A good face primer really helps a lot for me, but if I’ve skipped the primer, the next best thing is a very light dusting of powder with a slightly damp brush or sponge.
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Thank goodness for that FAB 5 In One eye cream, because as it never creases in my undereye area! Plus, it’s peachy-salmon shade cancels out my dark circles. Good thing it has great staying power, because recently I haven’t been liking how powder looks in my undereye area. I will say that this seems to work better over my foundation than my Lumene BB cream, and it still works pretty nicely even then.
Easy. Don’t wear any 😉
And feel like a zombie with dark conceal
A good moisturizer and primer, picking the right concealer for my skin type, and setting it with a bit of powder. I also find on my particular skin using a Beauty Blender (damp) to apply my base products helps.
I usually don’t need it. If I do (if my insomnia is really bad or I’m really sick), I use e.l.f. HD Concealer Lifting Concealer in Brightening, and it dries down completely, so I don’t need to set it.
I use Ben Nye banana powder to stop creasing.
A light dusting of Essence All About Matte does the trick for me.
Excellent product!! And so inexpensive I love it also
I only apply concealer on the inner third of the area, where it’s the darkest and the skin is the smoothest. It looks better to leave a little bit of the dark circle exposed than to have creasing and separation, which looks terrible on my oily skin. A flawless and complete under-eye application wears really badly on me as the day goes on.
That’s a good tip Ray… Thanks! I never thought of it. I am very dark at the inner corner of my eyes (next to the bridge of the nose), but further down not so much. 🙂
I recently started placing my concealer only on the areas where I have darkness and then setting with powder rather than covering up the entire undereye. It has made a big difference in lessening creasing and also looks a lot more natural.
Either I don’t wear any at all, OR I mix some into my moisturizer, OR I make sure to really set the whole area with finishing powder. I prefer the first two options though, because then at least my under eye area doesn’t look all dry.
I have fold lines under my eyes so the chances of creasing are still high with me and these steps. lol
Eye primer does help a lot. I use it before applying my corector in the dark circle area, I don’t use concealer in my eye area anymore and go in with my full coverage foundation instead, But I also sheer that out. The less product I have there, the least amount of build up happens in the creases. I also pat it all out again with my ring finger and also pack in a setting powder with my finger as well. Dust any excess off.
If if crease I just tap it out with my finger again.
I think a lot depends on the concealer you use – some are more prone to creasing and looking bad than others. I find a good setting powder (applied with a MAC 224 brush) really helps and so does this surprisingly good under-eye primer from Smashbox. I thought it was a gimmick but it really does help AND it has made it possible for me to use that Nars Radiant Creamy concealer, which I found totally unwearable before because it was so dry and cakey looking. CHRISTINE – when you use a damp brush or sponge, what do you use to dampen them? Just plain water or some sort of setting spray???
YES to the Smashbox under eye primer! a little of that and a bit of powder and my concealer doesn’t move or crease. Amazing stuff!
I find that the only way (out of what I’ve tried) for my concealer not to crease in my under-eye wrinkles is to be sure the area is well moisturized, use a damp sponge to blend the concealer, and then use that [still damp] sponge to apply loose translucent powder immediately after the concealer is blended.
I set my concealer with laura mercier’s secret brightening powder. Before I found this powder I had creases everywhere- making me look much older. I don’t know what I would do if this was ever discontinued!
I have really bad circles and typically run low on sleep. So, this was a long search for me to find a balance of hiding my circles and preventing the cakey,creases. At 39, I can’t say there are no crease or that I look 20. But, you would have to be pretty close to see the crease and the best combo for me is to use a primer under my eyes and I like mixing in liquid highlighter usually. then I apply my base. I recently discovered Becca’s under eye brightener. I think this is pretty awesome. But, it has a learning curve. I use a tiny amount ( or it will look white) over my base but under concealer/corrector in that upside down V shape thing. It needs blended out really well with a BB or brush/ finger because it is pretty thick. I also wouldn’t use it without putting something over it (ie concealer/corrector or foundation) unless you are really fair. After all of that, I do a light pressing motion of Hourglass Ambient in Diffused. My favorite concealer is still the CDP stick. Its covers like nothing else. I use a tiny amount and press and blend the edges. Mini beauty blenders really do come in handy here. 🙂
Eye cream + MAC Mineralize concealer or Prolongwear Concealer + Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder
I pat on the cream products with a finger, pat on (no swishing!) the powder with a brush (real techniques base shadow eye brush, the flat dome shaped one with a purple handle). I sprinkle some powder in the lid, tap my brush in, then tap off over the lid and then gently pat/press powder on the concealed area.
