Louise McSharry: If Botox isn’t for you but you want to give tired eyes or droopy brows a lift, try these products

Whenever I write about this kind of topic, I feel I simply must add a caveat. Ageing is natural. Signs of ageing on our faces, things like fine lines, are the result of a lifetime of experiences, memories and laughter. There is nothing wrong with a naturally ageing face — in fact, many of the most beautiful women I follow on Instagram or admire in real life choose not to intervene at all with their skin. Still, we are all products of the culture we’re surrounded by, and that culture is obsessed with youth. If, therefore, you find yourself worrying about signs of ageing, you will find no judgment here. Instead, let’s talk about your options.

The most dramatic way to change the way your eye area looks is through plastic surgery. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eye area (or indeed, both) to essentially remove sagging skin and eye bags. As you might expect, this is costly and not without risks, so won’t be an option for many people.

If your concern is a drooping brow, Botox can be used to lift it a few millimetres in what is often referred to as a non-surgical eye lift. During this treatment, Botox is injected into the areas around the eyes, usually focusing on between the eyebrows. This essentially relaxes the muscles which pull the brows down, allowing them to lift. The results will last for around three to six months and cost around €200. If you’re going to do this, it is vital that you research your injector well. Make sure their work is in line with what you want and that they are qualified and experienced. Botox in the hands of the wrong person can be dangerous.

Finally, you’d be surprised what you can do with a good product these days. (1) Dermalogica’s new Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream (€129 via arnotts.ie) was designed specifically to visibly lift eyelid folds, and it genuinely works. After a couple of weeks use, I saw a real difference. I can’t testify whether the results are long-term but if you want to look a little lifted for an event, it will have an impact.

Similarly, (2) Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant Firmx Temporary Eye Tightener (€36.16 via cultbeauty.com) won’t permanently change the appearance of the skin around your eyes. It will, however, immediately tighten it up. The results of this are akin to a miracle — I’ve seen under-eye puffiness and deep lines around the eye disappear after it’s applied.

It’s most effective if you apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin and then leave it alone. Any rubbing of the eye or water on it will break it down but if left alone, the results will last all day. If you like to use undereye concealer, you can mix a little in with this product as long as it’s silicone-based. Powder products also work well on it, but cream or liquids won’t interact well with the product.

Buying Irish

You may have heard of Morpheus8 but now it’s officially arrived in Ireland, let’s talk about what it is. This skin rejuvenation treatment combines microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) to target skin concerns like wrinkles, acne scars and sagging skin. This treatment goes deeper into the skin than other RF microneedling, achieving more dramatic results. Unfortunately, this means it is a lot more painful and pricier too.

Something old…

Sculpted by Aimee’s Satin Silk Foundation (€32 via sculptedbyaimee.com) launched a couple of years ago as a higher coverage option for the brand’s fans. Providing medium-to-full coverage, it will cover anything you want to without feeling heavy on the skin. The light formula delivers a beautiful satin finish, which sits between dewy and matte, and is ideal for people who want their skin to look like skin but are afraid of anything too glowy. No one ever wants to feel caked with makeup but many of us want perfection, and this provides the latter without the former. Instead, it feels hydrating thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, as well as niacinamide for antioxidant protection. Available in 30 shades, this product is easy to use and suitable for all skin types.

... Something new

At a time when everything feels like it’s getting significantly more expensive, a foundation that costs less than a tenner was always going to grab my attention. E.l.f. has made a name for itself by delivering products similar in performance to high-end ones at a fraction of the price, and Soft Glam Satin Foundation (€9 via elfcosmetics.com) isn’t letting the side down. Available in 36 shades, which is very impressive for a product in this price range, it delivers medium, buildable coverage with a satin finish. It’s non-comedogenic and water-based which means it won’t fight with acne-prone skin, and it wears beautifully throughout the day. Did I mention it’s €9? Honestly, this would be an excellent foundation launch at a significantly higher price range, but at €9 it’s a complete and total dream.