Brighten Up Tired Eyes

We all have days where, no matter how late the night, we still have to get up, get out and take on the world. But being exhausted doesn't mean you need to look it - Thea Mitchell, Beauty Expert came by to show us the best ways to make your eyes pop even when you're pooped.

STEP 1 - DEPUFF!
Cool as a Cucumber:Cucumbers are a well-known remedy for puffy eyes, and this home remedy is still considered one of the most effective ways to make tired eyes appear awake and bright.

Cucumbers have high water content, and an ice-cold cucumber can greatly reduce under eye swelling. Cut cold cucumbers into thick slices, find a place to relax, put your head back, and unwind. Keep a slice over each eye for about ten minutes, or until the cucumber becomes warm.

Cold Spoons:Leave two metal spoons in the freezer for a few minutes. Once the spoons are cold, press them under your eyes and leave them there for as long as you can stand it. This will constrict the blood vessels under your eyes, driving away eye bags, dark circles and discoloration.

Tea:Revitalize tired, achy, or puffy eyes. Soak two tea bags in warm water and place them over your closed eyes for 20 minutes. The tannins in the tea act to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes.

Eye Drops:Some eye drops will really help with tired dry and irritated eyes - make sure to read the label! Moisture helps brighten eyes and drops contain ingredients that reduces redness.
STEP 2 - COVER UP!
Start with Photo Op Primer by SMASHBOX:
Photo shoots often start at the crack of dawn when even models and celebs don't look their best and dark circles loom. This eye brightener immediately wakens and brightens skin while adding moisture to prepare for concealer application.

Concealer Tips:
Avoid concealers with a pinkish hue. Yellow-based work best.
When applying under the eye, dab the product on with your ring finger (it has the smoothest surface, and you're less likely to press too hard). Don't blend the product, rather let it sit on the surface of the skin.

For significant darkness (with a bluish undertone), start with a peach concealer first (or orange for dark skin tones), followed by the yellow-based concealer that closely matches your complexion.
For best results, set concealer with loose powder.

STEP 3 - MAKE UP!
Shadow strategically:Use shadows that are light in color and bright with a hint of shimmer. Both qualities help eyes to look awake. Sweep a bone or banana shadow from lashline to browbone, and lightly contour the crease with a medium-toned shade.

Curl lashes:To really make eyes pop, use an eyelash curler and a curling mascara in tandem. This combo will help lashes sweep up and out, instantly making you look more awake
Line right:Navy liner on top lashes makes the whites of your eyes look even whiter than they are, and a subtle swipe of white or nude pencil on the lower rim furthers that effect. Tip: Tote along your nude or white pencil for during-the-day touchups.
Finishing Touches:A bit of shimmer in the inner corner of the eye reflects against the skin, causing peepers to light up. Get this effect by dotting a white shimmer pencil lightly under the inner corners of your eyes, then use your ring finger to blend lightly.
Blush:This is a necessary step to help with tired eyes - the warm glow on your cheeks will give you an overall glow!

Aromatherapy, Bath Oils, Massage Oils, Powders and Salts

Calming Bath Blend

3 drops rosewood oil

1 drop rose oil

1 drop german chamomile oil

1 drop marjoram oil

2 drops sandlewood oil

2 drops clary sage oil

Add oils to bathwater after it has cooled a bit.

Very hot water makes essential oils evaporate too quickly.

Citrus Bath

Squeeze the juice of 1 orange,

1 lemon, 1 lime,

1 grapefruit and

1 tangerine into a jar.

Combine peels in a blender; blend until minced very fine. Add to juice. Pour as much as desired into bath water.

Cold Relief Herbal Soak

Use the following combinations of herbs for the fighting off a cold:

4 parts dried lavendar

4 parts dried rosemary
4 parts chopped fresh ginger root or 2 parts ginger powder

2 parts dried eucalyptus

Use 1/2 cup of dried herbs or one to two cups of fresh herbs. Crush the herbs first to release their essential oils. Mix the herbs and tie them into a square of muslin or a handerchief. Hang the bag under the faucet as you fill the tub. The bag can be used to scrub your skin as well.

Exotic Massage Oil

2 fluid ounce bottle of almond oil

16 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil

12 drops Geranium essential oil

10 drops Sandalwood essential oil

8 drops Patchouli essential oil

6 drops Clary Sage essential oil

Add essential oils to the bottle of almond oil, shake gently until thoroughly mixed.

Fragrant Bath Salts

1 cup instant nonfat dry milk

1 cup baking soda

2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp cream of tartar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

Combine all and store in a decorative container in the bathroom. Add as much as desired to your bath water.

Insomnia Milk Bath

1 tbsp Almond oil

4 drops Lavender essential oil

3 drops Marjoram essential oil

2 drops Benzoin essential oil

1 cup of powdered milk

Pour oils into a small bowl, mix thoroughly. Stir in 1 cup of powdered milk. Add mixture to bath water.

Lemon Lifter

20 drops lemon essential oil

20 drops tangerine essential oil

25 drops neroli essential oil

25 drops lavender essential oil

Place a few drops of oils mixture on a handerchief to sniff or add a few drops to a diffuser or bath water.

Milk and Honey Bath

1 cup honey

1 cup boiling water

2 cups milk

1/2 cup sea salt

2 Tbsp baking soda

10 drops of vanilla oil

Dissolve sea salt and baking soda in bathwater. Dissolve honey in boiling water, add milk. Add milk and honey mixture to bathwater. Add vanilla.

Oatmeal Bath Salts

1 cup borax

1/8 cup kelp powder

1/8 cup finely ground oatmeal

1/8 cup sea salt

Place all in a glass jar. Add your favorite powdered fragrant herbs to the salt mixture and mix well or add several drops of your favorite essentail oil/oils. Let sit for several hours or overnight to dry and allow oils to penetrate salts. Break up any lumps that formed when adding the oil. Store in an airtight container. Add about 4 Tbsp to bathwater as desired.

Perfumed After-Bath Powder

2 cups cornstarch

1 cup rice flourPulverized/powdered herbs for fragrance
Purchase rice flour from any health food store and orrisroot powder from a pharmacy or crafts store. Mix all ingredients and store the powder in a tightly closed jar for about 1 week, then transfer to a conatiner of your choice. Apply with a powder puff or from a sprinkler style container.Variations:1) Add 2-3 vanilla beans to the powder. Let sit for a a week to absorb frangrance. Transfer and store to a tightly closed tin. 2) Sprinkle a cup of rose petals into the mixture, cover, and let the roses scent the powder.

Perfumed After Bath Powder #2

1 cup powdered arrowroot

1 cup corn starch

1/4 cup baking soda

Pulverized/powdered herbs for fragrance
Sift all together, add your favorite powdered fragrant herbs.

Sleepytime Bath Oil Blend

4 drops bergamot oil

3 drops lemon essential oil

2 drops pine essential oil1 drop cedarwood oil 1 drop orange oil

Stress-B-Gone Blend

Use this in bath water, body lotions, cosmetic creams or diffusers.

15 drops lavender

5 drops cedarwood

20 drops sweet orange

2 to 3 drops clary sage

1 teaspoon of jojoba, hazelnut, sunflower, almond or apricot kernal oil

Therapaeudic Bath Salts

6 cups epsom salts

2 cups baking soda

1 cup sea salt Combine all ingredients in a large jar with lid, shake until thoroughly blended. Store salts into a decorative jar or container in the bathroom.

AVanilla Bath

1 cup sunflower oil

1/2 cup castile soap

1 Tbsp real vanilla extract

1/4 cup honey

Blend all ingredients together. Shake well before using. Use 1/4 cup per bath.