I deal with deep dark circles often bordering on purple on a daily basis. My most successful routine is to first prep with my eye cream, let that set for a few minutes to absorb a bit, then with a tiny concealer brush i apply Ben Nye Media Pro Blue Neutralizer NB1 on the inner corner and onto the darkest places. I like to set it with a tiny fluffy brush using my Southern Magnolia Minerals Well Rested powder. I also like to use the Ben Nye Banana powder. Both of these powders are very fine and I use only the smallest amount. I find that when I use my foundation under my eyes either under or over the Neutralizer cream, I can get creasing. I get desperate sometimes and feel like I need to layer on and layer on to cover up. I know…I know…less is more…a bit of dark circle peaking through as the day wears on is definitely better than the dreadful creasing and pooling of product in those laugh lines.
I set my undereyes with Cornstarch, Cornstarch is a finely milled powder that applies very sheer, I use the pointed tip of my beauty blender and slightly pat around my eyes… I also mix a little Cornstarch in with my powder to keep oils at bay…. you have to be a baby boomer or over 50 to know about Cornstarch!
I got a natural mattifying primer recently from LUSH that is basically a bunch of oils mixed with corn flour…I was kind of skeptical about the ingredients but it totally works, my nose and chin don’t get greasy and my cheeks don’t get dry (although this time of year I need all the moisture I can get so I will go back to using it after winter_
Cornstarch/ Corn Flour FTW!
Christine, can you explain the powder with a damp brush or sponge technique, please? I’m unclear if you apply powder and then use a tool, or use a damp tool to apply the powder. Thanks!
I get the powder on the damp sponge (and I mean BARELY damp!), then apply 🙂
Luckily, they never crease up too bad. I’m in my 30’s so I just set with powder. Maybe when I’m in my 40’s I’ll need primer.
I wrote a comment, then realized it needed a bloody flow chart, so am revising. Mandatory: FAB triple duty and PC wish they’d rename it Resist TM. By hand, for no further eye makeup days. Add- ons: pre-prep with warm water cotton pads. PC serum, one of the Resists. SmashBox concealer primer. Eve Pearl salmon, ’cause I need corrector style. Color correct, if nec. from a box of other concealers. Walk the dog. Set, if nec. MUFE HD or self mixed that is slightly lavender, if the concealer looks yellower than my skin. 20-30 min wait may mean setting is not nec. Tubing masc under eye, if wearing masc. Taking the time out def decreases the likelihood of masc smears, no matter what type you wear. Thanks for sharing tips. Remember that FAB added a color to the triple duty, if you wish to try it. Got the wrong one; even Sephora SAs were not informed, except one, thank god.
I follow up any concealer I use with Ben Ye powder in banana. This helps set the concealer.
Best way I have tried is a packing Loose Powder with a Damp Beauty Blender, let it set for a couple of seconds then gently brush it off with a small brush.
I dab a good rich moisture cream under my eyes and then I put on Urban Decay Maked concealer and Dan in w/ a wet beauty sponge. I set with MAC mineralized skin fished light for the light bright white glow. It is amazing. Shows no wrinkles or creasing. As god as my 21 yr old daughter in law and I’m pushing 50!
It’s really hard because most of them crease what I do is I use a formula good enough to prevent it specially depending of the season, now for winter I’ve been using the Urban decay naked skin concealer in light warm and I also set it with the Mac translucent pressed powder of course first always prime the face 😉
Fortunately, I don’t need to wear under eye concealer, so that is one issue I don’t have to face.
I’ve never had the problem with any concealer I’ve used. I don’t powder afterward, if that might make any difference.
