Let me start by saying that there’s a slim chance that you’ll catch me taking an “I woke up like this” selfie. That is to say with no filter or makeup, or proper lighting. Instead, it’s more like the “I didn’t wake up like this” selfie.

My “experience” shows in my eyes. Not in a soulful way either. By 40, chances are you’ve got some kind of “experience” visible to the naked eye too. Yes, fine lines and wrinkles happen to the best of us. When they bring their friends, known as dark circles, we’ve got a one-two punch that needs to handled immediately.

How do I deal? Aside from eye cream and making sure I remove every bit of eye make-up every night, I also do THIS every day:

USE THE COLOR WHEEL! Yep, remember art class when they taught about color theory and you took a nap? Well had you postponed your snooze fest you’d already have the key to looking younger. Here’s where I’m about to Hook. You. Up!

Pink/Salmon concealer covers dark brown marks. Green concealer cancels out red. Purple covers yellow and flesh tone concealer blurs minor imperfections.

If you’re reading this and you’ve left your 39th birthday in the rearview mirror then please remember to tap, tap, tap. Use the weakest finger (the ring finger) and blend or use a soft damp sponge. No, you don’t HAVE to buy the name brand but remember that quality is always a plus.

1. Swipe the pinky/peach concealer under each eye. Using a damp sponge, bounce (think tap) till it’s thinned out and has covered the dark brown you want it to. This also works if you’re like me and a pimple leaves behind a dark mark of where it once was that never seems to go away.

2. Grab your foundation and apply as per usual. Blend, blend, blend.

3. Once your foundation isn’t wet anymore, dust with setting powder. Now under your eyes and in the inner corners apply a brightening powder. Laura Mercier makes an amazing one. This powder does what some concealers don’t, brighten. So imagine combining them?! Yeah, exactly.

4. Mascara!! Trust me, even if you don’t tend to wear it, curl your lashes and hug them with a couple of coats of your favorite mascara. Doing this opens your eyes up making you look more awake.

And voilaaaa! You’ve now converted a few hours of sleep into 8 with 4 simple steps.

Suggested products:

Foundation: Face Atelier $, Nars $$

Brightening Powder: Laura Mercier $$

Mascara: Clinique High Impact $, Dior Show $$

**This is not a sponsored post**