Waking up with dark circles under my eyes? Not exactly the glamorous start I’m going for. And the older I get, the more it seems to happen—like a little raccoon is staring back at me in the mirror. Sound familiar?

I wanted real answers, so I called up celebrity makeup artist Sana Young to get the scoop. What’s actually causing these pesky under-eye shadows—and more importantly, what really works to get rid of them after 40? From skincare tweaks to concealer tricks, here’s what I learned.

Q: Sana, first and foremost, why am I getting these terrible dark circles under my eyes?

A: It could be due to a variety of different factors. There are several reasons women get them. It could be hereditary; you could have thin skin under your eyes, a lack of sleep, too much caffeine, too much alcohol, and an iron deficiency.

Q: What can I do to prevent getting dark circles?

A: Take vitamins, get adequate sleep, exercise, and drink lots of water. Avoid salty foods, caffeine, and alcohol before bed.

Here is a video on how to conceal dark eyes with the Garnier anti-dark circle roller, featuring Fabulous After 40 Makeup Artist Sana Young.

Q:  I’d love to invest in a good eye concealer for dark circles, but I’m worried I’ll choose the wrong color. How do I determine which color will work best for me? 

A:  It’s a healthy balance between picking a shade that’s not too light but not too dark. A great rule of thumb is to choose a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone.

Q: What is the best concealer for dark eye circles? 

A: If you are fair, I think the best dark circle eye concealer is Garnier’s “Anti-Dark-Circle Roller,” “Light” color.

Other concealers for under-eye circles that work great for medium-skin-toned individuals are Garnier’s “Anti-Dark-Circle Roller” and “Medium.”

If you’re darker than Beyoncé, “Select Cover Concealer” by MAC is a top-rated eye concealer in my books.

Estée Lauder also has a perfect undereye concealer for mature skin.

Q: I’ve seen some concealers do the opposite of what they are supposed to do by highlighting fine lines, making women look more aged and tired. Why is that? 

A: This effect is probably the result of one of two things:

1. Powder under the eyes
Powdered makeup fills in the lines under your eyes, making you look older and less well-rested. Avoid using powder under the eyes to ensure you look your brightest.

2. Thick liquid concealer
A liquid concealer that is too thick will also expose and highlight your fine lines. This type of under-eye concealer is not suitable for mature skin.

Can you provide us with some additional under-eye makeup tips for women over 40? For example….

Q: Do I still need to moisturize under the eyes if I use concealer? If so, do you have any favorite moisturizers?

A: Yes! Be sure to moisturize and allow the moisturizer to absorb for a few minutes before applying makeup
I have a few favorite moisturizers for the eyes: “Hydra Life Sorbet” eye cream by Christian Dior and “Do Not Age Triple Peptide” eye cream by Dr. Brandt.

Q: What is the best way to apply concealer to achieve maximum coverage?

A: The best way to apply an eye concealer is to use your finger to start at the inner corner of your eye and spread the concealer outwards. I don’t recommend applying foundation over concealer. Again, this will tend to highlight the lines under your eyes. If using a full face with eyeshadow, apply concealer when the eyeshadow is done. This will help avoid pulling or straining on the delicate skin under your eyes.

Q: Any last tips? 

A: Yes. If you can keep eye cream in the fridge, it helps reduce any swelling. Also, remember that not wearing concealer is a mistake. It makes you look older than you are. So try some, and I promise you will see a real difference.

Thanks, Sana. These are great tips! Sana Young is a celebrity makeup artist and the owner of @meccage