Thank god for makeup! I don’t know about you but if it wasn’t for makeup, my default look would be exhausted! Whether it’s lack of sleep, or too much sleep if you’re lucky, tired-looking eyes don’t make the best look. And trust me, reaching for the most full coverage concealer and foundation, and layering product after product does not help! But don’t fret. If you’re looking for a way to use makeup to look less tired, I’m here to save you some time. You’ll find below the best makeup tips and tricks to freshen up tired eyes and achieve a well-rested, vibrant look.
Makeup Tips for Tired Eyes
Step 1: Prep and Prime
A good makeup routine starts with good skincare. So before anything else, wake up tired eyes with a hydrating eye cream. Moisturize around the eyes to reduce puffiness and plump fine lines by massaging your eye cream into the skin. I love using a pair of eye patches before applying eye cream, especially when my eyes are puffy. If you prefer, you can also apply an eye primer to create a smooth base for makeup and prevent creasing.
Step 2: Color Correct
If you have dark circles or prominent discolorations under the eyes, consider color-correcting first. For the eye area, you need a peach-toned color corrector if you have fair or medium skin tones, and an orange-toned color if you have darker skin tones. Apply a tiny amount of it on dark circles to neutralize them and create an even skin tone for concealer. Less is more with color correctors. Otherwise, the results look unnatural.
Step 3: Conceal
Use a concealer lighter than your skin tone to apply it under your eyes. Apply one full dot of concealer on the inner corners of the eyes and one dot on the outer corners. The trick is to focus only on the eye area and avoid bringing the concealer toward the cheeks. Blend it well using a beauty blender or your ring fingers. Applying the concealer close to the outer lashes neutralizes discolorations in that area that give the appearance of droopy eyes.
Step 4: Brighten
You can try using an under-eye brightener on top of your full-coverage concealer or mix the two as I do. Under-eye brighteners don’t provide a lot of coverage but they’re a lot more illuminating than concealers. So by mixing the two or layering them on top of each other, you get both coverage and bright eyes.
Step 5: Highlight Inner Corners
Using a touch of shimmering highlighter instantly brightens tired eyes and makes you look more awake and well-rested. Use a cream highlighter to highlight the inner corners of the eyes. Also consider applying a small amount on the outer corner to give the appearance of wider, bigger eyes.
Step 6: Define Brows
Remember that your brow shape is unique. So all you need to do is enhance what you have without creating too much definition, which might look heavy. Brush your eyebrows up to give your eyes a lifted appearance. You can fill them in using an eyebrow pencil following the natural shape. Comb your brows multiple times to create a seamless look.
Step 7: Use Nude Eyeshadow
Use beige or champagne shade eyeshadows as they work better for freshening up tired eyes. These colors don’t draw attention to redness or puffiness under the eyes. You can try going a bit warmer and use coral eyeshadows for a subtle wash of color. Also, consider earth tones like soft browns and neutral colors.
Step 8: Define with Eyeliner
Use eyeliner strategically to give the appearance of fresh, well-rested eyes. Apply a very thin line along the upper lash line and add a small wing to make the eyes look more awake. Black eyeliner can draw attention to the eyes, which may not be what you’re going for especially if you have tired, puffy eyes. That’s where brown eyeliner comes in. It offers a softer makeup look and helps define your eye shape without drawing too much attention to the area. It also complements that soft makeup and pairs great with neutral eyeshadows. If you have small eyes, consider using a nude eyeliner on the lower waterline to give the appearance of bigger eyes.
Step 9: Curl Your Lashes
Curled lashes give the illusion of wider eyes and make you look instantly fresh. Curling helps with the mascara application and enhances your lashes. You can do this even if you don’t wear mascara.
Step 10: Apply Mascara
Apply mascara focusing on the outer lashes to make the eyes look wide awake. Use lengthening mascara for the appearance of longer lashes and go for a waterproof formula to maintain your look throughout the day. Avoid clumpy mascara as it can make your eyes look heavy instead of fresh, and awake. To achieve a seamless, clump-free look, wipe the excess mascara off the wand and then apply it. Comb your lashes with a lash comb between layering mascara.
So this is how you can do your makeup for tired eyes. Again, less is more. The last thing you want to put on your face is multiple layers of makeup products. So use a few products, use them in small amounts, and use soft colors to draw attention away from tired eyes.