I found this particularly interesting as I had no idea this was actually a problem! In all my years and even with all of the concealers I’ve rejected over the years, I have never had any of them crease under my eyes. I have always used a non-SPF moisturizer (since I was a teenager). Now that I’m a tad older and actually have some fine lines, I have upped my moisture game, but still no issues. For pre-makeup skincare around my eyes, I am currently using the Mario Badescu Cellufirm Drops followed by the Hyaluronic Eye Cream. I always use primer (currently Laura Geller Supercharged Spackle). Right now my concealer game if I’m motivated is the Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift (Shade 1) to negate any dark circles followed by the Dior 2 in 1 Prime and Conceal (Light). If I’m not super motivated, i just jump to the Dior. Sometimes I use my powder after I’m done my makeup and sometimes I don’t – doesn’t make a difference with respect to creasing.
Michelle, I tested out the LM Caviar Stick in Plum, and it’s works for me. It’s a very dark blackened purple. Since it’s matte, it has a drier formula than the shimmery caviar sticks, so harder to blend, but work-able. Once it sets, it won’t budge. I have fussy, oily lids (one hooded) and a wet waterline, so I prefer to use as a base for powdered shadows. To test, I took the worst purple shadows in my stash ( the dusty, dry, chalky, sheer ones, the fallout monsters ), and used foam applicators to press them onto the Plum base. Plum intensifies/darkens the color, and I was able to get 12 to 17 hours of wear with only minor fading or smudging, which is pretty amazing. My favorite look was using Plum on the outer 2/3 of the lid, to provide drama and a “lift” to the eyes. For the inner and middle lid, I used Orchid Caviar Stick ( a shimmery light pink with purple undertones), then patted some light or medium purple shadows on top. I’ve also tested some other Matte cream purple shadows, and LM is the best so far. I had to return the Mally one in Plum, as it was dry and applied unevenly and clumpy on the lids. Bobbi Brown has one too in Violet Plum, but I swatched in store and didn’t bother, as it never dried down and smudged badly. Maybelline Color Tattoo has Vintage Plum, but the Color Tattoos crease on my lids, so I didn’t try that one, but you might have better luck. I know LM had a matte Aubergine in the holiday set, but when I swatched in store, it looked too brown and red against my skintone, but if she ever came out with a matte one in a light or medium purple, I would love to add to my collection! I also tested out Charlotte Tilbury Fallen Angel. The packaging and star embossing is stunning, but the colors are very dupe-able, but also very wearable. 3 of the shadows were smooth and pigmented (the medium brown is the best), but the black was a little drier, a little more powdery/sheerer, and harder to blend. If you like a soft black this is nice, but it can be built up to to medium, although there was some minor fallout. And while it has a slight shimmer, it shows up all matte on my lids. It’s way better than the average black shadow, just wasn’t as nice as the other shades, but it’s definitely workable. Temptalia reviewed this palette and gave all the shadows A/A-, so I got a drier, more matte black. Due to my oily lids, I have to use primer, and they lasted 12-15 hrs on me. Applying them wet does intensify them a little, but I didn’t notice a dramatic difference, and I think it makes them harder to blend. IMO, UD Naked and MUFE Artist have the better formula, but Fallen Angels is pretty decent. I don’t think I would pay the full $65 for it, but I love the packaging/embossing, I can see myself using this palette a lot, and they threw in a free full-sized Rock N Roll Eyeliner in Bedroom Black (retail $ 27) and 6% cash back. The Eyeliner is very pigmented, smooth (no tugging), and lasted all day and night. Hope this helps.
Wow – thank you Katherine! I received the LM Matte to Metal Caviar Sticks last week and have used them twice. I was actually a bit disappointed in them. Not that they didn’t work well, but I thought I’d get more color impact. For me, they work as a casual daytime look. Alone, Aubergine does pull brownish-red on me as well. I was able to use the Aubergine by blending it over the Sugar and with the Amethyst (which I would not have named as such as I don’t believe it accurately describes the shade). Now I’m conflicted about the LM Plum stick. I’ve heard good things about the Clinique ones and perhaps may go in that direction (Portly Plum). For $17, it might be worth trying first. (I have the same issue with Tattoo. It’s been a while since I’ve tried them but I gave them away bc of the creasing issue; and I always use lid primer.)
