How-To: Tightline

Tightlining!  Qu'est-ce que c'est you say?  It's one of those no-makeup-makeup tricks that makes your lashes look over 9000% fuller!  I didn't mean for that to sound like a mascara tagline.

Most people line on top of their lash line so when you look down, you can see where they've applied the kohl.  This technique is a slightly more subtle version -- it also helps those with limited lid space to conserve room for more eye shadow, since you won't be able to see the eyeliner on top of your lid when you close your eyes. [See Image #3]

In the photos above, you can see the immense difference it makes on Tod -- I used a black pencil for the purposes of this tutorial, but you could easily attempt this with a brown pencil for a slightly more natural look.

In terms of product textures, I prefer a pencil for this step, but I've also played with gel liners -- liquid tends to look too harsh and you end up drawing a thick line to connect the tiny dots you create at the base of your lashes.  It's beyond my capability.


How-to: Tightline your Waterline

Step 1:  Pull up your eyelid to expose the waterline

Step 2: Apply the eyeliner along the base of the lashes.  It doesn't have to be a perfect line; in fact, a series of dashes along the base of the lash will look more or less the same - no need to be neat!

Step 3: If you've done it right, it should look like you have ultra thick lashes, but no liner on the lid.  You can clean up any smudges with a Q-Tip.  Don't wipe them away with your fingers like I'm occasionally guilty of doing - the skin around your eyes is too delicate!

How to: Remedy Puffy Eyes

I never used to think about my under-eye area.  It was just not a problem.  And one day I woke up and my eyes were completely stained dark brown all around and all the flesh around my eye had swelled out.  It was...not pretty.

Tod has mentioned that she had a problem with puffy eyes not long ago. She is the most avid eye-cream tester I know; her standards far exceed mine when it comes to eye treatment evaluation.

After several treatments, serums, creams, and rollers, we've found very few products that actually work.  One of them is a La Prairie serum I mentioned in my 2012 favourites, but unfortunately costs an arm and a leg.  The other is facial massage, which is a video for a weekend with good lighting.  The third...

Milk.  I briefly hinted at this ingredient in my Natural Skincare Favourites a while ago, but here's how I use it. Tod, as usual, will demonstrate the method.  (See flippy .gif)

It's fairly simple, just grab a couple of cotton pads (around here, we like Shiseido Cotton) and soak them in cold milk.  The cooling sensation will also help with the de-puffing! Squeeze them out so the milk doesn't run everywhere and apply the compress to your eyes for 15 minutes.  You can apply the cotton round to your entire eye and take a catnap (which will probably also help you look more awake), or fold and apply them underneath the eye in a half-moon shape while you watch Criminal Minds.

The first time we did this, it was miraculous. I can't explain what kind of anti-inflammatory magic this is, but it works.  The puffiness was completely gone. In the image above, the results aren't quite as dramatic as they were the first time we tried it, but you can tell the skin under the eye is less swollen.  For best results, try this first thing in the morning!