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QUICK FIX
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Conceal |
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UNDER EYE |
CIRCLES |
Dear Sharon:
I
am sick and tired of looking exhausted all the time. I get enough sleep, but I
have managed to inherit my mother's dark under-eye circles. I have tried a ton
of cosmetic concealers, but I just can't get it to look right. What is the secret
to appearing well rested even though I really am? -- Raquel Raccoon Eyes
Dear Raquel Raccoon:
When the moon hits your eye like
a coal pizza pie that's... time for a beauty re-do! My stunning sister of style,
heavy or light, the right concealer is a must-have in almost every woman's
makeup arsenal.
You are absolutely on the mark about the cause of your
beauty dilemma. I asked New York Dermatological Cosmetic Surgeon
Dr. Rhoda S. Narins--
who vaporizes dark pigment with a Yag laser treatment to permanently eliminate
under-eye circles-- what she thinks. Dr. Narins' explains, "Dark eye circles
are hereditary but tend to appear worse with age as the skin loosens and picks
up the shadow." 
Correctly and naturally obscuring under-eye rings can be vexing
if you are not using the right makeup concealers. Best intentions gone awry can
present a beauty breakdown worse than what you're trying to mask. First, why not
consider a treatment like Avon
(1-800-FOR-AVON) Lighten Up that diminishes the
appearance of dark under-eye circles as it moisturizes?
Makeup artists are masters of creating a flawless finish, so when
top camouflage experts open up their professional kits to you with a their own
signature line of cosmetics it's time to get in on the
buzz.
 Just decide which cover-up
suits you.
According to Bobbi Brown, makeup artist and cosmetic company mogul,
finding the right formula and color is key. Concealer should be yellow-toned and
one shade lighter than your foundation. Avoid too white or pink concealers that
will only appear that color when applied. Select either Bobbi Brown
Professional Concealer or Essentials Foundation Stick for lighter coverage.
Laura Mercier (1-888-MERCIER) Secret Camouflage is a compact duo
with one shade to match the skin's undertones and one to match the skin's color
so you can custom blend your perfect shade.
Laura suggests:
- Mix concealer with a tiny amount of eye cream or moisturizer for a smoother
consistency
- Use your finger or a makeup blush to apply
- Hold the end of the brush to ensure light feathery strokes
- Use fingers to blend in color
- Set with translucent powder
  If mixing and matching is too much for you or you need on-the-go
touch-ups, try Magic Stick from Paula Dorf
(888-4-PAULA-D). Paula says it
"magically" matches skin tones, "making everyone look flawless".
When it comes to faking it, there's nothing better than your own
industrial-strength "retoucher," from BeneFit Cosmetic's Itty Bitty Fake-it collection... the
Boi-ing! Concealer.
Or, a novel, yet effective way to obliterate raccoon eyes is to write them off
with the jumbo Pupa XXL Brilliant Concealer Pencil
For a super-light non-makeupy feel, perfect for the gym, or just hangin',Tony & Tina
Therapeutic Eye Base
doubles as a treatment and a cover-up.
A staple in tube cover-ups is
Christian Dior (fine stores) Hydrating Concealer in an array of colors that run the gambit from
ivory to mahogany. Hard Candy
Twosome double-ended wand lays down concealer on one side, blemish control on
the other.
Twosome double-ended wand lays down concealer on one side, blemish control on
the other.
Twosome double-ended wand lays down concealer on one side, blemish control on
the other.
Kimara Ahnert's (kimaraahnert.com
;1-800-452-9802) Camouflage Kit presents a wheel of five colors--mint, amber, medium-neutral, and luminizer-- to neutralize and tone. Kimara suggests, "Apply the mint or amber shades underneath under-eye concealer to prime the area and provide extra coverage." Paradoxically, the kit is also popular with people healing from
plastic surgery!
Somewhere between a shot of ginseng and a dab of concealer rests
the formula for a youthful, bright-eyed appearance. A washed-out face makes dark
circles more prominent. How about cleverly distracting from under-eye umbra with
some beauty
department
illusions?
The trick is to emphasize eyes and lip with soft definition: Add
impact-- while still being natural-- with Shiseido (better stores) Petit Shadow
Duo in Brown-Snow Tea and Chanel (fine stores) Sculpte Mascara for eye-opening
lashes. Burt's Bees (1-800-849-7112) minty lipsticks offer an array of better-than-nude
shades. Thanks to Yves Saint Laurent (better stores) Poppy Red Pure Lipstick,
your kisses will not be for the faint of heart. Now, go out and live it up!
Hankering for some image boosting advice? Ask Sharon: Advice Page
Online shopping made simple, visit StyleMaze!
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