Fake a Full Night's Sleep With These Makeup Tips for Tired Eyes
It doesn't matter if you stayed up late watching your favorite show on Netflix, tending to a fussy baby, or just couldn't get comfortable; the next morning is guaranteed to be rough. Although you might feel tired, you don't have to look like it, too. There are a few simple tricks to brighten your eyes to improve your overall appearance. (Plus, there are a few things you shouldn't do to make yourself look even more sleep-deprived.) Of course, you can keep these tips in mind the next time you have a sleepless night, but they're also applicable for mornings when you wake up well-rested too. Even if you're just leaving the house to go grocery shopping and solely seeing people virtually, you'll want to try out these tips and see how much brighter your eyes look.
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Step 1: Pump Up the Moisture
The best remedy for tired eyes is hydration, says celebrity makeup artist Amy Rittiner, who has worked with Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow. An eye cream that contains caffeine, like The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream ($10, Sephora), will soften crow's feet and reduce puffiness. Once absorbed, you're ready to apply concealer and other makeup products around the eyes.
Step 2: Cut the Crimson
Red-rimmed eyes are a dead giveaway that you haven't been getting enough sleep. To look bright-eyed and fresh again, Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis suggests using a nude or white eyeliner, such as Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner ($22, Stila), on the eyes' waterline to disguise any unwanted redness.
Step 3: See the Light
To eliminate dark circles from the undereye area, use a concealer with an orange or peach undertone, such as the Stretch Concealer ($18, Glossier), to counteract blue and purple tones. Use a small amount on a brush or your ring finger. Tap and press it onto the undereye area, right to the outer corner, and onto the eyelid. This takes away all traces of darkness and gives the appearance of fresher, more lifted eyes.
Step 4: Open Your Eyes
Don't underestimate the power of mascara, especially the popular Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($27, Sephora). "I always say mascara first because it is the wake-up call for your face," Perdis says. Adding this instant definition gives direction to the rest of your look and makes the eyes look bigger, brighter, and more awake.
