A guy’s guide: how to hide dark circles

Puffy, tired-looking under eyes are an instant vibe killer. If you don’t notice them when you look in the mirror, your boss (or your mum) will – and no one wants that. Whether you’ve got bags, dark circles or both, carrying the weight of the night before under your eyes is never a good look. It could be the result of one too many with the boys, or you might just be shattered from lack of sleep, but whatever it is, you need a fix… and fast. Well, we’re here to save the day – if you want to put your freshest face forward, keep reading…

1. Wake-up call

You’ve hit the snooze button one too many times and now you need to go from bed to buff in less than 20. Start your routine right with an invigorating facial wash like Nivea Men Active Energy Fresh Look Face Wash Gel. With caffeine and cellulose, this helps moisturise and wake up tired-looking skin in an instant. Apply to damp skin, rinse with warm water, then pat skin dry.

Sorry, this product is currently out of stock.

Nivea Men DNR NIVEA MEN Active Energy Fresh Look Face Wash, 100ml £0.97

2. De-puffed peepers

If you need to fake a good night’s sleep, an eye roll-on is gonna be your best bud. L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Eye Roll-On is our secret weapon. Once again, there’s caffeine in there to give your skin the wake-up call it’s craving. The skin around the eye is thin, so the caffeine can really get in there, decreasing puffiness and getting rid of those tell-tale bags. It’s also ice cold, which may not sound pleasant, but we promise it feels super-refreshing and soothes any sleepless swelling. Simply roll it back and forth under your eye and leave it to soak in.

L'Oreal Paris Men Expert L'Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Eye Roll-On 10ml £12.49 3 for 2 on selected L'Oréal Paris Men Expert

3. Makeup for men

Don't be afraid of reaching for the concealer to finish off the look. The bottom line is, if you can fix it with a bit of makeup, why the hell not? Invest in MUA Hide & Conceal Stick – it’s just £1 and will be your new go-to for fixing sleepy-looking eyes. Use one that’s a shade lighter than your natural skin tone to brighten the under-eye area and lighten any darkness. Dab a little anywhere you think is looking a bit dull and dark, using your finger to blend it out for a seamless finish that no one will question.