How To Make Eyes Look Bigger Naturally

Whether you had a late-night studying sesh or you were breaking it down on the dance floor all night long, your eyes say it all — you are tired. The stress on your body can cause dehydration, puffiness, and general trauma to your skin, especially your eyes. When you wake up and have to peel your eyelids apart, all you want to know is how to make tired eyes look brighter. The struggle is real, and I know your pain.

The first way to combat squinty, puffy eyes is to know the cause. Dehydration, fluid retention, the weather (yes, girl - that humidity is doing you no favors), allergies, hormone levels, and salty foods can cause under eye bags or swollen eyes. Not to mention, under eye bags can run in the family. Bummer, I know.

When you need to look awake, alert, and fresh, here are some super simple ways to combat the eye drama and look your best.

1. Cool Down

You can buy fancy eye masks, or treat under eye bags the easy way: stick a couple spoons in the freezer for 10 - 15 minutes. Then, apply cold spoons to your eyelids and under eyes, and massage gently. Spoons are the perfect size and shape, and the icy temperature helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling.

2. Conceal, Don't Feel

Concealer around your eyes will soften wrinkles and make applying any additional makeup easier and more flawless. Plus, any darkness under or around your eyes will cause them to look smaller.

Choose a shade of concealer that is just a shade or two lighter than your foundation or naturally skin tone. The contrast between your concealer shade and dark lashes will create a bright-eyed effect.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, $7, Amazon

3. Contour Your Eyelid

Create the illusion of larger eyes by contouring your eyelid. Apply a matte, cool tone shade of brown to your crease, swiping in a windshield wiper motion with a fluffy-tipped blending brush from the outer corner to the inner corner. While shimmery shades can made eyes appear squinty, mattes are much more natural looking and able to easily camouflage an all-night binge.

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pan In Barcelona Beach, $6, Makeup Geek

4. Curl Your Lashes

Straight eyelashes can cast a shadow over your eyes, and make them appear darker and smaller. Most of us own an eyelash curler - you'll be thankful you took the extra 20 seconds to curl your lashes. They'll make your eyes appear wider!

Sephora Collection Eyelash Curler, $16, Sephora

5. Coat Your Lashes

Now is not the time for brown-tinted lashes. Go ultra dark with your mascara, and apply an extra coat. The color contrast will help you appear more awake, and an extra swipe in the middle of your upper and lower lashes will give you an instant eye lift.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23, Sephora

6. Fill In Your Brows

Brows frame the eyes, so of course you need brows on fleek to be lookin' fresh. Fill in any gaps with and eyebrow pencil and brush hairs upward for a look that lifts the entire face.

Anatasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil, $23, Sephora

7. Highlight

Dab highlighter across your brow bone, on the center of the lid, and in the corner of your eye. This trifecta effect catches light in all the right places, making you look healthier and well-slept.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector, $38, Sephora

Image: Pexels