How to Make Your Eyes Look Younger

Co-authored by Yuka Arora

Last Updated: February 5, 2023 References

It's perfectly natural to want to look as young as you feel on the inside. Over time, you'll probably notice the skin around your eyes showing signs of ageing. Not to worry, there are plenty of ways that you can make your eyes look bright and youthful. Apply makeup to cover dark under eyes and fine lines, and use natural remedies to reduce puffiness and dryness. Before you know it, your eyes will have a beautiful, youthful glow!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Makeup

1
Dab primer under your eyes to smooth out any fine lines.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} As you age, your skin becomes more creased, especially around your eyes. Use your ring finger to gently dab a primer around under your eyes and over the wrinkles to the sides of your eyes, and then spread it into a thin layer. This will help to fill in any lines and make your skin appear smoother.^{[2]
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- If you have dark under eye circles, choose a tinted primer that matches your skin colour.
- Use your ring finger to apply the makeup, as the skin around your eyes is easily damaged and this finger is the most gentle.
- Primer is a thin cream, similar to a moisturiser, and can be purchased from a pharmacy.
2
Spread a yellow-based concealer under your eyes if you have dark circles. Choose a concealer that is 2 shades lighter than your foundation. This will help to brighten your eyes and give the appearance of a subtle lift. Look for a concealer that is labelled as having yellow-tones. This will help it to look natural and warm. Spread a thin layer of the concealer over any areas that look discoloured or dark.^{[3]
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- Over time, the skin around your eyes becomes thinner. This makes it easier to see the blood vessels beneath your skin, which is what causes the appearance of dark circles.
- Concealer can be applied regardless of whether you are wearing foundation. Keep smudging the concealer until it blends into your skin and looks natural. Use a brush, beauty blender, or your fingers to blend the concealer.
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3
Line the outer edges of your upper lid to make your eyes look lifted. As you age, the skin on your eyelids tends to droop. Use an eyeliner to bring back the youthful shape to your eyes. Apply the eyeliner from the middle of your top lash lines to the outer corners. Keep the lines nice and thin to make it look natural.^{[4]
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- Pencil eyeliner is easiest to apply and looks the most natural. Choose an eyeliner that matches the colour of your eyelashes or opt for black if you want a classic and bold look.
4
Choose matte eyeshadows to make your eyelids look smooth. Avoid wearing heavy, shiny eyeshadows as these can exaggerate the creases on your eyelids.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} Look for sheer or matte eyeshadows that are designed for ageing skin.^{[6]
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- Light or browns, nudes, and greys are flattering options.
- Avoid eyeshadows with metallic finishes as these accentuate wrinkles.
5
Apply mascara to your lashes to help open up your eyes. Large, open eyes are a quick way to make your eyes look more youthful. Apply a lengthening mascara to your top and bottom lashes to help your eyes look brighter and wider. Start at the roots of your lashes and use the wand to coat the entire lashes. If you don't notice much difference after the first coat, apply a second or third coat.^{[7]
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- If your eyelashes aren't naturally curled, use an eyelash curler to give them shape before you apply mascara.
6
Use an eyebrow pencil to fill in your brows if they're thin.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} If your brows are thin and light, it tends to make your eyes look a little droopier and older. The eyebrow pencil is an easy fix to this problem. Choose an eyebrow pencil that matches the natural colour of your eyebrows and gently fill them in with colour. Try to follow the existing shape of your eyebrows as much as possible as this will help them to look natural.^{[9]
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- If you have very light eyebrows, use an eyebrow pencil that matches your hair colour.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Natural Remedies

