How to Get Beautiful Eyes

Co-authored by Alana Schober

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Approved

Your eyes are often the first thing people notice about you when they see your face. Tired, puffy or red eyes can be less attractive and add years to your age. Too little sleep or too much stress can exacerbate tired or puffy eyes. Try these tips to restore your eyes’ youthful appearance, clarity and brightness.

Natural Ways to Get Pretty Eyes

Aim to get a good night’s sleep of 7 or 8 hours every night.
Stay hydrated and drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.
Avoid smoking and cut back on alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight.
Eat a healthy diet full of vitamins A, C, E, and omega fatty acids.
Reduce puffiness with cucumber slices, green tea bags, or cold spoons.
Take breaks from computer and phone screens to reduce eye strain.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adding Makeup to your Eyes

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1
Dab concealer underneath your eyes. Concealer is a base foundation that can offset the color of a dark circle under your eye. Choose a color of concealer that has opposite tones of color from the tones that are in your dark circles. Use a color wheel to determine what colors are the opposite of the ones you want to conceal.
- For example, if your dark circles have yellow tones, use a concealer with a purple tone. This will help neutralize the dark color under your eyes. Alternately, you can choose a concealer that is one skin tone lighter than your own skin tone. Gently dab the concealer under your eyes and tap at it with your finger, blending it across the skin under your eyes to make sure it is not noticeable. If you aren't able to buy concealer you can make your own by mixing equal parts of lotion and a powder that suits your skin colour then apply it.
2
Apply eyeliner properly. Using a dark eyeliner, draw a line about halfway or two-thirds across both the bottom and top of the eye, right along the lash line. Drawing all the way across your eye to the inner corner will make your eye look smaller, and possible closer together. Eyeliner that is applied about halfway across or that extends out from your eye with a wing will help make the eye look elongated. Draw back and forth across the lash line with your eyeliner pencil a few times.
- Try a light-colored eyeliner. By using a light eyeliner or even white eyeliner, your eyes will attract and reflect light, which will help make it seem like your eyes are larger. Line the bottom lash line with a white or silver eyeliner. Your eyes will reflect more light, and your eyes will give the illusion of being brighter and wider. ^{[1]
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- You can also use a white eyeliner pencil to line the inner corner of your eye on the top and bottom lids. This will help make your eyes look further apart.
- Don't be discouraged if your eyeliner doesn't look super great at first, especially if you're going for a winged look. Eyeliner requires a lot of practice to really get down. ^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
- It can also help to start using an eyeshadow as a liner, rather than
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3
Use eye shadow to make your eyes look bigger. You can accomplish this by using three different shades of eye shadow: light, medium and dark. Use the light colored shadow on the lid and brow bone, and apply medium colored shadow in the crease of your eye. Use a dark shadow or eyeliner along your lash line. Then add a shimmery colored shadow in the corners of your eyes, which will attract and reflect light. ^{[3]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
- If you wear glasses, think about how your glasses look with your eye makeup. A general rule of thumb is to wear bolder, brighter eye colors with lightweight, transparent frames. If you wear heavier frames, think about toning down your eye makeup.
- Think about the color wheel when you're applying eyeshadow. To really make your eyes pop, choose an eyeshadow that's complimentary to your eyes. For example, you could apply an orange or warm-colored eyeshadow to really complement your blue eyes. ^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
- You only need two types of makeup brushes to make a beautiful eyeshadow look—a flat brush to pack on the pigment, and a fluffy brush to diffuse the color. ^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alana Schober
  Pout Pro Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.}
4
Shape your eyebrows. Your eyebrows are frames for your eyes, and their shape can make your eyes appear to be certain shapes as well. Pluck, thread or wax your eyebrows to give them shape. Remove stray hairs regularly, but be careful not to over pluck your brows. Or, you can use an eyebrow pencil to fill in your eyebrows, especially if they are thin, light, or irregularly shaped. ^{[6]
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Research source} Use an eyebrow gel in your natural color to seal your eyebrows so they don’t smudge.
- Well-groomed eyebrows will also give your eyes a brighter appearance. This is because the little hairs around your eyebrows may create a shadow effect around your eyes.
An eyelash curler, which is readily available at drug stores and grocery stores for about $5 to $6, will clamp your eyelashes and bend them upwards in a curl. Curling your lashes upward will make your eyes appear to be bigger and more open. They can also draw attention to your eyes by making your eyelashes appear longer.
Use a thick mascara that coats your lashes thoroughly. There are many different kinds of mascara, from thickening to lengthening to waterproof. Try out a few different kinds to see how they look with your eyes. Get close to the roots of your lashes, applying mascara at the lash line. Try a fan brush or a brush that is curved, which will apply the mascara closer to the roots on all of your lashes. Or, try holding a business card above your lashes as you apply and brush the mascara into your lashes against the card.
If your eyelashes are short or you would like an especially dramatic look, attach fake eyelashes. Also known as “falsies,” these are available in various lengths, colors and textures, and can transform your eyes into something spectacular. Try different types to see how they look with your eyes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Improving your Health Care Routine

