The Blue (Yes, Blue) Undereye Brightener That Really Works
Moving to Ann Arbor two years ago provided one gift I’d like to give back: spring allergies. Each year, I sail optimistically through March, convinced I won’t get stuffy this spring. But by mid-April, I’m buying the value pack of Claritin at Costco. Taking meds does help, but on some days my eyes are still itchy and puffy no matter what I do. And that inflammation around my eyes isn’t just annoying; it creates under-eye circles. Concealer has helped a bit, but not as well as tapping on Urban Decay’s new Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid in Skywalk.
I know it seems counterintuitive to apply blue to, well, blue circles, but the cream morphs from blue to white to just bright on the skin. Urban Decay describes the effect as something “you see but don’t SEE,” and I can’t really say it better than that.
I apply a light coat of Skywalk over my concealer, allow it to sink in for about 30 seconds, then tap with my ring finger until the cream is fully absorbed. The fluid is super-light, glides on and doesn’t sink into lines or pores. I also believe, even if you don’t suffer from dark circles (lucky), you could tap a little Skywalk into your eyes’ inner corners to subtly brighten. After 40, everyone’s eyes start to hollow out a bit, so this is really a universal tip.
Finally, it’s worth noting that, although my allergies (and thus my dark circles) only last from April to June, for some, this is a year-round, unrealized affliction. A number of dermatologists have told me over the years that un- or under-treated allergies are a primary cause of chronic dark circles. Kristina Goldenberg, M.D., a New York City dermatologist, said allergens can range from dust, pollen, etc. to food to skincare products. In fact, the latter, she said is probably the most common. “If I suspect undereye darkness is caused by something the patient is using topically, I will have them stop everything in their regimen and just use a simple moisturizer like those from Cerave for a month to see if that helps,” she explains.
