Eye baggage sadly affects most of us and one of the most common questions I get asked whilst I'm working is how to get rid of bags. Although concealing through makeup can cosmetically cover the problem, it doesn't actually help to get rid of it, I have done alot of research on this topic (days of research, actually) so I can deliver the best information to you. My head is still buzzing from all the Scientific facts, its causing me a migraine. So, forgive me for going a bit 'Professor' and serious on you in this post, but eye bags are one of the biggest hang ups a woman has. I hope this helps, and if it does, drop me a message of appreciation for all my hard work. :)
Bags under the eyes are caused by a number of different things. One of those things is fat under the eye. The eye sits in a layer of fat to protect the eye area and as you naturally age, or if you have a very unhealthy lifestyle, the membrane breaks down and sags. Luckily, we can help prevent this by keeping the structure moisturised and strong. If the eye area is strong it keeps it flat. If it is flat, it is less likely to sag. A great, and one of my favourites is a cheap Boots Vitamin E eye cream. Its 1.99. It lightly nourishes the eye area. Whey protein is a good ingredient to look out for as it helps to make it strong. Cliniques 'All About Eyes' contains this, along with caffeine which tightens the area.
Another problem is cholesterol under the eyes which can be genetic, or a result of too much salt in your diet. It also can cause the membrane to break down, creating bags. Smoking, drinking, drug abuse and lack of sleep, causes a build up of fat under the eyes which creates a bulge. Its pretty simple to see what the treatment for these causes could be. Early nights, less alcohol and no drugs etc. But if you live like theres no tomorrow and party like its 1999, a quick fix for you could be haemorrhoid cream. No, I'm not taking the Michael. Old Hollywood stars used it under their eyes to tighten the area and, ahem, I've actually tried this one myself after a big night and it does actually work. Another, less embarrassing quick fix is Green Tea ice cubes. Make a cup of super strong Green Tea, let it cool down then pour it into an ice tray. Cut up some gauze strips and when the ice has set, wrap the gauze around the ice cube well and press around your eye area. A lot of makeup artists use this technique on models or celebs before a red carpet event or a photo shoot as it is really works.
Fluid retention is very common, it also can be genetic but also it can be brought on by yourself. Again, lack of sleep and an unhealthy lifestyle will create congestion around that area which will make the area puffy. Treatments and ingredients which can help to break this down are drinking plenty water to keep hydrated and massage around the eye area to drain the congestion. Lymph nodes are situated around the temple so aim for them when you are massaging. Apply your eye cream and gently tap with your ring finger around the optical bone. Then, using your ring finger again, just gently drag up and away towards the temple. Do this every time you apply your cream or if you have been sitting staring at your computer screen, or watching TV for a long time. Garnier do a great eye cream which has a roller ball on the end to massage with, it also contains concealer which can help cover up darkness, Fluid retention can also be caused by applying too much eye cream. Under eye skin is much thinner and too much can flood the area causing the opposite effect. The eye cannot absorb a lot of cream so keep it light. You want to be roughly applying the size of a grain of rice amount.
A few more ingredients to look for in eye creams are Hyaluronic acid. It is great to use on the skin as well as under the eyes as its already naturally found in the body. It keeps the skin looking fresh and youthful. It plumps up the skin and keeps it firm. Caffeine is good for puffiness and fat under the eyes, its works by travelling into the hyper dermis where fat cells live. Caffeine doesn't break up the cells it changes the metabolism from storing fat to burning fat so the cells shrink. Clinique Repairwear I think, is one of the best buys as it contains peptides which fight wrinkles and whey protein which I explained about earlier.
Darkness under the eyes can be caused by a few things. It may just be the way your face is shaped. If you have naturally high cheek bones this can create a hollow under your eye which creates a shadow. It can also be that the skin under the eye is very thin and translucent. If the darkness under your eyes is a bluey purpley colour bags then this is probably coming from broken capillaries. Eyes are very sensitive and rubbing your eyes or applying too much pressure from creams could have caused this. Think of it like a bruise. Vitamin K is good for bluey purpley but its very hard to get hold of in the UK. Haloxl, which is found in No7 Protect and Perfect is another key ingredient. Pigmentation is a big cause of under eye darkness. Again this is generally genetic but if you are prone to hyper pigmentation avoid the obvious causes. Wear sunglasses and a high sunscreen. Vitamin c is great for pigmentation and Murad Essential C eye cream is a good one to choose and also contains an SPF 15.
I hope you found this useful and not only because it has taken me forever to complete, but because like I said, its one of the biggest moans us women have. So, follow these tips, pack your eye bags and send them into exile. No permission to return!
