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.

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. [3] X Research source

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. [5] X Research source 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.

Use the same color foundation on the rest of your face too, as this will help your eye makeup to blend in.

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.

Mascara will help to take away any shadowing that the bruising causes.

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.

Ask the pharmacist for advice about the best painkiller to take.

Also see your doctor if your black eye hasn’t healed completely within 3 weeks.