“Why are your eyes so dark?” and “Are you getting enough sleep?” are some questions I’m constantly asked.

While I appreciate the concern for my well-being, statements like these are truly upsetting, since they imply that there is something wrong with the dark circles under my eyes.

For the longest time, I’ve been self-conscious about my dark circles since I’ve been told numerous times that I look “sickly,” despite the fact that they have no idea that I was born with them. Assuming I am sick or need more sleep can be irritating.

These circles are often perceived as a flaw or something that has to be concealed, but there is nothing wrong with them; they are completely natural and are present in practically everyone, though some are darker than others. Since the skin around the eyes is thinner and there is less fat, the dark color you see is just blood vessels and accumulated fluid. Allergies, genetics, and sun exposure are some of the reasons why some people’s circles seem darker than others. Of course, sleep deprivation can contribute to these circles, but it still isn’t an excuse to call them out or make unpleasant comments, because these statements, although seemingly innocuous, are actually rooted in people’s insecurities. 

Dark under-eye circles are often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and are deemed “unattractive” by society. YouTube and other social media platforms are flooded with videos telling you how to “get rid” of these circles, but it’s difficult to find videos embracing them. If society continues to tell us that these circles are “ugly,” there’s a good chance that we’ll believe it. In sixth grade, I remember there was a day when my eye bags were a little puffier and darker than normal, and while I didn’t think much of it at the time, one of my friends had called me “Racoon.” Even as a joke, this was hurtful and changed the way I viewed my under-eye circles forever. People are continuously reminded through videos on the internet that their under-eye circles are “undesirable” and should be addressed, which has the same impact as being told this directly.

Although there are many negative videos regarding under-eye circles, currently you can find people exaggerating these circles especially on TikTok. To make their circles stand out, creators use a variety of cosmetic items such as eye shadow and eye liner. Personally, I think this trend has definitely made me feel more confident about my under-eye circles because I know there are people out there trying to embrace them. It’s inspiring to watch people defy traditional beauty standards and confidently wear what they’ve been given.

Even though my dark circles have gotten better in the recent year, I’m still in the process of accepting them. It’s important to remember that your under-eye circles are natural and should be embraced.

Photo courtesy of PIXNIO.COM