How To Cover Dark Circles? The 2026 Makeup Guide

To cover dark circles, you must first neutralise blue or purple tones using a peach or orange colour corrector. Follow this with a creamy, hydrating concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone. Always prep with a caffeine-based eye cream and set lightly with a translucent powder to prevent creasing.

To be fair, even after a full eight hours of sleep, dark circles can still make us look exhausted.  So, in this guide, let’s make it easier for you to cover up dark circles and achieve a natural, brighter under-eye look with makeup. 

Why Do We Get Dark Circles?

Before we get into the makeup tricks, let's have a quick reality check. Dark circles aren't always about being tired. It is just life, really. Here are the main reasons they show up:

• Your DNA: If your mum or dad had them, you probably will too.

• Thin Skin: Sometimes the skin is so thin that the blood vessels show through.

• Face Shape: A deep 'tear trough' creates a shadow even if your skin is clear.

• Ageing: As we get older, we lose the 'plump' look, making shadows look deeper.

It doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong. You could be drinking three litres of water a day and still have them. It is just anatomy. If they bother you, let's resolve this. We can use a few clever tricks to brighten things up and make those shadows disappear.

How To Hide Dark Circles Under Eyes: 5 Easy Makeup Steps

If you just slap on a thick concealer, it will look like you are wearing a mask. For a lovely and natural look, follow this brilliant step-by-step programme to get the best results.

Step 1: Prepare Your Skin

If you try to put makeup on dry, crusty skin, it will look rubbish. It is that simple. Gently cleanse your face first to get rid of any old bits of makeup. Then, use a lovely eye cream or serum. The skin around your eyes is very thin and dries fast. When skin is dry, it acts like a sponge and soaks up the moisture in your makeup, leaving it looking cakey.

Here’s what to look for in an eye cream:

• Hyaluronic Acid: This holds onto water to plump the skin up.

• Caffeine: This constricts blood vessels to reduce the blue look and puffiness.

Gently pat your eye cream around the bone using your ring finger to avoid any pulling. Let it sit for at least two minutes so your makeup has a smooth, even surface to sit on.

Moreover, explore the best products for dark circles; it’s better to reduce them in the first place.

Step 2: Colour Correct Your Under Eyes

Most people think the answer to how to cover dark circles under the eyes is just more concealer. But if you put beige over blue, you get grey. You need to neutralise the colour first using a corrector.

• Very Light Skin: Use a yellow or pink-toned corrector.

• Fair to Medium Skin: Use peach tones to cancel out blue shadows.

• Tan to Deep Skin: Use orange or red tones for deep purple or brown shadows.

Apply a tiny amount only to the darkest areas using your ring finger or a small brush. Tap the product in gently. You don't want to blend it away entirely; the goal is just to hide the dark colour. A vital trick is to let the corrector 'set' for a minute before you move on. This stops it from mixing with your concealer and making a mess.

Step 3: Apply Concealer

Now you can move on to the actual task of how to hide dark circles. Pick a concealer that is one shade lighter than your natural skin tone. This helps to brighten the whole area and makes you look more awake.

Apply the concealer over your corrector in light, buildable layers. It is much better to add a little bit at a time than to put on a big blob at once. Use a damp makeup sponge or your finger to blend the edges. Use a 'bouncing' or tapping motion rather than dragging. Dragging just moves the product around and ruins your hard work. Keep it light; a little goes a long way.

Step 4: Pat Some Powder & Lock In The Products

To stop your makeup from moving or falling into fine lines, you need to lock it in place. Lightly dust a setting powder over the area. You can use a translucent powder or even a slightly peach-toned one for extra brightness.

Use a lovely, fluffy brush or a powder puff. Don't press too hard. You just want a very thin layer to 'set' the cream. This keeps everything looking fresh until you get home at the end of the day.

Step 5: Do The Final Touches

To really finish the look, you can try one more trick. Use a nude or white eyeliner on your bottom 'waterline' (the bit of skin just above your lower lashes). This makes the whites of your eyes look bigger and brighter. It is a brilliant way to finish your routine and really hide any last signs of being tired.

Advice on How To Conceal Dark Circles on Mature Skin

If you are over 40, you have to be careful. Your skin has 'lived' a bit more, and that is a lovely thing, but it does mean makeup behaves differently. 

Follow these rules to hide dark circles if your skin has matured:

1. Use less product. The more you put on, the more there is to crease.

2. Go for serum-based formulas. These are thinner and move with your face.

3. Skip the heavy powder. A light dust is plenty. Avoid the area if it feels very dry.

4. Hydrate constantly. Pat a tiny bit of eye balm over your makeup during the day to refresh it.

Avoid These Mistakes While Concealing Dark Under Eyes

We all make mistakes, but some are easier to fix than others. Here are some mistakes to avoid while hiding your dark circles:

• The "Panda" Effect: Using a concealer that is way too light. Stick to one shade lighter than your foundation.

• The "Cakey" Look: This usually happens because you didn't moisturise first.

• The "Grey" Cast: This happens when you skip the corrector. You can't hide blue with beige.

• Using Too Much: Start small. You can always add more, but taking it off is a real pain.

How to Conceal Under Eye Bags and Shadows

Do you wonder how to conceal undereye bags? Bags are different from circles. Bags are about volume, i.e., the skin is puffing out. If you have puffiness, you need to be careful with light-reflecting products. Brightness may make the 'bag' look bigger because light brings things forward.

The trick is to apply your concealer only in the 'hollow' beneath the bag. This brings the shadow forward and levels out the skin. 

Don't put the bright concealer on the puffiest part. Just put it in the shadows. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, it is a game-changer.

Conclusion: Hiding The Dark Circles Made Easier

To sum up, covering dark circles is a three-part programme: hydrate the skin to prevent creasing, correct the blue or purple tones with peach or orange, and conceal using a light-reflecting liquid formula. Following this method ensures you hide the shadows without looking like you are wearing a heavy mask.

While these makeup tips work wonders for a quick fix, remember that they are only temporary. To naturally revive and brighten your under-eye skin, explore the wide range of eye care products. 

FAQs

1. What is the best way to cover up dark circles?

The best way is to apply an eye cream, then use a peach or orange colour corrector to neutralise blue shadows, and then apply a hydrating concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone. Finish with a light dusting of powder to keep everything in place.

2. Which colour concealer is best for dark circles?

Pick a concealer one shade lighter than your skin. This brightens the under-eye area and hides dark circles effectively.

3. Why is my concealer not covering dark circles?

This usually happens due to the wrong shade or technique, dry/uneven skin, or natural skin structure. Fixing it means matching the shade, prepping your skin, and using the right method.

4. How to conceal dark circles without looking grey?

Use a peach or salmon-toned corrector under your concealer. Even a concealer with a subtle peach undertone can prevent a greyish look and make your under-eyes look fresh.