Tired Eyes

Pres,

You've helped tremendously with anything else I've asked; may I throw you my toughest pitch?

I struggle to keep my eyes from looking tired (and....old...I am 55). This is not a new thing; I was concerned about this even as a teenager. My eyes are a pale green color and my skin is quite fair. My original hair color was very dark, but I keep my hair a highlighted dark blond now, for a couple of reasons:

1) I never felt that I really had "brunette" coloring and

2) My greying is right on top of my head (think a beanie) and it is a steel gray color that really stands out against darker hair, but blends more easily with the highlighted hair.

I went through an auburn experience that worked faily well with eyes and skin, but the new growth was horrendous after 10 days or so. As is, I have the roots touched up every three weeks.

I've tried many eye products and colors, but my eyes still get lost.

At the urging of a department store visiting stylist, I've started using a brow corrector in a dark brown. He also suggested an eyelid base that has helped a bit, and to forget the standard advice to avoid black eyeliner since my eyes are green and that has been surprisingly ok, but by day's end I'm still looking faded and washed out.

I really believe that there is a color combination and a staying trick or two that could deal with this. I exercise and rest appropriately, so it really isn't a health issue. The skin is thin, obviously, but not stretched or baggy.

Any ideas pop into your head?! Thanks!


I've always felt that certain aspects of features that are perceived as age related, are actually not age related at all. Young people get a "pass" because of other visual clues in their appearance. For example, very tight curls are adorable on young girls, but are aging on mature women. Other folks have heavy eyelids, and some have purplish lips, dry skin with lines, you name it. If you are young, these features may be smallish flaws, but later, they are seen as signs of aging. Losing weight will make anyone look younger, although many young folks are overweight.

You have noticed your problem long ago, but now it seems worse to you. Anyway, I'm not going to say that you should ignore it! I do have some ideas.

I think the light hair works for you under these circumstances; at some point, almost all women will need to be blondes, in order to deal with gray. Be sure that the blonde that you have is the deepest, most vibrant, tone, and the darkest that your gray can handle. Your bangs should be as dark as possible, with the dark line over, or just barely covering your brows, if you can manage this.
Be sure that your eyebrows are exactly as high they should be; and that they are not too thick or too thin. Perfect brows will lift your face. The arch should be at the outer corner of your eye, not inward. Use a mascara for eyebrows to color your brow hairs; this also adds thickness, and pulls the hair upward.

Add a white shadow under the arch. Use a darker shadow (like a brown?) from the brow bone down. Avoid any purples, or pinks as eye makeup. They look like signs of illness. Although your skin should be well moisturized (every night) the powders should be dry. None of your eye makeup should be shimmery or greasy.

Use an eyelash curler to curl your upper lashes upward. If you can get the right angle of crimp into your lash, it will pull your lid up and open your eyes. Experiment with the eyeliner; you may need liner on the outer corners of the eyes only; or the liner may be better drawn inward. I haven't liked the look of a white dot placed in the inner corner of my eyes, but try it. And, try the "fat pink pencil" concealer under the eyes.

Don't underestimate the effect that the correct blush has on your eyes, and rework your lipstick. I can't tell whether you need more deep color, or less, but you will know. Be sure to put a layer of airbrush foundation around your lips to stop color bleeding and that the foundation is not too pale for you.
Good Luck!