It goes without saying that larger, brighter eyes give you a more polished appearance. However, no eye cream or cooling gel can genuinely improve the look of your eyes if you have dark under-eye circles due to genetics, lack of sleep, or have dullness around the eyes. Makeup can simply be used to give the appearance of larger, more lighted eyes.
It’s really simple to do, and you can probably do it with materials you already have in your makeup bag. Watch as celebrity makeup artist Carissa Ferreri demonstrates how to use cosmetics to make your eyes appear brighter and larger.
Step 1: Prepare the eyelids. The first step is to ensure that your eyelids are clean and free of oil, dirt, or residue so that the makeup will stick to the area. Makeup artist Carissa Ferreri uses a cleansing wipe for this purpose. She also recommends using an eye makeup remover before you begin, so that there’s less risk of the eyeshadow colors getting into your eyes.
Step 2: Use an eye primer. The makeup artist first applies a base coat of concealer, color matching it to match her skin tone exactly. Next, she uses an eye primer (which should also be matte) and brushes it on with a small brush to “brighten up the area.” She recommends using a small pointed brush. The primer should have a very light, thin texture so it doesn’t cake on the skin.
Step 3: Apply cream eyeshadow (optional). If you wish to use cream shadow for this purpose, apply it with your fingers in an oval shape following the lash line.
Step 4: Apply matte eyeshadow (optional). Using a flat brush, apply the same color as your cream shadow to enhance and set the cream shadow. To keep the look natural, only use matte eyeshadow in this step – avoid using shimmers or bright colorful shades.
Step 5: Apply eyeliner. Line the lash line with either a pencil liner or liquid/gel eyeliner for definition.
Step 6: Curl the eyelashes. Finish by curling your lashes and applying at least one coat of mascara.
Note: If you have dark circles under your eyes, apply an appropriate concealer before these steps to even out the tones in your skin. The darker the concealer, the more likely it is to show up through your foundation. If you use a bright or light-colored concealer, match it to your foundation instead.
Step 7: Blend for a natural look. Finally, blend everything together with a beauty blender sponge so that the makeup looks natural and not “cakey.” If you’re going for a more dramatic look, use a flat brush.
Step 8: Apply lipstick or lipgloss (optional). Finish off your application with a touch of lipstick or lipgloss.
In conclusion, it’s really simple to make your eyes appear brighter and larger with just a few steps. Practice makes perfect, as with everything!
