Our eyes communicate so much, they’re often the first feature people notice, and with our always-on, attention demanding screen-based culture, they’re often tired and over worked. So I’ve put together a guide to putting some pep back in your peepers to keep them looking bright and bold.
Eye Brighteners
We’ve come a long way since YSL’s cult Touche Eclat hit make up counters and we all click click clicked and gave ourselves ‘snow google’ eyes. New formulas, improved light-reflecting particles, better colour matches – the sky’s the limit.
Get hold of some Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector – I recently discovered it and am amazed at how effective it is! Especially if you have quite dark under-eyes. Apply some to the inner corner of your eyes (an important and oft overlooked area to conceal) and your eyes will appear instantly brighter. For those with slightly heavier lids – apply some on the outer eye-lid corner to visually lift the eye-shape and take years off.
Top up with your favourite concealer and you’re ready to go. I also like to apply some under the brow to highlight, as well as gently tracing along the cupid’s bow of the lips for a fuller pout.
All image by Kristina Gasperas
Colour Correctors
Colours ‘talk’ to other colours and as such, one colour can change how another colour looks – for example, wear orangey-red lipstick and your teeth will look less white; wear blue-based red lippy and they’ll sparkle! It’s the same deal with the under-eye area. There are a multitude of colours going on: from purple to blue, to yellow, to olive, to grey. If left unconcealed, regardless of the eye-shadow colour applied, eye makeup will never look as good and pure as it does after using concealer.
Previously the preserve of make up professionals, colour correctors have hit the mainstream in the last couple of years, and pretty much every brand has a selection of colour correctors available. For delicate under-eye skin choose a liquid easily-blendable corrector, like Urban Decay Colour Correcting Fluid or NYX Concealer Wand. For touch ups on the go, try an all in one palette such as Correct & Perfect All-in-One Correcting Palette from Stila, or this Sleek MakeUP Colour Corrector Palette
For those of you with undertones of blue – to counteract blue the colour corrector is yellow, it’ll cancel out the undertones. Sallow dull undertones will benefit from peachy correctors and any redness can be cancelled out by green or yellow. For brown pigmentation or birth marks use lilac to diffuse and then cover with a full coverage concealer.
Concealers
To apply concealer smoothly and to make it last blend with a makeup sponge such as a beauty blender. It’ll help work the concealer really well into the eyes and there’ll be less chance of it creasing up. Press loose powder on top for extra setting power.
Amongst my favourites is NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – a true multi-tasker. Loved by pretty much every makeup artist out there: it goes on under the eyes or anywhere on the skin that needs concealing. You’ll look instantly rested due to its hydrating properties and it contains active ingredients that actually help repair imperfections.
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer is a fab budget option that performs as well as some of the high-end brands. As well as concealing and illuminating it also contains vitamin C for a dose of skin-brightening goodness.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer was created by an ex-TV presenter who struggled to find makeup that lasted under hot lights. She’s come up with a product that really works, covers flawlessly and is full coverage to deal with super-dark circles.
IT has gone on to become a billion dollar brand and no surprise!
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer is another superb multi-tasker: use as a concealer for dark under-eyes, building coverage to get the desired result and enhance the skin to perfection. As well as a concealer it can also be used as a tinted moisturiser – just blend a drop with your fave moisturiser and off you go!
A small pot of it is all you need to achieve a flawless complexion – especially handy when travelling, avoiding the need to carry heavy foundation bottles.
Always carry your favourite concealer in your handbag for an instant pick-me-up effect anytime anywhere. That’s what I always reach for first when I need to look fresher and more put-together.
Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher Concealer is great for touch-ups throughout the day. You’ll never look tired again!
