A must-have makeup hack for dark circles

With beauty bloggers sharing video after video of makeup tips and tricks these days, makeup hacks are a dime a dozen. So, when you stumble upon a product that stands out from the crowd, is skincare inspired, and most importantly, works, you simply MUST share it with anyone and everyone who will listen. This is exactly what I did (and am doing now) when I tried the liquid highlighter, concealer and eye cream hack for dark circles under the eyes that I recently saw on social media (seriously, ask anyone in the 10+ group chats that I created and dedicated exclusively to share makeup life hacks that work). The best part of this neat beauty trick? Not only did the appearance of my dark circles noticeably lessen, my puffy, tired eyes - which are inherently chronic, may I add - also seemed lit up after the application! Before moving on to how to use this hack in your daily makeup routine, here's my favorite - read: must-have - highlighter, concealer, and eye cream that you can use from L'Oréal's portfolio of brands to get the job done. 

LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP AWAY WE GLOW LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER IN "DAYTIME HALO"

I must confess: I am a highlighter keeper. With so many shimmery shades and formulas to choose from, I just can't resist. So when NYX Professional Makeup sent our Skincare.com editors free samples of their Away We Glow Highlighter collection, I was like a kid in a backlit candy store. Of the nine shades, "Daytime Halo" is my favorite to use in this makeup hack—and on its own to accentuate cheekbones, Cupid's bow, and so on. The shimmery highlighter gives just the right amount of light to get the job done without making it too obvious that I've smeared makeup highlighter on my eyes in a last attempt to hide stubborn dark circles.

NYX Professional Makeup Away We Glow Liquid Highlighter in Daytime Halo, $7MSRP

LIQUID CONCEALER: URBAN DECAY NAKED SKIN WEIGHTLESS WITH FULL COVERAGE 

Inspired by skincare, Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer is one of my all-time favorites. Enriched with peptides, Japanese green tea and sodium hyaluronate, its formula can help hydrate the skin around the eyes and leave the delicate skin around the eyes well nourished. After Urban Decay sent our Skincare.com beauty editors free trials of the Light Under Eye Concealer, I found it effortlessly covered my visible skin imperfections and made my skin tone more even. Paired with liquid highlighter and eye cream, it can be the perfect weapon against those annoying dark circles.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Full Coverage Concealer. MSRP $28.

EYE CREAM: LANCÔME ABSOLUE PRECIOUS CELLS EYE RESIBLY REVITALIZING AND REJUVENATING EYE CREAM

Absolue Precious Revitalizing & Rejuvenating Eye Cream is one of my favorite eye creams in my pre-sleep routine, and now this dark circle makeup hack. Lancôme recently sent our Skincare.com beauty editors free samples of all their eye creams, and what I love about this particular cream is that it can leave the skin around the eyes hydrated and refreshed.

Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Eye visibly revitalizing & rejuvenating eye cream. MSRP $119.

MAKE SURE TO TRY THE DARK CIRCLES HIDDEN MAKEUP

Now that we've discussed the liquid highlighter, liquid concealer, and eye cream that I love to use for this makeup hack, here's how to use a must-have makeup hack to hide the look of dark circles and puffy, tired eyes. with highlighter, concealer and eye cream.

Step 1: Dose Your Products 

First of all, you need to dose products. Apply a small spoonful of Liquid Highlighter, Liquid Concealer and Eye Cream to the back of your hand. Don't apply too much product at one time, especially since if you need more later, you can always add more. Nobody wants their precious makeup to go to waste, right?

Step 2: Mix It Up

Then blend liquid highlighter, liquid concealer and eye cream with your fingertip or makeup brush. Once all three products are blended into one smooth formula, you're ready to go!

Step 3: application

When applying products, remember that less is always more! The last thing we want is for this hack to do more harm than good, so it's best to keep things looking as natural as possible. To apply, use your ring finger or little finger to apply the Illuminating Elixir around and under the eye contour. Rub into skin until smooth.

Step 4: Get on with your routine

As soon as the circles under the eyes disappear and become lighter,apply the rest of your makeup - mascara, brow pencil, highlighter, etc.

Step 5: Put it all back

After you're done with the rest of your makeup regimen, use a setting spray or powder to set the look and help it last longer!