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I have genetically dark under-eyes. As I’ve gotten older and become a mom (of course, with many sleepless nights!), my under-eye area has gotten even darker. That’s why this area is always my top priority when I do my makeup. For me, coverage alone isn’t enough. Choosing the closest match to my skin tone also plays a vital role, so it doesn’t look ashy or too bright.
Unfortunately, finding the right shade isn’t that easy.
Well, not everyone has time to spend the afternoon just roaming the aisles of Sephora or another beauty store to swatch the concealer shades they might want. Plus, purchasing online doesn’t guarantee you’ll make the best decision either! Because if you get the wrong shade, you may need to repurchase (not every place offers returns, in my experience), and you’re probably on a budget!
After some trial and error, there are a few things that I think really help me nail it. I hope it helps you, too.
1. Know Your Skin Tone and Undertone
Many people focus too much on finding a shade that just “looks close enough,” when in reality, your undertone is the real game-changer. Wearing a concealer with the wrong undertone can make your under-eyes look dull or even ashy, even if the shade itself seems like a match. So before hitting “add to cart” on that new concealer, make sure you know whether your undertone is warm, cool, olive, or neutral.
2. Stop Choosing Shades That Are Too Light
I used to be guilty of this too. Thinking that a concealer needed to be significantly lighter to give that bright-eyed look. However, I learned the hard way that it often ends up looking too harsh, particularly under natural sunlight or flash photography. These days, I opt for a shade that is just one step lighter than my skin tone. The result is a seamless, natural finish that brightens without looking cakey or disconnected.
3. Don’t Skip the Color Corrector
If your dark circles are pretty intense due to genetics (like mine!), sometimes concealer alone just won’t cut it. A color corrector helps neutralize that darkness first. This way, you don’t have to pile on a thick layer of concealer, and the final look stays fresh and natural.
4. Take Advantage of Concealer Samples
This is probably the tip that has changed the way I shop for concealer the most. Since not every brand offers samples, I was absolutely thrilled to discover that Kosas provides a Revealer Concealer Sample Card.
It allowed me to test several shades before committing to a full-size bottle. More importantly, I could see how the formula actually looked on my skin, and whether it could cover my dark under-eyes without turning ashy.
After comparing a few options, narrowing down the best match became so much easier instead of just relying on unpredictable online swatches or shade finders.
The shade I ended up with (03W) blended seamlessly into my skin, giving me just the right amount of coverage for my dark circles while still looking completely natural. Seeing the difference on my own face gave me a huge confidence boost before pulling the trigger on the full-size product.
I honestly wish more makeup brands offered sample cards like this. It completely takes the guesswork out of finding the right shade and saves you from wasting money on a product that might not even match.
Hopefully, these tips make finding your perfect concealer match a little easier. If you want to check out the Kosas Revealer Concealer for yourself, you can find it here!
Talk to you soon,
Pika🌼
