Winnipeg's Downtown Aveda Spa Salon
Frequently Asked Questions - Makeup
What can I do to cover dark circles under my eyes?
Heredity is usually the main cause of dark circles under your eyes. Just like many of our hair, skin, and eye colour features, a predisposition for dark circles is inherited. Transparency of the skin around the eye area is also inherited and can make dark circles appear more dramatic.
Exposure to the sun can heighten the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Sunlight darkens the skin by raising melanin levels and bringing melanin to the surface of the skin which, in turn, makes the dark circles appear even darker. Fatigue or illness can make your skin look pale which makes your dark circles even more noticeable.
The most common way to deal with dark circles is to first apply a concealer to the dark area. Because concealers have a heavy concentration of colour pigmentation in them, you only want to apply them to areas that foundation alone won't cover. Concealers come in a variety of colours. Try to get one that matches your skin tone and preferably in a golden tone because it counteracts purplish circles and ends up looking more natural.
When applying concealer under the eye area, some people like to use their fingers. I find this method can sometimes look cakey, especially on thin, mature skin. I like putting some concealer on the side of a Q-tip and gently rolling the Q-tip back and forth a number of times over the dark area. Try to blend the concealer out seamlessly and invisibly to the surrounding area. You can finish the look by applying foundation over top of the concealer and blending over the entire face. If you want to powder over your face to get more of a matte finish, put your blush on first then powder. Remember, once you put powder on to set the foundation, if you apply blush, it will drag down and look messy.
I should mention at this point that the secret to successful makeup application is blending. Nothing does this as well as a good set of brushes. Investing in a set of makeup brushes will not only help you do a better job of blending, it will also put a lot of enjoyment into the makeup experience. Plus, you will feel alike a makeup artist every time you apply your makeup. What a way to start a day!
