Dear Dark Circles,
I know we’ve been seeing each other for — oh, I dunno — 15 years? But if you ever decide to permanently skip town, please know that I would have absolutely no problem with that at all. Feel free to leave whenever you want. In fact, I don’t even care if you say goodbye. 🙂
LOL! Yeah, my dark circles and I… It’s almost like we’re partners in crime, the way we’re always together.
Here’s the combination of products I’m currently using to keep them on the down-low (as much as possible) and the way I use ’em.
Products mentioned in the video
- MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
- The MAC 165 Brush is no longer available, but here’s something similar from Sigma Beauty, the F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush
- MAC Shaping Powder in Lightsweep
This isn’t the only approach I take, but I’ve been doing it this way for a while when I need heavy duty coverage.
Hope you find it useful, and thank you as always for watching!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Tabs makes a cameo appearance in this one. 🙂
P.P.S. Some Prep + Prime Highlighters are used exclusively (mostly) for highlighting, but I learned this method, using Bright Forecast as an under-eye color corrector, from a MAC artist. Really depends on what you want to do with the product.
what would you recommend for light coverage for under eye circles?
Hi Gina,
You could use something like the Touche Eclat by YSL. It’s kind of expensive though (boo). I also like MAC Select Moisturecover for light coverage. It’s not nearly as pricey and great for dry skin. I’ve also heard great things about Revlon Photoready. I haven’t tried it but a makeup artist buddy of mine swears by it. 🙂
PS you are so cute in this video, as is Mr chubby Tabs
LOL, Tabs looks quite husky, I know. You know what they say…the camera adds 10 pounds.
Can’t resist from quoting Chandler:”How many camera was on Tab????”
LOL!
Another awesome video! I like all your concealing tips and I am so glad Tabs finally made an appearance. Btw, I have been using Lightsweep and I love it!
Hi Agata!
I’m so glad you are loving Lightsweep. It’s become a staple for me too. Do you use it to set your concealer or as a highlighter?
I use it as a highlighter. I love how subtle it is but I have to try it to set the concealer. I also got YSL Touché Éclat from hubby for Christmas. It’s soon amazing.
Yes! It’s subtle yet at the same time you can see there’s something there. It’s a total unsung hero.
Oooh…what a nice gift from your hubby! Have you been using Touche Elcat under your eyes?
Yes, I have used it under my eyes and along the side of my nose for a little highlighting. It’s so creamy. Hubby did great on buying me make up this year. I also got Guerlain La Petite Robe perfume among other things. I wanted it for such a long time.
Yes, it’s so great for both of those things. I’m thinking that I need another shade (in addition to the 4.5 I wear underneath my eyes) around for highlighting. 🙂 I’m kind of obsessed with highlighting at the moment.
How sweet of your Hubs to get you makeup gifts. I see guys at Sephora all the time buying stuff for their gals and I think it’s just the cutest thing ever!
El Hub did a good job this year too! I got a couple of random tech gifts (because he’s a computer guy…) and a black and gold panther dress from Anthropologie that I’ve been lusting after. I can’t wait until it warms up so I can wear it.
How was your Christmas? Did you get the chance to talk to your mom and sister yet?
Awwwww, Tabs is even cuter in motion!
He’s a big boy who loves the camera, LOL!
I truly enjoy watching your videos! And loved seeing Tabs too. Thank you for showing us how you apply concealer. This has always been my problem. It made me realize how little concealer I use that’s why my dark circles appear after such a short time. Keep your videos coming! Happy New Year, Karen!
Hi Millie,
You’re welcome! 🙂 Do you set your concealer with a little bit of powder? If you have trouble with your concealer staying in place, you might want to try that first. I find it really helps to seal the product and make it last longer. You can use your face powder, or use a powder that’s a few shades lighter than your usual face powder if you want a highlighting effect. Laura Mercier also makes a good one called Secret Brightening powder. HTH, and happy new year to you too!
Great video! Fun to watch, and I loved seeing Tabs! Jiji’s not a Temptations fan, he prefers Whisker Lickins.
I bought my mom some basic makeup for Christmas since she’s applying for jobs and wants to look energetic/youthful, so it was fun playing with that with her. It was just basics – BB Cream, highlighting concealer, blush, tinted lip balm, but it turned out well! My mom doesn’t do makeup, so I think I eased her into it.
Oh now nice, Chelsea! I bet she LOVED spending time and going shopping with you. Did you get to do a how-to lesson with her too?
Yup!
