I don’t break

Right now life feels wonderful. I want to say balanced, but I think that’s an overstatement. Finding balance between everything is a never-ending journey, I think. You search for it, and then, maybe once you’ve found it, you start a new hobby or a new job that you need to fit into your life. Or maybe life happens and you have to juggle last week’s burden while having that week’s duties. And there you are, searching for it again.

But before life happens and Eva catches something from daycare, I want to be

in this
moment.

Because for a while now, I have felt rested when going to bed. Not actually needing to close my eyes the instant I get to lay there. Last night I caught myself staring at the reflection of our fireplace. The fire danced so peacefully, yet strong. I felt happy. Excited for the future, yet content in where I am.

The tired Charlotta from – say a month ago – would be happy to hear this:

I think I am exactly where I need to be. Where I’m supposed to be. Building the little blocks. Walking the stairs. Slowly going somewhere I’m not sure yet (is anyone?), but in the right direction. Studying feels fulfilling, even though it’s difficult at times. I don’t mind reading books about marketing before bed. I can do the projects. I have even learned quite a bit about chemistry already. Hey, I passed the math exam I dreaded beforehand! I’m challenging myself, and it doesn’t break me, even though I sometimes fear for it.

I. Don’t. Break.

Haven’t I showed that to myself so many times before? I’m keeping the ropes, I’m driving the car. Quite literally – it’s going so much better, by the way. Actually sometimes enjoying it.

Hope, inspiration, passion. That fire in my belly. It seems to run in my veins strongly again and I feel like the main character of my story, even though I’m not sure I was lost.

I like October. It’s getting dark, but there’s still so much light. It’s colorful now – and I don’t mind the winter that follows. There are some nice plans, some pre-Christmas parties. Hair that keeps on growing healthier and stronger. Trying a new hairdresser at the end of summer was a huge mistake, but I feel like I’ve actually reversed some damage with K18. Thanks to a school assignment, I’ve read this hair bible and I’m amazed I haven’t bought Olaplex or K18 before.

And hey – my new jacket feels like a warm hug. Remember when you couldn’t hug you loved ones when it was covid? It was wild. But who knew, that driving to see your friend and keeping five meters between you was still worth it over a phone call.

Anyway, I’m good. I feel like good things are happening. Christmas might be one of them. Or just a Thursday.

How are you?

P.S. These photos are from our date night. We got an airbnb in one of the Kalasatama towers. It was nice!

Concealing dark circles is difficult – here’s my tips

*adlink

 

I’m gonna be honest with you: concealing dark circles is tricky business. On paper it seems simple. It’s all about neutralizing unwanted colors with the opposite colors from the color wheel. You know, color theory and all that.

But in reality there are so many colors under the eyes it’s difficult to see what to put there. And in the morning you just want to get the job over with. So you probably use too much product (the more is more logic seems to work with coffee right?) and it probably isn’t doing the job as well as you’d like (and maybe what used to work for you five years ago doesn’t anymore).

So let me share what works for me and how I conceal my dark circles nowadays, because I have some big revelations.

How to conceal dark circles

When it comes to concealing dark circles – to make it easier – you need to have the right products (for you) and the right technique. I’ve found that the less is more approach, as well as being precise with my application helps most.

Here are my main tips for determining how to hide the dark circles.

color wheel dark circles opposite colors

3 tips to concealing dark circles

 

  1. Determine the colors of your dark circles and compare the colors to a color wheel.
    Try and make sense of the color mix you have going on. Be open to the idea that there’s probably more than one color. Is it clearly blue or is it purple? What’s the dominating color? Or maybe you’re like me – and the blue leans to a greenish hue?
  2. Be precise with your application.
    Apply the concealer where you need it, not around it. Forget about blending the concealer on your cheeks. Keep it in place. Tapping motion usually works great and helps to keep the product in place. This way you also need less product. The skin around the eyes is thin and the more product you put there, the more likely it creases and looks cakey.
  3. Embrace your skin – dark circles and eyebags and all.
    You wouldn’t be in my blog, if I didn’t say it. We’re concealing the dark circles, but we’re not painting the under eye area to something unnatural. It’s okay to look human. The result doesn’t have to be perfect. I like my skin to look like skin. I’m not about that full coverage thing with my foundation, so if my under eyes looked like a painting it wouldn’t match. Overall, my skin can shine through my makeup a bit. I try to remind myself of this when I’m rocking eyebags. Because those you can’t hide (except maybe with glitter, but it’s not an everyday look for me).

 

Explaining and teaching this is easiest with an example. So here we go.

 

I keep my concealer application precise, above the white dots. The second photo shows the colors I have on my dark circles.

How I conceal my dark circles

The big revelation for me was finding the green hue. No one ever talked about green eye bags! But it does make sense, since my undertone is a warm yellow. It’s no wonder the yellowy concealers didn’t work for me that well. Because of the greenish blue, I need a salmony (pinkish) color under the eyes. And the product that I found (Smashbox x Becca) actually both neutralizes the unwanted color and brightens at the same time!

There’s also purplish blue under my eyes. And for that I need something more orange, more my skin color. So I still use two products, but I think of it like this:

Before & After

First I just do a thin layer of concealer that somewhat matches my skin. It’s like a foundation to my under eyes. This already gets rid of some of the unwanted color, at least most of the purplish blue.
When I say thin layer, I really mean it. Again, not trying to look like a painting. Just human.

After that, I finish the job with a neutralizing brightening concealer. And here I use the new color: a concealer that leans slightly to pink, rather than yellow or orange. The concealer I have is quite creamy, so using two products works and isn’t drying or too much. This product I use even less than the first one, focusing it where I need it.

1. Before makeup 2. Tarte shape tape concealer 3. Becca x Smashbox Corrector 4. Finished result
1. Before 2. After Tarte shape concealer 3. After Tarte concealer  + Becca x Smashbox Corrector 4. After

So in a nutshell, the colors that I need are a bit of orange and a bit of pink. Who would have thought.
Also, I have to note. Wearing eye makeup is a good distraction from the dark circles.

 

Awesome concealers I swear by and buy again and again

Shop:
*Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector, Fair/Light
*Tarte shape tape Ultra Creamy, 22N
*NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

*Smashbox x Becca Brightening Corrector in Fair/Light – it’s amazing. The consistency feels hydrating and lightweight. It doesn’t emphasize fine lines and it reflects light beautifully. I also love the beautiful jar it comes in, even though it’s not the most hygienic thing (remember to use clean brushes or fingers).

*Tarte shape tape ultra creamy concealer – similar consistency to MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. Lightweight and easy to blend, doesn’t get into the fine lines. I have the shade 22N, which could be my foundation.

*NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
is more of a thicker consistency, but as the name suggests, it’s very creamy. My go-to shades are Custard (close to my skin tone, but slightly darker) or Vanilla (lighter and cooler than my skin).

becca under eye brightening corrector fair light , shape tape ultra creamy 22n swatches

I hope this post was helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions!
I want to also remind you, that I’m available for (€) online makeup consultation, if you want more personal advice.

Scroll to top