The ultimate eye openers

In this era of face masks, our lashes, lids and brows are stealing focus, so take note as the Grazia beauty team reveal their ultimate eye buys

lockdown or no lockdown, face masks are sticking around for the foreseeable and that places our eye area well and truly in the spotlight. It’s no coincidence that after lockdown 1.0 eye make-up sales in the prestige sector jumped noticeably, at a time when makeup sales were declining elsewhere. So, if you too have found yourself favouring eyeliner over lipstick recently, it’s likely you’re on the lookout for a few new eye-area buys. Stuck for inspiration? Enter the Grazia beauty team with their tried and tested favourite finds…

JOELY WALKER, BEAUTY & HEALTH DIRECTOR

Lashes: Dolce & Gabbana Beauty Passioneyes Intense Volume Mascara in Black [1], £37

This is no wallflower wand. This mascara makes your eyes look bigger and lashes more voluminous, without ever going clumpy. We’re talking full, fluttery and budge-proof.

Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer [2], £24 (available in 30 shades)

If you’re looking for a total failsafe, this formula has never, ever let me down. So creamy. So brightening. So blendable. It’s a global best-seller.

Brows: BBB London Tinted Brow Gel in Chai [3], £21, and Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Brow Fix [4], £19

I like my brows bold, full and fluffy – and this foolproof duo makes it so easy to achieve. First, I brush the Tinted Brow Gel through my brows from the base upwards before going in with the Brow Fix (to fluff them up and keep them in place).

Lids: Bobbi Brown Long-wear Cream Shadow Stick in Goldstone [5], £24

The easiest route to a subtle smoky eye ever created. I’ll either scribble this stick all over my eyelid before blending in with my middle fingertip or, for a more day-to-day look, I’ll trace it underneath my lower lash line to quickly frame my eyes with a subtle hit of sparkle.

ANNIE VISCHER BEAUTY EDITOR

Lashes: Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara [6], £23.50

In lieu of my usual lash extensions by Edy London, lockdown had me trying new mascaras galore. My favourite? Lancôme’s latest wand – featuring 360 tiny bristles, the curved brush curls every single lash, while the smooth gel formula serves up flake-free volume and length.

Concealer: Rimmel Lasting Radiance Concealer [7], £6.99 (available in six shades)

I go through under-eye concealer like there’s no tomorrow so a bargain buy is a must. My other requirements? A super-lightweight, silky formula and peach undertones to counteract the purple tinge of dark circles. This ticks every box.

Brows: Glossier Boy Brow [8], £14, and Huda Beauty Bomb Brows Microshade Pencil [9], £15

Meet my favourite power couple. First, I add both definition and volume with Glossier’s cult classic Boy Brow. Next, I use the super-fine tip of Huda’s new pencil to fill in any gaps and the spoolie at the other end to brush the hairs up.

Lids: Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl in Barbarella Brown [10], £19 I’m a liner girl through and through. This iteration is soft enough to be applied then blended with a fine brush for a diffused finish that lasts through countless Zooms. I use it sparingly on its own after applying my under-eye concealer, concentrating on the outer sides of each lash line before blending. If I want to look more awake, I apply to my top lash line only or, for a more intense effect, I slick it across both top and bottom waterlines.

EMMA STODDART SENIOR BEAUTY WRITER

Lashes: L’oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Waterproof Mascara [11], £10.99

I’m a big fan of L’oréal Paris mascaras and its latest offering is up there with the very best. The chunky brush gives you that doll-like, wide-eyed look with only a few sweeps. As for the formula, it’s smudge-proof and waterproof, delivering a glossy black finish that stays put come rain or eye water.

Concealer: bareminerals Original Liquid Mineral Concealer [12], £24 (available in 17 shades)

As someone with genetically dark under-eyes, I’m always on the lookout for brightening concealers. New in from bareminerals, this creamy formula is amazing at instantly masking dark circles (that’s the light-reflecting mineral pearls at work) while targeted ingredients leave my skin hydrated, too. I apply and pat in with my ring finger (it’s the weakest, so ideal for the eye area).

Brows: REFY Brow Pencil [13], £14 (in light, medium and dark)

After seeing this brand all over social media and hearing rave reviews from a friend, I had to give it a go. The three-step brow ritual, founded by influencer Jess Hunt, includes a pomade, a gel and a pencil. The pencil, in particular, really impressed me. The super-fine, skinny tip can be used to mimic hair-like strokes and fill in sparse areas for a natural finish.

Lids: Trinny London Eye2eye in Truth [14], £18 (in 25 shades)

Ideal for lazy make-up lovers like me, this pot of creamy shadow, rich in pigment, is the easiest way to elevate your make-up in seconds. Truth, my everyday go-to shade, is a warm caramel-chestnut brown that I smudge across my eyelids before taking a thin, angled brush to run the colour under my eyes for definition.