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Getting enough sleep every night will ensure that your body is rested and consequently that your eyes look rested. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Going to bed and getting up at consistent times will help your body adjust to getting the right amount of sleep.
Beautiful eyes rely on hydration, and keeping your body hydrated will help replenish your body’s fluids, thus reducing puffiness and redness in your eyes. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of plain water every day, or approximately 64 ounces. Drinking throughout the day is a good approach. If you are in a particularly dry climate, you might want to increase your water intake. Similarly, if you are exercising, you should replenish the water your body loses through sweat with additional water consumption.
Smoking irritates the eyes and can cause redness. It can also dry out the eyes. Eliminating smoking from your daily habits can help your eyes restore their natural color and hydration.
Both of these will dehydrate your body and add to puffiness and redness to your eyes. Cutting down on your intake of both will help your body restore its balance of hydration. Remember that it's not just coffee that has caffeine; some foods also contain caffeine, such as chocolate. Alcohol and caffeine also can interrupt good sleep patterns, which may interfere with you getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
5
Eat healthy foods. Reducing the amount of foods that contain refined carbohydrates and sugars, as well as wheat, can help your body process foods better. ^{[7]
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Research source} Decrease the amount of unhealthy foods you eat, particularly at night. Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin A, C and E, including vegetables such as spinach, kale, carrots, collard greens, and fruits such as oranges, melons, strawberries, peaches and avocados. ^{[8]
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Research source} Also eat more protein, such as poultry, red meat, eggs and dairy. ^{[9]
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- Dark circles under the eyes may be a sign of a dairy or gluten intolerance or other food allergy. If you continually have dark circles under your eyes, you may want to try eliminating certain foods from your diet to see if this improves the condition of your eyes.
A healthy lifestyle must include adequate exercise, which will help you lose weight, stay toned, and remain youthful. Getting out in the fresh air in particular will give your face a healthy glow and help your eyes sparkle.
If you spend hours at the computer staring at a screen, your eyes will start to strain and grow tired. Be sure to give yourself plenty of breaks from computer work, getting up to walk around or switch to other tasks for at least a few minutes at a time. Blink frequently to ensure that your eyes don’t dry out; dry eyes can contribute to redness. ^{[10]
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8
Wear sunglasses when you’re outside. Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses. If you’re out in the sun, you have a tendency to squint more frequently, and your eyes will develop wrinkles and fine lines around their edges. Wearing sunglasses, especially larger frame ones, will reduce this tendency to squint and will also protect your eyes. ^{[11]
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- Make sure that you wear sunscreen on your face, including around your eyes when you are outside as well. Protecting your skin from the sun with a moisturizing sunscreen will help to keep your skin looking nourished and more youthful.
9
Reduce environmental irritants. Allergens, smoke, haze and other materials in the air may irritate your eyes, contributing to redness, puffiness and general irritation. Reducing your exposure to these irritants may help reduce your eyes’ adverse reactions and help make your eyes look and feel better.
- Use eye drops to reduce redness that may be caused by allergens. Eye drops like Visine helps eliminate redness and makes the whites of your eyes appear whiter, which will in turn make your eyes appear brighter.
Eye creams can contain a variety of ingredients that help reduce puffiness, tighten skin and lessen wrinkles and fine lines, including grape extract, mulberry extract and caffeine, among others. There are eye creams that are intended for daytime application and are more suitable for moisturizing. Nighttime eye creams are typically more restorative. Dab your finger in the eye cream and gently dab it along the bottom of your eye from the inside to the outside.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Natural Items as Beauty Remedies

