Nikol lightens pigmented, recessed eyelids with eye primer so they come forward instead of receding, then corrects under-eye discoloration by layering a color corrector, concealer, and eye brightener before setting with a brightening powder. The key is picking only the steps that address your biggest concern instead of doing every single thing.
Key takeaways
- Priming pigmented or recessed eyelids before eyeshadow uses color theory to bring the lid forward instead of letting it recede.
- Press color corrector directly onto dark or discolored spots instead of sweeping it across the whole under-eye area.
- Layering a concealer with an eye brightener in the inner corner helps brighten stubborn under-eye discoloration.
- Set corrected areas with a brightening powder before moving on to cheeks and lips.
- You don't have to use every product in your routine—focus on what makes the biggest impact for your specific concern.
- Nikol works in order: eyes first, then brows, lashes, complexion, cheeks, and lips, trusting the process until the full look comes together.
Nikol's step-by-step routine
- Hydrate under the eyes using the These Bags Are Designer-Eye Mask, then press in a hydrating eye serum or eye cream.
- Smooth a lightweight moisturizer over the entire face.
- Apply Eye Primer from the base of the lashes to the brow bone to lighten pigmented, recessed lids.
- Fill and shape the brows with the Skinny Brow Pencil using light, wispy strokes.
- Apply the Strong Brew 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette: mid-tone on the lid, lightest shade on the brow bone, and the deepest shade pushed into the outer corner for dimension, then blend with the Nikol Beauty Eyeshadow Blending Brush.
- Pat the center lid color from The Cabana 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette onto the middle of the eye for a soft, luminous highlight.
- Line the lash line with the WaterProof Eyeliner Pencils and soften with a smudge brush.
- Apply Volume UP Mascara and finish with natural false lashes.
- Prime the face with Fiercely Smooth Face Primer.
- Press Just Peachy Color Corrector onto pigmented spots under the eyes and on the sides of the face.
- Layer Creamy Concealer over the color corrector and add Eye Brightener to the inner corner, blending together with the Nikol Beauty Concealer/Lip Brush.
- Buff in BB Crème with the Foundation Buffing Brush for a natural, even finish.
- Set the under-eye area with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder before moving to the cheeks.
- Prep lips with Rose Lip Balm #100, line with WaterProof Lip Liner Pencils, fill with Aperitif Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick #419, and top with Coco 13 Lip Gloss #259.
- Sheer out a touch of the lip color onto the cheeks with a flat foundation brush, then add a touch of bronzer at the base of the cheekbone for a natural flush that matches her outfit.
Who is Diane and what's the focus of this look?
This episode of Fierce Aging features Diane, 71, who has traveled extensively between Morocco and Guatemala and sponsors children through a nonprofit she helped start. Nikol builds the entire look around Diane's biggest skin concern: pigmentation, particularly under the eyes.
Rather than doing a full glam routine, Nikol focuses on evening out skin tone, brightening the under-eye area, and lightening the eyelids so the eyes don't look as set back—while keeping the overall look natural.
How does Nikol prep the skin before color correcting?
Nikol starts by hydrating under the eyes using the These Bags Are Designer-Eye Mask, pressing in a hydrating eye cream while the skin is prepped. She follows with a lightweight moisturizer over the whole face so the skin is ready for makeup.
Why prime the eyelids before applying eyeshadow?
Nikol applies Eye Primer from the lash line up to the brow bone on eyes that show redness, purple discoloration, and pigmentation. She explains this is color theory in action: a lid that stays dark will visually recede, while lightening it brings the eye forward.
How does Nikol fill in brows and add shadow dimension?
Using the Skinny Brow Pencil, Nikol fills in Diane's brows with light, wispy strokes, following her natural hair and adding definition to the arch where it's missing, without making the brows look harsh or overdrawn.
For the eyes, she uses the Strong Brew 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette for the mid-tone lid color and brow bone highlight, then adds the deepest shade to the outer corner for subtle dimension, blending everything with the Nikol Beauty Eyeshadow Blending Brush so there are no hard lines.
How does Nikol finish the eyes with liner, mascara, and lashes?
Nikol pats a touch of the center shade from The Cabana 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette onto the middle of the lid for a soft sheen, explaining that women over 70 can absolutely wear a little shimmer without it looking like glitter.
She lines the lash line with the WaterProof Eyeliner Pencils, softens it with a smudge brush, then applies Volume UP Mascara and natural false lashes, making sure to coat every small lash close to the base for lift and definition.
How does Nikol correct pigmentation on the face?
After priming the face with Fiercely Smooth Face Primer, Nikol presses Just Peachy Color Corrector only onto the darkest, most pigmented spots under the eyes and on the sides of the face, rather than sweeping it across the whole area. This lifts discoloration before concealer or foundation is applied.
She layers Creamy Concealer on the darkest spots and adds Eye Brightener into the inner corners to brighten that area specifically, blending both together with the Nikol Beauty Concealer/Lip Brush. BB Crème is then buffed in with the Foundation Buffing Brush for a flawless, natural finish.
How does Nikol finish the look with powder, lips, and cheeks?
Nikol sets the corrected under-eye area with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder before moving on. For lips, she preps with Rose Lip Balm #100, lines with the WaterProof Lip Liner Pencils, fills in with Aperitif Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick #419, and tops it with Coco 13 Lip Gloss #259.
To tie the look together, she sheers out a touch of the lip color onto the cheeks using a flat foundation brush and adds a touch of bronzer at the cheekbone for warmth, giving Diane a soft wash of color that complements her outfit. Nikol reminds viewers that none of these steps are mandatory—pick what works for your own skin and preferences.
Shop the look
Nikol uses These Bags Are Designer-Eye Mask, Eye Primer, Skinny Brow Pencil, Strong Brew 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette. Explore the face collection for more of the pro-aging makeup she created for women over 40.
Frequently asked questions
What does Nikol say causes the pigmentation she's addressing?
She simply describes it as redness, purple discoloration, and darkness under the eyes that shows up with aging skin, without going into any medical cause.
Why does Nikol prime the eyelid before applying eyeshadow?
She uses color theory—lightening a darker or pigmented lid brings it visually forward, while leaving it dark makes the eye look more recessed.
Does Diane need to use every product Nikol demonstrates?
No, Nikol says Diane felt overwhelmed by all the products laid out and reminds viewers to pick and choose what addresses their own biggest concern.
What order does Nikol follow when doing a full face?
She does the eyes first, then brows and lashes, followed by complexion correction, cheeks, and lips last, trusting the process until everything comes together.
Which products does Nikol use to brighten under-eye discoloration?
She layers Just Peachy Color Corrector, Creamy Concealer, and Eye Brightener, then sets the area with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder.
