Check out our always-updated guide to the best & worst of this season's launches! 150+ products reviewed so far! Read now!
How do you cope with under-eye bags/darkness? Share your tips & tricks!
I’ve never had to really think about it until the past three or so years when they’ve become more prominent. Concealer helps, and if they’re really bad, it’s what I reach for, but I’m (admittedly) still really lazy about doing that extra step since I’m not as used to it.
Thanks to Melissa for today’s question! Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
Preparation H! Seriously, it removes all the puffiness. No joke.
Wow! I never supposed it, I’m serious!
The best thing is MAC Prep & Prime Vibrancy Eye: Caffeine for major de-puffing, tinted to counter darkness, illuminating particles to deal with a multitude of sins and a reasonable primer for further makeup. <3
A Clarisonic opal, I have terrible under eye darkness from weak capillaries and allergies, and it helps correct the problem. It also helps correct fine lines from sun damage, which is awesome!
i got my dark circles since I was born.. (really!!!!!!I saw them from my baby snapsnot (few minutes from born)..ew I hate them.. And I tried a lot of eye serum or creams from different brandds for many years..) threw away and brought a new one… Nothing works. Maybe becoz I use the eye creams for dark circles (the products are aimed for dark circles)..
I haven’t seen any darker shadows under my eyes since I started my skincare.. luckily..
Mine is DNA problem. So I don’t think any products will work it… Also I got Big eyes..Big eyes usually got puffs or shadows easily…so sad :'(
If your bags or shadows are “man-made”, some products will probably work!…
try to use hot&cold method to reduce the problems….it is very useful for tired eyes. 🙂
Try using ROC retinol eye cream. I have permanent dark circles too, and while nothing will permanently get rid of them, the retinol greatly reduces them.
I too have had dark circles since I was born (thanks Mom), and while I’ve yet to find a product to correct them, I usually layer a highlighter eyeshadow (I use Champagne by CoverGirl) underneath of my foundation so it reflects light a little better. It doesn’t really fix the problem, but at least I look a lot less tired.
I personally dont use foundation but only (1) concealers for under eyes, crevices on either side of the nose, and (2) brighteners again under the eyes after concealer and on the highlighted areas like the nose bridge. Together works great and natural, really draws out the light in the deeper, darker areas of the face…
I am NC20-25ish Chinese skintone with yellow undertones
Lancome Effacernes Longue Tenue (shade 02 Beige Sable) amazing as an under eye concealer. its not drying and hydrating enough to not pull your skin, but still provides mid-range coverage.
I recommend MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter Pens after using the Lancome to “reflect the light”. Mac’s shade Light Boost is very similar to YSL’s Touche Eclat pen for much much cheaper.
Hi Christine!
I try to fight dark circles with eye contour cream. I work on shifts and it’s very difficult to do it!
I will try with a concealer when I’ll have more time. Any suggestion about a good concealer? 😉
Hi Rossella!
My current faves are Cle de Peau, Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer, and OCC’s!
Thanks to all for your suggestions! I have to try them 🙂
Excellent question! On occasion, I wake up with under eye bags and dark circles. I am guessing it’s a prelude to the next stage of “aging.”. So far, it hasn’t happened enough for me to be able to figure out a routine to address the problem, but it has been on my mind as yesterday and today were two mornings that I awoke sporting new under eye baggage.
Today, I tried cool cucumbers and it helped a little. As for makeup, I used the YSL touché éclat over my normal under eye foundation (am deep tan so I typically use 2+ foundations so as not to look flat or dull). It helped a little, but I hope to gain better ideas from others.
Used all sorts of eye cream…Yes, there are those who think the face cream is the same as the eye cream…..I would disagree. I have used eyecream since I was 17. At times, I would not use it, but I always it on the vanity table. Now, I have both bags and dark circles 30 years later. Dark circles is easier. I have Sisley which I love but has parabens. Just got the other eye balm sample from La Mer…she says it is for puffiness. Cant say for alcohol or cigarette because I dont use either. I think those eye masks and cold cotton compresses do help. I dont tug at the eye with contacts or liners either.
I had for many years purple discoloration underneath my eyes. Everywhere I read about it, it said it comes from broken capillaries and there is nothing else to do then cover with make-up. Boy, were they wrong!
I actually found out that I am lactose intolerant and since I hardly ever drink milk those purple eye rings almost completely disappeared. And whenever I get stupid and give in my cravings to drink milk it comes back again. Actually I am quite curious if there are others like me and if some types discolorations are just a symptom of the digestive system!
