How to Fix Dark Undereye Circles with Color Correction

Despite your best efforts for a good night’s sleep, certain factors like stress can keep you awake. While we always recommend getting more sleep, there are inevitable days when your dark undereye circles seem to be fully alert, no matter how tired you feel.

Even if you manage plenty of rest, dark undereye circles can still be persistent, often due to genetics, allergies, sun exposure, or other uncontrollable factors. We’ve enlisted two makeup artists to share their expert tips on how to effortlessly color correct those stubborn undereye circles.

What Is Color Correcting?

Color correction involves using complementary colors (those opposite each other on the color wheel) to neutralize imperfections. Unlike regular concealer, color correcting uses a complementary shade to effectively cancel out the flaw. "When you color correct, you apply the opposite color to the area that needs fixing," explains celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. "For example, a green corrector will neutralize redness, as green and red are complementary colors."

How To Choose The Perfect Color Corrector For Your Skin Tone

Color correctors can seem overwhelming, especially with their bold, vibrant shades that might appear out of place on your skin. If you have dark blue circles under your eyes, opt for an orange or peach corrector, as orange is the complementary color to blue. "The key to finding the right color corrector for your skin is saturation," says Greenberg. "For lighter skin tones, use a lighter version, and vice versa." Always test the product in natural light, applying it to the side of your face to ensure it blends well—peach shades work best for lighter skin, while darker tones should try orange.

How To Correct Dark Circles

Perfect Your Base

Start by ensuring your base is well-hydrated with a good eye cream. Dry skin can make you look tired and lackluster, no matter how much concealer you apply over it.

Color Correct (But Be Careful!)

To correct stubborn under-eye circles, focus on warm, sunny hues. Celebrity makeup artist and host of the In My Chair podcast, Quinn Murphy, suggests using shades of orange to neutralize darkness. "The trick is to apply it only to the areas with darkness, ensuring you don’t see the orange color itself," he advises.

Make Your Dark Circles Vanish

Start by using a soft concealer brush to apply a peach- or orange-based cream concealer, such as Cover FX Correct Click Under Eye Circles or MAC Studio Fix Conceal and Correct Palette, on well-moisturized under-eye skin. Sweep the peach color corrector in a "V" shape over the dark circles, with the top points of the V at the inner and outer corners of your eyes. Then, blend the V shape into your under-eye area using the concealer brush.

Conceal and Blend

Next, apply a concealer that matches your natural skin tone over the color corrector—Murphy recommends Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer, Bobbi Brown Under Eye Corrector, and Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer. "Once you apply your foundation that matches your skin tone, it will seamlessly blend in," he explains.

If your under-eye area is dry, Murphy advises avoiding powders. However, for those with oilier skin who struggle with foundation melting off during the day, a light dusting of translucent powder can help set everything in place. "Colorescience's Mineral Corrector Palette SPF 20 is a fantastic powder that works well under the eyes and on blemishes," Murphy shares.

Be careful not to overapply products around your under-eye area. "Start lightly, as if you're creating a pointillist painting," advises Greenberg. "The most common mistake is applying too much, which leads to another problem: clumpy concealer that ends up making you look even more tired."

Additional Tips for Correcting Dark Circles

If you’ve followed all the steps above and still notice some darkness under your eyes, keep reading for more tips from our editors.

Reduce Puffiness

Under-eye bags can cast shadows, making the area appear darker. To reduce puffiness, keep your eye cream in the fridge. The cool temperature helps slow down blood flow, diminishing the puffiness. Alternatively, you can use an eye cream with a metal applicator. A great option is Glossier Full Orbit Entire-Eye Brightening Cream, which works for both under the eyes and on the eyelids.

Line Your Lids With White Liner

To brighten your eyes, apply a nude or white eyeliner along your bottom waterline (the soft part of your lower eyelid). This will create a noticeable contrast, drawing attention away from dark circles.

Create a Lifted Appearance

To combat dark circles and brighten your appearance, use makeup techniques that lift the face. Apply concealer in a sweeping motion from the outer corner of your eye, extending it towards your temple, and blend well. Additionally, curling your lashes will help direct the focus upward.