This product is for under your eyes but Laura actually makes a really great concealer for coverin up acne! It has two shades so you can mix them and it's called secret camouflage I believe. I really love it!

The Laura Mercier Secret Concealer is very emollient and will give you a natural finish without the setting powder. We hope that helps!

Honestly, I had the exact same problem...
I was going to take mine back to exchange for the lighter color only 2 days later, but I could already see the bottom of the container!!! So it didn't feel right to return something I'd used alot of...
I forgot to mention that in my review, but you bring up a valid question; there seems to be a pretty noticeable difference in the 2 (only 2) colors they offer. I have a yellowish tone to my skin and get really nervous that I'll leave the store with something too dark, or orange... But when we tried the light on in the store, it seemed really really noticeable. So I went with the darker as well and later wished I hadn't.
Though if I bought it again, I would get the lighter shade and:

a. maybe blend the two to make it work, or
b. figure my foundation is usually a dead-on match so I can use that to blend the lighter color eye concealer

A concealer brush is the way to go. Apply a little at a time. Start at the base of your dark circles, not at the tip of the undereye, then work your way up with small gentle patting motions. Do not move the brush back and forth in a sweaping fashion. I find that it makes the coverage less even. Then take your warm fingers and gently blend the color in. The warmth of your fingers should help warm up the cocealer so that it blends easier. Then take the same brush and apply a tinted moisturizer that matches the your overall skin tone on top of it. Only use a little so it doesn't cake. lastly, apply a small amuont of setting pounder. So not use a powder that is heavy or else it will cake.

We recommend posting your question on our new online community, Beauty Talk! It’s a place for you to ask any and all beauty questions (with answers archived for future seekers). In addition, it’s the central place to find all our “How to” videos, share your beauty passion, and see what other beauty mavens love. Copy & paste this URL into your browser to check it out and ask your question: http://bit.ly/SephoraBT

A darker orange (one shade lighter than your skin tone) may work. Call Laura Mercier. There are more pigmented undereye concealers sold on the LM site (deeper red and more pigmented yellow).

I use soft porcelain and #1 works fabulous for me. So maybe one shade up? Although, some people like to have their eye area whiter than the rest of their face. This stuff also blends out nicely so if you did go with 1 you could blend your foundation over it.

Are you close enough to a Sephora to try them? They could probably even make you a small sample of the product to try at home.

I would try the lightest shade. I've found it's best to go lighter first, than too dark, with concealer. I would also guess from your description that you probably have lighter skin. I would definately try light!

Order the Light shade concealer. It does what it says it will. It COVERS....hope you love it as much as I have come to love it.

I have used this product as a base for my eyeshadow and found it to do a nice job of smoothing out the eyelid and leaving a nice base to apply shadow to. It is really creamy though, so you might want to try something with a little more holding power. Overall you can't go wrong with this concealer. I use it for my eyes and blemishes and find it to blend so easily while looking super natural.