One of the biggest beauty concerns, no matter your age, is the presence of under eye bags and dark circles. As soon as they become visible it has a huge impact on the rest of our face, and confidence; unfortunately under eye bags are a natural effect of aging, but they can also be caused by lack of sleep, allergies, water retention and genetics. Our body operates using a 'waste disposal' lymphatic system, which essentially removes toxins and waste from the body using fluid; sometimes this fluid becomes trapped or blocked, lying stagnant under the eyes and causing the darkness we associate with tiredness. It doesn't sound particularly nice, but there are ways in which you can get this area to work effectively again and reduce the signs of under-eye bags. Here are my top five tips for reducing the signs of dark circles...
1. Facial Massage
I'm a big fan of massaging around the eye area as a way of relieving tension and draining away excess fluid. Using a rich eye cream or balm around the eye for lubrication, massage in circular motions and gently tap the under eye area to encourage movement. If you can find your pressure points on the inside of your brow (between the nose and brow arch,) apply a small amount of pressure for a few seconds and then 'stroke' around the eye to encourage drainage. (There's a much better explanation via video here if you want to try this at home!) This makes a massive difference to me in only a few minutes, so well worth putting some time aside every morning.
2. Cool The Area
There's a reason why cucumbers have been used for years to reduce dark circles; they're the perfect size and shape to pop over an eye. There's no magic behind this technique, other than the fact that cucumbers are often cold! The temperature helps skin to contract, reducing puffiness and sagging that can appear with lack of sleep - although the results are temporary, this method does help to wake you up simultaneously!
3. Drink Plenty Of Water
Your under-eye darkness may be caused by fluid retention, so drinking lots of water in order to 'flush out' the salty deposits is the easiest way to restore equilibrium. The secret to flawless skin is the perfect level of hydration, so make sure you drink a glass of water every hour to ensure your skin (and body) is getting the moisture it needs.
4. Look At Your Beauty Regime
Sometimes eye puffiness is the result of over using eye products; the under-eye area contains the thinnest skin on the body, meaning it's really easy to overload with product and cause more problems than you're solving. Only ever apply product on the crease of the eye and ensure it's an eye specific product; stop your moisturiser just before the eye area to ensure the best results.
5. Conceal & Brighten
If you've tried all of the above, or your simply to impatient, then concealing the dark areas while brightening skin offers a great approach when 'faking it' is the only way. Opt for lightweight concealers and highlighters that contain brightening particles, ensuring that the light is reflected away from the area to give the illusion of a rested look. (Have a read of my 'six tips for covering pesky under eye circles' here.)
Do you have any other top tips for tackling under eye circles and darkness?
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1. Facial Massage
I'm a big fan of massaging around the eye area as a way of relieving tension and draining away excess fluid. Using a rich eye cream or balm around the eye for lubrication, massage in circular motions and gently tap the under eye area to encourage movement. If you can find your pressure points on the inside of your brow (between the nose and brow arch,) apply a small amount of pressure for a few seconds and then 'stroke' around the eye to encourage drainage. (There's a much better explanation via video here if you want to try this at home!) This makes a massive difference to me in only a few minutes, so well worth putting some time aside every morning.
2. Cool The Area
There's a reason why cucumbers have been used for years to reduce dark circles; they're the perfect size and shape to pop over an eye. There's no magic behind this technique, other than the fact that cucumbers are often cold! The temperature helps skin to contract, reducing puffiness and sagging that can appear with lack of sleep - although the results are temporary, this method does help to wake you up simultaneously!
3. Drink Plenty Of Water
Your under-eye darkness may be caused by fluid retention, so drinking lots of water in order to 'flush out' the salty deposits is the easiest way to restore equilibrium. The secret to flawless skin is the perfect level of hydration, so make sure you drink a glass of water every hour to ensure your skin (and body) is getting the moisture it needs.
4. Look At Your Beauty Regime
Sometimes eye puffiness is the result of over using eye products; the under-eye area contains the thinnest skin on the body, meaning it's really easy to overload with product and cause more problems than you're solving. Only ever apply product on the crease of the eye and ensure it's an eye specific product; stop your moisturiser just before the eye area to ensure the best results.
5. Conceal & Brighten
If you've tried all of the above, or your simply to impatient, then concealing the dark areas while brightening skin offers a great approach when 'faking it' is the only way. Opt for lightweight concealers and highlighters that contain brightening particles, ensuring that the light is reflected away from the area to give the illusion of a rested look. (Have a read of my 'six tips for covering pesky under eye circles' here.)
Do you have any other top tips for tackling under eye circles and darkness?
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