Five Great Buys for Hiding Tired Eyes
Insomnia is not my friend. (Duh, is it anybody’s?) And recently, I’ve had some serious bouts—way beyond what I’ve ever experienced in the past—and I’ll be honest, it’s taking a toll. Mentally, of course, but physically too, and I’m sure you can imagine how important under-eye upkeep is to a beauty editor. (I won’t lie. I’m totally conceited.)
There are a ton of things you can do in the long term to protect your delicate eye area from showing serious fatigue—drink copious amounts of water, moisturize, moisturize, moisture, stay out of the sun, etc. And when you do find yourself unable to sleep, try to chill. Often, the worst thing you can do for yourself is watch the clock and frantically fret. Get up, make some (decaf!) tea, put a cool washcloth on your forehead. There’s nothing you can do, so you might as well not to worry. Just treat yourself to a little late-night TLC.
Of course, there many are other reasons why our faces get droppy and our eyes get baggy—late nights at the office, overextending ourselves to meet deadlines (that’s moi!) financial stress, global warming, the possible 2012 apocalypse—I could go on and on.
So when you have one of those mornings when you need that instant, eye brightening boost, these five products can really help. I’ve tried them all.
I’ve been using this product for years. It wakes up your face instantly by utilizing an age-old beauty trick—white powder lightly (and cleverly) applied to your inner lid. Honestly, you can use any light, bright shadow to achieve this look, but I love the fact that Cargo’s Eyelighter is compact and easy to tote in my purse. Perfect for those 3pm much needed pick-me-ups.
Givenchy Mister Bright Touch of Light Pen
It’s a bit pricey ($33 at Sephora) but a) it’s Givenchy, b) it's made with tiny white mother-of-pearl particles and c) it’s one of the best tired-eye instant boosters out there. Plus, it takes two seconds to swipe on during those busy mornings—I suggest hitting your inner eye corners, dabbing a bit just below your brows, and adding a light touch to your cheekbones. And just like that, you look like you’ve gotten your 8 hours.
Olay Total Effects Eye Cream 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush
An easier-to-obtain drugstore option that does work. The idea behind Olay’s product (hence the 7-in-one) is that it does more than just conceal—it’s moisturizes, improves skin tone, firms and reduces puffiness, etc. I haven’t been using this one long enough to note any long-lasting advantages, but it’s good coverage that goes on smooth. And once again, the portable pen is a plus.
I’ve bragged about this one before, and at first, I used it only to cover up under eye darkness and icky zits. But recently, a fellow beauty buff clued me in on a secret—it also works well as an all over illuminator —especially when applied (subtly) to the cheek and brow bones. Give it a try, but make sure you go light—anything darker than medium won’t give you the same effect. And don’t ignore the handy lesson booklet that comes with the package. It’s a great how-to hookup.
Dr. Brandt Skincare Dark Circles Away
I was sent a sample of this back in June and have been using it diligently ever since. And it works! I can’t say that it’s completely banished my under eye circles, but it has lightened them—without lightening the skin around it, thus causing my circles to be more noticeable. (Which is what I’ve found that so many other clinically formulated eye brighteners to do). Dr. Brandt Skincare Dark Circles Awayreally targets the areas that need the help. Plus, its cooling wand is feels good to apply—especially at bedtime.
PS: ONE SUPER SIMPLE SOLUTION. If you’re having a particularly rough morning, or you just don’t have the energy to deal with under-eye fix its, do what I do: don glasses. I hate how I look in them, but those thick frames instantly hide my imperfections. And if you’re one of those lucky 20/20-ers, I’d suggest buying a prescription-free pair. They don’t cost much (H&M carries them for $15) and they’re a great tool to have in your tired-eye-hiding arsenal. One tip: do put on a layer or two of mascara. You don’t want to totally look like you’ve dragged yourself out of bed (even if that’s more or less the case).
Keep it loud
