SELFIE-TESTING THE BEST UNDER-EYE CONCEALERS

Thanks to a combination of long hours, chronic sleep issues, and genetics (thanks Mom!), the purple shadows underneath my eyes are as much of a facial fixture as my nose. But after years of deigning to accept the perpetually tired look, it was time to find the winning under-eye fixers once and for all. For one week, I tested seven of the most touted and beloved concealers on the market, and used selfies to capture it all—in the name of science, of course. The photographic evidence doesn't lie: No Photoshop, #nofilter. Just results.

MONDAY

The concealer: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer, $70; nordstrom.com

There's no time like the present for this test drive, as according to my Fitbit, I only got five hours and six minutes of sleep last night. So I pull out the big guns (or rather, the concealer whose reputation is particularly held to high esteem): Clé de Peau Beauté, touted by models and makeup artists alike as the industry's under-eye weapon of choice. I very much appreciate that it comes in a handy stick, as well as the fact that it goes on creamy but not greasy. It provides instantaneous coverage as I dab delicately to blend with my finger. It somehow manages to seem luminescent without the slightest hint of shimmer, which is actually fantastic because I suddenly look wide awake without it being horribly obvious that I just spackled my lower lids with beige makeup. My only grievance is that I wish I had opted for a shade a smidge darker, but this is my own fault and probably would be noticeable to no one unless they were really up close and personal.

I feel validated when a co-worker comments on my "fresh face" as soon as I step into the office. I am also very impressed that by the end of a long day, the concealer has managed to stay completely put. It costs a pretty penny, but it's easy to see why it's such a must-have with the fashion and beauty elite.

TUESDAY

The concealer: Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Concealer, $25; sephora.com

Though I do feel vaguely more well-rested than yesterday, my circles seem impossibly darker (and baggier) than ever. And since I joke on the regular that the shadows are so permanent that they might as well be tattooed on my face, perhaps Kat Von D's tattoo concealer might do the trick. What's a little tiredness when this stuff can supposedly cover up INK? It feels more like a cream foundation than yesterday's Clé de Peau Beauté, and the application isn't quite as foolproof. But the photos don't lie: While it lacks the illuminating qualities of Clé de Peau Beauté, the complete coverage is undeniable. Unfortunately, a bit of it does fade by day's end, and that tell-tale purple shade rears its ugly head ever so slightly. But if I weren't in the midst of a very scientific experiment, it's nothing a little touch up wouldn't fix.

WEDNESDAY

The concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $29;narscosmetics.com

Maybe sleeping through my alarm this morning was a good thing: My circles have faded enough that I don't look quite as much as an eye-blacked linebacker. But they're still there, of course, and this morning's weapon of choice is another industry favorite: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. And "radiant" it is: As soon as I sweep it on and blend, I'm astonished as the residual darkness disappears before my eyes. However, I dislike the sponge applicator. Though it's a handy idea, I still have to blend with my fingers regardless, rendering it kind of cumbersome. Plus, it's very easy to over-apply with this stuff: A little goes a loooong way. Unfortunately, this concealer doesn't have the longevity of the previous test subjects. By nightfall of a stressful day, it looks as if I'm not wearing anything to cover up the shadows at all. I can certainly reapply, but I'd rather not if I don't have to.

THURSDAY

The concealer: theBalm timeBalm Concealer, $18; thebalm.com

I am in no mood to be trifled with this morning and have a busy day ahead. In a rush to get out the door, I grab the next concealer in the lineup, of a lesser-known brand that has gained a cult following on a variety of beauty and makeup forums. It comes in a cute little pot, and I am pleasantly surprised when I open the container and find a handy little sponge, which means that for the first time this week, mucking up my fingers won't be necessary. But while the application is foolproof, the coverage isn't all there: I still see some shadows peeking through. Sigh. At least I look a LITTLE more well-rested?

Unfortunately, "a little" turns into "not at all" by mid-afternoon. Points for easy application and for being very travel-friendly, however—and for having a website that's thebalm.com.