If there’s one thing TikTok loves, it’s a viral beauty hack, especially when it makes a makeup routine more effortless. The latest trend making its rounds is using bronzer under your eyes, instead of the classic concealer to hide dark circles.
The concept intrigued me, and I couldn’t help but notice that most of the creators trying this out were white women. Naturally, I had to step up and see if this hack would work for my melanin-rich skin.
The Bronzer Experiment
I’ve always been a concealer girl. When I’m doing a full face, I want people to know. I’m not one for subtlety, and I need it to give bright and bold! But, in the name of beauty experimentation, I reached for my trusty bronzer and cautiously applied it under my eyes, just as I would with my concealer.
The first thing I noticed was how well it blended with my skin tone. The bronzer seemed to melt into my complexion, covering my under-eye circles in a way that felt very natural. It was almost too natural. My under-eye area didn’t have that bright, awake look I’m used to. Instead, it blended seamlessly into the rest of my face, giving a more unified and subdued effect.
I could see the appeal for a more natural look, especially for those days when you want to go makeup-free, while still looking a little put together. But for me, it wasn’t the vibe I was going for.
The Hybrid Approach
After doing some research, I stumbled upon another creator who mentioned using bronzer as a color corrector under concealer. Now, this was something I could get behind. I decided to give it a shot, layering the bronzer first and then applying my concealer on top.
The result was surprisingly good. The bronzer helped neutralize the darkness under my eyes, and the concealer added that brightness I crave. It was a happy medium, perfect for those “no-makeup” makeup days where I want to look like I woke up like this (even though we all know I didn’t).
The Final Verdict: Concealer or Bronzer?
While the bronzer technique alone wasn’t for me, I did appreciate how it seamlessly blended into my skin for a natural look. If you’re someone who prefers a softer, more unified complexion, this trend might just be your new go-to. But, for those of us who live for that bright under-eye look, sticking with concealer or even combining the two, is probably the way to go.