I have also read that dark under eye circles can be caused by food (and seasonal, which seems to make more sense to me) allergies! Strange!
I haven’t found a concealer that works yet. I’ve tried NARS and Mac (and a few others) but they don’t cover my really dark circles (they aren’t from lack of sleep – I’ve always had them). Any suggestions?
You should try a corrector before concealer. Bobbi brown does great ones. Also, work in thin layers. Caking on concealer will only just emphasize what you are trying to cover. Set with a brightening powder, I usually use my Guerlain Meterorites. Don’t use matte powders as they will just make you look tired and emphasize the undereye circles.
Thanks! I’ve actually been meaning to try Bobbi Brown, but the nearest store with it near me is not very near.
I like to use Bobbi Brown’s Corrector in Light Peach. I’m about a NC15 and the peach tone helps counteract my bluish undereye circles. It’s a little thick, but if you warm it first it goes on smoother. It’s the best I’ve tried so far, but of course, I’m still looking for the perfect one. The next one I am going to try is the new Nars creamy one.
I use the same product. I don’t technically have dark circles but I’m about NC 15 and the veins under my eyes are visible and I’m self conscious about them. I would like to try cle de peau’s eventually but I love the gel-like texture of this one vs the super thick heavy formula of tarte and erase paste.
Being fair-skinned makes the darkness or even just veins more noticeable, I think. I agree that some are just too thick. What good is total coverage if you can’t smooth it out?
Oh I know dark circles only too well. The best solution for me: Salmon or peach coloured corrector. Eve Pearl has a really good salmon corrector with a great selection across skintones and Bobbi Brown makes a terrific corrector in light peach, peach, and I’m not certain if there is a dark peach. This is the only style of product that nullifies those dark eye circle tones on me. I naturally have deep grooves under my eyes and combined with heath issues and the drugs I take, my dark circles can be downright nasty. I use the corrector under concealer. I use less concealer and sweep it lightly on top of the corrector. The correcter works best if applied only to the areas of darkness..like a paint by numbers. Tilt your head down slightly while looking in the mirror and you will see all the areas of discoloration quite clearly. I use a concealer brush or a MAC 217 to blend the corrector over these areas. If your areas are smaller, use a smaller brush.
Some eye creams seem to improve the darkness a bit, but I’ve not found any major miracles.
I also have only started noticing dark circles in the last 3 years. But I would way they have gotten a lot worse in the last year. I just use concealer. I have found that using a highlighting product can actually make my circles look worse because it draws more attention to them.
My philosophy for covering circles with concealer is always: it’s better to get them 50% covered and look natural than 80% covered and have your face caked in concealer.
That’s my philosophy also. I’m extremely paranoid about walking out the door with reverse raccoon eyes…it’s like the facial equivalent of the skirt tucked in the back of the pantyhose…so I’m good with a bit of the dark still visible. I wear glasses as well which helps to hide them.
Thanks for this question! I too suffer with under eye puffiness, but they’re hereditary. I wear glasses, but when I feel like wearing my contacts I can’t get enough of the “you look so tired” remarks. I’ve been using Origins GinZing eye cream, but I am open to some of the products you ladies use.
Helena Rubinstein Magic Concealer. It’s really good value for the price (15ml! – and I bought it on sale for 23€) ad a little goes a long way (I’ve used it daily over a year and there’s quit a bit left yet). It’s not totally full coverage, but it’s enough for me for daily use and it works as a highlighter too!
I think HR is quite underrated in some countries, but their face products and mascaras are really worth the hype in Spain 🙂
I use a yellow under eye concealer in a pie shape. I currently use NYX concealer in yellow.
I generally just deal with it with a good concealer, but I got a sample of Strivectin eye cream when I still subscribed to Birchbox and it is a MIRACLE worker. Wow! I saw de-puffing results after one night and less tiny little lines after a few weeks (mind you, I am pretty young and the fine lines weren’t very prominent to begin with).
Unfortunately, like all Strivectin products, it is pretty dang expensive. I proooobably won’t be able to buy any more, but it sure is nice while it’s lasting!
Bobbi Brown corrector in Bisque works wonders for me….. Hallelujah……
Forty four years of puffy eyes and dark circles and nothing works, probably some products with caffeine make my skin around my eyes feel better but that’s it.
