How To Make Eyes Whiter From Yellow & Red (Makeup + Lifestyle)

Give your tired and older-looking eyes a makeover with these simple tips.

Reviewed by Daria Kruchinina, Licensed Esthetician
Written by Esha Saxena, MA (Mass Communication & Media Studies)

Edited by Asmita De, MA (English)

Fact-checked by Vaishali Sinha, MA (Comparative Literature) • Nov 24, 2023

How To Make Eyes Whiter From Yellow & Red (Makeup + Lifestyle)

Image: iStock

Inadequate sleep, extended screen time, continual exposure to irritants, stepping out without sunglasses, and lack of proper diet can make the white of your eyes (sclera) yellow or red. As it is not a particularly flattering look for your eyes, you may want to know how to make eyes whiter. Moreover, dull eyes with a yellowish tinge can make you look tired and older. This article details various lifestyle changes and makeup hacks to make the sclera of your eyes whiter.

Keep scrolling to learn how to achieve brighter and healthier eyes. Swipe up!

Keep In Mind

Understand The Cause: Understand The Cause Before discussing how to make eyes white, it is important to understand the cause of the symptom. Causes can range from allergies or lack of sleep to specific medical conditions.
Hygiene: Understand The Cause Washing hands and face regularly, avoiding rubbing or touching your eyes, and taking breaks from screen time are some healthy habits to promote whiter eyes.
Lifestyle Changes: Understand The Cause Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and eating a balanced diet are some healthy lifestyle changes that can promote whiter eyes.
Medical treatments: Understand The Cause In some cases, medical treatment may be necessary to improve the appearance of white eyes. Such treatments may range from prescription eye drops to procedures like blepharoplasty, so it’s best to consult a doctor.

In This Article

How To Make Eyes Whiter With Makeup

Women with eye makeup to show whiter eyes

Image: Shutterstock

Makeup can help you give an instant white appearance to your eyes. Here’s what you need to do:

Use White/Flesh-Toned Eyeliner

Line your lower waterline with a flesh-toned eye kajal or kohl pencil or one that is two shades lighter than your skin. This helps open the eyes and make it look bigger and whiter. To add subtle color to your lower lashes, use an eyeshadow or a kohl pencil outside the waterline and closer to your lashes.

Aya, a blogger, adores her white eyeliner. She shared in her blog, “I love white eye makeup. It pops the eyes and makes them more awake (i).” She particularly enjoys experimenting with various styles, mentioning, “I did the black-winged eye with silver white liner on the bottom lids.: Encouraging others to embrace this bold look, she advised, “Don’t be afraid to wear white liner by itself,” empowering beauty enthusiasts to rock the trend confidently.

Use Color Corrector And Concealer

If you have under-eye pigmentation, it is best to use a color corrector before applying a concealer. Without a color corrector, the concealer can make your under-eyes look ashy and tired. Talk to the makeup expert to know whether you should buy a yellow, orange, red, or green color corrector. Keep the undertone of your skin in mind while choosing a concealer. Applying a color corrector and concealer will considerably brighten your under-eye area and make your eyes appear lively.

Use A Jet Black Liquid Eyeliner

Women using a jet black eyeliner to make her eyes appear whiter

Image: Shutterstock

It is essential to add definition to your eyes. But do not use brown or burgundy eyeliners. Go for a jet black (matte or shimmery) eyeliner to line your upper lids. Flaunt a wing or fox style to make your eyes look extended and big.

Check out this video tutorial on how to wear liquid eyeliner.

Highlight The Inner Corners

Highlighting the inner corners helps create an illusion of space between your eyes. This can brighten the eye area and make your eyes look wide open. Apply a matte or shimmery eyeshadow in natural colors like pale nude or slightly pale color, champagne, or gold with your fingertips or a brush to make your eyes appear whiter instantly.

Finish With Mascara

Dial up the lashes with a lengthening and volumizing mascara. A black mascara helps create a contrast with the white of your eyes, making them appear whiter and brighter.

Wear A Red Lipstick

Luscious red lips also make your eyes appear whiter. Prep your lips using a lip balm for about 10 minutes before applying your lipstick. Wipe off the excess balm, line your lips with a red or brown lipliner, and fill up with a red lipstick that complements your skin tone.

These makeup pointers can help make your eyes appear whiter. However, they will not serve long-term purposes, especially if your yellow or red eyes indicate an underlying health issue. The next section lists a few lifestyle changes that will help you make your eyes whiter in the long term. Scroll down.

