Tired-looking eyes dragging you down? With these popular treatments and tips, your peepers will be poppin’ in no time!
Dubbed the ‘windows to the soul’, the eyes play a huge role in expressing our emotions and greatly impact the way we are perceived by the world.
With age, the upper and lower eyelids can become heavy and wrinkled, contributing to a tired, aged or even angry expression. 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.
Treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical, is dependent on your individual needs, desires and expectations. Advanced surgical and non-surgical techniques and treatments can improve your appearance, brighten your eyes and combat the signs of ageing.
5 simple eye-opening makeup tips
1. Don’t over-colour the eyes – Too many bright hues can be distracting and ageing.
2. Avoid mascara clumps – It might have been the look in the 1960s, but it’s not hot today.
3. Soften hard edges – Remember to blend, blend, blend.
4. De-emphasise fine lines – Avoid shimmery shadows, which draw attention to creases and wrinkles. Instead opt for silky matte finishes.
5. Don’t match your eye makeup to your eye colour – For example, if you have blue eyes, blue eyeshadow will make your eyes appear dull.
Makeup tips
Smokey, defined eyes can add glamour to any look. Most of us choose to stick within our safety zone, applying the same eye shadows and lipsticks we have for months, even years. This isn’t normally about a lack of creativity; it usually comes down to a lack of confidence.
Try subtle changes, such as a dab of highlighter in the corners of your eye to reflect light and brighten your whole face.
To identify eye makeup colours that work for you, use your hair as a guide (not your eyes). Blondes tend to suit creams and taupes, while mochas and chocolate browns flatter brunettes. If you have auburn or red hair, go with coppers, peaches, reddish-browns or cool tones like pink and lavender.
Anti-wrinkle injections
Fine lines and crow’s feet can detract from an otherwise youthful appearance, and the use of anti-wrinkle injections around the eye area can act as both an anti-ageing and preventative measure.
These injectables work by temporarily paralysing the underlying muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles – or wrinkles that occur due to facial expression. Anti-wrinkle injections can be placed strategically around your eye area to help combat fine lines, crow’s feet and deeper furrows.
A relatively fast and minimally invasive treatment, anti-wrinkle injections deliver fast, visible results with minimal downtime. The results usually last about four months, but it depends on your individual reaction.
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids, reducing bags under the eyes and countering sagging, hooded lids. The procedure essentially “opens” and brightens your eyes, removing a heavy, tired appearance.
In addition to improving your appearance, upper eyelid surgery can also help improve vision and expose the eyelashes. It is performed via an incision that is hidden in the upper eyelid crease, where skin, muscle and fat are removed to reduce hooding in the upper eyelid. It can be performed alone, or in conjunction with lower eyelid blepharoplasty for more holistic results.
skin around the eyes thins and becomes less hydrated, leaving the eye region prone to premature ageing
Lower eyelid surgery involves excising or redistributing fat in the lower eyelid to counter puffiness below the eyes. Incisions can be made either inside the eyelid or just below the lower lash line.
The skin is often tightened to smooth out the under-eye area, helping reduce the appearance of “bags” under the eyes and revitalising the appearance.
Most patients experience only mild pain or discomfort following eyelid surgery, and recovery usually takes between one and two weeks. Results are long lasting.
