Brighten Up: Our Fave Under-Eye Concealers

“Help! What can I use to hide these dark circles under my eyes?”

This is by far the most frequently asked question I have encountered in my career in cosmetics. Dark under-eye circles can surface for a number of reasons —lack of sleep, stress, poor diet/nutrition—and for some of us they are hereditary. There are many treatments we can use to keep the darkness at bay such as eye creams and serums, as well as facial massage and even the classic cool cucumber slices.

Lucky for us, there are some excellent concealing products on the market, so regardless of our budget, we can look fresh and ready for whatever life brings. For best results, I highly recommend using eye treatments in conjunction with make-up solutions. Bright, well-rested eyes are always in style.

2 things to look for in an under-eye concealer

1. Texture
The best products are creamy or fluid. Avoid the concealing sticks-they are meant for the rest of the complexion, NOT the eyes. The last thing we want around our eyes is a thick, matte finish-the dryness will enhance fine lines and wrinkles even if you don’t have any!

2. Colour
Obviously we want our product to match our skin tone, but we also want it to neutralize the darkness we are trying to hide. If we cover the problem without correcting the colour, our darkness will still show through. In extreme cases, a “corrector” can be used underneath the concealer to provide optimum coverage. The best concealers have a neutralizing effect so that we can quickly get the result we’re looking for without having to use multiple products.

MY CONCEALER PICKS
Best Quality: Smashbox High Definition Concealer $22 available in 6 shades
This is the best concealer I have ever used. The texture is ideal for any skin tone and skin type, young or old. The consistency is spectacular, and the coverage is phenomenal—very little product goes a long way so it is definitely a worthwhile investment.
Smashbox High Definition Concealer is available at Sephora and many Shoppers Drug Mart Locations

Best for Less: L’Oreal Touche Magique $14 available in 6 shades
This product is a new innovation from L’Oreal. Not only does it conceal, but it also has a highlighting effect. The consistency is perfect for under the eyes but also great for the rest of the complexion-especially for aging skin (sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles). For the price, it’s quite a steal.
L’Oreal Touche Magique is available at London Drugs, Pharmasave, Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart and Superstore

Best for the Budget: Rimmel Recover Anti-Fatigue Concealer $8.49 available in 3 shades
For an extremely inexpensive product, the performance is impressive. The coverage is decent, and although they only carry three shades in Canada, all three have a great neutralizing base colour. Since this product is more affordable, I would highly recommend it to the younger crowd who are just starting to get into the make-up world and want to create good habits.
Rimmel Recover Anti-Fatigue Concealer is available at London Drugs, Pharmasave, Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart and Superstore

FRUGALBITS MONEY-SAVING TIPS: 1. Use a good foundation on your complexion (including the eye area) first and then less concealing will be required. 2. Concealer and foundation always look better over a moisturized complexion. Take good care of your skin and you will use less make-up. 3. If the eye area is extremely dry, try mixing a small amount of eye cream or serum with the concealer for a smoother application.

Photo: Courtesy Smashbox