There are two basic tricks for an immediate bright-eyed, Disney Princess effect, and those involve a light-colored liner on the lower lashline or an inner corner highlight. For that extra-bright, wide-eyed look, use both tricks.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND A NUDE LINER
The first time I found out about a bright liner on the lower lash line was when I was watching an episode of America’s Next Top Model. I wasn’t so convinced when Tyra said to use a white eyeliner, so it was a tip that went ignored—until people started talking about swapping it out for a nude eyeliner.

Placing a light, neutral liner on your lower lash line makes you appear more awake because it cancels out the red on the inner rim of your eyes, without defining it the way a black or brown eyeliner would. It creates the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes, because there is continuity with the white part of your eye.

This is why a light-colored eyeliner sort of creates a bigger eye look, where as a black or a brown liner closes off your eye and defines it, making it look smaller, especially when you bring the line all the way into your inner corner. The difference is subtle, but it’s there. Nude eyeliner just looks more natural and less harsh than a white one, but you can use either. Chelsea from Chelsea Wears, for example, uses a pale pink liner.

EXAMPLES: NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl in Nude, NYX Wonder Pencil (I use medium).

THE INNER CORNER HIGHLIGHT EFFECT
Another trick to brighter eyes is highlighting your inner corner. This creates the illusion of a brighter eye area, since you are opening it up. Instead of a dark, receding shadow in that area (due to the natural contour and shape of the eye), you attract light and create the effect of brighter eyes.

Typically, you can use any light eyeshadow or illuminator; a favorite is something pale and shimmery, like a pale pink, gold, or champagne. I also mentioned this trick for elongating your eye shape a few posts back.

EXAMPLES: MAC e/s (Naked Lunch, All That Glitters), Urban Decay e/s (Foxy, Virgin, Booty Call, Half Baked, etc.), the possibilities are literally endless; MAC Mineralize Skin Finish (Lightscapade), Benefit Watt’s Up, BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector, etc.

So, there you have it! I hope this helps, and I hope it sort of explains the reasoning behind these two well-loved tricks. If you have any more to share, please feel free to do so in the comments. 🙂

NARS, BECCA, Urban Decay, and NYX are cruelty-free.