Your eyes can tell the world a lot about you — especially if you’re not getting enough sleep or drinking too many late-night mojitos. Besides alcohol and lack of rest, other puffy-eye triggers include salty foods and allergies.
The good news is that with a few tricks and tips, you can perk up your peepers.
1. Try limiting your alcohol intake and skipping the salty French fries every once in a while, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is key to helping your body and skin look and feel radiant.
2. Always remove your eye makeup before going to sleep. Not only does it make a mess of your pillowcase, but it could irritate the delicate skin around your eyes. (And who really wants to wake up looking like a raccoon the next morning?) Avoid rubbing your eyes — instead, use a cotton pad, which is less abrasive. Look for a sensitive eye makeup remover that helps soothe the eye area.
3. If you have time, apply a cool compress and sit for several minutes with a cold washcloth over closed eyes. For a natural at-home remedy, you can also try cucumber slices or re-use a chilled wet tea bag. (The cold will help to minimize the puffiness.)
4. If those cold cucumber slices just aren’t cutting it anymore, you might just need a stronger dose. Research shows cucumber actually does help reduce puffy eyes, so look for gel-like products with extracts of cucumber. Other hot ingredients include caffeine (it’s not just for your morning java fix anymore) and yeast, both of which can help shrink blood vessels and decrease swelling. Look for products created specifically for the delicate eye area. Stay away from using moisturizers containing humectants near the eyes, since they draw the moisture to the skin, and can create puffiness.
5. Resist the urge to go lighter with your concealer, as this will just highlight the problem. Skip the loose powder under the eyes, since it could settle in the fine lines. Instead, look for products with light-deflecting properties, which will create the illusion of eyes that are bright and alert. Use an eyelash curler to curl the lashes before applying mascara. Curling your lashes will help open up the eye area and give the appearance of perfectly well-rested eyes.
Now it’s your turn: what are your favourite tricks for de-puffing your eyes?
