How to Say Bye to a Dry Under Eye

I am so excited to share my new under eye routine with all of you.  The other week, I texted my cousin who is also a makeup artist asking her for help. I had run through a number of skincare, concealer, powder combinations and no matter what the skin under my eyes looked scary. 

Skincare: 

There are a number of good eye creams on the market. My cousin recommended I use something with hyralaunic acid and skip gel formulas.  I have been loving the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Cream. A little goes a long way, and this stuff leaves my under eye area hydrated and glowy. 

As you may have heard, here in Chicago we recently experienced some less than stellar weather. Surviving the Polar Vortex required amping things up a bit. Lately, I have been adding just a drop of face oil to my routine as well. Applying a tiny bit under the eye area at night really gets rid of that flakiness. I have been adding one or two drops to my liquid foundation and/or tinted moisturizer for extra hydration allover my face. My longtime favorite is Tarte Maracuja Oil. Using a brush to apply a touch of moisturizing facial setting spray just before your concealer adds another layer of moisture. 

Concealer:

Using a drying concealer around the delicate under eye area can prove disastrous. I tested every concealer that I own, and found several that work.

While I love Fenty Beauty, the Match Stix do not work well under my eyes. I love them for highlighting & contouring, but I need more hydration under my eyes. 

Oddly, the Wet n Wild Makeup Stick does work for me. The key is applying just a tiny bit after warming up the product on the back of my hand. I gently pat it on to correct and cover my dark circles. The slight peachy tone to this really brightens things up. 

If you prefer something a bit more high-end, Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer is a great choice. I use the same method and warm it up on the back of my hand before applying with my ring finger. 

For a more natural look, the Aveda Inner Light Concealer is a liquid formula with a sponge-tip applicator. I think this concealer is truly underrated, and find it pairs perfectly with the Inner Light Tinted Moisturizer & Foundation from the brand.

Need something with really full coverage that is also waterproof? IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye glides well over the eye cream I use from the brand. 

If you need something more budget friendly, Wet n Wild also offers a cushion formula that I pat on with the included mini puff. 

Powder:

One of the most important parts of this recipe is the powder.

I recommend using a very finely milled powder, preferably one designed specifically for the under eye area. If using a loose powder, I find applying it with a damp beauty blender yields the best results. I like the High Definition Undereye Setting Powder from E.L.F. It is a light pink in color, which helps with color correcting. However, the powder that really works the best with my skin is the Marc Jacobs Beauty Dream Filter Light Filtering Contouring Powder. The left side of this very soft pressed powder has a creamy texture an1d really acts like a filter under my eyes. It is the perfect color for my skintone, and sets my concealer perfectly. The other side is a great contour powder. I do not recommend using a Beauty Blender with pressed powder. Apply this one with a Sigma F64, or Sedona Lace Synthetic 217 brush for an even more airbrushed look. If you prefer a classic powder puff, use only a small amount, and brush off any excess. 

The Final Look:

In the above photograph, I used my old method on the right side. On my left side (the right side of the photo) I used the method outlined in this post.  You can really see how prepping the skin properly, using a hydrating concealer and the right powder hides the lines under my eyes. The other side shows a more drying concealer with an average setting powder brushed over top. Everything settled into my lines making the under eye area look dry and dehydrated. 

Still feeling dry? Finish with a hydrating facial spray to take down any flakiness or powdery look. 

*Some of the items in this post may have been sent for consideration by the company. I do not do sponsored posts. I do not get paid to write reviews. All opinions are my own.