Eye Brighteners and Concealers
Lack of Sleep
Allergies
Exposure to sun
Smoking
These, and more, eventually command a need for concealer and brighteners in the eye area to cover those dark circles and other evidence of sins.
As we get a bit older or on days when we haven't had enough sleep, it is important that we brighten the skin around the eye area. We need more than a concealer.
What causes those dark circles? A bluish color under the eyes indicates that the blood vessels there are visibly larger and closer to the surface of the skin. Causes of this include alcohol, lack of sleep, hormones, and sun damage (Use Sunscreen).
Also, the surface of the skin can get darker either due to sun damage or genetics. Some ethnic groups have a predisposition to dark skin under the eyes.
Dark circles can be accompanied or emphasized by fat pads or water retention that can create additional shadows.
Concealers, no matter how great they are, can accentuate the fine lines around the eyes and look chalky. That's why I like one that is creamy or has built in moisturizers.
My three favorites are:
Guerlain Issima Perfect Light Smoothing Illuminator - No. 00 Rose Enlumineur
Colorescience Line Tamer Smoothing, Soothing Skin Brightener
Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream is a combination wrinkle cream and concealer which uses vitamins to combat circles and aloe vera and cucumber to work on that puffiness and minimize wrinkles. Also, it has tiny, shimmery light-reflecting particles that will help make you instantly appear bright-eyed and less wrinkled. With continued use the brown spots under the eyes may lighten up a bit.
Other favorites that many people swear by are:
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
La Prairie Light Fantastic Brightening Eye Treatment (very expensive!)
Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen
Presciptives Vibrant Eye Brightener
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Defining Eye Brightener
