5 Nonsurgical Solutions for Younger-Looking Eyes Celebs Swear By

The “Forced Cat’s-Eye” Lash Extensions

When she rocked the Superbowl 56 halftime show, icon Mary J. Blige went viral for not only for putting on one of the best shows ever, but also for how youthful she looks at 51. To give her eyes a noticeable pop from the world’s biggest stage, celebrity lash extension stylist and owner of New York City and Miami’s Envious Lashes, Clementina Richardson employed her specialized lash placement technique for an instant “eye lift.”

To achieve what she calls a “Forced Cat’s-Eye,” Richardson says she pays attention to the natural shape of the eye and uses the extensions to provide a lift where the eyes appear most hooded. “A lot of people wearing extensions ask for a cat’s eye, but If your eyes are hooded or a little turned down on the ends, heavy extensions can pull the corners down.”

Richardson developed a special technique to lift the ends of the eye and create a more almond-like shape with her customized lash extension placement. “My trick is to use a shorter length at the end to avoid dragging the eye down. It’s all about the placement and getting the curvatures of the eye right.”

The Liquid Liner Hooded Eye Fix

For hooded eyes, celebs like Olivia Wilde love this eyeliner hack to completely change the eye-shape using a winged liner technique that won’t smear or appear boxy. “Hooded eyes are when the lid skin drops down over the crease, so that the curve of the orbital bone is not clearly visible” says makeup artist Jenny Patinkin.

To achieve a more open look that complements facial anatomy, she recommends having your eyes open while you are applying your liner so you can work with your natural eye shape to get the best winged liner look. “Start at the outer corner of the eye with a liquid liner and use small strokes to create a short line that follows the angle of your lower lash line,” shares Patinkin. “Make sure to apply without holding or stretching the skin, and then connect that outer angle back onto the rest of our upper lash line and allow the liner to set for a moment.”

The Award-Winning Instant Eye Opener

E! News host Raz Perez prepped for 2022 Oscar Coverage with a full face of glam, a gorgeous new gown and an eye drop treatment that got our attention, too, winning a NewBeauty Beauty Award in the innovation category. Perez used a few drops of Upneeq to give her eyes a wider look on the red carpet. According to Boca Raton, FL oculoplastic surgeon Steven Fagien, MD, the use of eyedrops to open up the eyes has been an industry practice for years but now they’re finally being made available to the public for a temporary lift.

“It has been known for years that certain topical ‘eyedrop’ chemicals cause a constriction of an accessory muscle of the upper eyelid that ‘opens the eye’ or lifts the upper eyelid. Think of it like Afrin Nasal Spray which works in the nose by a similar effect of vasoconstriction. The thought is that an eye formulation with the same compound with a reduction change in concentration to maximize effects with reducing side effects that will last several hours in most patients,” he explains.

The “Botox Browlift”

West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Kenneth R. Beer, MD says if you need to use your hand to pull your eyelid up, getting a nonsurgical browlift using neurotoxin like Botox Cosmetic, Xeomin, Dysport or Jeuveau can give the eyes a more awake look that will last anywhere from 3-5 months, making it celebrity favorite for looking refreshed during awards season. “This involves injecting directly between the brows to relax the muscles underneath, which allows the upper forehead muscles to ‘pull’ the brows back up and the skin to smooth out and lift the drooping eyes.”

The Dry-Eye Soother

Chronic dry eyes can not only be irritating, but it can also cause constant rubbing that pulls at the delicate skin around the eyes. This can lead to compromised skin that eventually contributes to an aged look. “Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that affects millions around the world,” explains Grosse Pointe, MI dermatologist Shauna Diggs, MD.” In the US alone, 40 million people are estimated to suffer from, or predisposed to DED due to age, cataract surgery, blinking less from using electronic devices, and beauty practices around the eyes like eyelash extensions, eyeliner tattoo and eyelash serums.”

To alleviate chronic dry eyes and treat the skin around the eyes, Dr. Diggs recommends the Beautiful Eyes Treatment, a favorite of Kyle Richards of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which incorporates Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). “There is a clear association between dry eye disease and skin inflammatory diseases occurring in close proximity to the eyelids, such as facial skin rosacea,” explains Dr. Diggs. “A number of studies demonstrate  that IPL therapy also reduces signs and symptoms of DED besides rosacea. This is because IPL delivers energy to the hyperactive blood vessels that release inflammatory mediators in the skin around the eyes. As a result, redness and inflammation are reduced around the eyelids.”