Put dark circles, eye bags & puffy eyes in their place
Designer bags we love. Eye bags, not so much. If you’re struggling to get those pesky dark circles under control, or want to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes, look no further. This guide explains what causes eye bags and dark circles, and how you can help keep them at bay.
What causes bags & dark circles under eyes?
There are several factors that can cause dark circles under eyes. It may simply be that under-eye pigmentation has been passed down through your family. Ageing can also play a role, as skin loses elasticity and starts to sag with time, causing the appearance of eye bags. Allergies can also aggravate the eyes and make circles and puffiness more prominent.
Some lifestyle factors can also contribute to the appearance of eye bags and dark circles. High alcohol and salt intake, lack of sleep and sun exposure can all make eye bags and dark circles worse.
How to get rid of eye bags & dark circles
While you might not be able to completely banish them, there are certain things you can do to reduce the appearance of eye bags and dark circles, and help stop them from getting any worse.
Get more sleep
It’s not a myth that lack of sleep can lead to those dreaded under-eye circles. If you need a helping hand when it comes to switching off, try specially designed products such as a pillow spray or relaxing bath soak to help carry you off to the land of nod.
Stay hydrated
Cut down on alcohol and salt, as both of these can dehydrate your skin and cause puffy eyes. Invest in a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated on the go.
Protect your skin
Sun exposure can make dark circles worse, so apply sunscreen every day to protect the delicate skin around your eyes as well as the rest of your body. You could even invest in a pair of oversize sunglasses for extra protection.
Keep your eye cooling gel in the fridge for an instant pick-me-up
Eye gels usually contain ingredients which are suspended in water, meaning they help with puffiness. If you haven’t got an eye cooling gel to hand, head for a DIY hack instead. Place frozen teabags, cold spoons or cucumber slices over your eyes for an easy way to instantly calm the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.
Quick fixes to disguise under-eye circles & eye bags
The right concealer can help brighten up the eye area and mask any dark circles, but finding the best concealer for dark circles totally depends on your skin type and texture.
The best concealer for your skin tone
If you’ve got fair to medium skin, your under-eye shadows are probably purple or bluish in colour. You want to look for a slightly peachy concealer shade, as this will help to knock out any purple tones.
If your skin is more of an olive or darker shade, then your under-eye circles could be down to pigmentation and might appear more brown than purple. Try a salmon shade, or for darker skin tones a deep orange or red, as this will help to warm and brighten any darkness.
How to conceal under-eye circles
So, you’ve found your perfect concealer – but how on earth do you apply it? For the most seamless finish, you want to use your ring finger to pat concealer under the eye in a deep V shape, as this will help to blend the product most effectively. Pop a small amount on the inner corner of your eyes too, as this will help to brighten the area as a whole. For a longer-lasting finish, some people choose to set their under-eye concealer with a powder but if you’ve got fine lines around this area – skip the powder as it can settle in any creases.
How to stop concealer from caking
Then there’s skin texture to think about. Get it wrong, and you can end up with cakey concealer that will only give the game away more! But don’t fret – there’s an easy way to remember which concealer texture you need… If you’ve got dry skin, a liquid concealer will add extra hydration and won’t settle in any fine lines. If your skin is oilier, then try a thicker cream product. This will conceal without caking, and won’t slip off during the day.
And as with all make-up, any tell-tale lines will give the game away, so don’t forget to blend!
