How to Conceal Under-Eye Bags: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bags, or mild swelling and puffiness under the eyes, are one of those beauty problems that seems to affect everyone at one point or another. While puffiness can certainly be a result of lack of sleep, it can also be genetic and is common as you age. There are lots of strategies to decrease the swelling, like eye gels, cooling creams, or jade rolling, but if after that, you still need a little help, we've got you. Ahead, celebrity makeup artists Ashley Donovan and Carissa Ferreri share their step-by-step tutorial for covering under-eye bags with makeup.

De-Puff With Under Eye Gels

Before the application of makeup, Ferreri recommends de-puffing the area as much as possible with a set of cooling under eye gels. Keep them in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, then place them on your under eyes for an instant cooling effect that can help de-puff (think of it like applying an ice pack to a swollen injury).

Donovan agrees, "Cooling the area can immediately reduce under-eye puffiness and inflammation. Try using a cold compress or gently massaging the area with an eye roller that’s been stored in the fridge."

Pro tip: if you don't have eye gels, you can cut up a sheet mask for some DIY patches. And bonus, according to Donovan, "Wearing eye masks while doing eye makeup first will help shield the under eye area from any eyeshadow fall-out."

Apply an Eye Cream

Flawless makeup starts with a healthy, hydrated base. Prior to concealer application, give your under eyes some TLC with a quality moisturizer. The skin under your eyes is much thinner than the rest of your face, so be sure to use an actual eye cream, which is specifically formulated to treat this delicate area. Regular facial moisturizers tend to be too heavy for your under eyes, further weighing the area down. You can also use a jade roller to help press the product further into the skin. If you choose this step, just be sure to roll in upward, outward motions for a lifting effect.

"To prep and de-puff the under eye for makeup, I will reach for an eye cream containing caffeine," says Donovan. "The caffeine constricts blood vessels and increases blood flow, which reduces fluid and puffiness. A couple that I love and use often are Charlotte Tilbury’s Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum, and the M.A.C. Fast Reponse Eye Cream." 

Apply a Full-Coverage, Cream Concealer

"When it comes to makeup and concealing puffiness or under eye bags," says Donovan, "typically less is more. Too much concealer or powder can often be counterproductive, and can result in accentuating the area you are attempting to conceal."

Ferreri adds, "The Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is an amazing product for coverage, but the key is to use it very sparingly. This color is a number nine and I love this color for so many reasons and on so many skin tones because it has a very warm peachiness to it. This is going to be great for covering the dark circles."

Layer a Highlighting Wand Over Your Concealer

For added brightening, Ferreri recommends going over your concealer with a highlighting wand, choosing a shade and formula that isn't sparkly or overly reflective.

Step Five: Finish Off With a Liquid Concealer

"First cream, then highlight, then liquid," says Ferreri. Once you've applied a creamy consistency concealer and layered a highlight over top, finish brightening that under eye area with a liquid concealer. For this step, you don't need to layer over the entire area where you've already applied product. "Just focus on where you really need it, which is usually right in the inner corner, says Ferreri." She recommends setting the area with a translucent or illuminating setting powder.