I always use a heavy moisturizer and gently pat it in after it has sat under my eyes for five plus minutes. For my under eye dark circles, I use Maybelline New Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in the shade Neutralizer. I dab under my eyes in the triangle pattern and then pat. I used to use only this but lately I tried Wet ‘n’ Wild Coverall foundation (per great MUA reviews) and use a small dab of this first and let it set and then use the above. As mentioned previously, I rather see skin and some cover up. I think it looks more natural IMO. Hope this helps.
I second the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in shades Neutralizer, Light, or Brightener. I also like Bobbi Brown Corrector and Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Corrector Palette.
Thank you to everyone who mentioned Preparation H. I will remember that for beauty emergencies.
I use Benefit’s Erase Paste and it’s enough for me 🙂
I’ve just embraced them, lol. I have extreme year-round allergies, so I just slap on bright lipstick to distract, or embrace the goth/panda look with dramatic eyeliner.
Katt is correct Preparation H work like a charm for puffiness. Plastic surgeons have their patient use the pads after eye surgery. The darkness the is a a difficult one I have had the most success with Eve Pearl Salmon concealer and IT cosmetics Bye, Bye Under Eye and set them both with Ben Nye Banana Powder.
Ever since I was 16 or 17, I have had horrible under eye circles, due to my complete lack of sleep because of school. Since then, I haven’t found anything to help lessen them. All I can do it apply my Garnier tinted roller on them, otherwise, I look like zombie.
No matter what I do, when I apply anything onto my dark circles/under-eye bags, it always ends up looking worse. I gave up!
I love Lancome Maquicomplet for dark circles.
I’m going to keep Preparation H in mind the next time my allergies do a number on my eyes! My symptoms seem to change from year to year for some reason, and when my eyes are affected particularly bad, I can wake up with these monster bags that only time seems to fix, and they’re more or less gone in a couple of hours. Not impressive when I have to get out the door in a hurry 🙁
My daily dark circle fix is concealer with a light dusting of setting powder over top. My current rotation of products are a L’Oreal Quick Stick, It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer, and a sample of Graftobian foundation in Vixen. The latter two should last me a few years as I need only a tiny tiny bit of either one of them.
Mine are hereditary and quite prominent because I have very fair skin (Bobbi Brown Porcelain). The BB corrector works, but I find the two steps plus setting powder a little fussy – it tends to make me late for work if I add too many steps to my routine. I have actually had pretty good luck with the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind in Fair, and the Nars Radiant Creamy concealer is good too.
I wear gkasses which helps. I tried contacts but my eyd bags that I thought I didn’t have. So no contacts and I use Garneir products with caffeine in them. It works.
I have tried everything under the sun for my dark circles…. I finally found my HG in amazing concealer from Amazing Cosmetics. You only need a dot for each eye and then I use EL Ideal light illuminator. Finally perfection…..it took me a long time;)
I’m an old lady and of course I have dark circles from age, allergies, stress-you name it, I have it. I found an alternative to Eve Pearl’s peach colored concealer. It’s a Korean brand called Skin Food, I use Salmon Dark Circle Concealer Cream #1-the lightest one they offer. It’s been a great dupe for me anyway-cheap and it covers fairly well. I will sometimes use a lighter color to highlight-various brands and I always use a light powder to set.
I love the Skin Food corrector! Got it off Amazon for ~$10 and the amount you get is insane for the money. It reminds me of my BB corrector but slightly tackier.
under eye circles r terrible! i tried lots of methods, but none worked well. i then came accross a youtube tutorial by “goss makeup artist” that shows how to conceal under eye puffiness, its its a great technique!
Personally for dark circles taking an allergy pill daily helped me a lot. Mine used to be incredibly dark until I started doing that. Also, my Pixi Brightening Peach Concealer helps neutralize the little bit of darkness left.
For bags/puffiness, using an eye cream or serum — I like 100% Pure’s Coffee Bean Eye Cream or Shea Terra’s Argan & Green Coffee Serum — and getting sleep helps immensely. Bags and puffiness can be pretty bad for me if I don’t do at least one of those.
ETA: I meant above that using an eye cream or serum with caffeine is what helps. Lol.
I discovered I was sensitive to soy, got it out of my diet (as much as possible – it’s a hidden ingredient, but apparently I’m okay with trace amounts) and mine have been fine ever since.
Right now I’m struggling with swollen eyelids from sinus/allergies. I’m trying a few samples from Origins, and today I had a few hours where my lids looked perfectly normal. Then the swelling came back, but I’m hopeful it’s just a matter of time before it goes away. It’s very annoying – sometimes I can’t open my lids all the way and it obstructs my vision!