How to: Deflate Puffy Eyes

Mon, 26 March 2012 1:06PM

Sure, puffy eyes are an excuse for a fab new pair of sunglasses …

But they’re also a pain in the beauty butt. Here are some ways to unpack your excess baggage…

Home Remedies: You’ve heard talk of ye olde tea-bag trick a million times before. No, not just an old wives’ tale – many experts say that the caffeine and tannins combine to produce a de-puffing effect. Moisten two regular tea bags in cold water (just avoid earl grey, as the bergamot could irritate eyes), then leave in the fridge until chilled. Place over eyes and kick back for about ten minutes. Slices of cool cucumber and raw potato may also do the job – thanks to their anti-irritating and anti-inflammatory benefits. Alternatively, try a bag of frozen peas, as this will mould perfectly to the contours of your eye area.

Skincare SOS: If you regularly see puffy eyes peering back at you from the mirror, it’s worth buying an eye gel separate to your usual eye cream or lotion – gel formulations being most suited to this skin condition. Keep the eye gel stored in the fridge – the chill factor means it’s even more effective at soothing and smoothing out bags.

Bedtime Beauty: Make sure you’re clocking up enough shut-eye – tiredness is a major cause of puffiness. Experts rule-of-thumb six-to-eight hours’ sleep as the ideal. Also try sleeping on two pillows – when your head is elevated, excess fluids drain away more easily.

Makeup Tricks: Use a concealer in a shade slightly darker than your natural skintone, which will play down any bagginess. Whatever you do, avoid a light, shimmery concealer – which does just the opposite. Similarly, keep glittery or glimmery shadow away from dark patches – you may actually find you’re best off limiting eye makeup to concealer and a flick of mascara, and moving the attention to your mouth, with a strong lipstick-lashed lip.

Diet Dos & Don’t: Avoid salt – it retains water and causes the body to generally bloat. Alcohol, too, can contribute to a puff-up. Drink between one to two litres of water per day, to keep fluids flushing through your system. Try starting the day with a warm water infused with lemon – a great way to clean out and kick-start your sluggish morning system. A burst of exercise will help to get things going, too – even if it’s just a five-minute frenzy of star-jumps.

 

Calling all fellow puffy-eyed Primpettes … do you have any other eye-calming tips you can share?

Posted by: Katrina Lawrence

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Tags: concealer, covering dark circles, dark circles, eye cream, eye gel, featured how to, puffy eyes, rachel bilson, sleep