How to keep your peepers sparkling above that mask
The wearing of face masks has caused a shift in beauty that’s already evident. Since the start of lockdown there has been a surge in online searches and sales for eye products like lash and brow serums, eye cream, mascara, and solutions for dark circles.
To get a better understanding of how we can take better care of the skin around our eyes, and to find a solution for dark circles, we spoke to Warren Dowdall, senior pro artist with Bobbi Brown.
Warren explained to me that we need to care for the eyes separately from the face, saying: ‘The skin under our eyes behaves a little differently to the skin elsewhere on our face — it’s naturally thinner and more fragile. This means it’s normally the first area of the face to show signs of tiredness and visible fine lines which is why we get darker circles around this delicate area.’
Aside from dark circles, the eye area also needs better moisture levels. Warren explains: ‘It’s not great at keeping itself hydrated as there are fewer oil glands around the eyes. It’s also more sensitive and prone to fluid build-up, which can cause the look of puffiness and dark circles.’
When shopping for a new eye cream Warren suggests looking for a product containing Vitamin C. ‘Vitamin C is known for its brightening effects which is why it is a key ingredient when deciding on an eye cream. This ingredient inhibits the skin’s melanin production, slowing down the cellular process which causes skin discolouration, all whilst stimulating collagen synthesis. Even better, it also has strong antioxidant properties, so will ward off damaging free radicals that may contribute to dark circles in the long term.’
In the short term, Warren has the perfect make-up solution for covering up stubborn dark circles. He recommends choosing a new shade of concealer.
‘The best route to success is to choose a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your natural skin tone. The under-eye is a naturally recessive area, so we want to use the slighter lighter shade to give the illusion of bringing this area forward for a brighter, fresher look.’
And if that still doesn’t disguise your dark circles, he suggests maybe trying a colour corrector concealer which goes on before your regular concealer.
‘Unlike concealers, correctors work by neutralising any discolouration in the skin, meaning anything you apply on top will be more effective. If the discolouration is bluish-purple, choose a bisque shade of corrector, and if it’s a greenish-brown, try a peach shade. If it’s a mixture, try a peach-bisque option. Once you’ve applied your corrector, swipe your concealer on top — the difference will be remarkable.’
Bobbi Brown has just launched the new Vitamin Enriched Eye Base, an eye cream with the finish of a primer,
€43 at counters nationwide.
Vitamin C is a key ingredient and known for its brightening effects