5 Ways to Brighten Dull and Tired Eyes

Your eyes are one of the first things people notice about you. Many of us apply under-eye concealer and eye makeup in hopes of looking more youthful and well-rested. But, if your eyes look tired, puffy, or red to begin with, your eye makeup could actually draw more attention to how exhausted you look.

Here are 5 ways to treat tired eyes and look like you've had 8 hours of beauty sleep!

1) Mix Eye Serum + Concealer

Did you know that the thinnest skin on our entire body is around the eyes? This makes blood vessels and dark tissues around the eyes more visible. A common approach is to layer on concealer to cover any discolorations. However, applying concealer alone could settle into fine lines, look cakey, and make your under eye area dry.

Mixing an serum with your concealer can treat stressed skin and keep your concealer locked in place and crease-free. An eye serum is different from a rich eye cream because it doesn't contain mineral oil or petroleum, which are big molecules that will sit on top of your skin and don't get absorbed. Mixing a cream that contains petroleum-derived ingredients with your concealer can cause your concealer and foundation to migrate throughout the day. Instead, opt for a petroleum-free eye serum with smaller antioxidant molecules and nutrients that can be absorbed into the skin.

Try This: Store your eye serum in the fridge and tap the cooling gel with your ring finger to shrink blood vessels and moisturize dehydrated skin. For smoother and long lasting under eye makeup, mix a small amount of eye serum with your concealer and apply as usual.

2) Under Eye Therapy

Treat dark circles, puffy eyes, and dry skin by applying an under eye gel pad while you brush your teeth or do your morning routine. These Under Eye Gel Pads are thick and stick to your skin, so you can do other activities while squeezing in some self care time! You can also reuse the gel pads around your smile lines, forehead, or any other area that needs hydration.

Try This: Put a gel pad in the fridge before application for a cool refreshing effect. The pads have a jelly-like texture and hold detoxifying ingredients which feel reviving. Apply pads for 15 minutes in each problematic area and dispose within the same day of opening.

Alternative: Put 2 metal spoons in the fridge for 10 minutes. Cup your eyes with the concave side and massage the under eye area with the convex side.

3) Remove Eye Makeup Thoroughly

If your eye area has a purple gray hue, it may be from eye makeup that wasn't fully removed. The residue makes the eyelids and under eye look darker than it really is. To make sure your eye makeup is fully removed, try double cleansing!

Step 1: Use a Makeup Removal Cloth to clean off eye makeup.

Step 2: Follow up with a Lash Cleanser, that's designed to be used around your eyes, to deep cleanse your eye area and get right between your lashes.

4) Enhance Your Lashes!

Curl your lashes and apply a nourishing mascara to the top and bottom lashes to create the illusion of larger and brighter eyes. Straight natural lashes can make your eyes look droopy on the outer corners, but a quick lash curl can instantly make you look more awake!

5) Add a Soft Glow Around Your Eyes

For a natural look, use a shimmery eye shadow or face powder that’s 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply the powder over your eyelids, under the arch of your brow, under the bottom lash line, and inner corner to mimic a natural glow from getting beauty sleep!

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Lash Cottage