10 Ways to Define & Enhance Your Eyes While Wearing a Face Mask

When It Comes to Virus-Controlling Vogue, It’s All About the Eyes

Tired or inspired — our eyes have always communicated something about us to the rest of the world. Now, with face masks a regular part of our lives, our eyes are essentially our sole feature of self-expression, and their bright appearance feels more important than ever.

“Eye contact is a very important aspect of human connection”, says our expert PA injector Stacie Isler. “When you make eye contact with someone, you communicate with them on an intimate level and allow them to gain a deeper understanding of your mental state, which is perhaps why, in this particular crisis, we are so focused on finding solutions for the eyes.”

So, how can we prioritize our eyes? And what’s the best way to tackle under eye problems like fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles? To answer these questions and more, we have compiled a list of our top 10 products, at-home remedies, makeup tricks, and treatments that really work to revitalize the eyes and upper face.

Without any further ado, here are the top 10 ways to enhance your eyes whilst wearing a face mask.

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1. Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty or an eyelid lift, is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure for repairing the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin and tissue around the eyes. Eyelid surgery is the gold standard for addressing droopy, sagging eyelids and reducing visible signs of aging.

Sometimes a nonsurgical treatment may be a better option to address your concerns, so setting up a consultation with Dr. Sieffert is the best first step you can take to determine is eyelid surgery is the right treatment for you.

2. Under eye fillers

Hollowness under the eyes due to lack of sleep, age-related volume loss, or simply just anatomy can sometimes cast a shadow under the eyes, creating dark circles where the depression lies. Under eye filler expertly placed in what’s known as the “tear trough” can help to fill in that depression under the eyes, leading to a more youthful and well-rested appearance.

Have additional questions about filler treatments?

3. Botox for crow’s feet and opening up the eye

Don’t forget about crow’s feet! If you only treat your forehead lines, just a small pop of Botox right by the eyes can make all the difference in the world. Not only does it smooth those fine lines, but it can also open up your eyes by relaxing the surrounding muscles which will make them look wider and brighter.

4. Finding the right eye makeup

While the makeup category can seem daunting, enough practice with the right products goes a long way! Beyond highlighting the cheekbones and using concealer to help cover dark circles and fine lines, you can make your eyes stand out with the right eye shadow and eyeliner, and by filling in and setting the brows with a pomade, gel, powder, or pencil. Since most of our facial expressions stem from our eyebrows, it can be a crucial step in helping to frame the face. 

“As a makeup artist, one of my signature tips would be to put a pop of a light shimmer shadow in the inner eye corner to help brighten the eyes,” says our resident makeup and skincare expert Julia Plaat. “I also absolutely suggest using a mascara with a conditioning treatment, or a growth serum to help give your natural lashes strength and to maximize your mascara use.” Speaking of which…

5. Latisse or GrandeLash Serums to lengthen your lashes

Latisse lash growth prescription formula is by far one of the best kept secrets in the medical aesthetic world.

Benefits to both lash serums.

“Many patients have been asking about using Latisse versus GrandeLash, since both are popular options within the practice,” Julia continues. “While both have similar active ingredients that work to prolong the lifespan of the lash hair, Latisse tends to be a more potent product as it is of prescription strength. GrandeLash, while not quite as potent, has added vitamins and nutrients in their formula to boost the natural lash health.”

While both promote wonderful results, it is important to discuss your options with a specialist like Julia here at the practice to make the best decision for your lash goals.

6. Medical-grade skin care products for the eyes

Now, while she definitely recommends pairing at-home beauty and skincare with professional treatments to go deeper than a superficial fix, there are a few specific options Julia recommends that directly help with the eyes.

The skin around the eyes is entirely different than the rest of the skin on your face. It is much more fragile and sensitive. Other at-home products that Julia highly recommends would be Environ Skincare’s eye gels. The best way to maximize the restorative A, C, and E vitamins and invigorating peptide complexes within the gels would be to pair them with the CIT-Focus Eye Stamper. The stamper creates microchannels in the skin for the best product penetration, allowing your products to be their most efficient.

7. Microblading for eyebrows

Microblading is a great semi-permanent technique that adds hairlike strokes by depositing color into the skin to help fill in and define your brows for up to two years.

Brow perfection, every single time.

Tatjana is a certified microblading expert! People travel long and far to have their eyebrows microbladed by Tatjana because of her reputation for sheer perfection and high attention to detail. Most aestheticians only receive a weekend of training before they begin microblading on live patients, but not Tatjana. Tatjana voluntarily spent years training and perfecting her technique before she ever saw her first microblading patient. She is not flippant about the semi-permanent nature of microblading; she takes the responsibility very seriously. In fact, Tatjana even became a licensed tattoo artist, just to fully understand the relationship between ink and our skin!

8. Brow and lash tinting

Less permanent than microblading, brow and lash tinting are a phenomenal option for those who are tired of filling in their brows or applying mascara every day. It deposits pigment into the hair follicle and can last from four to six weeks while giving you the option to still apply makeup and products.

9. Microneedling

Not to be confused with at-home cosmetic needling (see CIT Eye Stamper in step 6), microneedling is a wonderful facial treatment for the skin. It improves from the inside out, impacting your skin on a cellular level by stimulating growth factors, and encouraging new collagen formation which plumps, smooths, and thickens the skin, aiding in the correction of sun damage. While it’s amazing for your entire face and neck, it’s especially wonderful for the delicate skin around the eye area, as it combats dark circles and fine lines.

Interested in a microneedling treatment for yourself?

10. Professional facials & eye mask repair treatments

Skin health is also something we should not forget, as wearing masks may be temporary but your skin health is a lifetime concern. Beyond wearing your SPF, facials are one of the best ways to prolong and augment the health and appearance of the skin.

If you aren’t already adding it on to your facials with Tatjana, make sure to get the Eye Repair add-on with your next facial for undereye rejuvenation, and a gentle exfoliation treatment to help brighten and smooth any concerns you may have!

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Another benefit of masks? No downtime for lower face treatments!

Have you been thinking about trying out facial fillers, or maybe a fat-eliminating injectable like Kybella? Nonsurgical, injectable treatments for the mid- and lower face have been in high demand, and for good reason. Wearing masks allows us the perfect opportunity to try out new aesthetic treatments and procedures, without the need to take time off from your regular routine to heal from any possible swelling or bruising that may occur.

Face masks also offer a discrete solution for healing from surgical procedures. Combined with our surgeons’ gentle approaches, your face mask might present the chance for a subtle and smooth transition when it comes time to unveil your results.

Envision Your Perfect Eyes

There are several ways to create enhancement within the eye area, with the top three being makeup, professional treatments, and at-home product use. Each of these includes its own variety of options, but the best results come from combining different aspects of each.

It is no question that masks and protective coverings are key to keeping us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, don’t skip the face masks – instead, make the most of your beautiful eyes with one of these procedures, or simply by trying out a new medical-grade skincare solution or makeup product.

We hope this guide has helped you discover new ways to define your face’s most unique features. Thank you for reading our top 10 tips and treatments for enhancing the eyes while wearing a face mask — here’s looking at you!

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About The Author

As an experienced medical aesthetician, Nikki Rucinsky has an eye for all things “aesthetic.” She specializes in an array of cosmetic treatments that help patients feel their best, including CoolSculpting, clinical-grade facials and one-on-one skincare and makeup consultations. She is constantly researching advanced techniques and new products that are safe for routine use by her patients at Donaldson Plastic Surgery.