Scratch that (LOL). I received notice of 35% off at Laura Geller and ordered her Eye Dew Cream Shadow Crayons in Amber, Amethyst, Opal, and Rose Gold. Although if the Amethyst isn’t dark enough, I may still go LM or Clinique…
Wow, nice deal! Let me know how the Laura Geller ones work for you, especially Amethyst. For a cream base, I actually prefer a softer wash of color, as those are easier to blend and don’t change the top color as much, but I’ll take anything that can hold up to my oily lids. The LM ones have been the best so far, but I’m always on the prowl for new formulas and different colors
Oh no, sorry to hear the Matte to Metal set didn’t work for you in terms of color payoff 🙁 Maybe layer some powder shadows on top to intensify the colors? I’m with you on Amethyst, it’s not purple at all, just a light brown on me. If you’re looking for bolder colors, I have 3 of the darkest ones in my stash and they are super pigmented –Plum ( blackened purple), Khaki (cooler dark brown), and Jungle (dark forest green). I’ve only swatched Saphire (dark blue) in store, but that’s another bold one. If you do try the Clinique Chubby Sticks, let me know. I’ve only swatched in store, but they are much softer in pigment than LM ones, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it’ll be easier to use as a base and to blend. I googled Portly Plum and it’s a gorgeous color, so if you do try, let me know how it works for you. Do you think you will get Charlotte Tilbury Fallen Angels or skip?
I’m not heartbroken over the LM as I can always use more sheer looks; I think they’ll work esp. well in the warmer months. I think I’m skipping on Fallen Angel. I agree the shades are pretty dupable. (I believe some in my stash already qualify as dupes anyway; incl. some in the LG Delectables palette.) I would like to try one of the CT palettes at some point though. I’ll most likely wait until I can get a good deal (discount and/or cash back). On the Clinique I most likely will pick one or more up but probably when they run a GWP that i really want. The current GWP doesn’t thrill me and I think as we move closer to the Spring releases, the GWPs will be more to my taste.
Moisturizer and primer underneath the concealer and setting powder on top.
For myself, if my under eye is well hydrated it is less likely to crease. I swear by my Blistex Deep Renewal for the under eye (yes, you read that right)) and then do my primer, foundaiton, concealer and a light dusting of powder like the ELF under eye powder or the Wet N Wild Reserve Your Cabana with a small eyeshadow brush or a slightly damp sponge.
Elle: You’ve intrigued my interest with Blistix Deep Renewal for under the eye. Can you tell me more about this trick. Exactly what does it do and who taught you this trick?
Thanks,
Char
I did a video on it. It plumps up/hydrates the undereye and keeps it moist. You can also apply it over top of your make up during the day and you will literally see the those cakey creases fill in and plump up. Let me know what you think 🙂
I have extremely oily skin so it’s a battle to keep things from creasing. I have a “bulletproof” routine that works pretty well. I use:
– Smashbox under eye primer
– Anastasia Beauty Genius waterproofing gel – just a little smudged along the lower lashline to prevent any eyeliner from migrating
– Makeup Forever waterproof concealer or MAC pro long wear concealer
– Finish with a light dusting of Laura Mercier secret brightening powder, applied with a MAC 224 brush
I apply my foundation lightly in the under-eye area, use a lighter shade of concealer ONLY on the dark areas (inner corners, under bags), lightly apply the Fyrnniae Powder Primer for dry skin to set it, and if I have worse bags than normal due to lack of sleep or allergies, I’ll take a damp sponge (similar to a beauty blender) and gently press everything to remove excess product and set the area.
And, of course, I forgot an important step! I use the Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer before applying any other products to the under eye area. Needless to say, I always use a good moisturizer in the eye area which I apply ten minutes before starting my makeup.
Fortunately for me (yay me) I have both bags and dark circles from lack of sleep and working overnights to contend with. I’ve had trouble finding a concealer in the right consistency to cover well and not crease. What’s working well now in the coverage process is starting with the Origins GinZing Eye Cream to moisturize and reduce my bags, then my $2 LA Girl HD Pro Concealers in Orange to color correct, and then Fawn to cover, and then setting with the Chrisitne’s tip of a damp BeautyBlender and powder, for which I use Laura Mercier’s Translucent Powder. Going to try the Secret Brightening one that everyone loves. Works like a charm!!! Thanks Christine!!!
