The Perfect Undereye: How to Brighten, Conceal, and Avoid Creases All Day

Prep the Canvas With Care

The undereye area is delicate—thinner, more sensitive, and prone to creasing if not properly prepped. Before you even reach for makeup, begin with skincare. Gently pat on a lightweight eye cream—nothing too greasy or heavy. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration or caffeine for depuffing tired eyes. This step helps prevent concealer from clinging to dry patches or fine lines. Wait a full minute for your skincare to absorb, so the makeup layers smoothly on top.

Choose Your Concealer Thoughtfully

Not all concealers are made for the undereye. You want something creamy, blendable, and hydrating—never thick or drying. Liquid formulas work best for this area because they move with your skin. When it comes to shade, go one or two tones lighter than your foundation to brighten without looking stark or chalky. If you have dark circles with a purple or blue tint, layer a color corrector first. A soft peach or salmon-toned corrector neutralizes shadows and lets your concealer work more effectively without extra product buildup.

Apply in Small, Intentional Doses

The biggest mistake with concealer? Using too much. The less you apply, the more natural and crease-free the result. Dot a small amount in the inner and outer corners of your eyes—these are the areas that tend to cast the most shadow. Then use a damp beauty sponge or your fingertip to gently press and blend the product into the skin. Let the warmth of your fingers melt the product in if you’re going for a no-tools routine. Avoid dragging or over-blending—this can thin out the coverage or disturb the skincare underneath.

Let It Sit, Then Set It Right

One underrated tip? Let your concealer sit for 20–30 seconds before blending. This gives the formula time to thicken slightly and increases coverage without adding more product. Once it’s blended and smooth, move to setting. Skip the heavy baking—too much powder can emphasize lines or dry out the skin. Instead, press a small amount of finely milled translucent powder into the area using a puff or tiny blending brush. Don’t sweep or dust it on—pressing helps the powder lock the concealer in without shifting it around.

Brighten With Intention, Not Overkill

If you love a lifted, bright-eyed look, this is where subtlety shines. Use a brightening setting powder with a soft peach or yellow undertone, and apply just in the hollow between your inner eye and nose. This tiny touch reflects light and gives your eyes a more open, awake appearance without the need for extra product. For an even softer effect, tap a bit of highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, just under the outer corner of your eye. It draws the light upward and pulls the whole look together.

Touch-Ups Without the Cakey Finish

Throughout the day, creasing can still happen—especially if you smile a lot or have expressive eyes (which, let’s be real, you should). If you see lines forming, avoid piling on more product. Instead, take a clean fingertip or sponge and gently press the area to smooth it back into place. If you really need to refresh, blot lightly with a tissue first, then press a small amount of powder back in. This method keeps your makeup fresh without turning it into a dry, cakey layer.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the undereye takes more than just a good concealer—it’s about intention, layering, and knowing when to stop. With the right prep, gentle application, and smart setting techniques, your undereye area can stay smooth, bright, and crease-free all day. It’s not about hiding flaws—it’s about enhancing your features in a way that feels soft, fresh, and effortless.