While lockdown restrictions and regulations are slowly being eased, chances are we’re going to be wearing protective face masks until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed.
Be it avoiding lockdown skincare problems or trying to breathe better while wearing a mask, it’s clear that the new normal that involves wearing face masks has changed the beauty industry in a way that no one thought possible. Instead of prioritizing statement lips and contouring, mask-friendly eye makeup has taken the beauty world by storm.
A pandemic doesn’t mean that you have to part with your favorite palette. In fact, eye makeup can be a way many people choose to express themselves, and it can also help to provide a sense of normalcy. Now is the perfect time to up your eye makeup game, and we have a few ideas as to how you can accentuate the one striking area on your face that people will get to see.
It’s all about the eyes
Pre-pandemic, the way we did our eye makeup had the potential to make or break an entire beauty look. You’d be surprised how a flawless look could depend on your choice of eyeshadow and eyeliner as well as the state of your brows. Not to mention the fact that the skin around the eye area is so thin that the eyes are often the first place to show the signs of aging.
It’s clear that we’re all going to be wearing face masks for a while, so here are a few ways you can perfectly play up your eyes.
Eye make-up tips for masks
1. Prep with an eye mask
A great eye makeup look makes it even better on hydrated and nourished skin. That said, it’s best to use an under-eye mask that will help to soothe and nourish the eye area, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and eye bags.
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask is a great mask to use once a week, especially if you’re looking for a youthful glow. The mask contains both caffeine and coffee – both of which narrow blood vessels, helping to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags. Additionally, the presence of hyaluronic acid helps to maintain moisture around the eye area, leaving you with a hydrated and fresh appearance.
2. Use a primer
If you’re planning on wearing eyeshadow, it’s important to use a primer as this will help to keep your shadow from falling, and it also helps to maintain your eye makeup throughout the day. A great eye primer is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Aging as it contains dermaxyl and kalpariane – both of which help to plump and firm the eye area.
3. Use a concealer
If you don’t have a primer, you can always use a concealer – just apply it to your lids and blend it in with your fingers.
Additionally, concealers are quite effective at concealing eye bags and fine lines around the eye area. The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer is an old favorite and for good reason. The effectiveness of the concealer may have to do with the ingredients goji berry and haloxyl. Goji berry is an antioxidant-rich fruit that contains vitamin C, which helps to stimulate the production of collagen, thus reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Haloxyl contains active peptides that help it to reduce dark circles.
A neat trick for when using concealer would be to apply your concealer from the lower lash line to the top of the cheek in an upside-down triangle shape and then blend the outline. This will help give you a much fresher look.
4. Don’t forget about your brows
Eyebrows help to frame your face, and with you wearing a mask, they’re definitely going to draw more attention. So, it’s important to add definition to your brows. You should invest in a pair of tweezers, and an eyebrow pencil as both will allow you to shape and fill in your brows.
Now the best way to tweeze your eyebrows would be to use your eyebrow pencil to fill in your brows and create your perfect brow shape. After this, focus on plucking the stray hairs surrounding the outlined shape. Once you’re done tweezing, fill in your eyebrows by brushing them up and outward and filling in only where you need more hair.”
You can also use an eyebrow gel as this will help to keep the eyebrow strands staying in place. The Benefit Gimme Brow + Volumizing Fiber Gel contains tiny microfibers that help to provide a natural look all while volumizing and tinting your brows.
5. Curl your eyelashes before mascara
Straight or droopy eyelashes can make your eyes look dull, so it’s important to curl them. This will help to prepare them for the illusion of height and length provided by mascara. For an even more transformative effect, consider trying natural lash extensions right at home. With the right kit and a bit of practice, you can achieve a salon-quality result in the comfort of your own space. These extensions seamlessly blend with your natural lashes, creating a beautifully enhanced, yet effortlessly natural look. They’re a fantastic option for those seeking a refined, sophisticated lash enhancement without the need for a professional appointment.
Speaking of mascara, make sure to use dark mascara as this will help to make your eyes more pronounced. When applying, make sure to place the brush as close as you can to the base of your eyelashes. Once you have it, build it up from the lash line and the root of the lash.
The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Waterproof Mascara helps to provide volume, and it really accentuates your eyes.
6. Use eyeliner to your advantage
When it comes to eye makeup, eyeliner is one of the best tools in your arsenal. You can use it to enhance definition, and really make your eyes pop.
If you really want your eyes to stand out, you should try the tightlining technique. This is when you apply eyeliner extremely thinly, right along the lash line. You can also apply it to the upper waterline. Doing this will help to define the shape of your eyes, and it can even make your lashes look thicker. The Revlon So Fierce Vinyl Eyeliner is not only waterproof, but the smudge-proof eyeliner glides on smoothly.
Another hack you can try is only applying eyeliner to the outer third of your eye as this can make them appear bigger.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to try some color – preferably under the eye as this will be more subtle.
7. Go bold with eyeshadow
It’s best to choose an eyeshadow shade that not only compliments your eyes but your mask as well. You could also go the bold route and choose a color that is the total opposite of your face mask as this will definitely create a bold contrast.
Another tip to applying eye shadow is to always use the lightest shade on the lid, the medium shade in the center, and the darkest in the crease. This will help to accentuate your eye shape. Just remember that when applying eye shadow, make sure to dust off any excess from your makeup brush as you don’t want to place too much pigment on your lid.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
You’ll also want to finish off the look with a setting spray as it will help to keep the eyeshadow in place.
Additionally, if you want an easier way to add color to your lids, you can opt for a cream eyeshadow stick such as the RMS Beauty Cream Eye Polish. This organic product provides a soft, natural, and flattering look.
What about false lashes?
This is a tricky one because while they can help add definition to your eyes, you don’t want to be using any products that will cause you to constantly touch your face with your hands.
With that said, you’ll want to choose an effective product that will not require a constant need for reapplication or adjustment.
One way to go would be magnetic lashes as they don’t require the use of lash glues – which can be toxic. You can either apply magnetic lashes by applying two magnetic strips over your lash line or by using a magnetic eyeliner, which you’ll apply before the lash. A great product to try out is the Lanic Magnetic Eyeliner Lash as the lashes are incredibly lightweight and the eyeliner is long-lasting.
Now while the application sounds easy enough, it’s important that these are still fake lashes and if not removed properly, they may cause the same issues as regular fake lashes. It’s also best to clean the lashes after every use.
The bottom line
Makeup is a fun way to express yourself, and it can also provide you with a sense of control – which is what a lot of us need during this time. Now whether you’re comfortable with your minimal makeup, or you want to use this opportunity to explore and experiment with bold looks, just make sure you’re comfortable and that you follow hygiene protocols when working with your makeup.