How To Make Eyes Whiter Through Lifestyle Changes

Use Eye Drops

Image: Shutterstock

Try specially-formulated eye drops, like Innoxa Blue Drops, for itchiness, redness, and burning. Besides relaxing your peepers, these drops are blue, which will counteract the yellow or red tint in your eyes instantly, making them appear whiter. However, ophthalmologists do not recommend using whitening eye products on a daily basis as you can get “rebound redness,” which means your eyes will turn red again within a few hours of using the drops.

Quick Tip

Always carry eye drops when you are going to a dry place. Air at high altitudes, in desert climates, and in airplanes can make your eyes dry, resulting in a yellow tint.

Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Ditch that fourth cup of coffee and stick to green tea, fresh juices, or plain water. Dehydration can have a negative impact on the whites of your eyes. If you want bright white eyes, adequate hydration will make a world of a difference. It will also help reduce the puffiness and redness in your eyes. Make it a habit of drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day and see the change for yourself!

Follow A Healthy Diet

Image: Shutterstock

Consume a variety of fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables. Carrots, oranges, pumpkins, and lemons contain essential vitamins and antioxidants that are good for your eyes and will avoid eye discoloration and keep them healthy, clear, and white.

Avoid Irritants

Avoid irritants like chlorinated pool water, pollen, dust, and smoke to prevent redness and eye irritation. Wear sunglasses or eye-protective glasses to protect your eyes.

Quick Tip

You can also add safety shields to the sides of eyeglasses to help block wind and dry air from getting into your eyes.

Cut Down On Screen Time

Cutting down on your screen time is the best thing you can do to reduce eye strain and keep your eyes healthy and bright. You can also make small changes like reducing your monitor’s brightness setting, blinking more often, and giving your eyes some quality time away from any screen (including your phone).

Take Your Supplements

If you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals from your current diet, consider taking vitamin supplements. Omega-3 capsules or fish oil supplements are also a great option as they play a major role in boosting the level of omega-3 acids in your body.

Get Your Beauty Sleep

Image: Shutterstock

Sleepy eyes are often dry and itchy. Getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep every night ensures a healthy mind and body. Without adequate sleep, your eyes are bound to look tired and red as it increases the retention of blood and fluid around your eyes.

Moreover, sleep deprivation can lead to eye spasms or involuntary twitching that is both uncomfortable and distracting. If you have trouble sleeping, try listening to some soothing music or meditating before going to bed. You can also use sleep masks that help create extra pressure and relaxation for your eyes.

Adopt these lifestyle changes and notice your eyes getting better within a few months. However, in some cases, you might need an expert’s opinion.

When To See A Doctor

See a doctor if:

Your eyes pain, itch, and water constantly.
You have an eye infection with a noticeable cataract-like layer on your sclera.
You forgot to remove your lenses.
You have liver issues.
You are experiencing fever and tastelessness.

Infographic: 3 Ways To Use White Eyeliner And White Eye Pencil For Whiter And Brighter Eyes

The right eye makeup can transform how your eyes look and brighten them up. If you have been using boring black to line your eyes, it’s time to rethink your choice and get acquainted with white eye pencils and liners instead.

Check out the infographic for three simple makeup tips on face and eye brightening.

3 ways to use white eyeliner and white eyepencil for whiter and brighter eyes (infographic)

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

Most of us are ignorant about the deteriorating health of our eyes. Our negligence, though unintentional, becomes visible when the sclera of our eyes changes color and appears dull. Several external and internal factors lead to bad eye health – exposure to pollution, allergic reactions, excessive screen time, lack of adequate sleep, wrong makeup remover, the way we remove everyday makeup, or other underlying health issues. Fortunately, it is possible to make your eyes appear whiter by making significant changes to your lifestyle and using a few makeup hacks. However, visit a doctor regularly and do not get too dependent on quick fixes. It would be best to make a habit of going for regular eye check-ups and adopting healthier eye care practices and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do celebrities get their eyes so white?

Most celebrities either use makeup or eye drops to make the whites of their eyes appear brighter.

Do whitening eye drops work?

Whitening eye drops can make your eyes appear whiter and reduce redness caused by eye allergies or insufficient sleep. But if your eyes are red or yellowish because of some medical conditions like jaundice or conjunctivitis, you should see a doctor first.

How do cucumbers make your eyes whiter?

Cucumbers can make the skin around your eyes less puffy and reduce dark circles. This makes your eyes look big and bright.

Key Takeaways

An unhealthy lifestyle that includes extended screen time, inadequate sleep, and the like can contribute to making the sclera appear yellow or red.
Makeup products can give you a white appearance to your eyes instantly. Lifestyle changes can give you white sclera too.
It is important to seek a doctors’ advice to have healthy-looking sclera