Your eye area is like your IG stories: It reveals everything going on in your life — like whether you've been partying hard, working longer hours, or studying all night for an exam. But regardless of why you were up hella late, the goal is to look like a fresh, well-rested human when you wake up in the morning. Here, 18 simple ways to achieve said goal.
1. Firm Up
When applied topically, caffeine tightens up the skin, says Laura Hittleman, director of beauty for Canyon Ranch. Place cool, moist black-tea bags on your eyes for five minutes or use an eye cream that contains caffeine, like the ones below.
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2. Stimulate Circulation
Placing metal spoons in the refrigerator overnight can help minimize puffiness in two ways: 1) The cold temperature helps tighten swollen skin and 2) using the rounded side to massage your eye area (from inner to outer corner) helps jumpstart lymphatic drainage, since fluid can pool under your eyes while you sleep. On that note: Make sure your pillow props your head up enough that you're not lying flat; that's when fluid doesn't circulate properly, leading to the gathering of under-eye bags in the first place.
Don't wanna go the spoon route? You can also use a ~fancy~ jade roller to achieve the same lymphatic drainage effect, similar to that which you'd get with the aforementioned spoon.
3. Stay Hydrated
The effects of alcohol — ya know, your go-to Cosmo — can contribute to swelling and puffiness — even under your eyes. Here's why: Drinking causes your blood vessels to widen and can even result in slight leakage from said swollen vessels, hence the reddish cast to your skin and overall puffiness. So, stick with the ol' one-cocktail-to-one-glass-of-water ratio to minimize waking up puffy.
4. Limit Your Salt Intake
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (aka one teaspoon) a day, since salty foods can lead to swelling everywhere. To minimize the effects of sodium, load up on vitamin B-rich foods (like spinach) and foods that contain potassium, like bananas, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe, since they can all help reduce bloating. And for more ways to lessen your salt intake, click here.
5. Apply Hemorrhoid Cream (Seriously)
Sounds gross, but the main ingredient — phenylephrine — constricts blood vessels and helps shrinks your under-eye tissue, says dermatologist Audrey Kunin, founder of Dermadoctor. Apply a bit to the puffy area and wait for it to work its magic — just be careful not to get it in your eyes!
6. Focus the Attention Elsewhere
A quick solution for under-eye bags is to draw the attention away from the area. Meaning, choose another part of your face to play up, so the focus is directed to, say, your lips by defining them and filling them in with a bold color.
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7. Swap Cucumbers Slices for Potatoes Slivers
Yes, this works and here's why: Potatoes contain a skin-lightening enzyme called catecholase that helps brighten your skin over time. To road-test this theory, lie back with a thin slice of potato over each eye, leaving them on for 10 minutes to allow the juice to seep into your skin. Do this twice a week to start evening out your tone.
8. Take an Antihistamine
If you notice dark circles cropping up during allergy season, ask your doctor if you should try taking an antihistamine or using allergy-relief eyedrops, says Robert Mirsky, an ophthalmologist in New Jersey. "Allergens cause swelling in the vessels under your skin, and rubbing your eyes can bruise those same vessels, resulting in a darker shadow."
9. Upgrade Your Eye Cream
The newest eye creams tackle any kind of under-eye sitch you can think of — all you have to do is remember to reapply daily.
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10. In a Pinch? Conceal...
The secret to covering up dark circles? Using a yellow- or peach-based concealer in a shade slightly darker than you'd normally reach for to neutralize the purple shadow under your eyes, says Klein. To find out exactly how to eradicate dark circles for your skin tone, click here.
11. Drink More Water (and Fewer Caffeinated Beverages)
It's always a good idea to up your water intake, especially if your eyes are feeling especially parched and your skin is looking dry and flaky. And while you're at it, keep your caffeine consumption under 300 milligrams per day (FYI: One cup of coffee has about 100 milligrams.); the mild diuretic effect of caffeine can cause water loss.
12. Remember to Blink More
Sure, you're always blinking involuntarily, but when you stare at a computer screen or phone for long periods of time, you actually blink less. And since "blinking is important because it naturally lubricates the eyes," says Dr. Mirsky, put a note on your computer that reminds you to keep your eyes closed for a few seconds when you do, well, blink. Also, take a break from your digital devices every 20 minutes and look out the window to refresh your eyes (and to improve your overall happiness).
13. Remove Your Eye Makeup
Once in a while, we all crash without washing our face, but it's essential to take off your makeup. "This is the easiest way to prevent eye irritation," says Dr. Mirsky and THIS from happening. At the very least, keep facial wipes next to your bed so if you're really zonked, you can quickly swipe your entire face while lying down.
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14. If Your Eyes Still Need Some Wakening Up...
For fresh, yes-I-slept-last-night eyes, rim your lower lashes with a peach-colored eye liner, like Awake Eye Opener Brightening Liner, and then apply a shimmery champagne shadow (like the ones in the palettes below) to your inner corners. You can also swipe on a navy mascara to make the whites of your eyes appear even brighter. See? So. Many. Tricks!
15. Shield Your Eyes with Sunglasses
Even if you're in your early 20s, you may already have a few fine lines around your eyes, since the skin is thin there and it tends to show signs of aging early on, says Dr. Kunin. But squinting as you're walking outside or driving in your car can cause wrinkles to show up even earlier than they should. That said, large-frame sunglasses are the best protection and also look great, but don't forget to apply SPF every day too!
20 Flattering Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
16. Be Gentle with Your Eye Area
Constant tugging and pulling around your eyes when you're applying makeup can damage the skin, so remember to be gentle. Always dab on eye cream with your ring finger, and use soft brushes to apply concealer. And when it comes to fixing any goofs, saturate a cotton pad or swab with makeup remover, and then lay it over the smudge before lightly perfecting your look.
17. Use a Potent Product
The technology behind anti-aging eye creams just keeps getting better. Right now, it's all about building collagen over time (while temporarily filling in lines, because instant gratification), plumping with hyaluronic acid, and relaxing facial muscles with "topical Botox" while you're at it. My favorite formula (and Kim K's, just sayin)? Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask, which uses pure retinol micro-infusion technology to minimize fine lines fast, and hyaluronic acid to help plump the eye area for a more youthful, overall awake look.
18. Make Your Eye Area Look Lit...
After you apply an under-eye patch to help build new collagen and plump fine lines (see above), pat the excess formula into your skin, and then tap on a light-diffusing concealer, like Charlotte Tilbury Mini Miracle Eye Wand Dynamic Duo Lift & Light Reflector (available in five shades) to add a little *sparkle* to your eye area.
Carly Cardellino was the beauty director at Cosmopolitan. If you follow her Instagram, then you know she'll try just about any beauty trend or treatment once (the pics of her purple hair are on IG to prove it). But her favorite part about being in beauty is finding the most effective products, and then sharing that intel with others—because who wants to spend money on stuff that doesn't work? No one, that's who. Her most recent discovery: De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment, which will change your blemish-clearing game! Hopefully through the beauty stories she writes—and the experiences she shares—you can see exactly why she's in this business.
