Skincare-First Makeup: How to Prep Your Under-Eyes for Melt-Proof Concealer

With skincare and beauty trends moving as quickly as they do, it's easy to find yourself forever on the hunt for products that genuinely earn a place in your daily regime (hello #beautytips!). Eye gels are becoming more and more popular as people realise just how important it is to look after the skin around the eyes. The skin here is thinner and far more delicate than the skin on the rest of the face, so it's more prone to signs of ageing. Our eye patches help to protect the skin around the eyes and keep it looking its best.

Eye gels are a type of skincare product designed specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes. They're typically lighter and more saturated with serum than eye creams, and they contain ingredients that help to reduce puffiness, dark circles and fine lines with repeated use.

These indispensable, targeted treatments have proved to be a game-changer, particularly when it comes to prepping the delicate under-eye area for make-up.

Let's take a closer look at the benefits of using our Patchology under-eye patches before you put your make-up on.

Do under-eye patches really work?

Glamour UK included Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels in their 15 best eye patches “If you want to rid your undereye area from dark circles, this 15-piece pack of Pathology eye gels is just the thing. They're infused with caffeine and hydrolised collagen, both of which work towards reducing the appearance of fatigue and puffiness.”

So why does adding under-eye patches to your beauty regime lead to such flawless make-up looks?

Targeted Hydration:
The under-eye area is one of the most delicate and sensitive parts of the face, and it's prone to dryness, fine lines and puffiness. Traditional moisturisers and eye creams don't always deliver the deep hydration needed to tackle those concerns properly. Under-eye patches are formulated with potent ingredients that deliver intense hydration straight to the under-eye area. This targeted approach ensures optimal moisture retention, leaving skin plumper, smoother and more youthful-looking. Well-hydrated under eyes give you the perfect canvas for flawless make-up.

Reduced Puffiness and Dark Circles:
Late nights, early mornings and stress are just a few of the things that can cause puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Applying under-eye patches before your make-up helps to tackle these concerns by delivering active ingredients that reduce swelling and improve microcirculation. Patchology's under-eye patches, such as Rejuvenating, contain ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, which work together to de-puff, brighten and rejuvenate the under-eye area. Use them regularly and you'll get that well-rested, refreshed look that makes an ideal base for your make-up.

Improved Skin Texture:
Uneven skin texture can get in the way of a smooth, flawless make-up application. Under-eye patches help to refine the skin's surface, making it smoother and more even. The carefully chosen ingredients in Patchology's patches, such as peptides and collagen, encourage cellular regeneration and improve elasticity. The patches also help to minimise the appearance of fine lines, crow's feet and wrinkles, creating a youthful, plumped-up under-eye area. When your skin texture is improved, your make-up glides on effortlessly for a more polished, professional finish.

Enhanced Make-up Longevity:
One of the most common struggles with make-up is its tendency to crease and fade, particularly in the delicate under-eye area. By working under-eye patches into your skincare regime before you apply your make-up, you can improve its staying power considerably. The hydrating, nourishing properties of under-eye patches create a smooth, primed canvas, so your make-up adheres better and lasts far longer through the day. Under-eye patches can also act as a protective barrier, stopping make-up from settling into fine lines and creases for a more flawless, long-lasting finish.

Benefits of Using Under-Eye Patches Before Applying Make-up

There are plenty of benefits to using under-eye patches before you apply your make-up.

Here are a few of the most important ones:

• Hydration: Under-eye gel patches are a brilliant way to hydrate the skin around your eyes. This helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, and it also helps your make-up to look smoother and more even.
• Brightening: Many of our under-eye gels contain brightening ingredients, such as vitamin C and caffeine. These help to brighten the under-eye area, making your eyes look more awake and refreshed.
• Smoothing: The gel or serum in under-eye patches with  retinol and bakuchiol can help to smooth the skin around your eyes, making fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.
• Preparing the skin: Under-eye patches help to prepare the skin for make-up. That means your make-up adheres better, and it's less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles.

Bustle found that “By applying eye masks right before you start your makeup, it can help makeup application be more effective. Those strategically placed patches are perfect for catching fallout from eyeshadow, so you won't have to worry about having smoky cheekbones in addition to smoky eyes. And what's more, is that you won't have to layer on all the concealer either.”

Getting Started

How to Use Under-Eye Patches Before Applying Make-up

To use under-eye patches before you apply your make-up, just follow these steps:

1. Cleanse and moisturise your face as usual
2. Apply the under-eye patches to the skin under your eyes
3. Leave the patches on for 5-20 minutes
4. Remove the patches and pat any remaining serum into the skin
5. Apply your make-up as usual

Recommendations for Under-Eye Patches

There are so many under-eye patches out there that it can be tricky to know which to choose. Here are a few of our recommendations:

• Rejuvenating FlashPatches: These patches are made with a unique blend of hyaluronic acid, peptides and caffeine, which help to hydrate, brighten and smooth the skin around your eyes.
• Illuminating FlashPatches: These eye gels neutralise dark circles and add just the right touch of glow to your under eyes.
• On Ice Serve Chilled: These Eye Gels offer a much-needed cocktail of skin-smoothing, depuffing ingredients while cooling on contact for a wonderfully refreshing experience. Pop them in the fridge before use. Packed with firming and nourishing ingredients like Bakuchiol, Cloudberry Oil (with Vitamin C) and 9 Peptides, they're perfect for your pre-make-up routine.
• Rosé Serve Chilled: These powerful pink gels are formulated to protect skin from environmental aggressors with their antioxidant-rich combination of Resveratrol (sourced from grapes!) and Strawberry Extract, plus an ultra-hydrating dose of moisturising Hyaluronic Acid.

Still Unsure About Picking A Patch?

Under-eye patches have become an essential pre-make-up step in plenty of skincare and beauty regimes. Targeted hydration, less puffiness and fewer dark circles, improved skin texture and longer-lasting make-up are just some of the key benefits of Patchology Eye Gels. Work them into your skincare regime and you'll have a beautifully prepped canvas that lets your make-up shine.

So embrace the power of under-eye patches and discover the secret to flawless make-up looks that radiate confidence and beauty.

Take our short & simple expert quiz to find the under-eye gel that's best for your needs and skin type here.