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I’ve tried more concealers, color correctors, eye creams and under-eye treatments than I could possibly count.

As a beauty writer, I’ve tried more concealers, color correctors, eye creams and under-eye treatments than I could possibly count in an effort to make the area look brighter and more refreshed. Along the way, I’ve found a handful of products that actually make a noticeable difference.

If you’re looking for a lightweight color corrector that layers perfectly underneath concealer and is less prone to creasing, you’ve found it in this one from Kosas. This is my number one color corrector pick (my Holy Grail, if you will) because it’s liquid (so it feels virtually weightless on the skin), it’s impossible to over-apply and, most importantly, it immediately gets rid of any trace of darkness. I use the shade Fantasy and I find the undertones so good at camouflaging darkness that I oftentimes don’t even bother applying a concealer on top — it’s that good.

Get it from Amazon for $32 (available in five shades).

For something a tad thicker and more full-coverage, this color corrector from Tarte is a real winner. It has a super creamy formula and has a bit more heft to it, which makes it especially good for days when my dark circles are really showing up and need more than a sheer wash of correction. A little goes a long way — I like to tap a small amount onto the darkest areas with my finger and blend it out rather than coating my entire under-eye.

Get it from Amazon for $32 (available in four shades).

The only thing worse than dark under-eye circles is dark under-eye circles and dryness. That’s why I always prep my under-eyes with this balm stick from D’Alba. Will it cover dark circles? No. But, it features a blend of hydrating and nourishing ingredients that help moisturize and smooth the delicate skin under the eyes, creating a much better base for my eventual color corrector and concealer application. (I also love that because it’s in stick form, there’s no risk of contamination dipping your fingers into a pot or squeezing out too much product.)

I don’t just rely on makeup to camouflage my dark circles. I also like to tackle them from a skincare standpoint, and this Medik8 eye cream has become one of my go-tos. I use it at night to help brighten and smooth my under-eye area over time, thanks to retinal, a vitamin A derivative that targets the look of uneven tone, fine lines and texture. While it obviously doesn’t make my dark circles disappear on contact the way a peachy corrector does, I find that my under-eyes look less dull and shadowy when I’m using it regularly. The added hydration is a major bonus, since smoother, plumper-looking skin also makes the darkness appear less pronounced — and gives me a much better canvas for concealer the next morning.

Get it from Amazon for $54 (available in three shades). 

Full-coverage, easy to build up and perfectly creamy, this concealer from Charlotte Tilbury is what I reach for when I want my dark circles completely out of sight. The formula has enough pigment to cover even the darkest areas underneath my eyes, but it still feels lightweight and blends seamlessly into my skin rather than looking like a thick layer of makeup. I like to concentrate it right where I’m darkest — particularly around my inner corners — and then tap it outward with a sponge (or a brush if I need fuller coverage). One layer makes a major difference, but on especially rough dark-circle days, I can easily add a little more coverage without it looking heavy or cakey.

Get it from Amazon for $36 (available in 34 shades). 

One reason why I love this It Cosmetics concealer so much is that it not only covers dark circles beautifully, but it’s infused with ingredients to improve my under-eyes over time. There’s 2% niacinamide in it, which helps brighten the look of discoloration and uneven tone, plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the delicate under-eye area. It also features caffeine, an ingredient I especially like seeing in an under-eye product because it can help make tired-looking eyes appear more awake and refreshed.

Get it from Amazon for $30 (available in 30 shades).

Whenever my dark circles are looking particularly intense, I love throwing on these under-eye patches for a quick pick-me-up. They’re soaked in a serum that has niacinamide and caffeine to brighten and wake up tired, puffy under-eyes. I also love that the formula includes hemp seed oil and green tea extract to help soothe and hydrate. I don’t expect a pair of eye patches to permanently erase my dark circles, but these make the area look noticeably fresher and more luminous in the moment, especially when I use them before makeup. I’ll leave them on while I’m getting ready, peel them off and then go straight in with my color corrector and concealer.