Since I’ve been doing just a wee bit more makeup lately, and since a few requests have come through for more beauty posts, I put together this little video tutorial on my easy, lazy eye makeup routine.
This routine is SUPER basic. After these steps, I could certainly add eyeliner, mascara, blush, and a longer-lasting lip color, among other things. I’m lazy as hell, so I usually don’t.
Also I saw that Sonja recommended doing a layer of powder atop the under-eye concealer … that looks awful on me, so I’m sticking to my goop-only routine for now. Her tutorial is much more in-depth, if you’re looking for a makeup-lover’s input on how to look awake and refreshed.
Anyway, enough caveats … enjoy!
If you’re interested in the specific products used, they are:
Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow
But, of course, use whatever products work best for YOU!
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
i would love to see before/after photos of how your eyes look during this process, since it’s a little tough to see from the video. i also suffer from large, dark bags under my eyes, and i’m also a minimal makeup wearer. i OWN tons of it, but i just can’t be bothered on a daily basis. but to take a few short minutes to make myself look better (rather than made up) — that’s worth it!
At the end of the video I clicked back on the beginning and there is definitely a huge difference! I agree that a before and after built into the end would illustrate this really well.
Sal, you are so cute. “I should probably be using a brush or something, but oh well! FINGER!” Love it.
Thanks, Sal.
I love makeup, but undereye concealer freaks me out a bit, so it was nice to see a tutorial on it.
I noticed your hair kept falling into your left eye during your application process. That always happens to me, too, and it drives me nuts. I use a headband to pull my hair off my face when I put on my makeup. It really helps to keep my hair out of my makeup and my makeup out of my hair.
You have exquisite skin and a beautiful voice Sal. I have a little bit of a crush on you now! Sarah xxx
Nice job, Sal! That touch o’ makeup is just enough to give you a polished, energetic look.
I have seen those peepers in person and there’s not a dark circle in sight! Thanks for sharing your secrets!! Also: NOTHING wrong with using your fingers. They actually help to warm up any sort of concealer/corrector. The key is to pat not rub, so you don’t end up wiping it all off. You’re so fun, Sal!
I love this tutorial, Sal! I have such dark circles and am not too thrilled with my current creams and powders, so I definitely want to try Benefit’s. I also am a big fan of using my fingers for applying concealer – even though I have brushes, my fingers just work better!
Thank you for making this.
I have seen those yellow-tinted concealers before and never realized how great they could be! I need to add that to my morning, as the dark circles only seem to get worse! I like my stick-form concealer, and I blend it with my fingers. I add just the tiniest layer of powder over, also. It’s a trick I learned in high school with the clown troupe! Make-up-powder-more-makeup in layers. I don’t go quite that far, unless I am doing a full-face for a big occasion.
No mascara? I can’t imagine! LOL…
I may be at the age where I start needing make-up that makes me look more awake… as of now, I usually just take my anti-blemish stick and try to hide the circles but it’s not working very well. I’ll investigate in products like these
– though I’m absolutely the opposite, goo freaks me out a little… Maybe it’s time to face these fears!
Cheers,
poet
LOL. Sal. Yesterday I did my “big eye” which consists of adding some Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin to my brow bone and inner corners. But because I almost never bother (I wear brow powder and mascara an call it a day) I did a PRETEND VIDEO in my bed. So. But your video is much better.
This is great! I have heard people mention both of these products for the undereye. I have tried just about everything, and nothing looks the way I want it to. If it’s too creamy, it smears all around during the day (and I wear contacts so that’s not good), but if it’s one that “sets” then I tend to look crepey and dry halfway through the day. Do you find that either of these things happen? It gets so expensive trying stuff that doesn’t work!
I have the same problem! It happens with foundation for me as well. I end up wearing zero makeup except eyeliner because I just look so yuck with anything else on!
Definitely more on the crepey/wrinkly side. I was SO hoping Sonja’s tip about the powder would help, but it didn’t in my case … Maybe it will in yours!
I actually read her post yesterday, and tried it today, and no dice.
I mean, maybe there is some special powder I should be using, but I dunno, I just don’t think it’s my answer. I have serious purple-ness under my eyes, so I feel like most days I need to at least wear something, but I’ve got to be realistic – it will be at least somewhat noticeable!
Oh sweetie.. If I find anything that works for me I’ll let you know. I had puffiness and a darker hue around my eyes when I was studying long hours and got less sleep. I used chilled cucumber slices (I was willing to try most anything :/) and that reduced the puffiness but the dark circles took more time. I’m not sure what it was but it’s reduced now.. but if I find a concealer that not noticeable and contact lens friendly, I’ll definitely share
What a fab video! It’s lovely to hear you speak.
I’ve only used Benefit Lemon-Aid on my eyelids before but I’m definitely going to try it under my eyes now. There is a great Benefit kit called ‘Realness of Concealness’ ($32/£23.50) which has mini sizes of Lemon Aid, Boi-ing concealer (too dark for me but many people rave about this), High Beam (a great highlighter which if used sparingly will make you look more awake and well), Lip Plump and Ooh La Lift (an “under eye de-puffer” which didn’t do much for me). It’s quite a splurge but it’s a useful way to try smaller sizes of these products.
I also use the Creaseless Cream Shadow in ‘My Date’s My Brother’ – it is a pale pink with a slight shine to it. Please could you tell me the name of the champagne coloured shade that you have?
A lot of make up artists suggest that a quick squeeze with an eyelash curler will open up your eyes and make you look more awake. ELF (Eyes Lips Face) do a good cheap one. I’m all for the power of make up to give a confidence boost and make you look (and feel) more alive and well.
