11 Ways To Make Your Eyes Look Brighter & Well-Rested, With & Without Makeup

Your eyes are quick to betray any signs of stress, inflammation, or lack of sleep; the area is thinner and more sensitive, so when you feel tired, burnt out, or just generally less than stellar, your eyes may greet you in the mirror with sunken shadows and swollen skin. 

It's one of the most classic tips to brighten up the eye area: To "extend" the whites of your eyes and make them appear wide-awake, a little white eyeliner goes a long way.

If you're looking to brighten up the eye area without a stitch of makeup, might we suggest a gentle, de-puffing massage? Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care, loves this quick technique to drain puffiness after applying eye cream: "I would do tiny circles in an outward motion toward the temples to de-puff the eyes. You see a result the next morning if you do it," she says.

Caffeine-laced skin care products are beloved for brightening up the complexion and decreasing puffiness—both of which are key for well-rested-looking eyes. Not only is caffeine a vasoconstrictor (meaning it can constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation), but it also has antioxidant properties to nix any dark shadows.

"Antioxidants are brightening ingredients," board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, previously told mbg about caffeine in skin care. "When anything oxidizes, it turns to a darkened color (think of an old sterling-silver teaspoon). Caffeine has antioxidant benefits, and this can help brighten the skin."

Tending to dark circles is more of a long-term venture, but for a quick fix, makeup works like a charm. Take this tip from makeup artist Jenny Patinkin: "My tip is to apply concealer only where you need it and then blend it all in so that it fades naturally into the rest of your makeup or complexion," she says.

If you're dealing with eye bags, placing concealer directly on the swollen skin only accentuates the puffiness. Rather, try this trick from celebrity makeup artist Mary Irwin: "Use a lighter color concealer directly underneath the eye bag and a slightly darker concealer on the eye bag. It's a visual trick that contours the under-eye," she told us.

"A little liner under the eyes can instantly make them appear bigger," Patinkin once told us. However, you might not want to shade directly on the bottom waterline (unless you're using a white or nude pencil), as this can actually narrow your eyes and make them appear smaller. 

Rather, take your liner and smudge just below the lash line. "By creating a subtle, horizontal shadow under the eyes, it creates the illusion that the bottom lash line is lower, which in turn makes the eyes look bigger and taller," she says. 

Bottom lash mascara is a hot debate: Some say it only accentuates dark circles (especially when there's fallout involved), while others believe a bit of mascara on the lower wisps helps frame the eyes and make them appear doll-like. As for Compton? She touts a bit of mascara on the lower lash line—so long as you do it correctly. 

Just as how a bit of strategic highlighter can make your cheekbones pop, you can use a bright hue to accentuate the eyes and make them the center of attention. "Use a highlighter on the center of the lid for a spotlight effect," says Crimson, as it helps accentuate the eye and helps it catch the light. 

You can also apply a bit of highlighter under the brow bone to further define your eye shape. See, says Compton, many experts recommend using eye shadow to contour and define the crease (which can help open up the eyes). However, "It's really easy to go overboard with application and end up with a smoky eye," she says. Highlighting the brow bone has the same contouring effect without any shadow, and it lends a more natural look.