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After spending an hour swiping, stippling, and blending, it’s frustrating to see your base settle into fine lines. We\u2019ve been there. It can be especially tricky to manage makeup under the eyes, where lines tend to deepen with age. \u201cIt\u2019s the thinnest and most delicate skin on the body,\u201d says Aegean Chan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Barbara. She adds that as we age, collagen and elastin levels decline, cell turnover slows, and the skin barrier weakens, resulting in drier skin. As we know from the pros (and from personal experience), it\u2019s notoriously hard to apply makeup to dry skin.<\/p>\n
Now, we\u2019re not saying you have to cover up signs of aging\u2014or any part of your face, at all\u2014but if you\u2019re looking for tips, we\u2019ve got you. Ahead, makeup artists share their advice for seamless concealer application over fine lines.<\/p>\n
Before any makeup touches your face, artists stress the importance of prepping your skin. Concealer will grab onto lines if your skin is dry, and that\u2019s especially true for the undereye area. Joseph Carrillo, a makeup artist in New York City, recommends tapping on a lightweight eye cream and letting it dry. We recommend the Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream for its lightweight, hydrating texture and cooling metal applicator.<\/p>\n
Not all eye creams play nice with base makeup, though. Some cause pilling or prove too slippery for your concealer to adhere to. Amanda Lam, a cosmetic chemist based in Los Angeles, recommends using an eye cream without silicones because they don\u2019t mix well with many concealers. \u201cLook for dimethicone [a silicone] on the label,\u201c says Lam. \u201cEye creams with a high percentage of silicones won\u2019t mix well with concealers and will likely cause pilling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lam also warns against eye creams that are too emollient or have a lot of oil in the formula because they can make your undereyes too \u201cslippery.\u201d<\/p>\n
When shopping for a concealer, keep Carrillo\u2019s words in mind: \u201cTexture matters more than coverage.\u201c[For fine lines], I usually look for formulas that are hydrating and flexible rather than thick or overly matte.\u201d He adds that when concealers are too heavy, they tend to \u201csit on top of the skin and exaggerate lines.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThin, serum-like formulas move with the skin and tend to look more natural throughout the day,\u201d adds Carrillo, who recommends the Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and Armani Luminous Silk Concealer, both of which have lightweight, fluid textures that are easy to blend and less prone to settling into fine lines.<\/p>\n
Caroline Barnes, a makeup artist in London, is also a big fan of the Glossier Stretch Concealer. \u201cIt\u2019s a really hydrating formula,\u201d she says. Barnes also loves the Jones Road Face Pencil, especially for those who find liquid or cream concealers hard to blend because they move around too much. \u201cIt\u2019s really great for targeting darkness or discoloration under the eyes too,\u201d says Barnes.<\/p>\n
You may see makeup tutorials online where creators apply concealer in a windshield-wiper sort of motion. Makeup artists warn against this if you have fine lines. \u201cIt looks lovely on firm skin, but for fine lines, it [the amount and placement] is too heavy,\u201d says Barnes.<\/p>\n
Instead, Carillo and Barnes recommend dotting a small amount of concealer on the darkest part of your undereye area and blending it in. Of course, a \u201csmall amount\u201d is subjective, but Barnes suggests starting with a single dot if you\u2019re using a concealer with a wand. For concealer pots, swiping your finger or brush in once should be enough to start.<\/p>\n
You can always build up if you need to, but \u201cless product is almost always the trick,\u201d says Carrillo.<\/p>\n
When it comes to blending out concealer, experts say the best tool is often your fingers: \u201cThe warmth of the fingers helps melt the product into the skin so it becomes part of the complexion rather than sitting on top,\u201d says Carrillo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n