It’s something nearly every woman can relate to – tired looking eyes.
Sometimes it’s a lack of sleep, allergies, or just the natural aging process. But
Studio 5 Beauty and Style contributor Holly Stone believes you can say
goodbye to tired eyes once and for all with some basic products.
The eyes are the windows to my what? My tearful deluge? My peanut and
pretzel binge? My mother, grandmother and great grandmother? Or how
about the simple fact that I am a day older? No longer is a poor night’s sleep
a top contributor to tired-looking eyes. And yet this inconvenience affects
every woman at some point in her life. Today, the known causes for dull,
dim eyes are so targeted that once you understand the culprit, it’s easy to
find products that counteract or correct to meet your individual need. And
correct, counteract, or hide you must because when your eyes look tired, you
can look older and much worse, your eyes can unintentionally communicate
the wrong message. Dark, swollen, droopy eyes can be mistaken for
“Beware-I am sick”, “I am not operating at an efficient level” or “I am not
interested” Ouch! And all you have are seasonal allergies!
Is it possible to perk up your tired eyes to appear healthy, alert, engaged and
perhaps youthful? Yes, but don’t head for the nearest gimmicky pearlescent
“eye illuminator” unless you are under 18. You don’t want to advertise in
lights the fact that your eyes are tired. Instead, look to some ordinary
products that can pull off an extraordinary illusion. SEE the Cause, KNOW the
Culprit, and CHOOSE your Correction.
Cause: Under Eye Puffiness
Culprit: Excessive crying, allergies (stuffy nose), too much salt/alcohol,
dehydration, genetics, thinning skin, lack of sleep, stress (Note: under eye
“bags”- which are noticeably more prominent-may be fatty deposits. Consult
with your doctor for best options)
Correction:
1. Bag of frozen peas. Lie down for no less than 15 min and let the cold
restrict the swelling.
2. De-puff with retinol eye cream. Gently apply in small tapping movements
using ring finger.
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream Walgreens $13
3. If no dark shadows-AVOID applying makeup below the eye. If combined
with dark shadows, see below.
(If allergies: Nasal spray Vicks’ Walmart $6.99, Sleep with extra pillow to keep
head propped up allowing drainage, Hydrate-drink water/use rich
moisturizer around eye area)
Cause: Fine lines and wrinkles/rough texture
Culprit: Loss of collagen/elastin, genetics, fatigue, dehydration, squinting,
laughing- please don’t stop J
Correction:
1. Moisture ALWAYS
A rich moisturizer is all you need to keep you looking younger longer. Apply
all around eye area morning and evening.
Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream 1.7 Oz Walmart $18.97
2. Prep with Primer
Concealer etc under the eye will blend evenly and stay in place if you smooth
the surface texture first. Apply a tiny amount from under-eye to socket area,
inside corner to outer
Sephora perfecting eye primer $14 with anti-aging benefits
Cause: Red Eye
Culprit: allergy, irritation, stress, inflammation, dryness, blood veins
Correction:
1. Cut the red
Visine advanced Redness and irritation Walgreen’s $4.99
2. Open the eye
Veins on the upper eye lid can accentuate a red or shadowed eye. Counteract
the red by adding yellow!
TOO FACED Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop Sephora $18
3. Erase the line
If the inside bottom of your eyelid (water well) is also red or pink, it adds
more red to the mix. Gone are the days of adding white eyeliner. Today’s
trend is to opt for the nude color of flesh.
Line the water well from inside corner to outside corner to eliminate a line of
contrast making eye appear wider and more alert.
NARS Larger Than life Longer Wear eyeliner Shade: Rue Bonaparte Sephora
$23
Cause: Dark Circles
Culprit: genetics, age, thin skin, dehydration, strain. This dark bluish, grey
shadow doesn’t just magically appear. That pigment is always there because
it is created from the fluid and veins in eye area but you may not see it unless
you have one of the culprits above.
Correction:
1. Pink no matter your age
If dark circle shadow is very grey and sallow, apply pink to counteract the
sallow tone and brighten overall area. A little color goes a long way so apply
sparingly only where needed.
Benefit Eye Bright pencil Ulta $20
2. Hide. Even Out. Minimize. CONCEAL.
Cream is king
So it doesn’t drag, so it doesn’t cake, so it DOES cover evenly and so it DOES
hide with medium to full coverage, use a creamy concealer.
Color choice
Shade/tone should match that of the lightest area of your complexion. If
concealer is too light, it will highlight the very area you are trying to EVEN
OUT. And no powder under eye. Ever. Period. It adds age.
Brush is best
Applying with a brush allows for more blending precision. Finger tips are too
bulky.
In MY PERSONAL make up bag: Laura Mercier Secret Concealer $22
Holly Stone is no stranger to business and the beauty industry. Starting as a
model at the age of 14 she decided that she preferred to be behind the
scenes rather than in front of the camera. She choreographed fashion shows,
selected models for events and assisted her agency with make-up.
Her skill for make-up artistry quickly became recognized and the demand for
her talent launched a career that would take her all over the country. She
received a bachelor’s degree, and took a position as VP of Merchandising for
Overstock.com. There she learned the business skills of resourcing, buying,
marketing, and negotiating. She moved on to train in Los Angeles at AWARD,
a leading make-up artist school in the west.
Today, with her business skills and her passion for the art of make-up, she
manages a successful career as an educator and a veteran make-up artist of
16 years. She works in various media with actors/actresses, models, brides,
and photographers. She is a consultant to several cosmetic distributors, spas,
and salons where she teaches application and technique. She is a nationally
recognized educator of cosmetic application and is a personal image
consultant to people ranging from high position corporate figures to the
every day woman.
Holly is the owner of Re-Creation Studio, School of Media Make-up Artistry.
For information about her classes, visit www.learntodomakeup.com.
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