Smoother under-eye highlighter application

March 22, 2019 5:37 PM

How do I keep under-eye makeup from caking and settling into fine lines around the eyes?

I have very pale skin with dark under-eye circles that don't go away no matter how much sleep I get, so I always apply a concealer/highlighter (like this or this) to the area. With age I have started developing some very fine lines under and around my eyes, and the highlighter tends to cake and settle into them. This makes them more visible than they would be otherwise. Using a primer helps a little, but not enough.

What can I do to keep the highlighter looking smooth rather than cracking? Is there another primer that would be better for this, or something I can use in addition? I tend to have dry skin so I moisturize regularly, but I don't use a special-purpose eye cream—should I?

posted by 4rtemis to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Yeah definitely use an undereye cream for moisturizing day and night. I also use vitamin e oil. Do you smoke at all? That will cause dark circle as well.
posted by Young Kullervo at 6:14 PM on March 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

Have you used a fine powder under the eyes? I do a “baking” technique (applying a fair bit of powder, letting sit 5-10 minutes, and sweeping away excess) - after I do this I then gently buff it yet again to smooth any lines. I find the key is to hit it with a brush at least twice before I leave the house! Tedious, I know. I’m a fellow under eye circle person constantly struggling with this.
posted by elke_wood at 7:36 PM on March 22, 2019

Have you tried the Wayne Goss method?
posted by suncages at 7:44 PM on March 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

This happens to me too. Half the battle will be finding the right products that work for you. It helps to only use as much powder in the under eye area as you absolutely need to set your foundation/cream/concealer etc. I love It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, it has amazing coverage and you seriously only need a speck of it when you use it. It has a wonderful finish that really looks like skin, instead of under eye concealer. I tap it with my finger to blend it, then use a damp beauty blender with just a tiny bit of setting powder. The concealer is a shade lighter, for the highlight. Then I do the rest of my makeup. And here is the trick!

Usually by the end of my makeup routine the fine lines around my eyes look a little pronounced, and the makeup is starting to settle in, so I just tap the product back out with my finger. That's it. That's the trick. For the rest of the day it doesn't settle in the lines, after that first time. I have no idea why this works but it does (for me).
posted by Syllables at 7:48 PM on March 22, 2019 [4 favorites]

I’m on a break from makeup but when I wore it, I used Benefit Pore-fessional, then a dab of Bobbi Brown color corrector (peach for the blue veins), and then a creamy concealer. Pat with sponge (mini Beautyblender, damp), not smear. And eye cream morning and night.
posted by matildaben at 8:50 PM on March 22, 2019

Best answer: The smashbox primer is silicone based which will collect in the fine lines under eyes. A moisturising primer like Natio or Laura Mercier will improve things.

Seconding the Bobbi Brown colour correcter.
posted by ellieBOA at 12:39 AM on March 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

I had this problem for a while, and the solution was using a daily moisturizer.
posted by DoubleLune at 4:50 AM on March 23, 2019

Best answer: I have much the same issue as you, and here is what I've found. Moisturizing before applying concealer is really important, as it plumps up those little lines and wrinkles so there's fewer places for the concealer to settle in. I use Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream and like it, but I recommend buying a sample size (from eBay or wherever) of any product you want to try, before committing any serious dollars. Dab it on with your ring finger, since it's the weakest. Then I usually wait five minutes or so before applying concealer, so the moisturizer can work its magic. I've been happy so far using a solid concealer as the base coat, because it seems like it settles into the wrinkles less than a liquid does.
posted by DrGail at 8:25 AM on March 23, 2019

Late to the party but here’s my routine. The concealer is creasing because your skin is sucking up the moisture in it. The key is to add a waterproof layer under the concealer to prevent this:

1) Wash face and moisturize.
2) Pat a thin layer of aquaphor on under eye circles. By thin I mean just touch the opening of the tube. Don’t squeeze it out onto your finger.
3) Apply face sunscreen all over face including under eye area.
4) Let it absorb for two minutes while I brush my teeth.
5) Pat a second thin layer of aquaphor on under eye again.
6) Pat a thin layer of Smashbox photo finish foundation primer over the aquaphor.
7) Let that set for 30 seconds while I curl my eyelashes and apply mascara.
8) Lightly blot under eye with tissue.
9) Pat on concealer I’ve had the best luck with Tarte.
10) Set with powder.
posted by fozzie_bear at 6:55 AM on May 19, 2019