1
Place a cold metal spoon on your lower lids to reduce any puffiness. Leave a teaspoon in a cup of water with a couple of ice cubes for 5 minutes to cool the spoon. Hold the back of the spoon against your lower lids for 3 minutes. The cold spoon will help to reduce the puffiness, making you look more youthful and awake.^{[10]
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- If the spoon feels uncomfortably cold, remove it from your eyes and let it warm up for a minute before putting it back on your lids.
2
Hold a cotton ball soaked in soy milk over your eyes if they're puffy. Soy milk works a treat at reducing puffiness because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Dip a cotton ball into a cup of soy milk and squeeze out any excess before placing it onto your closed eye. Leave the cotton ball on each eyelid for 2 minutes.^{[11]
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- This is really soothing first thing in the morning.
- If you want to make this extra refreshing, chill the soy milk in the fridge before dipping the cotton ball into it.
3
Soothe your eyelids with green tea ice cubes if they feel tired. This remedy combines the power of ice and green tea! Brew a pot of green tea and pour it into an ice cube tray once it has cooled. Leave it in the freezer overnight to set. In the morning, pop out an ice cube and wrap it in a paper towel. Hold it over your eye for a couple of minutes or until your eyes feel better.
- Make this part of your morning routine to help wake yourself up and to give your eyes that fresh and youthful look.
- Never place ice directly onto your skin as it can cause burns.
4
Place slices of cucumber over your eyes to reduce puffiness. The vitamin C and caffeic acid in cucumbers make them fantastic at combating puffy eyes. Thinly slice the cucumber and place it over your closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes.^{[12]
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- For best results, leave the cucumber in the fridge for an hour before slicing it. This will make it feel nice and refreshing.
5
Spread a thin layer of coconut oil over your eye area before bed if you have wrinkles. Coconut oil does a great job of moisturising skin and helps to remove the appearance of fine lines. Cleanse your face before bed and then apply a thin coat of coconut oil around your eyes; although, take care not to get the coconut oil in your eyes. The coconut oil will absorb into your skin, leaving you with nourished skin in the morning.
- Choose an organic and cold-pressed oil to get the best results.
- Coconut oil can be substituted for almond, jojoba, or olive oil.
6
Eat less salt and more iron to prevent puffy eyes. Diet plays a major role in how healthy your skins looks. Excess salt intake and iron deficiency cause your body to retain fluids, which can make your skin look puffy. Cut out salty foods such as crisps, chips, and take-out, and add more red meat to your diet.
- If you are a vegetarian, increase your intake of spinach, beans, and lentils.^{[13]
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7
Sleep for 8 hours each night to help reduce red eyes. If your eyes are regularly bloodshot, it is most likely because you aren't getting enough sleep. Tired eyes don't produce as many tears and are more likely to become irritated. To solve the problem, head to bed early and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep.^{[14]
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- If your eyes don't improve after a few good sleeps, go to a doctor or an optometrist for further advice.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Tightening Your Skin

1
Use a night cream if you want to reduce wrinkles. Night creams are specially formulated to help nourish your skin overnight and to smooth out fine lines. When you wake up, you will notice that the skin around your eyes is soft and moisturised. Use your ring finger to gently rub the cream into the skin around your eyes.^{[15]
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- Purchase a night cream from a pharmacy. If you are unsure what brand to buy, search online for reviews or ask your friends for recommendations.
2
Try injectable fillers if you want your skin to look plump. Injectable fillers work to temporarily increase the smoothness of your skin. An anesthetic is normally applied to the area first and then the filler is injected under the skin. The results last about 3-6 months and can be extended with another dose of the fillers.^{[16]
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- If you don't have any wrinkles yet, consider using an injectable filler as a preventive measure.
- This treatment shouldn't be used on breastfeeding or pregnant women.
- Search online for a skin care specialist in your area and ask them about the different injectable fillers available.
3
Get a blepharoplasty if you're willing to have plastic surgery. This is a drastic but effective option. This procedure removes the excess fat and skin under your eyes, which helps them to look bigger and more youthful. The procedure usually costs around $15,000 and isn't usually covered by insurance.
- The surgery is done under general anesthetic.
- Search online for a plastic surgeon in your area that performs this procedure.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I make my face look younger with makeup?

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.

Yuka Arora

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Start by applying primer around your eyes to help hide fine lines and wrinkles. You can also use an eyebrow pencil to fill in your brows if they're thin.
Question

How can I make my eyes look younger naturally?

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.

Barbie Ritzman

Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Answer

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A great beauty tool to naturally help aging eyes is the gua sha stone. This luxurious beauty tool boosts circulation and encourages lymphatic drainage by clearing any blockage, removing toxins, promoting drainage of cellular waste, stimulating circulation, and releasing excess fluids that can cause your under-eye area to look swollen or puffy. In turn, it helps to plump and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles as well as minimize puffiness, increase collagen, and lift the under-eye area, resulting in younger-looking eyes, naturally.
Question

How can I tighten the skin under my eyes?

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.

Barbie Ritzman

Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

A gua sha stone might help! It can visibly tighten and lift your under-eye skin by boosting circulation, releasing muscular tension, and promoting lymphatic drainage. If you're willing to try cosmetic treatments, non-invasive options like botox and dermal fillers can temporarily help.