At this moment, two things are certain in makeup:

The natural, “no-makeup” look is more in than ever before, and concealer formulas have evolved to offer coverage to the fullest.

But why, then, is under eye concealer so difficult?

If you’ve struggled with creating a look that’s not cakey or riddled with creases, no matter what concealer you use, trust us: you’re not alone, and there’s a way to fix it.

In 5 simple steps, we’re going to show you how to create a foolproof under eye concealer look. 

No caking. 

No creases.

Just gorgeous, flawless coverage.

Step 1: Start With A Hydrating Primer

Before you even begin to apply your concealer, consider the canvas you’re applying to; AKA, your skin.

Our under eye areas are not only delicate, but unlike the rest of your skin, they have no oil glands!

Under-eye areas are typically drier, making wrinkles and creases more noticeable with concealers.

Luckily, prepping your skin with hydration beforehand is going to work wonders for your makeup wear. Using rich, thick eye creams at night is great for skincare, but they can feel heavy when applied under concealer.

That’s why it’s important to stick with a lightweight, serum-like consistency. Our Perfect 10 Serum Moisturizer blurs, smooths, and moisturizes the skin, making it ideal for your eyes.

Step 2: Choose The Right Concealer

We know there are a lot of concealers out there, and we know all too well that many just don’t 

do your skin any favors.

This is because when it comes to concealer, it’s all about texture.

Your concealer’s texture is going to have a direct effect on how much crease you’ll end up with. It may be tempting to use those thick concealers with promises of full coverage, but if they have a dry, inflexible texture, the pigment won’t even matter.

However, choosing a creamy concealer that actually moves with your skin is going to do you wonders, and big bonus if the formula contains vitamin C for a boost of brightness! That’s why we always recommend our HD Corrective Concealer + NIacinamide. 

Step 3: Order Matters

Believe it or not, the order in which you use your concealer depends a lot on the type of foundation you’re using, because it’s going to seriously impact the way your concealer and foundation blend together. 

The biggest thing to avoid is applying a liquid over a powder, as this is a surefire way to wind up with caking and creases.

But don’t worry, this step is actually pretty simple!

Here’s the rule of thumb: 

If you’re using a powder formula, like the Flawless Matte Foundation, apply your concealer first.

If you’re using a liquid formula like our Hydrawear 12HR Liquid Foundation, apply concealer second.

And as tempting as it may be, try not to apply foundation to your under eye area; this extra layer can leave a cakey look when concealer comes in!

Step 4: The Application

Now, for the application.

To apply your concealer, we especially recommend the use of a damp beauty sponge for streak-free blending, but a concealer brush can work too! Just keep in mind that you may need to do a little more blending if this is the case.

Using your ring finger, apply your concealer along your under eye area in small dots, and with your sponge, gently dab along the spots to push in the concealer.

Pro tip: you don’t need to apply concealer all the way up to the lash line for good coverage. Instead, blend up toward your lash line as needed.

Step 5: Set To Perfect

Now, the final step may be the trickiest, and that’s the powder setting.

While setting is crucial to long-lasting wear, it’s easy to overdo it, and this is often when the creases come in big time.

The trick, however, is to use a powder that’s either a shade lighter than your skin tone, or transparent like our Bye Bye Shine and stick to the mantra “less is more.” 

Because remember: you can always build up your coverage, but you really don’t want to start over!

To apply, take your damp sponge once more, and lightly dab it into your setting powder. Similar to what we did with the concealer, gently dab along the under eye area to push in the powder. A little goes a long way!

Now that you’ve set to perfect, you’re ready to take on the day with eyes that look bright, open and awake!

Go get ‘em, gorgeous!