7 Eye-Opening Makeup Tips That Work Better Than a Shot of Espresso
Ugh, Mondays, am I right? Pulling yourself out of bed is hard and looking not exhausted is even harder. Rather than wishing the day away and pressing snooze yet again, there are few things you can do—with makeup you probably already own—to look like you woke up refreshed and properly pampered. Even though, let's face it, you probably didn't. No judgement here, only easy-to-follow advice.
Below, we compiled the best tips we could find to turn your makeup bag into an arsenal of resources to treat, cover, and de-puff. Armed with the proper tricks and products, you'll leave the house looking bright-eyed, even before your first cup of coffee. Keep reading for everything you need to know.
>Dab your favorite eye cream (we suggest a cooling, de-puffing option like Clinique's All About Eyes, $32) around your orbital bone. While it still feels dewy to the touch, brush on a sheer wash of tinted moisturizer around your eye, over your lid, and along your lash line. This way, you'll be treating your fatigue while also covering any darkness or imperfections.
Rather than lining your lower lash line, which can make your eyes look smaller, sweep a sheer layer of light brown shadow along your lashes instead. It's an easy trick to making your eyes look wider, while also hiding any creases in your concealer.
>Use a peach-toned concealer (rather than your usual lighter shade) to balance out the blues in your under-eye bags. Starting at the corners of each eye, tap on the product to make a V shape—with the point landing right above your cheekbones. Then, blend.
Rather than your go-to black, opt for a brown eyeliner with a hint of shimmer. The color will reflect light against your eyes and make them look so much more awake. Try Pixi’s Endless Silky Eye Pen ($12) in Bronze Beam, and smudge it along your lash line as well as halfway through your bottom waterline for an instant wake-up call.
Celebrity makeup artist Kira Nasrat says of curling your lashes, "It really takes five seconds (or less) and many people tend to skip this step. It's like a bra for your eyes. Plus, most people who curl their lashes end up using less mascara, which means more natural-looking lashes."
Take a pale pink or nude pencil, like Wander Beauty's Secret Weapon Multitasking Pencil ($23) and line your bottom waterline—it’ll open immediately make the whites of your eyes look whiter, brighter, and your entire face more awake.
Use a ratio of one part luminizer and two parts face makeup to immediately brighten lackluster skin. It'll refresh your complextion in mere seconds. Becca's new primer, First Light Filter Face Primer ($38) uses translucent, cool violent pigment mixed with spring water and prickly pear flower to hydrate, revive, and scatter soft light across your face. It's basically magic for your tired, possibly hungover face.
More on how to look awake when all you want to do is sleep, right this way.