Under-eye dark circles

[Clytaemnestra]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for under eye concealers, or creams that actually help with dark circles?

I have heriditary dark circles under my eyes, which seem to resist all attempts to be concealed. By the time I've put on enough concealer to cover them, it creases in the fine lines around my eyes (I don't have many but just a couple of feathery ones, totally unnoticable until they're covered with concealer, but when they crease they become very noticable.

I've tried Laura Mercier, Benefit and MAC products, with no real success. Has anyone used anything on persistant dark circles that actually works?

I use mally cancellation concealer (it is on qvc - the one in the pallette, not the stick) and it is the only thing that covers mine and stays put. I use both the fair and the light/med colours as I don't like to look like I have bright white eye sockets, but I need the lightness. I have hereditary puffiness also so whilst I don't have fine lines or wrinkles yet, I do have one giant crease under my eyes that only surgery could fix. The concealer does move into that crease after 5 mins so what I do is take a cotton bud very gently over it after 5 mins to remove it - then I finish with the powder and my black eyes are covered for a good 16hours.

It is relatively pricey but you use such a small amount it lasts forever (I apply with my fingers and just tap at it - a couple of taps is enough to do 1 eye) and if it doesn't work for you then you can return it for a refund. Worth a try...

Isnt it supposed to be a sign of a dificiancy in the body? I forget which, maybe iron?

I use Bobbi Brown's corrector which helps to cover the grey I have under my eyes! They have lots of shades, worth a go...

trikken - I do the whole 'two litres of water, fresh fruit and veg, added vitamins, good skincare...yada yada yada' - it can be a sign your body want's something but alot of the time they are hereditary. It's pretty much the only beauty cross I have to bear that I can't change - but I can conceal it :o I love makeup almost as much as I love DH

Have you seen the Lisa Eldridge site OP, I have found a lot of her videos useful:
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/21004/dark-circles-under-the-eyes-causes-and-treatments/

I'm pretty good with taking multi-vitamins and things. Interestingly the woman at the Benefit counter told me that the fine lines are quite possibly dehydration lines rather than aging lines (I have no crows feet or anything, just these little feathery lines underneath) so I do need to try and drink more water / less coffee.
is this the Mally one? I have an awkward skin tone, sort of pale beige with yellow undertones so have to mix foundations generally to match but I think I'd be a light (which is typical as it's the one out of stock).

I have the same problem BB corrector will cover, so will erase paste but they do settle into the lines. BB concealer is very cakey. GetOrf swears by Touche Veloute By Terry.

I'm on my phone so the link isn't working but it is item 225597. The fair is really pale - nicole kidman fair - whereas the light/med is the most neutral 'average caucasian' colour. The good thing for you is that all of her base products are yellow based (part of her philosophy - she works with beyonce etc) so I think the light/med would be the right one but yep - it's on waitlist. Call them and ask when it is likely to be in stock. If you do decide to try it - make sure you try it and watch her application technique (she has loads of videos and tutorials on her own US website as well as the ones on qvc).

@daylily - Thanks for that, very interesting! Ironically I already use one of the two products she recommends, Protect and Perfect, although I haven't seen a difference in the months I've been using it. Nice to get some background though!

mrsmartin - I'll ring them, thank you! :D

I use this and find it works really really well. I like that it treats the puffy dark circles whilst also hiding them.

Also, if it is dehydration that your skin is suffering from maybe take a look at your moisturiser - Decleor aromessence Neroli and Iris coupled with Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream are what work for me - and you can use PCMC around your eyes too. If you don't get a visible result with your skincare after 4-6 weeks ditch it - it isn't working for you. I can honestly say I saw visible results with all of my current skincare within the first week and they continue to deliver.

The only thing that bothers me about cosmetic skincare is that make-up should not be absorbed by the skin - that is what causes spots. Whether it is something to do with the molecule size of the different ingredients (so that the skincare is absorbed but the make up sits on the surface) I don't know but I just feel far more secure using a primer between my skin care and make up. also - there is no way that fluid would cover my circles - I tried it in boots when it came out and it is way too waterey. I need max strength warpaint (that goes on really thin and looks like skin - magic).

I wrote a long post a while back on disguising tear troughs with a corrector (bobbi brown or eve pearl salmon) and using a concealer two shades lighter in the shadow and setting with a brightening powder

here

Surgery is a bit hit and miss in this area.

Mine are far worse with sleep deprivation. I've been bfeeding and co-sleeping for years and there was a real improvement between one child sleeping at night and the birth of the other one!

I have v bad dark circles too . but I find Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer applied in the triangle method the best way to disguise.

unfortunately the thick concealers give better coverage but will generally settle into lines. light powdering helps as does a good eyecream underneath.

I use Lily Lolo Peepo on my eye suitcases bags. It's a yellow powder, which looks quite shocking in the pot, but it corrects the purple/grey/black tones under and around my eyes. Something to do with being opposites on the colour wheel

The jemma kidd colour correcting palette is good for that too - she has a lime green one that can work wonders.

I don't think tear troughs are my problem, I have no bags at all, just the eye socket underneath the eye in its entirety is dark. Unless I've misunderstood what they are?

Clinique's 'all about eyes' concealer is the best I have used, though I confess to not being a massive consumer of cosmetics. I've tried Touche Eclat and the No7 equivalent but the clinique one beats them hands down.

here

I second the by terry concealer, it's lightweight, but is the best thing I've found for my dark circles.

Milk Thistle helps a lot. Dark circles are a sign of a sluggish liver. You can get MT drops in the health food shop. I find them great - especially when you're hungover!

Watching this with interest as I too have heriditary dark circles - thanks granny, aunties etc. Even my ds has had them from birth. I must have spent a fortune over the years trying different undereye products.

That Garnier under eye stuff works really well for me as a spot concealer. Doesnt do much for the under eye area though.

I make sure I prime the area - any primer will do but I find Smashbox Photofinish is probably the best for me
Benefit Erase Paste to correct the darkness (under foundation)
Laura Mercier secret concealer on top of the foundation and set with Laura Mercier powder

I know you said you tried Laura Mercier but what kind of brush did you use? I first tried it with a fairly standard concealer brush and wasn't majorly impressed, but with the Laura Mercier secret camoflague brush and blended with Sephora airbrush concealer brush on me it is very effective

I get your frustration on this as it has taken me ages to find an undereye routine I'm happy with, and I am always really conscious of dark circles if my make up isn't right.

Eyecream-wise I use Clinique All About Eyes

I've not had good luck with the garnier one - I prefer the non-concealer including one, but it doesn't make a huge difference if I'm honest,and the concealer didn't blend well for me, I ended up with way too much on!

Ellen - I've never thought of using erase paste underneath foundation. I shall try that instead! I use a fluffy blending brush for concealers, am happy to give the Laura Mercier one a go. Currently I use secret concealer and brightening powder.

Have you ever tried the Smashbox under eye concealer?

The smashbox pro waterproof second skin concealer is good - I used to use it when I got spots (good skincare = no more spots).