Dark under-eye circles can be caused by a variety of factors like genetics, lack of sleep, allergies, and aging. While makeup and skincare can help reduce the appearance of dark circles, using makeup with a pink undertone is thought to counteract the dark, blueish-purplish hue of undereye circles. But does a pink color corrector actually work to disguise dark undereye circles? Let’s take a closer look.
What causes dark under-eye circles?
There are a few key causes of dark undereye circles:
- Genetics – Some people are just prone to darker undereye areas, which can be exacerbated by thinner skin around the eyes.
- Lack of sleep – Fatigue can make blood vessels under the eyes appear more visible and darker.
- Allergies – Seasonal allergies or eye rubbing can cause blood vessels under the eyes to dilate and darken.
- Age – As we age, skin thins and collagen depletes, making dark circles more apparent.
- Sun exposure – UV rays can increase pigmentation under the eyes over time.
No matter the cause, the discoloration occurs because the blood vessels under the thin undereye skin become more visible. This leads to a dark, shadows appearance under the eyes.
How does color correcting work?
Color correction uses makeup shades that counteract or neutralize undertones in skin discoloration. Here’s a quick overview of how color correcting works:
- Green neutralizes redness
- Purple/lavender counteracts yellow tones
- Peach camouflages blue/purple tones
- Pink brightens and awakens dull, tired eyes
Since dark circles often have blue, purple, or brown undertones, peach and pink colored concealers are commonly used to try to neutralize those discolorations.
Does pink color corrector work on dark circles?
The short answer is – it depends. Here are some key considerations:
- A pink color corrector can brighten a dull, tired undereye area and make eyes look more awake.
- It works best on circles that appear more brown/purple/blue in tone.
- Using a color opposite on the color wheel (like pink to counteract blue) helps neutralize and conceal the dark tones.
- But if genetic pigmentation is the main cause of very dark circles, pink may not fully neutralize and correct the darkness.
- The depth and undertone of your dark circles will determine if pink is the right color corrector for you.
How to use a pink color corrector
If you want to test out a pink undereye color corrector, follow these tips:
- Choose a highly pigmented, creamy pink concealer designed specifically for color correcting.
- Apply the pink corrector very sparingly only to the darkest parts of your undereye circles.
- Gently pat it in with your ring finger, avoiding any pulling or rubbing of the delicate eye area.
- Layer your regular concealer on top, then set it all with translucent powder.
- Blend down onto your cheek to seamlessly fade the color correction.
Using too much pink can make your undereye look irritated or inflamed. Start with very thin layers and build up slowly only where needed.
Best pink color correctors
Here are some top-rated pink undereye color correctors:
| Brand | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Becca | Under Eye Brightening Corrector | $32 |
| L’Oreal | Visible Lift Color Correcting Concealer | $11 |
| NYX | Dark Circle Color Corrector | $13 |
| Sephora | Bright Future Color Corrector | $14 |
| Maybelline | Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles | $9 |
Try out a few different formulas to see which pink undertone works best to color correct your specific undereye circles.
Other ways to minimize dark circles
While makeup can help reduce the look of dark undereye circles, treating the root causes is also important. Here are some other tactics to try:
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night
- Use allergy medication if seasonal allergies are a factor
- Apply under eye cream morning and night
- Stay hydrated and minimize salt intake to reduce puffiness
- Wear sunglasses when outdoors
- Switch to an anti-aging eye cream with peptides and retinol
- Cut back on alcohol and tobacco use
- Consider laser or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) undereye treatments
Consistency is key when trying to both treat and conceal dark undereye circles over time. It may take a multi-pronged approach to see significant results.
Conclusion
Does pink color correct dark circles? Pink concealers can help brighten a dull, tired under eye area and counteract blue/purple discoloration. A pink hue works to neutralize those undertones that contribute to a darker appearance. But it may not be enough to fully correct very dark genetic pigmentation. Pairing color correction with lifestyle changes and skin treatments will provide the most improvement. Test out a quality pink color corrector to determine if it can make a visible difference in reducing the look of your undereye circles.
