Goodbye, puffiness and stubborn dark circles.
By Samantha Lefave, Woman's Day
These tips will help perk up those peepers, so nobody will ever know how much sleep you have—or haven't—gotten this week.
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Fight puffiness with caffeine
The Problem:
As you age, your skin weakens and tends to sag.
The Fix:
Instead of a Venti Frappuccino, apply caffeine-containing eye creams in the morning to help remove the excess fluid that causes puffiness, suggests Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. At night, apply a moisturizer (like Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Eye Cream, $15) that stimulates elastin to help your skin snap back to its original shape.
Eat your way to better under-eye skin
The Problem:
If you can't seem to get rid of those under-eye bags regardless of how many zzz's you catch, there could be underlying triggers like hidden food allergies, or an iron deficiency. A diet high in salt, fats and sugars, could also be to blame, says Paula Simpson, celeb nutritionist and co-founder of ZSS Skincare.
The Fix:
Simpson recommends removing high-allergen foods (think milk, wheat, and soy), and replacing them with foods like bananas (to offset salt retention that causes puffiness), spinach (for healthy collagen production), and beets (to stimulate circulation and red blood cell production).
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Use a nude eyeliner
The Problem:
Using a black pencil, especially on your bottom lash line, is likely making under-eye circles appear even darker. Why? "If you're tired, you're probably blinking a lot, causing liner to fall into the under-eye circles, making them more noticeable," says Rebecca Perkins, co-owner and head makeup artist at Rouge NY.
"If you're tired, you're probably blinking a lot, causing liner to fall into the under-eye circles, making them more noticeable," says Rebecca Perkins, co-owner and head makeup artist at Rouge NY.
The Fix:
Instead, reach for a neutral pencil to line the inside of your lower waterline. It'll help hide any redness—an easy tip-off that you haven't gotten much shuteye. Then dab a highlighting powder on the inner corner of your eyes for a more well-rested sparkle.
Smooth out wrinkles with retinol
The Problem:
Wrinkly under eyes are more likely to sneak up on you as you age and experience more UV light exposure, says Zeichner. This damages the collagen in your skin, a protein that helps keep your skin's foundation strong and glowing, he explains.
The Fix:
To counteract the damage, retinol should be a regular part of your skincare routine (Zeichner recommends Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream, $18). "It stimulates collagen production, strengthening the skin and improving the appearance of any already-existing fine lines and wrinkles," he says. Apply in the morning under your moisturizer and makeup.
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Brighten dark circles with Vitamin C
The Problem:
When you're exhausted beyond belief, the first thing you want to do (besides chug a coffee) is rub your eyes. Try to resist though, as chronic eye-rubbing can cause under eye darkening, says Zeichner.
The Fix:
He suggests applying an eye cream that contains vitamin C, which works to lighten dark spots and even out your skin tone for a more perked-up appearance.
Cover up the correct way
The Problem:
You apply concealer every day, but it's likely you're doing it wrong, says Perkins. Though you might be included to do a half-moon swipe under the eye, which can make you look like a racoon.
The Fix:
Instead, gently pat a highly-pigmented concealer (Perkins recommends Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Crème, $32) from the inner corner of the eye, down the side of the nose, and out to the outer corner of the eye to cover up any darkness and brighten your entire face.
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Perk up eyes instantly with a mask
The Problem:
Eating your way to better skin takes time, because you have to, ya know, digest the nutrients. But applying food topically helps skin receive nutrients in an immediate way, says Simpson.
The Fix:
Masks with the antioxidant Zeaxanthin, found in greens like spinach and kale, help even skin tone, diminish discoloration, and helpsprotect against environmental aging stressors (UV exposure, pollution and smoke) that can exacerbate under-eye problems.
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Stock up on the essentials
The Problem:
It's tough to know what makeup products will work best, but Simpson says looking for three key ingredients can get you started on the right foot.
The Fix:
Vitamin C speeds up collagen production to minimize the appearance of under-eye circles (try L'Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturizer, $20), zeaxanthin fends off free radicals caused by environmental stressors, and chlorella tightens and smooths the skin while simultaneously reducing puffiness and inflammation.
See more at: Woman's Day
