A study found that men and women rate a person’s eyes more important than other features when looking for a partner. Having fresh and beautiful eyes and dealing with awkward situations such dark circles and redness, puffiness, pigmentation, and dryness is not an easy job! Cosmo’s beauty pros fix any eye sitch with their tricks:
1. Dark Circles Or Redness
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avacado, Dhs140
Wet n Wild Cover All Concealer Palette, Dhs29
Skin Fix: Blue, purple, and red tones are the result of dilated blood vessels that peep through thin under-eye skin, says derm Shari Marchbein, MD. Try a cream with caffeine (like Sunday Riley’s), a vasoconstrictor that can temporarily shrink vessels, to help discoloration.
Concealer Trick: It’s all about color correction. Cancel out blue or purple circles with a peach (for lighter skin tones) or orange (for darker complexions), says celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño. To neutralize redness, go green. Let the color set for a minute, then top with your favorite concealer.
2. Puffiness
Origins GinZing Eye Cream, Dhs142
Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch, Dhs146
Skin Fix: If you have bags 24/7, blame them on orbital fat pads (think: love handles but under your eyes). They are genetic and require a dermatologist’s help. But if you spy puffiness in the morning only, “it’s probably due to fluid retention,” says Dr. Marchbein. Massage an eye cream back and forth under your eyes for a couple of minutes to help drain the excess fluid. (The one at right from Mary Kay contains algae to also help depuff.)
Concealer Trick: Place a concealer that is one or two shades lighter than your skin just under the bag (the tiny brush that comes with Giorgio Armani’s, here, makes this easy). Like highlighting, “it will bring the area forward to create a more even-looking surface,” explains Avendaño.
3. Pigmentation
Caudalie Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream, Dhs205
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, Dhs113
Skin Fix: Are your under-eyes more brown than blue or red? “It’s likely due to excess pigment in the skin, which is mostly genetic and more common in women of color,” says Dr. Marchbein. Ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, soy, and licorice extract (Caudalie’s has the latter) can help inhibit the production of melanin to lighten the area. And don’t leave the house without your shades. The sun’s rays can make the darkening worse.
Concealer Trick: A high-coverage one, like Tarte’s, a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone, will counteract any darkness. Pat it into place using a damp sponge.
4. Dryness
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K7L Flawless Finish Concealer, Dhs55
Skin Fix: The skin barrier around your eyes is super thin, meaning moisture can easily escape, explains Dr. Marchbein. A ceramide-based eye cream (like CeraVe’s) helps build up your protective barrier, keeping eyes hydrated.
Concealer Trick: “Creamy versions provide coverage and won’t cling to dry patches,” says Avendaño. Covergirl’s is infused with hydrating vitamins E, B3, and B5.
5. Fine Lines
La Prairie Platinum Rare Eye Essence, Dhs1770
Rimmel London Breathable Lasting Finish Concealer, Dhs44
Skin Fix: At night, dab on a retinol cream to boost collagen and soften lines over time. In the morning, switch to a formula with hyaluronic acid—a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, temporarily plumping lines. (Bonus: It counteracts any drying side effects from the retinol.)
Concealer Trick: Skip the setting powder post-concealer because it can end up in the tiniest of lines. If your concealer creases midday, pat it back into place with the warmth of your finger, or go for a long-wear option, like Rimmel’s.