How to gives eyes extra TLC

After 40, skin loses elasticity and thins, which can make you look tired and allow blood vessels to show through, heightening discoloration. Concealer lightens dark circles, gives lids the appearance of a lift, and brightens your face. Here are three steps to use this eye makeup to cover correctly.

Step 1 Pick a yellow-based formula that’s at least two shades lighter than your skin tone.

Step 2 Using a small-headed concealer brush, apply a dab along the lower lashes to the innermost corner of eyes and the hollows of the nose. You can also use your ring finger, which has a naturally light touch and added warmth to tap and gently blend.

Step 3 A dusting of a sheer, loose, yellow-toned powder locks the concealer in place for the day.

Before applying mascara, when eyelashes are clean and dry (wet ones post-shower won’t hold a curl), position a lash curler at the root of the lashes and give three firm, gentle pumps (holding it steady doesn’t create a natural-looking, fluid curl). Release and repeat. For even better curl, heat your curler with your blow-dryer for 15 seconds first. The warmth holds the bend better.

“When brows are thin and light, they make your features disappear, adding years to even the youngest looking face,” says Damone Roberts, a celebrity eyebrow artist. If yours are growing sparser (or have just had too much tweezing), use these steps to get back a full, youthful arch.

Step 1 Start by gently pulling your skin taut with one hand to create a smooth surface.

Step 2 With a stiff, angled brow brush, dust on brow powder in the same direction your hairs grow, using light, feathery strokes. Concentrate on sparse areas, says Kristie Streicher, eyebrow expert at Warren-Tricomi Salon in Los Angeles.

Step 3 When you’re finished, brush the hairs up and out with a spoolie (it’s like a clean mascara wand); this blends and softens the powder so it looks more natural and removes any excess powder.

Nix heavy cover-up, which makes lines more obvious, says Matin Maulawizada of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. Instead, brighten the area with concealer under the outer third of your lower lashes.

Tea bags are a great at-home natural beauty trick to perk up tired-looking, puffy eyes. The caffeine helps shrink the underlying dark blood vessels and forces out some of the liquid that creates puffiness. Soak tea bags in hot water for a minute before plunging them into ice water for a few seconds. Lie down and apply them directly to your eyes for 15 minutes.

Use a good eye cream