Puffy circles around the eyes occur for many reasons--among them are lack of sleep, a poor diet and heredity. Whatever the reason, dark eye circles can be difficult to hide. While it might be tempting to hide behind a big pair of sunglasses, learning how to conceal those puffy circles can make a woman feel more beautiful and fresh.
Prep the Eyes
Before applying any makeup, "Marie Claire" suggests placing ice or cold spoons over the eyes to reduce puffiness. According to the Style Chicago website, a moisturizer should then be applied. Choose a moisturizer that is not greasy and can act as a primer for makeup--especially if you have lines or wrinkles beneath the eyes. This is because greasy moisturizers tend to settle into the creases of the skin as they dissipate over the day.
Tools
The Style Chicago website warns that the area under the eyes is very delicate and thin. You should be extremely gentle, using makeup tools that will not scratch or tug at the skin. If using a concealer brush, make sure that it is soft and dense. It should glide across the skin without feeling prickly. Some people opt to simply use the fingers to apply concealer. Your body heat can warm the makeup and allow it to go on more smoothly.
Applying Concealer
"Marie Clare" says that a shimmery cream should first be applied below the eyes to help reflect the light. "The brightness just in the lower part of the eye will lift that skin forward and diminish the appearance of the uneven levels of skin," explains makeup artist Tanya Miller on the Chicago Style website. Apply a yellow hued concealer, using a brush to dab directly at the dark areas around the eyes. If the puffy circles have a blue tinge to them, try an orange concealer. If you can't find an orange-based concealer, mix some red lipstick with your regular concealer to give it a peach hue. Finish up by dabbing on some loose powder to set the makeup into place.
Divert Focus
The point of concealing puffiness around the eyes is to divert attention away from the eyes. Because of this, it is important to choose a shade of concealer that is only a little lighter than your natural skin. A concealer that is too light may cause the under eye area to appear ashy colored. Tanya Miller suggests matching a concealer to the color of the skin directly beneath the eyebrow.
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