How To Erase Dark Circles Like a Pro

While you can use makeup to instantly camouflage darkness, you should start by getting to the root of the problem with a brightening eye cream. But beware of richer textures, which work well before bedtime, but aren't ideal if you want your concealer to stick around. Instead makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor suggests priming under-eyes with a fast-absorbing gel formula.

Katie Somerville Wrinkle Warrior Eye Gel, $60, katesomerville.com

Botanics All Bright Eye Roll On, $11.99, target.com

Remember R.O.Y.G.B.I.V.? Well, it comes into play here as opposite color counteract. Orange-y shades offset the "blue, grey and brown tones in under-eye circles," explains Sotomayor. If your situation isn't too dire, then you can skip this step and move along to concealing. If not, Sotomayor recommends priming your under-eyes with a color corrector—apricot or peach works on fair skin to medium tones while orange and reds does the trick on deeper tones—before covering them up.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach and Orange/Red, $31, lancome-usa.com

Maybelline Master Camo Color Correcting Pen in Apricot and Red, $9.99, ulta.com

The point is to make your circles go away, not to replace them with obvious half moons of concealer. On that note, formula should "go on smoothly without looking cake-y, but should dry down enough that it won't crease much," says Scali. Her trick to preventing obvious signs of a cover-up is applying concealer after eye makeup but before lips, cheeks, and brows. "This way, concealer has time to set, and if it creases a little bit, which is normally right after you apply it, then you have a chance to blend it smooth and add more powder if needed."

Bobbi Brown Instant Full Coverage Concealer, $30, barneys.com 

As mentioned above, nailing concealer application is key to the whole operation. Whichever level of coverage you chose determines the best method of camouflage, says Sotomayor. For medium, "tap it at the inner and outer corners of your eyes, then buff it smooth with a clean and fluffy eye shadow brush," while for full coverage you'll want to "use your finger or a concealer brush to tap a corrector into the inner corners of the eyes or wherever the color is darkest, and then use the brush to pat neutral concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone under the whole eye area." All that's to say don't apply too much pressure, which "will just wipe the product to the side leaving problem area exposed," Scali says.

Sephora Collection Pro Concealer Brush #71, $22, sephora.com 

Nars The Small Intensifier, $55, narscosmetics.com 

Obviously, a hands-off approach post-application will ensure your concealer stays exactly where you left it, but Scali also recommends extending wear by dusting the area with a bit of translucent setting powder. For an airbrushed finish that equals less Face Tuning, you'll want to avoid "mineral powders, which can be shiny and accentuate creases around the eyes," and cake-prone, full-coverage powders.

Laura Geller Filter Fix Baked Correcting Setting Powder, $21, nordstrom.com

Giorgio Armani Micro-Fil Loose Powder, $45, sephora.com