Because wearing a mask in public is our new normal, we’re constantly looking for a way to make staying safe look a bit more enticing. Some people are stocking up on designer masks that complement any outfit where others are simply tying a bandana around their face which, surprisingly, looks pretty stylish, too. But the simplest way to make yourself a bit more recognizable under that bulky mask might just be brightening up your eyes! After all, that’s the only feature people can see these days anyway. Here are five easy ways to achieve brighter, look-at-me eyes.
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Use Eyedrops
Whitening eye drops take the heat for my number-one favorite beauty product. They make me look awake for my early morning Zoom meetings, they amplify any makeup look and they give my eyes a zing to re-energize mid work day. They zap redness by making the blood vessels less visible, reducing the reddish hue in the white part of the eye and adding a boost of moisture. Our favorite drops for a brightening effect: Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops ($26)—every time I use these, I’m shocked at how well they work.
Play With Makeup
If you know the right makeup techniques, you can transform the shape of your eyes and even make yourself look much more awake. Apply a white or nude liner to the lower waterline of your eyes to instantly open them up. Then, define your crease with a deep color to elongate the eye and give it a contoured shape. Lastly, curl your lashes with your favorite curler—if your lashes appear straight, they can cast a shadow over the eyes and make them look smaller—and finish the lashes off with a deep black mascara for a fanned-out, flirty effect.
Create the Shape
Some say your eyes are the windows to the soul, but have you heard that eyebrows are the coat-hangers for the face? No matter how you put it, giving a defined shape to the brows can drastically help with how open the eyes appear. If you haven’t seen the catwalk model trick of the brushed-up brows, it’s time to try it—it’s their secret for eyes that stand out in a crowd.
Treat Yourself
Treating ourselves to spa days now and then has become a normal part of our routine, but you might be skipping an important (and uber-relaxing) step that can give you brighter, younger-looking eyes instantly. The secret? Chill a few cucumber slices in the fridge and lay them on top of your eyes for as long as you want. Cucumber includes ascorbic acid, which helps to de-bloat and diminish swelling around the eyes. Throw them in the fridge and you’ll feel refreshed and deflated (in a good way).
A Visit to the Doctor
“The best minimally invasive procedure to enhance the eyes is Botox [Cosmetic]. It is a great way to temporarily raise the eyebrows while smoothing the wrinkles at the same time. This will enhance the appearance of the eyes and make one look less sad or angry and more happy,” says Pasadena, CA plastic surgeon Martin O’Toole, MD.
If you’re looking for something more permanent (but also more invasive), Dr. O’Toole says an upper blepharoplasty is best for older patients with extra skin and hooding of the upper eyelids. “An upper blepharoplasty can be done under local anesthesia and the patient can drive themselves home afterwards,” notes Dr. O’Toole.
