Leading a healthy lifestyle keeps the sparkle in your eye - but the skin around it deserves special attention, writes Phyl Clarke.
Guess what feminine feature attracts most men - and keep it clean now.
Long legs, a Jennifer Lopez derriere and even DD cups all take second place to the windows of the soul: the eyes. Bless the poor chaps. They can be bowled over by the mere batting of an eyelash.
This may explain the ongoing popularity of the smoky-eye look, which dramatises the eyes to stunning effect when executed properly. And false eyelashes are undergoing a huge revival, so you can add even more bat to your lash.
Leading a healthy lifestyle keeps the sparkle in your eye, but the skin around it deserves special attention.
As it's much thinner than the rest of the skin on your face, be extra careful when cleansing or applying creams - a good tip is to use your ring finger only, as your touch will be lighter - and never rub or drag the skin; a gentle tap, tap, tap will disperse a product perfectly. Don't slather the delicate area with too much cream, as this can lead to puffiness, whiteheads and sensitivity. Wearing sunglasses can also help protect from light pollution while looking glamorous.
A dedicated eye-make-up remover will do the job most effectively. Simply soak a cotton pad with product and rest it on your closed eyelid before wiping from inner to outer corner. Prescriptives Quick Remover For Eyes (€21.50) is suitable for sensitive eyes, and is very refreshing. If you wear contact lenses Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover (€24) will suit you. It also has the bonus of lash-strengthening properties. It's available from Therapie (01-4721222).
If you're on a budget, Conditioning Eye Make-Up Remover does the job and is colour- and fragrance-free, all for €6.49. Eye masks are a treat once in a while, and you can make your own with cold tea bags or grated raw potato wrapped in gauze. Sit back, relax and let the world roll by for 10 minutes.
If you're not DIY inclined, 's Ultra Correction Eye Revitaliser is an effective anti-fatigue course, at €98 for 10 treatments; also very good is Chanel's Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask (€50 for a pack of 12). Dr Hauschka's Eye Solace will pick up and refresh eyes after a long day (€22.45).
Buy creams according to your purse and be vigilant about using them. Origins Youthtopia is a very pleasant tinted cream that has a smoothing effect on the skin (€38.50). L'Occitane has added to its best-selling Immortelle range with Very Precious Eye Serum, which feels delicious on application (€44.95). Renewing Eye Cream is just one of the fabulous products in the Dr Murad range, reducing dark circles and illuminating the eye area (€78), available from Urbana (01-6351616). It's my current favourite.
For the ultimate in application tools, Crème de la Mer has built on the idea that running a piece of cold metal (even an ice cube) around the eye area has beneficial effects. Its new Eye Concentrate comes with an applicator that looks like an oversized cotton bud in silver. You simply run the product around the eye area with the little tool. I thought this was the ultimate gimmick, but it does feel divine, if expensive at €170.
For a quick pick-me-up Eye Revive Beauty Flash from Clarins replicates the properties of the famous Beauty Flash Balm - brightens, lifts and tightens. It's a life-saver for €32.
So there you have it - no excuse not to make big beautiful eyes.