That’s awesome. Mom now has her own personal makeup advisor! Maybe you can even slowly ease her into color…that’s when the REAL fun starts, woo hoo!
OMG!!! Tabs is HUGE!!! so adorable!!! hope you guys had a great Christmas! Happy new year!!! you are so adorable Karen, and thanks for how to conceal dark circles video, by the way.
Hi Martha,
I hope you find the video useful! Tabs the husky kitty sends his regards. 😀
Really nice!
I’ve just been using a combination of MUFE Full Cover in the first shade and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer.
Thank you, Rikki! 🙂
Mr. Tabbs is one big cat! Makes my little tiger look like a runt. Both cute, however. Loved your video. What do you recommend for someone a little older with lighter skin and dark circles? I can’t apply that much product, just too aging.
Hi Allison,
I would try MAC Pro Longwear by itself. Even if you don’t set it with a powder, it still stays put. The trick is to use just a tiny little bit. Another think you could do with Pro Longwear is to mix it with MAC Careblends Essential Oil. I learned this trick from a MAC makeup artist and it’s great for more mature skin. I talk about it in this post here:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-unsung-heroes-care-blends-essential-oils-grapefruit-chamomile/
I love all your videos lately. I’m really shy at makeup counters so watching you is an intimidation-free way to get some great tips. Thank you! I’ve put the MAC primer pen on my to-get list, once I save up again after ordering way too much from the new Metallic Nudes collection. 🙂
Hi Jen,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the vids! It makes me happy to hear that you find them helpful. 🙂 What did you order from the Metallic Nude collection?
Getting more and more comfy on cam Karen! I love it!! Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year) and the best in 2014!
Happy New Year to you too, Kath! Where will you be spending New Years?
I love this so much! Exactly what I needed.
Yay!
What a fantastic video (and video topic) Karen!!
Dark circles are a bit of a thing for me, and I have many ways of trying to cover them up depending on the situation.
Usually it’s some combination of my Lancome long lasting liquid concealer, YSL’s Touche Eclat and a tiny bit of powder. It can get a bit tricky to fully cover them up though, as I almost never wear foundation! I’m usually just trying to take the edge off.
Hi Sylirael,
I’ve never tried that Lancome concealer. Does it stay out of fine lines?
HIIII TAAAAABS!
I don’t have that much dark circle, but I’m still looking for a concealer that a) won’t make what I have on my lower lash line smudge faster and b) won’t crease. I don’t know what it is with me and undereye concealer, but it just seems like nothing ever really works!
Tabs say MMMEEEOW back, Sunny! 😀
Yay for MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer! It is such an all-time favorite for me 🙂
Yes! It’s wonderful. Do you ever mix it with MAC Careblends Essential Oils?
Do you prep your undereye area before the bright forecast? I have dry skin and generally have to prep. What do you recommend?
Hi Kimberly,
I use a little bit of eye cream and MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance. Just a tiny bit, though, and I wait for it to sink in.
Also, when you’re using Bright Forecast to counteract dark circles, a MAC artist taught me that it’s better to use just a little bit of it. 🙂
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Great concealing demonstration.
Tabs is adorable… and huge haha 🙂
We call him our baby tiger, LOL!
I just tried and love Laura Mercier secret camouflage. It’s opaque enough to actually cover the darkness, but it’s not cakey at all. Much better than Bobbi Brown, which is so creamy it smudges my eyeliner and crease in 5 seconds!
Hi Lilly,
Thanks for the rec, Lilly. Do you ever set it with Laura’s Secret Brightening Powder? I use it sometimes to set concealer and I love it!
My first MBB video and I loved it. Really nice to be able to put a voice and personality to the face! Thank you for the tips, now I need to go home and practice. Love reading your posts. 🙂
Hi Tabs! My kitties love treats too.
Hi Sarah,
I hope that this video helps! Give it a try and let me know if you need any more help.
So, kitties. 🙂 How many do you have? I would love to have more (shhh, please don’t tell Tabs!), but Tabs is very possessive of his humans.
We have two, Tako (tuxie) and Ava (white). They’re pretty possessive too. Ava is ‘mine’ and LOVES snuggling and naps. Tako is hubby’s and usually doesn’t know I exist. lol
Great video! By the way, what nailpolish is that? Love the color!! Thanks
Loved the video…very cute!! Your Tabs is so adorable!!
I love that you’re uploading how-to videos. I’m going to make my boyfriend watch this one because I think you’re hilarious. Keep ’em coming chica!