In her best-selling how-to manual, Beautiful Eyes – the Ultimate Eye Makeup Guide, Rae Morris, makeup artist to the stars, highlights the eyes as the most powerful feature in the face. They are undoubtedly the most expressive element on the face and, when dressed, add glamour to any get-up. However, with fewer oil glands and less subcutaneous tissue, not only is the skin around the eyes thinner, it is also naturally less hydrated, leaving the eye region prone to premature ageing.
But whilst the eye region is perhaps the most important area of the face to hydrate, do so with a word of caution.
Attention to application
Applying eye products that are not meant for the eye area or excessively rubbing eye cream around the eyes, can do more harm than good. Try (1) Lancome Genifique Yeux Eye Illuminating Youth Activator (RRP $99). The applicator is rounded to mimic the shape of the orbit, minimising the risk of damaging the delicate skin around the eye when applying the gel. If there’s no applicator, it’s important to dab product on using only your little finger. Follow the contours of the eye and work from the inner eye to outer aspect of the eye.
Banish dark circles
Sleep is the number one method to banish dark circles and puffiness from around the eyes. Make sure you get plenty of sleep in a well ventilated room and try to sleep on your back. Stop smoking if you are a smoker as this really contributes to general eye area aging as well as dark circles and puffiness.
To relieve puffiness and dark circles try (2) Clarins Defining Eye Lift (RRP $65), (3) Eye Hope by Philosophy (RRP $50), (4) Nivea Q10 Plus Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream (RRP $19.95) or (5) Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Tone Perfecting Eye Gel Cre?me (RRP $85)
Dressed to impress
When it comes to enhancing the eyes with makeup, start off with a concealer to disguise dark circles but apply sparingly and use a colour slightly lighter than your actual skin colour and blend very well. (6) Jane Iredale Circle Delete Concealer (RRP $58) and (7) Sisley Eye Concealer (RRP $95) are both excellent and give good coverage without heaviness.
The latest eye shadows come with extra hydration so they go on easily and don’t dry out the skin. And when it comes to applying colour, Morris recommends dividing your eye makeup into highlighters, intensifiers, neutrals, metallic and accents. They should be placed to accentuate positives and minimise negatives relating to your eye shape. Great ones to try are (8) YSL Colour Facets-4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows (RRP $90), (9) L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Les Ombres Quad in Baie d’Emeraudes (RRP $23.95), (10) Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Eyeshadow in Hush (RRP $36), (11) Issada Mineral Eyeshadow in 3 Wishes (RRP $45), (12) Sisley Eyeshadow in Copper Touch (RRP $50) and (13) Benefit World Famous neutrals Eyeshadow Kit (RRP $44).
A soft eyeliner pencil is a must. Too hard and it can really drab that delicate skin. Try (14) L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Smoky pencil Eyeliner & Smudger in Story Sea (RRP $22.95).
Women repeatedly vote mascara as their number one makeup tool and it pays to invest in a good one. It should go on easily, not clump and should definitely not be drying. And don’t forget, you should always make sure you clean off all your mascara at the end of the day. To make your lashes to look instantly longer and minimise fallout, try (15) Issada Red Carpet Lashes Lash Enhancer (RRP $45), (16) False Lash Telescopic Unlimited Length Mascara by L’Oreal Paris (RRP $25.95), (17) YSL Luxurious Mascara (RRP $52), or (18) Sisley So Intense Mascara (RRP $70). Finally, if you want to pump up the drama try (19) Issada Luxe Lashes false Eyelashes (RRP $22).
