The Foolproof Method For Concealing Under-Eye Bags

You've had a hard couple of days. Your sleep routine has been a nightmare, and the stress at work is through the roof. You aren't even surprised when you look in the mirror and see blazing dark circles and under-eye bags. That doesn't mean you need to head back to bed or throw on your favorite pair of shades, however. Instead, it's time to grab your favorite color corrector and concealer. With a few simple steps and the right skin prep, those bags will soon be a thing of the past. 

In fact, play your cards right and you'll look like you just walked off the New York runway rather than endured a grueling week at work and several restless nights. Learn a few tried and true hacks to remove under-eye bags. You'll be covered through the whole process, from prepping your under-eyes perfectly to setting everything in nicely. Since avoidance can make your morning routine easier, explore a few tips to prevent and treat under-eye bags at home and at the doctor's office. 

Your under-eye bags have become enemy number one, but you're ready for the fight. First and foremost, reduce the swelling with ice before grabbing the concealer, by applying a frozen spoon to the affected area for a few minutes. If you don't have time to freeze a spoon, grab an eye cream, oil, or primer to help plump up the area — preferably one with vitamin K or caffeine.

Once your eyes are hydrated, it's time to attack those bags. Reduce the look of them and lift the eye itself by adding a very light concealer just under the crease of the bag. Use your ring finger to gently move the product up, lifting the area in the process. Then, grab a color corrector to neutralize it, as instructed in the above video (skip this step if you don't have dark circles). 

After the lines and discoloration have been handled, it's time to conceal, conceal, conceal. The shade you choose is purely based on personal preference. Some like to choose a tone a few shades lighter than their foundation to provide a natural glow. Use your favorite concealer application like the viral triangle trick. Allow it to sit for a minute to get a little tacky, then blend. Add a bit of translucent setting powder and let it bake for 5-10 minutes before brushing it off. 

Sometimes under-eye bags are unavoidable. As plastic surgeon Shaun C. Desai, M.D., clarified to John Hopkins Medicine, "The most common cause of under-eye bags or puffiness is natural aging." He elaborated, "This weakening [of the skin] allows the fat surrounding the eye to bulge out, creating that bubble-like appearance." However, this isn't the only cause of under-eye bags. Diet, allergies, diseases, and genetics, all contribute. 

While you can't do anything about the aging process or genetics, you might be able to combat under-eye bags with a few preventative measures. Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and hydration are all crucial. You can also use cold compresses, hemorrhoid creams, and caffeine to reduce puffiness at home. For under-eye bags that are getting out of hand, try medical treatments like fillers, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing. 

Moreover, if you're really concerned, an eyelid lift could be a surgical option to create a smoother under-eye area. These unsightly bags can cramp your style. But, with the right concealer and some TikTok-assisted magic, you can make them look like they never existed. All it takes is a few minutes to generate a flawless finish and a more vibrant glow.