How to Make Your Eyes Lighter

Co-authored by Yuka Arora

Last Updated: March 19, 2022 References

Eyes come in a spectrum of beautiful shades of brown, green, and blue. Although your eye color cannot be safely changed, there are several ways that you can enhance your eye color. ^{[1]
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Research source} If you want to know how to make your eyes pop, keep reading.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Enhancing Your Eyes with Color Contacts

1
Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. A prescription is required to purchase contact lenses in the United States, even if those contacts are cosmetic rather than corrective. ^{[2]
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Research source}^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source} During your appointment, tell your eye doctor about your needs and expectations.
2
Choose a contact lens type and color. If your eye doctor approves your request for contact lenses, you will get to choose your lenses. Color contacts come in tinted and opaque varieties that can either enhance or completely change your eye color while you are wearing them. ^{[4]
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- Enhancement tint contact lenses intensify your natural color with a translucent tint. Since they are translucent, they will not completely change your natural eye color. ^{[5]
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- Color tint contact lenses come in a variety of shades and colors including specialty colors like amethyst, violet, and green. They are opaque so they will completely block your natural color with the lens color. ^{[6]
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3
Use your contact lenses as directed. Follow your eye doctor’s instructions carefully when putting in and taking out your contact lenses.
- Always wash your hands before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. ^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Never sleep in your contact lenses. ^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Don’t wear your contact lenses while bathing or swimming. ^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
4
Take good care of your contact lenses. Depending on the type of contact lenses your doctor has prescribed, you may need to disinfect them daily. Improper care of contact lenses can cause eye infections, so it is important to clean your contact lenses as directed by your eye doctor. ^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
5
Tell your eye doctor if there is a problem with your contact lenses. If you experience any problems or simply have questions about your contact lenses, talk to your eye doctor. ^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Enhancing Your Eyes with Makeup

1
Use eye color enhancing eye shadow. Some makeup companies make special eye color enhancing palettes that can help take the guesswork out of choosing the right eye shadow to enhance your eye color. You can also choose complementary colors to brighten your eye color.
- For blue eyes, try terra cotta, bronze, copper, yellow, or peach. ^{[12]
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- For green eyes, try shades of purple, mauve, or rose. ^{[14]
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- For brown eyes, try bronze, gold, or shimmery earth tones.^{[15]
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2
Use under eye concealer. Applying under eye concealer will cover up the dark circles under your eyes, which will help you to look more alert. Under eye concealer will also brighten up your eye color and enhance your eye makeup.
3
Wear navy blue mascara. Instead of plain black, try wearing navy blue mascara to brighten and lighten your eyes. Blue mascara will brighten the overall look of your eyes by making your eyeballs look whiter.
4
Use nude or white eyeliner. Apply a coat of nude or white eyeliner to the inner rim of your lower eyelid to instantly brighten your eyes. White eyeliner will provide a dramatic brightening effect, but nude eyeliner will brighten your eyes subtly, without creating too much contrast.^{[17]
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5
Use navy or indigo eyeliner. Apply navy or indigo eyeliner to your upper and/or lower eyelids to brighten your eyes. Like black eyeliner, the dark color contrasts with your eyes, but the blue brings out the whites of your eyes and makes them appear lighter. ^{[18]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Enhancing Your Eyes with Lifestyle Changes

1
Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important to keeping your eyes looking bright and healthy. Sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated. ^{[19]
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Get plenty of vitamin C. Vitamin C is good for the capillaries and blood vessels in your eyes, so getting enough vitamin C can help prevent red or yellow looking eyes. Take a daily multivitamin or eat foods that contain vitamin C, like citrus fruits.^{[20]
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Avoid junk food. Fats and sugars are more difficult for your liver to process, which can lead to red or yellow looking eyes. Instead, try to eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. ^{[21]
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Avoid caffeine. Caffeine dehydrates your body, which may cause your eyes to look red or dull. Skip or at least limit your consumption of caffeinated beverages to keep your eyes looking bright. ^{[22]
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5
Wear sunglasses. Sun, wind, and dust can make your eyes look red. Protect your eyes from the elements to keep them looking bright and healthy. ^{[23]
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Research source} Sunglasses will also help protect the skin around your eyes from the sun, which will help reduce your chances of premature crows feet.
6
Get plenty of sleep. The National sleep foundation recommends that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. ^{[24]
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Research source} Adequate sleep not only helps you get through your day, it also helps your eyes to look brighter. ^{[25]
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Community Q&A

Question

I'm only 12, can I wear colored contacts and would they affect my eyes?

Community Answer

If they are not disinfected properly or are left in overnight you are at higher risk for infection, but otherwise they are are relatively safe.
Question

Is it true that lemons can lighten your eye color?

Community Answer

No, it's not true, but drinking lemon can make your eyes look healthier. Also make sure to drink at least 2 liters of water a day to keep your body hydrated and keep blood circulated.
Question

I have done this and I can see a difference but when I eat a bit of junk food it goes really dark again. Why?

Community Answer

Junk foods are high in carbs, which can have an effect.

Warnings

Color contacts require a prescription even if they are for cosmetic purposes. Never buy color contacts from street vendors, boutiques, Halloween stores, the internet, or any other unlicensed vendor. Only a licensed eye doctor can prescribe and sell contact lenses. ^{[27]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}

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Eye color change surgery has not been approved by the FDA and is not currently available in the United States. There are serious risks that accompany this surgery, including blindness. ^{[28]
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