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Slice a couple of thin slices from a fresh or cold cucumber. Place these over your eyes for about 10 minutes or until the cucumber slices get warm. Cucumbers have high water content, and this water will transfer to your skin, helping to hydrate the area around your eyes. ^{[12]
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2
Place chilled black or green tea bags on your eyes. Tea bags have long been known as a good remedy for puffy eyes. Place two wet tea bags in the freezer to chill them. They do not need to freeze overnight, since you want to be able to lay them on your eyes comfortably. Green and black tea contain bioflavonoids, which are known to assist in the body’s reactions to allergens and inflammation, among other benefits. Place the tea bags over your eyes for about 10 minutes, or until the tea bags are warm. Rinse your face with cold water.
- You can also rinse your eyes in green tea or chamomile tea as a cleanser. Steep a tea bag in boiling water in a mug. Allow the tea to cool at least to match your body temperature. Wash your eyes with the tea, and then wash your face as you normally would. ^{[13]
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Freeze two metal spoons overnight. Place the rounded sides of the spoons against your eyes in the morning. They will feel very cold, so you will likely need to place them on your eyes for as long as you can manage and then take them off to give your eyes a rest. This will increase blood flow to your eyes and reduce puffiness. ^{[14]
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Beat a few raw egg whites together. Apply this mixture to your eyes as a mask and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Rinse off your face with cold water. This mask will make the skin around your eyes feel tighter, which may help your eyes look more youthful. ^{[15]
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Potatoes are astringent, which will help reduce puffiness. They also have catecholase, an enzyme that combats dark circles by brightening the skin under the eyes. Cut a couple of slices from a raw potato. Put these slices in the fridge or freezer to chill them (about 15-30 minutes). Place these slices on your eyes for about 10 minutes or until the slices are warm. Rinse your face with cold water and pat dry with a towel.
Pour a small amount of cold whole milk into a cup. Soak two cotton balls in the milk until they are saturated with milk. Lay back with your head resting on a towel to catch any drips. Place the cotton balls on your closed eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes. Wash and rinse your face, and pat dry with a towel.
Strawberries are useful in reducing puffiness because of their anti-inflammatory properties, and they also contain alpha-hydroxy acids, which are typically included in expensive face creams. Alpha-hydroxy acids enable the skin to slough off dead cells, making skin look younger. If you start to feel pain make sure to remove the strawberries immediately because they can have reddening effects. Cut the tops off a couple of fresh strawberries, and slice up the strawberries. Place the slices over your eyes for about 5 minutes. Wash your face with soap and water.
There are a number of herb-based remedies that can help reduce puffiness in eyes and restore clear, bright eyes. Some of these remedies include rose water, mint leaves, lavender, fennel, honey and cardamom, turmeric and amla. Search online for specific recipes and directions on the proportions for these mixtures. ^{[16]
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Question

How do I reduce black color underneath my eyes without makeup? Are there any home remedies I can try?

Camille Sanghera
Beauty Stylist
Camille Sanghera is the Owner of Lash Envy Cosmetics and Esvee Beauty in the Vancouver, British Columbia area. Camille is trained and certified in microblading, scalp micropigmentation, eyelash extensions, hair and makeup, and lash lifts. She is listed on Microblading Map Canada and has also been featured on TuneIn Radio and in Bridal Fashion Week Magazine.

Camille Sanghera

Beauty Stylist

Expert Answer

There are a number of home-remedies that you can try to help brighten your under eye circles. One remedy you can try is dabbing lemon juice under your eyes before bed every night. In time, the area will brighten. Remember that all remedies take time to kick in!

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How can I make my eyes look bigger without makeup?

Camille Sanghera
Beauty Stylist
Camille Sanghera is the Owner of Lash Envy Cosmetics and Esvee Beauty in the Vancouver, British Columbia area. Camille is trained and certified in microblading, scalp micropigmentation, eyelash extensions, hair and makeup, and lash lifts. She is listed on Microblading Map Canada and has also been featured on TuneIn Radio and in Bridal Fashion Week Magazine.

Camille Sanghera

Beauty Stylist

Expert Answer

If you want to make your eyes look bigger without makeup, you can try giving yourself a more arched eyebrow. Creating the right shape for your brows can help create the illusion of an elongated eye.

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Can wearing glasses be bad for my eyes?

Community Answer

No. It can only help you see better and reduce bad things like eye strain, squinting, etc.

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Warnings

If your eyes are puffy, red, irritated or swollen, you may be suffering from a medical condition, such as a stye, conjunctivitis (pink eye) or an eye injury. If you suspect any of these or other medical issues, consult your physician.

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How to Get Beautiful Eyes

Natural Ways to Get Pretty Eyes

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Adding Makeup to your Eyes

Improving your Health Care Routine

Using Natural Items as Beauty Remedies

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Expert Q&A

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