By Emine Ali Rushton
With winter upon us it's harder than ever to crawl out of bed in the morning - let alone open our eyes on the grey skies and blustery weather. At this time of year it's easy to feel that winter is having a direct effect on our skin - and more specifically, eyes, with peepers often left dry and skin delicate, thanks to central heating, gale-force winds and lack of daylight. Well, the good news is that there's a lot that can be done to improve matters. From brow shaping to super-smart eye patches, we explore the smart skincare and top techniques that will get your eyes ready for the season's stunning new make-up.
Get bright eyes and smooth skin
Dark circles
If dark circles are your biggest bugbear, look for creams or gels that incorporate light-reflective properties. Our favourites include Amanda Lacey Illuminating Eye Gel, £70, Dermalogica Total Eye Care, £31.40, and the best-selling Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Cream, £39.50.
Depuffing
If depuffing is your key concern, try the celebrity favourite Eyesential Eye Gel, £39.95 (0870 42 029 42). Loved by SJP among others, it cools and calms skin within minutes. For a lengthier, and more high-tech, treat, invest in MD Skincare Instant Beautification Eye Area Firming Patches (6 applications, £52). Rather like beauty band-aids, each patch contains an invisible 3-volt battery to firm fine lines and wrinkles in just twenty minutes. The gentle micro current plumps up skin and reduces puffiness, while simultaneously delivering a concentrated dose of active ingredients deep into the skin.
Lovely lashes
Broken-off lashes don't do much to enhance the eyes, but aside from extensions or daily applications of false lashes, it would seem as though not much can be done to address them. Think again. Two formulas have proven results - and both encourage lashes to regenerate, thicken and grow once more. Revitalash, £95 is a lash-conditioning treatment that promotes lash growth within six to ten weeks. Fans include Jessica Simpson and Marcia Cross. Alternatively, try Talika Lipocils Eyelash Treatment Gel, £12.50, which strengthens and thickens lashes in 28 days.
Go false!
If you're more interested in a temporary, but dramatic, alternative, look into eyelash extensions. London's Michaeljohn Salon offers "The Flirtatious Flutter" - a service that delivers dramatic, but natural-looking, extensions for up to eight weeks. For nationwide treatments visit nouveaulashes.co.uk.
Beautiful brows
Shapely brows free from strays and stragglers work wonders to lift the eye area. If you can't be trusted with your tweezers, visit the Benito Brow Bar. One of the best spots in London, they thread rather than wax brows, which is fab for sensitive skin. For nationwide brow shaping, you can't go wrong with the Estee Lauder Brow Bars. Appointments cost £15, but are fully redeemable against purchases (0870 034 2566).
Magic Make-Up
Shimmering eyes
Once eyes are prepped, it's time to make up. Celebrity make-up artist for The Body Shop, Chase Aston, shares his secrets for winter's hottest eyes. ‘Take The Body Shop Concealer Stick, £8.50, and smooth and blend under eyes to erase any fine lines, dark circles or spots. Then take The Body Shop Shimmer Eye Cube, £16, and using an eye-shadow blender brush, blend shade Silver Crest from the lash-line to just above the crease of the eye, corner to corner. Then take Sparkle Eye-liner in Starlight, £10, and line along the top lash-line. Using an eye-lash curler, curl lashes, then apply two coats of mascara to both the top and bottom lashes. Finish by shaping, shading and defining brows, then combing them through with The Body Shop Brow & Lash Gel, £9, to set them in place'.
Daytime natural
For a pretty day look, try the new trend for pretty pastels - perfect for complimenting paler skins and illuminating eyes. Clarins Colour Quartet for Eyes, £26, includes silver, rose, pink and a defining blue-black indigo shade, that really makes peepers pop. Coupled with the new Indio Blue Eyeliner, £16.50, your eyes will be set for the season ahead.
Also picking up on the pale is beautiful trend is MAC. Eyeshadows in Arctic Grey and Winter Sky, £10 each, add an iridescent sheen to lids that looks beautiful day or night. Finish off with a coat of the new lash-plumping Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara, £7.99. The Triple Plump Brush and lash-thickening formula work wonders on tired eyes.
Click here to see our favourite must-have products for beautiful eyes
