Easy, Effortless Eye Makeup Tips

Erase lines, dark circles, and puffiness with these ultraeasy secrets. Then say "Eye do" to the latest makeup techniques for a sexy, I-slept-eight-hours look. 

By Eleanor Langston, Fitness

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The Eyes Have It

Your eyes are one of the first features people notice. But the skin around them can age faster than that on other parts of the body, so it's important to treat it with TLC. Undereye skin is among the thinnest on your face and vulnerable to damage. Every time we make an expression, we crinkle our skin, and "temporary creases can become wrinkles," says Yohini Appa, PhD, senior director of scientific affairs at Johnson & Johnson. Here's how to smooth things over and put all eyes on you.

Hide and Get Rid of Crow's Feet

Conceal them: 

Powders and heavy creams accentuate lines, says Matin Maulawizada, global artistry director for Laura Mercier. Instead, use a sheer concealer with pearly pigments to diffuse wrinkles and, rather than rubbing, dab it on. "This creates a soft, natural edge," says Wende Zomnir, executive creative director for Urban Decay.
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Correct them:  

Docs' favorite ingredient for fighting lines is retinol, which increases firmness. The eye area is sensitive, so "apply the cream only around the bone of your socket," says Brooke Jackson, MD, a dermatologist in Chicago. Dab it on to boost absorption. Prevent creases by wearing sunscreen for sensitive skin and sunglasses daily.

Dynamic Duo:

Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer (drugstores)

Roc Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream (drugstores)

Hide and Get Rid of Dark Circles

Conceal them: 

To camouflage raccoon eyes, apply a corrector in a peachy pink first and then follow with your usual cover-up and blend. "The peach tones will cancel out the blue undertones of shadows for a youthful, healthy look," Maulawizada says.

Correct them: 

Dark circles have many causes, including allergies, irritation, and fatigue. Address those problems and the shadows should disappear. In the meantime, try a cream with kojic acid, a botanical skin lightener that can help spots fade, Dr. Jackson suggests.

Dynamic Duo:

Pixi Eye Bright Kit (Target stores)

DDF Erase Eye Gel (sephora.com)
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Hide and Get Rid of Undereye Bags

Conceal them: 

Instead of covering up puffiness, which can result in a cakey look, use a concealer brush to apply a skin-matching, matte cream concealer on the dark ring below the pillowy part. "This helps minimize bags," Maulawizada says. Then blend tinted moisturizer underneath your eyes to even out the skin tone.

Correct them:  

Send bags packing by using a caffeine-laced cream. "Caffeine soothes puffiness and decreases swelling," says Doris Day, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. At night, sleep on an extra pillow to prevent fluid buildup. Still have bags in the a.m.? Place a chilled teaspoon under each eye to deflate it.

Dynamic Duo:

Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer ($19, benefitcosmetics.com)

Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller

Two Minutes to Sexy Eyes

Get a smoldering look with this quickie makeup plan that suits every eye shape and color. Just see for yourself!

Step 1

Curl your lashes with Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler ($34, chanel.com), pinching them three times — at the roots, in the middle, and on the tips.
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Step 2

Beiges can be blah, but taupe shades add depth. Swipe MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe (maccosmetics.com) across your lids, extending it just above the crease. The color brings out golden flecks in green and hazel eyes, enhances the richness in brown eyes, and warms up blue eyes.

Step 3

Trace your upper and lower rims with a bronzy, dark brown pencil, such as Wet N Wild Color Icon Shimmer Pencil in Copper ($1, drugstores), concentrating on the outer corners.

Step 4

Highlight the inner corners and your brow bone with Smashbox Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener (smashbox.com).

Step 5

Finish with two coats of black mascara. We like Lanc?me Hypn?se Doll Lashes Mascara (lancome?usa.com); its cone-shaped, tapered brush separates hard-to-reach lashes.

Perfect Vision

Try these eye-opening tricks if you wear glasses.

More is more

Having those windows of plastic between you and the world means you need to add oomph. Layer on a little extra eyeliner and a deep-toned shadow.
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Boost your roots

A bit of additional mascara at the base of lashes will make your fringe look thicker, diverting attention from your frames to your eyes.

Play up your brows

It's important to emphasize your arches because they tend to peek over the frames. Groom strays with a brush and define sparse areas with gel.

Reduce glare

Ask your optometrist to add an antiglare coating to your lenses. "It will help your eyes pop," Urban Decay's Zomnir says.