By Frances Thompson for Southern Beauty Magazine

Under eye circles can be a revealing part of a woman’s face. They tell the world how much rest she has gotten, how much stress she is under, and sometimes even her age. If eyes are the windows into one’s soul, under eye circles could be called the window dressings. So, whether your “curtains” look a little worn down or look bright and new, depends on how well you conceal those pesky dark circles.

A good routine begins in your 20′s. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps skin to stay tight and look healthy. Using a good under eye cream is also an important step in keeping your skin looking young. Hiding dark circles begins with moisturizing the delicate area around your eye (including above your eyelid.) Use a moisturizer made especially for the eye area as it has ingredients created to work with the skin around your eye which is thinner and requires extra moisture.

Another tip for dispensing with dark circles is using a concealer for camouflage. Choosing the right concealer color is important to the overall effect. Find the perfect color by choosing a shade that is one or two shades lighter than the color of your skin. Begin by applying a layer of concealer underneath the eye starting at the corner of your eye closest to your nose and working outward. Be sure to smooth the edges so that it blends evenly with your foundation. A concealer brush is also a handy tool to help smooth the concealer into hard to reach places.

Make sure you do not use a blemish concealer for your dark circles. Blemish concealers often do not have sufficient moisturizers and therefore should not be used on the delicate under eye area. After your mid-thirties you can shift gears and begin using visibly lifting products and anti-aging formulas in eye creams and concealers. These products are designed to help fill in wrinkles and give your eyes an extra boost. And by concealing those dark circles properly, your eyes will be opened and a new you will be revealed.