Dark under-eye shadows are an issue. Actually, that discoloration or darkness can be the result of puffiness, pigmentation, blood vessels or hollows. Call the shadows bags or circles; attribute them to heredity, partying, hormones, sun exposure, childbirth or aging. Battling dark shadows is a serious and difficult business. The overwhelming possibilities for solutions range from injectables to fill sunken areas or surgery to remove fat pads; to creams, gels and serums that boast the ability to banish the signs of aging, provide sun protection or do away with darkness; to concealers to cover and correct; to specific sleep requirements to reduce the appearance of darkness; to a range of topical, potable and other products (green juices, hydrating waters, mists, teas, diets, pillow cases, etc.), all promising reward. What works and what doesn’t? There are some things we know for sure: sun protection, hydration and proper rest are key to reducing the appearance of dark shadows. Clearly medical intervention has its benefits, too. Beyond that, it’s all a dice-roll. Over the years I’ve tried a vast number of eye creams and concealers, but only recently did I stumble upon a couple products I now swear by. Fair warning: I spend money on skincare and lean towards natural and organic products.
To start with, I’m obsessive about removing my eye makeup every night; I'm convinced that sleeping in mascara stains the under-eye area and makes my already dark circles darker.
To remove makeup, I’m a two-step cleaner gal: micellar water or bi-phase makeup remover (if I’ve worn waterproof mascara) on a cotton pad to gently sweep away cosmetics, followed by an oil-based cleanser (Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil) as a second cleanse. After applying serum and moisturizer, my current go-to eye products are Josh Rosebrook’s Oculus Formula (night) and Chantecaille Stress Relief Eye Cream (day). This combination has had such a profound effect on reducing dark circles, I can get away with a light application of corrector, concealer and setting powder.
Love List
This month’s “Love List” is dedicated to eye products I’ve used and loved depending on time of year, heat, humidity, my skin’s condition and what I’m doing – inside all day writing, running the streets, exercising, etc. (Yes, I wear concealer when I walk Audubon Park.) In all honesty, I never go out without some under-eye coverage, SPF (Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector SPF 30), concealer and sunglasses (Krewe, of course).
Eye Creams (in addition to the above-mentioned): Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream; Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay
Correctors: Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer; Sephora Bright Future Color Correctors; Armani Master Corrector
Concealers: Eve Pearl; RMS; Nars Creamy Concealer; Mac Studio Conceal and Correct Duo; Philosophy; Urban Decay Naked Concealer; Benefit Erase Paste; Glossier Stretch Concealer; Keromask; Dermablend
Brighteners: Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift (a gift from a friend); Armani Master Concealer
Powder: W3LL People Realist Invisible Setting Powder; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light; RMS “un” powder.
*Bonus: Avoid looking like a “hot mess” in this summer swelter with these stay-put, stay cool products: Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer; Teri Miyahira crushed colors for eyes and face; Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blush; Chanel Le Volume Waterproof Mascara; Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick. *All products available at: Saks, Sephora, Ulta or online
