Makeup artist Laura Geller offers practical guidance for addressing two persistent concerns many women over 50 face: dark circles and under-eye wrinkles. Geller acknowledges that concealing these areas presents what she calls a "daunting task," but she provides actionable techniques that work with aging skin rather than against it.
The under-eye area presents unique challenges. Skin there is thinner and more delicate than elsewhere on the face, making it prone to both pigmentation changes and visible fine lines. Dark circles often result from a combination of factors: reduced blood flow, thinning skin that makes underlying blood vessels more visible, loss of fat padding under the eyes, and accumulated sun damage over decades.
Geller's approach emphasizes preparation and product selection. She recommends starting with a hydrating eye cream applied before concealer, since dry under-eye skin can emphasize wrinkles and cause makeup to settle into fine lines. This step plumps the skin temporarily and creates a smoother base for coverage.
For product choice, Geller suggests lightweight, creamy concealers over thick, matte formulations. Dense products tend to cake and migrate into wrinkles throughout the day, actually drawing attention to lines rather than disguising them. She favors formulations with light-reflecting ingredients that help bounce light away from shadowed areas where dark circles appear most prominent.
Application technique matters equally. Rather than rubbing concealer directly onto the under-eye area, Geller recommends gently patting it in with fingertips or a damp beauty sponge. This gentle approach respects the fragility of the skin and ensures even distribution without tugging or stretching.
Color correction precedes full concealer application in Geller's method. She uses peach or salmon-toned correctors to neutralize bluish undertones in dark circles before layering concealer