how to stop under eye makeup from creasing

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Trying to prevent your concealer from permanently residing in the fine lines around your eyes? Us too, tbh. It's one of those things that seems to happen no matter what we do. Try as we might - and trust us, there's been much trying - those dreaded little lines always surface at one point or another. We figured, then, it was about time to reach out to the people who really know their stuff (hey, we do too, but, you know), for a quick lesson in correct concealing 101.

There's very few people who could compete with the level of makeup mastery Charlotte Tilbury has under her belt. Undoubtedly at the top of her game, she's about as good as it gets in the beauty world. So, we broached the topic of how to really life-proof your concealer, and put and end to those pesky, cakey fine lines for good.

Here are the four steps you need to follow, 'cause CT says so.

1 Choose a flexible formula

Courtesy of brand

Magic Away Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury charlottetilbury.com

£24.00

Doesn't take a genius to know that there are lots of different types of concealers out there, but some are more likely not to sit well beneath the eyes - specifically, ones that you can't manipulate easily. Consider a stick formula vs a creamy one - there's nothing particularly wrong with the stick one, it's just not going to work in your favour beneath they eyes, as CT explains.

"I always recommend my holy grail of concealers: Magic Away! It's so incredibly flexible, it has been coined 'Spanx for the under-eyes'. It stretches over the skin, and conceals the appearance of dark circles, pigmentation, redness, blemishes and imperfections, without creasing or sitting in the lines. It delivers a full coverage that lasts for up to 15 hours!!"

2. Eye cream is essential

Courtesy of brand

Magic Eye Rescue

Charlotte Tilbury charlottetilbury.com

£42.00

We already had a hunch about this one, seeing as the skin becomes more lined and crepey when it's dehydrated. Thankfully, Charlotte reconfirmed the importance of prep around your peepers - so make sure you don't go forgetting. "When prepping, before applying makeup, I always gently tap an eye cream underneath the eyes. It re-vitalises the delicate skin, hydrating, smoothing, and making it a perfect canvas for applying makeup."

3. Use a colour corrector if necessary

Courtesy of brand

Magic Vanish Colour Corrector Tan Parent Child

Charlotte Tilbury charlottetilbury.com

£24.00

They're nothing new, but colour correctors should be your BFFE if you're trying to conceal the dreaded dark circles. They work by canceling out darker areas with either pale pink (for very fair skins), peach (for lighter skins), or orange (for darker skins) tones.

"Colour correctors are a very necessary primer for the under-eye area, before you apply your concealer. They neutralise, brighten the appearance of dark circles, and conceal pigmentation. My new Magic Vanish Colour Correctors contain Carnauba Wax and Microspheres, so they're super buttery, easily blendable, and leave a flawless-looking finish every time!!"

4. Set with a loose powder

Courtesy of brand

Charlottes Genius Magic Powder

Charlotte Tilbury charlottetilbury.com

£33.00

Smothering your skin with powder is a one way ticket to crease city - but, if you're smart, using the right formulas and application, it can boost your cover up's staying power to the max. It's all about using little amounts of lose (lose being the key factor here) powder. If you layer up loads of pressed powder you'll age your eyes no end.

"To help set makeup in place, mattify and illuminate the appearance of the skin – I apply my Charlotte's Genius Magic Powder under the eyes using a smaller blender brush. The powder instantly blurs, and features ingredients to help boost radiance."

Shop our favourite concealers

16HR Camo Concealer

e.l.f elfcosmetics.co.uk

£24.00

Magic Away Liquid Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury cultbeauty.co.uk

£24.00

Soft Matte Complete Concealer

NARS cultbeauty.co.uk

£24.00

Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer

Laura Mercier cultbeauty.co.uk

£24.00

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Gabrielle Dyer Senior Beauty Writer Gaby is the Senior Beauty Writer here at Cosmopolitan.com/UK.

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