Whether you’ve had a rough night or just need to fake a full 8 hours of sleep, these simple makeup tricks can make your eyes look fresher, bigger, and more awake — instantly.
1. Use a Brightening Concealer Under the Eyes
Why it works: A good concealer hides dark circles and evens out skin tone, making you look well-rested.
How to apply: Choose a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone and tap it gently under your eyes in a triangle shape. Blend with a damp sponge or your ring finger.
Product tip:
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer – A popular drugstore concealer known for its lightweight texture and sponge-tip applicator that brightens and covers dark circles effortlessly.
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – A bestselling concealer that offers buildable coverage with a smooth, radiant finish — great for brightening tired under-eyes.
2. Apply Nude or White Eyeliner on Your Waterline
Why it works: It instantly makes your eyes look bigger and more open by cancelling out redness.
How to apply: Line your lower waterline with a nude or off-white eyeliner pencil. Avoid harsh white if you want a natural look.
Product tip:
- Max Factor Kohl Pencil (090 Natural Glaze) – A nude-toned eyeliner designed specifically for the waterline. Smooth, subtle, and long-lasting — perfect for a natural brightening effect.
- Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude – Soft nude tone with excellent staying power.
- Bonus Tip, NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick in Pitch Black – An intensely pigmented, waterproof black eyeliner that glides on smoothly and stays put all day. (If you’d like to make your eyes appear bigger)
3. Curl Your Lashes + Use a Lengthening Mascara
Why it works: Curling lifts your lashes and opens up your eyes. Lengthening mascara enhances this by making lashes look longer and more defined.
How to apply: Gently curl your lashes close to the base. Then apply mascara from root to tip, wiggling slightly to separate lashes.
Product tip:
- Artdeco Amazing Effect Mascara in Black – A compact precision brush that grabs even the tiniest lashes, giving definition, lift, and volume without clumping.
- L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara – A lengthening mascara with a slim brush that separates and stretches each lash for a defined, elongated look.
- Essence Lash Princess – A budget-friendly favorite that delivers dramatic volume and length — often compared to high-end mascaras for a fraction of the price.
4. Highlight the Inner Corners of the Eyes
Why it works: Adding a bit of shimmer or light color in the inner corners reflects light and gives a bright, wide-awake effect.
How to apply: Use your finger or a small brush to dab a champagne or pearl-colored highlighter into the inner corner of each eye.
Product tip:
- e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls – A soft, champagne-toned highlighter that adds a natural glow to the inner corners of the eyes and high points of the face.
- Revolution Reloaded Highlighter – Just My Type – A soft, champagne-toned shimmer that’s easy to apply and perfect for a natural glow without harsh glitter.
- Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter – 010 Ultimate Platinum Glaze – Super fine shimmer, silky finish, and easy to blend — great for inner corner brightness and overall subtle highlighting.
5. Use a Peach or Pink-Toned Eyeshadow or Blush
Why it works: Warm tones like soft peach or rosy pink help neutralize dullness and bring life back to tired eyes.
How to apply: Lightly sweep a peach-toned eyeshadow across your lid or blend a cream blush near the outer eye area for a fresh, healthy flush.
Product tip:
- Revolution Blush Icon Palette (Authentic Peach) – A silky, peach-toned eyeshadow that brightens the eyelids and adds a soft pop of color for a fresh, wide-awake look.
- ARTDECO Blush Stick – Cream Blush – A luminous, buildable blush that adds a radiant flush of pink to your cheeks. Lightweight and easy to blend, it’s perfect for brightening tired skin on a budget.
💡 Bonus Tips (Optional Short Section)
- Keep brows groomed — clean, lifted brows help frame the eyes.
- Use a de-puffing eye cream before makeup — ideally one with caffeine (to reduce puffiness) or a cooling metal applicator to soothe tired eyes.
- Stay hydrated!
