How to Cover a Black Eye

Co-authored by Camille Sanghera

Last Updated: July 3, 2024 Fact Checked

When damage occurs to small blood vessels around your eye, this can cause bruising which is known as a black eye or a shiner. A black eye can occur for a number of reasons, such as blunt trauma to the face, an allergic reaction, sinus diseases, or following facial surgery, and it normally lasts around 2 weeks. Although this may feel like a long time, you can cover your black eye with makeup while it's healing. All you need is a green concealer and a concealer that matches your skin tone. Caring for your black eye is also important, so apply a cool compress regularly to help reduce the swelling, take painkillers if it is particularly painful, and see your doctor if you have any concerns.

How to Hide a Black Eye

Apply a green concealer to your bruise to help neutralize the red and purple tones. Then, put on a regular concealer that matches your skin tone and blend it in with a sponge. Use the same makeup on your other eye to make it look symmetrical.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Concealing a Black Eye

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1
Wait until any swelling goes down before using concealer. If your black eye is swollen, wait for 3-4 days until the swelling has gone. Make sure that you can open your eye fully before applying any makeup. This is because applying concealer while your black eye is still swollen can interfere with the healing process.
- When you first get a black eye, you will need to spend a lot of time with a cold compress on it initially. This means that wearing any makeup during this time will be pointless anyway, as it will keep rubbing off with the cold compress.
2
Use your fingers or a concealer brush to apply a green concealer over your black eye. Draw a triangle with the concealer under your eye, with the point towards your cheek. Blend the concealer in carefully within the triangle.^{[1]
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- Green concealer helps to reduce the red and purple tones of a black eye.
- If the bruising extends to your eyelid and underneath your eyebrow, use the green concealer in these places too. Use your finger or a concealer brush to dab the green concealer over these areas, before using a blending sponge to gently blend the concealer in.^{[2]
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3
Apply a concealer that matches your skin tone over the first coat. Use the same method of creating an upside down triangle under your eye, and blending it into your skin. Make sure that you cover all of the areas where the green concealer is, so that your skin doesn't have a green tinge.^{[3]
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- Apply the concealer that matches your skin tone wherever there is bruising around your eye and where you used the green concealer. Repeat the same process of using your fingers or a concealer brush to dab the concealer over these areas, and then a blending sponge to blend it in.^{[4]
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- The concealer that matches your skin tone will hide the green shade of the first coat of concealer. Your black eye will be well covered.
- If you don’t already own a concealer, many pharmacies and drug stores sell eye makeup in a wide range of tones. Ask the sales assistant, or bring a friend to help you pick the right shade for your skin if you’re having trouble.
4
Repeat the same makeup over your uninjured eye. When you are happy with the tone you have created, use exactly the same 2 concealers around your other eye. This makes your face look even and symmetrical, and it will be less obvious that you are trying to cover a black eye.
- Use the same color foundation on the rest of your face too, as this will help your eye makeup to blend in.
5
Set the makeup with a setting powder. Use a setting powder brush to lightly pat setting powder over your makeup. Pay particular attention to your eye makeup, as this will require slightly more setting powder than the rest of your face.^{[5]
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- A setting powder will help to prevent your makeup from wrinkling or creasing.
- Don't use a swiping motion when applying the setting powder as this will brush your makeup off.
6
Apply mascara to divert the focus from the bruising around your eye. Pick a dark brown or black mascara to use. Use a mascara brush to carefully apply mascara to your eyelashes.^{[6]
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- Mascara will help to take away any shadowing that the bruising causes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Caring for a Black Eye

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1
Apply a cold compress for 15-20 minutes immediately after the injury. Wrap a bag of frozen peas in a small cloth, and hold it against your black eye. Alternatively, stick a metal spoon in the refrigerator until it’s cold, and then press it lightly against your black eye.^{[7]
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- Frozen peas are a better cold compress than ice cubes because they easily mould around your face.
- A cold compress will help to limit the amount of swelling by constricting the blood vessels.
- Reapply the cold compress approximately every 4 hours over the next 24 hours.
2
Take an over-the-counter pain medication if your black eye is painful. Visit your local pharmacy, and pick an analgesic that will help you to cope with the pain over the next few days. Avoid taking aspirin, as this is a blood thinner and can make your black eye look worse.^{[8]
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- Ask the pharmacist for advice about the best painkiller to take.
3
Visit your doctor immediately if you have any concerns. Blurred vision, bleeding from your eye, a fever, or nausea are all signs that you need to seek immediate medical attention. While a black eye is not normally serious and will often resolve itself within a few weeks, contact your doctor if you have any concerns. These symptoms can suggest a broken bone, increased orbital pressure, or damage to your eyeball.^{[9]
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- Also see your doctor if your black eye hasn’t healed completely within 3 weeks.

Community Q&A

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How long does it take to heal?

Community Answer

A black eye normally takes around 14 days to heal completely.

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I have had a black eye for years. What should I do?

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If you mean you have dark circles under your eyes, this is relatively normal and can be a result of dehydration, lack of sleep, or even genetics. If you mean you literally have had bruising around one eye for years, you should consult your doctor.

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I have had a black eye for 3 months now. What should I do? There is a dark spot under my eye.

Community Answer

Use foundation and eye makeup to cover up the scar. When you're not wearing makeup, apply Vaseline. It would be a good idea to talk to a doctor about your slow healing process.

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Warnings

There is a myth that putting raw meat on a black eye will help it to heal faster. Never place raw meat on your black eye, as this can introduce harmful bacteria to your eye.

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