Deep set/sunken eyes

[toffeefee]

I have been recently told that I have sunken eyes. I've never noticed this before, they've always looked the same, but now it's all I can see whenever I do my make up! I have noticed that I have a lot more eyelid visible than other people and that the whole of my eye area is much darker than the rest of my face. (will try and put a pic on my profile)

I have noticed before how I can't wear certain colours or eyeliner and if I try to do something like a smoky eyeshadow, I just look tired and ill. This must be why!

Does anyone have any tips for making my eyes look less sunken, for example eyeshadow colours or application tips? I have tried google, but the images it turns up don't look the same as my eyes. I have also been on the Lisa Eldridge website, which is fab, but I can't wear most of the eye make up styles she shows due to this reason.

Any advice would be great!

Keep you eyeshadow pale and bright on the lower lid. Something like a pale peach/pink/ivory shimmer will brighten the area. If you have a larger lid area above the socket then any "colour" you want to put on should be blended up from the socket towards the brow bone, probably keeping most of it towards the outer part of the eye (ie. from the centre outwards).

Basically, light colours with bring out an area that's deep set and darker colours will do the opposite. So, if the area between the socket and the brow seems prominent you want to "flatten it out" by using a colour darker than the skin.

I hope that makes sense. If not, I strongly recommend going to an artist led brand make up counter and asking someone to show you. If you go when it's quiet (Mondays are good!) and you only want advice on your eye make up then you won't need to make an appointment for a lesson.

Thanks so much for that advice, Havingkittens! That all sounds great. I'll have a dig around my make-up box and have a go applying as you suggest. Interesting about applying darker shades above the socket line as I usually don't put anything in this area, just a wash of colour on the actual lid.

Which make-up counters are good for lessons? I've been to a bobbi brown one, but the lady was more interested in selling me lots of products, rather than addressing the issues at hand - ie my dark circles!

Bobbi Brown are usually pretty good. MAC, Space NK, Laura Mercier, Shu Uemura, Nars all great too. Benefit staff dress up as make up artists but in my experience, rarely are. Most other beauty hall brands are kind of hit and miss. Some of them have make up artists working for them and some of the staff are just sales orientated who have a bit of an idea about make up.

I think it depends when you go and who you get served by. Unfortunately all the staff are under some pressure to sell products so that is going to be a bit of an ulterior motive for them but you could be straight and tell them that you can't afford to buy a whole new set of colours just now, but would like to build up slowly and could they give you some pointers as to what might work on you. If you are able to go at "off peak" times you will get better attention. If you go at lunchtime then they are probably going to want to spend less time with you so they can get a bigger sale with someone else. Most of them aren't on commission but do get grief if they don't hit their targets. Mornings are a great time to go as business is generally quieter, even if you can only go at weekends. (ie. weekend morning still better than weekday lunchtime). The later in the day too, they will be more likely panicking if they've not reached target!

Thanks so much for all the pointers! I think I'll try Bobbi Brown again and be upfront about what I need. The products that I did buy were great and the colour match on the concealer was really good, so definitely worth another visit. I've always fancied trying MAC, but worry that I am not cool enough!

Thanks again, I really appreciate the advice!

I love Bobbi Brown undereye corrector. It's kind of pinky coloured. I put it on with a bit of concealer on top to match it to the rest of my makeup.

Thanks, freerange. I think I have that, but the one I have is a little too dark for me this time of year. Do you know if it comes in different shades? Mine is a peachy colour, then I have a lighter coloured concealer to put over the top of it.