Ranking up there with a lash-boosting mascara and skin-brightening blush, a concealer that can tack on a few more hours of sleep in seconds is a non-negotiable in my makeup bag. Applying a formula under my eyes that’s a bit lighter than my actual skin shade is always a surefire way to make me look fresh-faced and awake, but come midday, the lines under my eyes are saying the complete opposite.
I eventually chalked the settling up to a lack of setting powder—who has the time, honestly—or the formulas not working with my skin, but after trying countless brands and product types, I realized there’s pretty much no way around under-eye creasing—until celebrity makeup artist Gita Bass let me in on her application secret.
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“When I’m working under the eyes, I always warm up concealer on the back of my hand first, then apply it with a soft fluffy brush,” she explained, adding that warming up the formula instead of just applying it straight from the pot or stick makes it more sheer and gives it more slip. “Then, lightly press it in with your fingers for a seamless and creaseless finish. This allows the product to glide smoothly over the delicate eye area and prevents it from settling into fine lines and looking cakey.”
If your main goal is to cover blemishes or imperfections, however, Bass says to trade in the fluffy brush for a small, stuff one. “Apply the concealer right on top of the imperfection, then blend the edges out with a tiny beautyblender.”
Who knew making your concealer look like a second—much younger-looking—skin was so easy?