You have such a great speaking voice- it’s really rich and resonates beautifully!
Love the tutorial! You could make this even better with a before and an after photo
Try using Benefit’s PowderFlage powder over the Erase Paste – it’s so fine it doesn’t settle in any lines.
Sal,
You have such lovely, flawless skin! I’ll definitely be looking into that cream shadow–I’ve always used powders but thanks to aging, they now make me look crepe-y.
For people who’ve had problems with liquid or paste foundation and concealer, I recommend mineral concealers and foundation. I use Bare Minerals concealer and Clinique’s mineral foundation. You just have to put primer or moisturizers around your eyes before doing them because you can get crepe-y otherwise. If I’m not wearing the mineral makeup, I swear by Lancome’s undereye concealer (it’s waterproof, non-irritating and has SPF). I was born with dark circles, so I’ve tried pretty much everything.
Sal,
Your voice is very relaxing! Like Morgan Freeman’s voice. I really liked this tutorial, although I don’t wear any makeup, I love any tips to getting rid of my big bags.
I bought some Lemon Aid when you mentioned it a couple of months or so ago, and I *love* it. I use it on my eyelids, and near my eyebrows where I tend to get red – definitely makes me look awake and rested. I love the idea of putting it under my concealer, will be trying that tomorrow.
And Sal – more videos! Love them.
Thanks Sally -
I too use Benefit products and love the way they look on me. Erase Paste and lemon aid are part of my morning rituals. Thanks for the tutorial.
Lori
I adore those creaseless cream shadows. My prefered brand/color is the Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten – also almost univerally flattering. I have also found that the Benefit creaseless shadow in Skinny Jeans makes a great (subtle) liner (when I bother, which is almost never).
For undereye concealer, I actually put the powder on under the concealer, although I don’t use anything like the Lemon-Aid so that could change things. I’ll put some mineral makeup concealer – much better coverage than normal powder – on first, using the dense, soft brush that comes with the container, then brush on Neutrogena Eye Brightener. It’s one of those applicators where the product squeezes out through the brush. Then dab to blend, and follow with a very light dusting of powder. This tends to reduce creases while looking natural!
I’m an Erase Paste gal. And I use my fingers. So THERE.
those circles are nuttin’ on what i got
i’ve used concealer for thirty years now, here’s some product recs for a lot of coverage and good staying power (benefit products are gone in a couple of hours on me).
NYC for yellow-tinted concealer at drugstore. it’s shaped like a lipstick, one or two bucks.
NYX concealer in a jar for AMAZING coverage and no-crease staying power at cheap prices. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage for expensive version (altho it’s amazing and you get a LOT, so it’s worth the price).
Revlon ColorStay liquid foundation is THE ONLY product that provides good coverage + creaseless base for eye shadow on my lids. everything else creases up and oozes off in a couple hours at most. taking out the darkness above the eyes as well as below really wakes things up, so i’m thrilled about this one. great foundation as well, mixes nicely with moisturizers for a tinted moisturizer.
bare escentual’s mineral concealers and foundations work great around eyes for oilier skins/light to medium coverage.
for powdering under eyes, i wipe my brush off on a towel before i apply it – so you can’t see any powder on the brush, then just ouch lightly on the skin. any more is too much for me, but that teensy bit helps things stay in place. also, if you use a lot of ‘goop’ around your eyes, use a tubing mascara to avoid smearing. have fun everybody! steph
hee hee – ‘touch’ lightly…..not ‘ouch’!
You’re super telegenic, Sally.
Ditto on the sleeping issues. The first time I used under-eye correctors was for our wedding a few years back (also the first time I bought any type of tint moisturizer). I never thought to cover this area until the make-up artist pointed out that I needed it. Ha, gee thanks! Guess this might be better in the “have you ever felt left behind in girly stuff” department.
The concealer/shadow in the corner by the bridge definitely works. I have a base shadow that I dab in the corner – pale pink with a hint of shimmer. Another tip for eyes is warming your eyelash curler if you own one. Blow the curler with a hair dryer for a few seconds (not to hot!) and then curl your lashes – works with or without mascara. If I can’t be bothered with eye make-up I use this trick and it makes my eyes look bigger.
…and I use my finger eye concealers. Best blending tool around.
Does anybody else have trouble with “milia” — those little bumps that you can get under the eyes? I think there’s a clogged pore connection, and I think that my use concealers, especially tackier ones, may have made them worse. But at this point, my dark circles are so bad — not using concealer is NOT an option. So I guess I just have to cover the milia, too, no matter how much bigger this causes them to get! Can’t win, huh? Because after watching your video, I’m now about ready to try layering both of my concealers under the eye (right now I use the heavier one on the lid, only). Your results looked really good. Wish me luck!
Sorry for typo. My use OF concealers….
Wow, you didn’t even use mascara?
I’m so lazy with make-up (I’d rather stay in bed) but this looks easy enough so I’m going to give it a try.
Another makeup lazy lady here. Fabulous tutorial. I’ve never really had a problem with under eye circles and such until a few months ago. Another great Benefit “waking” product is Eye Bright. Can’t wait to try your tips!
I use Benefit to conceal my constant weary-eyed look as well. I love their Realness of Concealness kit! Also, I rub, not pat, Lemon-Aide on my eye lids because it is dang hard to move. Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream kind of softens it up, but I like to let it sit on my eyelids to absorb because it is very heavy.
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