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Ditch Dark Circles and Puffiness for Good

July 29, 2010 Beauty Tips

When eye cream or concealer alone won’t do the trick, you may need to look into other options when it comes to treating and masking dark circles and puffiness. Whether they’re a result of genetics or lack of sleep, too much sun or alcohol, these tricks will help you zap them for good, and disguise them like a pro until they’re gone.

Dark circles

In order to treat your circles properly, you first need to know what’s causing them. Dark circles may be due to pigmentation, blood vessels or an effect of the shadow of the tear through [the muscles and ligaments near the eyes on either side of the nose].

If you pull the skin under your eyes taught and the circles seem to go away, your issue is likely the effect of a shadow. If not, your circles are likely blood vessels. As you age, your skin gets thinner, making red and blue vessels show through. If your circles don’t look red and bluish though, pigmentation could be the cause of your circles – this is most common among Asians.

Treat dark circles caused by pigmentation

If your dark circles are caused by pigmentation, you can treat the area with topical retinoids, hydroquinone or laser treatments. Both retinoids and hydroquinone can be prescribed by your dermatologist or you can buy slightly less potent versions over the counter. If you want a quicker fix (or if topical products alone don’t do the trick), laser is the way to go. Know that you’ll likely have to treat your entire face for best results though, and you’ll likely need one or two treatments.

Treat dark circles caused by visible blood vessels

If your dark circles are caused by visible blood vessels, look for “anything that vasoconstricts,” to help reduce the darkness. Caffeine is the most common ingredient found in skin care products that fits that bill. Your other option (especially if products alone don’t solve your issue) is to get laser treatments which will significantly improve the appearance of the vessels. You’ll likely need two to four treatments.

Camouflage dark circles

Until you get rid of your circles for good, or if you’d rather just hide them in lieu of treating them, use some really cool tricks to conceal all types of dark circles:
Step 1: Massage on an eye cream in a circular motion with a cool fingertip to improve circulation.
Step 2: Use a firm tapered brush to apply creamy concealer that’s half a shade lighter than your skin and slightly peach-y in tone over the dark areas. Avoid shades that are too light or cool in tone or the area will look ashy. Also, don’t forget to cover the darkness on the inner corners of your eyes.
Step 3: Tap a fingertip over the concealer to further blend it into your skin.
Step 4: If your eyes appear very sunken in and shadowy, apply a luminizing cream or powder over the concealer to make the area pop and appear brighter.

Puffy eyes

Puff is usually caused from one of two things — “swelling from fluid shifts,” causes puffiness that comes and goes and “the protrusion of the fat pad,” causes persistent puffiness.

Reduce temporary puff

Applying a cool compress for 10 or so minutes to temporarily puffy eyes deflates them. Follow the compress with an eye cream that contains caffeine to further deflate the area.

Camouflage puffiness

Until your puffiness subsides or is treated, minimize the look of it with these makeup tricks:
Step 1: Run your fingertips under cool water, dry them off then apply a cold eye gel or cream (keep your eye cream in the fridge for extra depuffing benefits). Press the puffy area with your cool fingertips in a circular, clockwise direction.
Step 2: Apply illuminating concealer in the half moon shape that surrounds the puffy area.
Step 3: Draw attention away from your eyes by dusting pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Step 4: Curl your lashes and groom your brows to open up your eye area. Also, avoid wearing dark shadow or liner on your eyes, it will make them appear smaller and more tired.

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