the answer for you.
If you’re looking to cover blemishes and imperfections on your skin, choose concealer that will match your foundation and skin tone perfectly.
This way, it will blend seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. However, for covering dark under-eye circles, there’s a slightly different approach.
When it comes to under-eye circles, the darkness can have hints of blue, green, or purple. So, using a concealer that’s a tad lighter than your skin tone can help brighten the area and counteract those dark hues.
As a general rule of thumb, select a concealer that’s one to two shades lighter than your foundation.
Here are some helpful tips for picking the right color of under-eye concealer and applying it effectively:
- Identify the undertone of your under eyes: This will help you choose a concealer shade that will counteract the specific color of your dark circles.
- Use a color-correcting concealer: If your dark circles have a very strong blue, green, or purple undertone, applying a color-correcting concealer underneath your regular concealer can help neutralize the color. For example, peach-toned concealers work well for blue undertones, while green-tinted concealers neutralize redness.
- Apply sparingly and blend well: Avoid using too much concealer and make sure to blend it out completely with a beauty sponge or concealer brush, like the NARS #12 Cream Blending Brush.
Using a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone can be more effective in covering and brightening dark under-eye circles. Always check your concealer color in natural light, to get an idea of how good a shade match you have with your concealer shade for your skin tone.
Remember to identify the undertone of your dark circles, use color-correcting concealers if necessary, and apply your concealer lightly and blend well for the most seamless finish.
How to Apply Lighter or Darker Under Eye Concealer Without Looking Like a Raccoon?
Applying under eye concealer can be a game-changer, brightening your eye area and reducing the appearance of dark circles.
But how do you apply it without looking like a raccoon? Whether you’re using a lighter or darker concealer, these tips will help you achieve a flawless finish.
- Prep your skin: Before you begin, make sure to moisturize your under-eye area. This ensures a smoother concealer application and prevents creasing. A small amount of eye cream should do the trick – gently pat it in until absorbed.
- Use lighter or darker shades strategically: A darker shade of concealer can be used on the actual eye bag to camouflage the swollen skin. Then, apply a lighter concealer underneath the bag to create some depth. Remember that lighter shades bring an area forward, while darker shades make it recede.
- Apply in small amounts: Use a small amount of product to prevent a cakey appearance. You can always add more if needed. Start by applying the concealer on the areas you see the most darkness.
- Blend, blend, blend: Use your finger, a brush, or a sponge to gently blend concealer into your skin. Work quickly before the product sets for the best results. Press or tap the product into the skin rather than rubbing for better coverage.
- Layer if necessary: If you still notice dark circles, you can apply more concealer, but be mindful of not overdoing it. Use thin layers, and always blend well between them.
- Set with powder: To ensure your concealer stays in place all day, set it with a light, oil-absorbing setting powder. Tap the powder gently over the concealed area, avoiding any excess that could create a cakey effect.
Summary
Choosing the right shade of under-eye concealer is essential for achieving flawless, natural-looking coverage. Ideally, you should pick a shade that’s close to your foundation or slightly lighter.
For under eye concealing, opt for a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone. Remember to test the shades on your jawline and blend them well into your skin.
When you find the perfect formula for your complexion, you can look brighter and more refreshed in no time.
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