Your eyes are extremely expressive and will tell a person a lot about you before you even open your mouth. The “windows to our soul” is a term that’s often used to describe the eyes as they express and communicate the way people are feeling without any form of verbal communication. The size, shape and colour of your eyes really doesn’t matter because they’re all beautiful, but making sure they’re bright and healthy really is important.
Under-eye swelling, dark circles and redness are some of the most common problems that people face when it comes to their eyes, so here are some tips that will help you improve your look:
Enough sleep
With the busy lifestyles that people lead nowadays a good night’s sleep is often low down on their list of priorities and although this means they have a great professional and social life, it doesn’t bode well for their eyes. If you don’t get at least the recommended amount of sleep each night – minimum of six hours, but ideally should be around eight – then you’re likely to wake up with puffy, dark eyes.
The way that you sleep also has a surprising impact on how your eyes look when you wake up. If you sleep with your head on an extra pillow so that it’s slightly elevated then it should help the fluid that builds up around your eyes to drain downwards – preventing it from building up through the night. Your sleeping position is also really important and sleeping on your back will significantly reduce the puffiness of your eyes compared to sleeping on your side or stomach.
Diet and fluids
Everything you choose to eat and drink also has an effect on the puffiness of your skin the next day. Foods that are high in fat and salt, along with simple carbs like pasta, white bread, sweets and cakes, for example, will make your body retain water, which will cause you to become bloated and your skin to be puffy the next day.
Fish and lean meats such as chicken, on the other hand, will prevent your body from holding onto unnecessary water, which means that you won’t be bloated in the morning and your skin will not be puffy.
Drinking water throughout the day is also a great way to reduce water retention and puffiness as it helps to continually flush out excess water and toxins that start to build up in the body. Green tea also has this effect and drinking it after meals will encourage the flow of urine to flush extra fluids from the body.
Quick morning remedies
Waking up with puffy eyes isn’t uncommon but for the majority of people the initial puffiness subsides pretty quickly. For others, however, it sticks around for the entire day and leaves people looking tired and unrested. There’s no need to freak out if you’re one of those people who’s unfortunate enough to suffer with puffy skin throughout the day because there are some really quick and easy remedies that will help to reduce the swelling right away:
Cold cucumber: Cut a few fine slices from a cucumber and apply them, one at a time, to closed eyes. After three minutes, repeat the process with fresh slices. The cool cucumber will help to soothe the skin and reduce puffiness thanks to it having a high water content and containing forms of vitamin C. It is these properties of cucumbers that help to reduce swelling, irritation and water retention around the eyes. Using cucumber will also leave your skin looking, feeling and smelling fresh.
Cold green/black tea bags: Put two of your chosen tea bags into a cup of hot water and either leave the cup in the fridge overnight or wait for the water to cool. In the morning, or once the water’s cool – whichever you prefer – squeeze out the tea bags so that they’re still damp but don’t have tea dripping from them and then apply them to closed eyes for five minutes. The tea bags give the same effect as cucumber slices as well as helping to reduce any inflammation and improving circulation which consequently tightens the skin and makes your eyes look wide and awake.
Cold potato: Just as you did with the cucumber, cut several thin slices from a raw, peeled potato and place them onto your eyes for five minutes. The potato has the same awakening effects as the cucumber and tea so once you’ve removed the slices, you’re good to go.
Frozen spoon: If you don’t have any of the items mentioned above then put a spoon in the freezer overnight and in the morning place it under your eyes. Keep it in place for 30 seconds under one eye and then do the same to the other; repeat this process three or four times on each eye and you’ll be amazed by the results.
Eye cream
After washing your face in the morning, there’s no harm in applying an eye cream or gel as part of your beauty regime. The majority of products that are intended for the sensitive eye area will not only help to reduce the puffiness of the skin around your eyes but they’ll also help to reduce any signs of aging too.
Cosmetic illusions
If you know what you’re doing with make-up then you can really work wonders when it comes to disguising redness, dark circles and puffiness. Using make-up to help disguise these negatives can also make your eyes appear bigger and even alter their shape.
Redness: Redness in or around your eyes will make you look tired throughout the day even when you’re feeling bright and cheery which means that this is the first thing you should address in the morning. You can pick up anti-redness or eye brightening eye drops at pretty much any chemist or supermarket and they’ll leave your eyes looking bright, white and healthy.
Dark circles: Dark circles can be a hereditary condition but they can also be caused by lack of sleep and stress. Although those that are caused because of lack of sleep are likely to disappear of their own accord as soon as you de-stress and get a few hours of extra kip, they do make you appear tired and also age your face which is why a good concealer is a must-have make-up companion.
Big eyes: Big eyes are seen to be exceptionally beautiful, but obviously they don’t come naturally to everyone, which is why make-up illusions are exceptionally handy. When trying to make your eyes appear bigger you’ll need black or brown and a white eyeliner, a light and medium eye shadow shade along with a shimmer shadow too. Use the lighter shadow shade over the eyelid and brow bone while filling in the crease of the eye with the darker shade. After using your choice of darker eyeliner on the top lash line only, use the shimmer shadow on the inner corners of your eyes and then use the white eyeliner on the bottom lash line. This little tip will help you achieve the killer eyes you’ve always wanted.
Luscious lashes: Eyelash curlers are a must-have if you’re intent on making your eyes look wide and bright. Once you’ve curled your eyelashes, give them a double coat of mascara to widen your eyes further, then you’re set to go.
Healthy lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle is really important, not only for your overall health but also for your appearance. Eating healthily and drinking plenty of water are obviously important, but so too are exercise and getting plenty of sleep. Refraining from smoking or drinking alcohol will also work wonders. Staying healthy will have a wondrous effect on your eyes making sure they look radiant even on the cloudiest of days.