Two things work for me: First, if I apply my powder using a damp Beautyblender, there is absolutely no creasing. But having to wet and then subsequently clean the Beautyblender is too taxing for me, so I don’t do this step much. The second thing that works for me is when I use the Palgantong powder, which is a famous powder from Korea. It comes in a small red jar. When I use this powder, I just apply it using an Elf tapered face brush and I’m all set for the day! 🙂 I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS POWDER, it is sooo sooo good!
I still haven’t find right eye cream for helping my seemingly difficult under eye problem (creasing, dark circle). So, for creasing, choosing the right concealer, bb cream (I prefer a light one. Foundation is too heavy for me), and a bit setting powder. Especially concealer. I hv nyx, elf and la girl for concealer. But the latest one…my cle de peau concealer that works in the end. No more creasing.
Not a problem with loose BareMinerals product. Well Rested, Bisque, Original Foundation. I don’t usually wear Mineral Veil on my eyes but might be a good idea. it does help lipstick stay… 🙂
I have fair quite dry, sensitive skin. This works pretty nearly perfectly for me: put a lot of very emollient moisturizer on first first thing in the morning before I wash my face, during the few minutes while I brush my teeth and fuss with other stuff. Then wash my face and put on a nice but normal amounts of moisturizer. Then use MAC Full coverage Foundation (a Pro product) in W10 in my under eye area (it gives a lot of coverage, enough for concealer and the large quantity makes for quite the savings as a result) or Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer (in Fair Neutral) and then set with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light or MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light. If dryness strikes anyway, I spray over with Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray at any point through the day.
I should have specified that I apply the powders with a damp beauty blender or Wayne Goss number 2 brush (which is heavenly feeling) I over apply slightly and then sweep away with a large Chikuhodo powder brush.
I have quite bad dark circles because of doing irregular shifts for years and because I have deep-set eyes, so I’ve worked out a routine that works for me, though I keep trying new products. I use Paula’s Choice Resist Antioxidant serum, then moisturiser with SPF, and after about 10 minutes I first apply either Nars concealer in Honey (peachy tone helps against darkness), the Tarte Undereye Corrector or the By Terry Densiliss Concealer and blend with a damp BB, then follow with a light-reflective concealer with a lighter texture, such as Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch or Chanel’s light-reflective pen. I usually wait for 5 minutes and then pat in creased concealer, then set with either Nars Light-reflective pressed powder or Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder, applied with Wayne Goss nr 2 brush, but I’m gonna try the dampened BB trick for sure!
My concealer really never creases no matter what I do because I use Nars translucent crystal in pressed and call it good. It’s never failed to keep my face or my concealer smooth and fresh all day long.
There’s kind of a lot of factors for it, and mine usually ends up creasing a little bit since I have several folds under my eye (not really wrinkles, since I’m still young and don’t have lines anywhere else), but I’ve managed to minimize it this way:
1. Make sure to use an eye cream at night (and in the morning if necessary). I find that if my skin is well hydrated, it doesn’t crease as much.
2. Apply concealer in thin layers. Apply a thin layer, then wait for it to dry before applying another (if you even need to, you may find 1 thin layer is enough or that you only need a little extra in certain areas like the spot just inside of the tear duct)
3. I pat the concealer (I use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind) into the skin with a damp Beauty Blender instead of blending it out with a brush. I don’t know why exactly this helps but I find the concealer creases less when I press it in rather than swiping it around.
4. Set the concealer with a good powder (I use Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent) using the damp Beauty Blender. I’ve used brushes in the past to set my concealer but in the past few weeks switched to using a lightly damp Beauty Blender to press the powder on to the concealer instead of using a setting brush and have had significantly less creasing without changing a single product. And again I press it in and don’t swipe it around.
Primer + Bobbi Brown concealer.
ALL the other concealers I tried crease on me.
Onomie concealer doesn’t crease or give me any issues at all. When I use anything different, I first put on elf undereye primer. I have Smashbox undereye primer, too, and think that the elf (for $3 vs $26) works just as well.