To erase dark circles, you first need to lift the discoloration with a color corrector or eye brightener before adding concealer, then set lightly with powder so it doesn't crease. Nikol shows two options: a quick one-product fix with the Eye Brightener, or a more buildable routine using Just Peachy Color Corrector and Creamy Concealer.
Key takeaways
- Concealer alone won't cancel dark circles—you have to lift the color first with a corrector.
- A pinkish eye brightener can cancel blue tones in one simple step for a quick, low-makeup day.
- A peach corrector like Just Peachy is used for blue/green darkness, while a green corrector helps cancel redness.
- Less product is more under the eyes since concealer can move and settle into fine lines.
- Eyelids need their own primer—color correctors and concealer are not formulated for the lids.
- Setting lightly with a brightening powder helps prevent creasing after you've corrected and concealed.
Nikol's step-by-step routine
- Cleanse and hydrate the eye area, then apply an eye cream and a facial serum.
- Look closely at your under-eye area to identify whether you have blue, gray, purple, or red discoloration before picking a product.
- For a quick one-product fix, click the Eye Brightener once and place it in the inner corners and over the darkest spots, then blend outward and taper upward with the Concealer Brush.
- For a more buildable look, apply Just Peachy Color Corrector into the inner corner and across the darkest areas, pressing it in without bringing it too close to the lash line.
- If you have redness, add a small amount of a green-toned corrector over those areas before concealer.
- Pat Creamy Concealer over the color corrector only where you need extra coverage, blending with the Concealer Brush.
- Separately prime the eyelids with Eye Primer, using a brush or fingertip to roll it into the lid before applying eyeshadow.
- Lightly set the under-eye area with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder using a blending brush to help prevent creasing.
Why do dark circles get worse with age?
Nikol explains that mature skin often shows a mix of blues, grays, purples, and even redness under the eyes, and the goal isn't to pile on makeup but to figure out what you're really trying to achieve—do you want a full coverage look or just a refreshed, brightened eye? That decision guides which product you reach for.
How should you prep your skin before correcting dark circles?
Before any color correcting, Nikol cleans around her eyes and makes sure her skin is hydrated. She applies an eye cream and a facial serum first, noting that if the under-eye skin is dry, concealer will drag and won't apply smoothly.
Why doesn't concealer alone cover dark circles?
Nikol points out that you can't just put concealer over darkness and expect it to disappear—you have to lift the color first. Identifying exactly where the darkness or redness sits on your own face is the first real step toward getting even, natural-looking coverage.
What's the fastest one-product trick for dark circles?
When she wanted a brighter under-eye without a full face of makeup, Nikol used the Eye Brightener, a pinkish color-correcting pen. She clicked it once, placed it into the inner corners and over the darkest points, let it set for a second, then blended it in and tapered it upward with the Concealer Brush—lifting the darkness with just one product.
How do you color correct and conceal dark circles for more coverage?
For a more buildable approach, Nikol uses Just Peachy Color Corrector to target blue and green undertones, applying it strategically into the inner corner and darkest areas rather than all over, since too much product under the eye can crease. If redness or rosacea is present, she adds a small amount of a green-toned corrector to cancel it out before layering concealer.
She then uses Creamy Concealer only where extra coverage is needed, patting and blending it in with the Concealer Brush so the finish still moves naturally with the skin instead of looking heavy or cakey.
Do you need a different product for dark eyelids?
Nikol is clear that color correctors and concealer are not made for the eyelids—she tried it once and it didn't work as a primer. Instead, she uses a creamy Eye Primer, tapping it on with a brush or fingertip and rolling it in with light, circular motions to neutralize pigmentation on the lid before applying eyeshadow.
How do you set your under-eye correction so it doesn't crease?
To finish, Nikol lightly sets the under-eye area with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder using a blending brush, rolling a small amount into the brush and softly pressing it under the eyes and into the inner corners to help the correction stay put without creasing.
Shop the look
Nikol uses Eye Brightener, Just Peachy Color Corrector, No Redness Color Corrector, Simply Apricot. Explore the eyes collection for more of the pro-aging makeup she created for women over 40.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't concealer alone fix my dark circles?
Darkness under the eyes is a color problem first, so you need to neutralize it with a color corrector or eye brightener before concealer can create an even tone.
What's a quick fix for dark circles on a low-makeup day?
Nikol uses the Eye Brightener, clicking it once and blending it into the inner corners and darkest spots for a brightened look with just one product.
How do you cover dark circles with redness or rosacea?
She layers a green-toned redness corrector over red areas before applying her peach color corrector and concealer.
Can you use the same corrector on your eyelids?
No—Nikol says color correctors and concealer aren't formulated for the lids; she uses a dedicated creamy Eye Primer instead.
How do you keep under-eye makeup from creasing?
She lightly sets the area with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder using a blending brush after correcting and concealing.
