Swipe the formula over your dark circles in a "V" shape (so the tops of the "V" are at the inner and outer corner of your eye), then blend the "V" shape into your under-eye area using a concealer brush.
Both are fine, but it can sorta depend on the foundation texture. Like if it's on the thin/runny sude, a brush may be better as it's not gonna soak up as much of the product, and if it's on the thicker side, a sponge might be better as it's gonna help avoiding streaks or otherwise uneven application.
If you are using a cream concealer, use a brush! Your finger might add more oil to the mix and could lift the color part off the product. It may cause the concealer to crease or become less effective.
Blend, Blend, Blend: Seamless blending is the key to a natural finish. Use soft dabbing motions instead of swiping. Set It Right: Always set your concealer with a translucent or setting powder to prevent creasing, especially for under-eye concealer.
Here's a quick cheat sheet on which color-corrector shade to use: For redness: Neutralize red and pink tones with a green color corrector. For dark circles and dark spots: Use a peach color corrector if you have fair skin, or a deeper orange shade if you have medium to dark skin.
foundation before concealer
The overwhelming majority of beauty professionals recommend this application order.
Correa adds that going for a shade with a more peachy or orange undertone than your normal shade will help neutralize the blue and minimize those dark circles. You can also use a mint or apricot-tinged color corrector underneath your concealer to further counteract darkness.
“For lighter skin tones, a warm peach will cancel out the blueish purple in under-eye darkness, and a true orange/red will work best for darker complexions,” says celebrity makeup artist Nick Lennon who counts Charli XCX as a client.
Why it's worth it: Nars Soft Matte Concealer, a mattifying cream version of the brand's Radiant Creamy Concealer (a beloved formula that won a 2024 Readers' Choice Award), is a long-standing favorite amongst Allure editors, makeup artists, and beauty influencers.
“On my clients I tend to apply concealer with my finger and then pat it out using a flat or angled concealer brush.” Compared to a sponge, a brush will be a lot more precise and you'll get the most coverage out of your formula.
Your concealer and foundation should both match your skin tone. But this doesn't mean they always need to be the same shade. In fact, for concealers,it's best to pick a shade lighter than your foundation if you're applying it under your eyes.
"I apply foundation on the larger areas of the face first, like the cheeks and forehead, then I go in and tweak around the nose and the chin area," says Linter. "Then lastly, I'll apply concealer, plus maybe a touch of foundation under the eye area."
L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD is the best pick for both beginners and experts, with a crease-resistant, opaque coverage in a creamy yet lightweight texture, it camouflages darkness under the eyes, redness and skin imperfections. Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer is perfect for flawless, natural coverage.
Laser therapy or chemical peels can be helpful to some people. Injectable fillers can smooth the hollows that cause shadows. Other options are platelet-rich plasma injections and surgery to reduce puffy lids.