Tag: dark circles

GET RID OF DARK CIRCLES

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Why does the skin around the eyes always exhibit the first signs of aging? Well, this skin is incredibly thin – actually the thinnest in the body. Along with that fact, we are constantly squinting and smiling to form repetitive wrinkles. On top of that, the lack of oil glands around the eyes make this skin especially susceptible to damage from our lifestyle choices. Oil glands keep our skin moist and hydrated and stem cells from the follicles help the skin to repair.

8 EYE MASK RECIPES TO SOOTHE + REPAIR

Since the eye skin is deficient in this ability, it needs some extra TLC. So, let’s talk about how we can step up our eye game to avoid those pesky lines and crow’s feet. A few simple changes will benefit anyone who wants healthy skin around your eyes includes:

  • hydrate with water – increase your daily water intake. Water will keep your skin properly hydrated and allow your lymphatics under your eyes to drain impurities.
  • treat allergies – if you have inflammation around the eyes due to seasonal allergies, get to the root of the allergy. If you are itchy, it is especially important not to rub your eyes as this will lead to dark circles. Instead, apply a cool compress or cool chamomile tea bags to the area.
  • exercise regularly – increased blood flow delivers nutrients and removes waste build up and supports renewal.
  • get plenty of sleep – this is when it all happens. Your body needs a break to regenerate and repair.
  • eat whole foods – Processed foods with chemicals make you inflamed, bloated, and it shows with puffy eyes.
  • protect – wear sunglasses and an under-eye sunscreen. UV radiation is #1 cause of collagen breakdown and thin eye skin is especially susceptible.
  • use a nightly eye cream – nourish your skin from the inside AND from the outside.

All of the above tips are wonderful for overall under-eye health, but there’s even more we can do to treat this delicate area of the face! Weekly eye masks can help target different under-eye needs, from locking in moisture to de-puffing.

PUFFY EYE MASKS:

  • Rose + Cucumber Eye Mask

Ever wonder why sliced cucumbers are common additions in photos, television and movie scenes featuring face and eye masks? Rich in ascorbic acid and phytochemicals, cucumbers help tighten and soothe skin.

But instead of placing cucumber slices over your closed eyelids, this blended mask will reach the inner and outer corners of the eyes with concentrated vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

Cut your cotton rounds into two half moon shapes. This mask should make quite a few pairs, so cut more than you think you’ll need.

In a blender, puree the cucumber and rose water until liquified. Transfer to a bowl, then soak the cotton rounds in the mixture, squeezing out excess and then re-soaking for optimal absorption. Store the extra soaked cotton rounds in a Ziploc bag in the freezer for future use.

Thaw the eye pads for about 10 minutes before you use them, but make sure they are still cool as the temperature will also help with reducing puffiness. To apply, place the half moon eye pad underneath the eye, making sure to apply close to the bottom lash line. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.

  • Coffee Mask

For a morning wake-me-up, in addition to coffee in your mug, try it under your eyes as well! For an easy mask, combine coffee grounds with the vitamins and proteins of egg white, which tighten and firm skin. Puffy eyes and pesky crow’s feet, be gone! 

  • 1 egg white
  • 2 teaspoons unused coffee grounds

Beat mixture together with a fork until frothy, about 1 minute. With clean hands or a brush, apply the mask around and under the eyes. Let sit for  10 minutes. Use a soft, wet towel to gently clean off the mask. Follow with a caffeine-infused eye cream.

  • Soothing Chamomile Eye Mask

You can make chamomile tea anywhere, even in a hotel, as kettles are usually available in every room. Simply apply the tea bags to your tired eyes and enjoy a soothing warm mug before bed. 

  • 2 chamomile tea bags
  • mug
  • hot water
  • wash cloth

Steep two tea bags for 3 minutes in hot water, remove and set aside to cool to room temperature and then place over your eyes for 15 minutes. You can layer a cool washcloth over your eyes to keep the tea bags wet. Remove and follow with your moisturizer and eye oil.

WRINKLE & CROW’S FEET EYE MASKS

  • Egg White Eye Mask

You’ll find egg whites in many anti-wrinkle masks for the face, and the eye area is no exception. Egg whites have been known to reduce the appearance of fine lines, while antioxidant rich vitamin E fights free radicals.

Vitamin E is extremely hydrating and often is used to treat eczema or psoriasis, thus a great ingredient for the dryer area around the eyes. Vitamin E can be extracted from vitamin E capsules or purchase a separate vitamin E oil for the following eye mask recipe. 

  • 2 egg whites separated from the yolk
  • 1 capsule or 5 drops of vitamin E

Beat the egg whites until they’re frothy and then mix in the vitamin E oil. Apply the mixture with your fingertips or a makeup brush to the under-eye area, careful not ignore the outer edges of the eyes where expression and squint lines form. Leave on for 10 minutes.

  • Carrot Eye Mask

This wrinkle-fighting eye mask uses carrots, egg white and aloe vera, which makes it a power combo of retinol, vitamins, and protein. All the fancy ingredients you would find in an expensive eye cream, but completely natural, and definitely on the cheap side. You can apply this mask to the rest of your face as well, or you can use it as part of a multi-masking combination. 

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon finely shredded regular carrot.
  • 1 teaspoon aloe vera

Combine egg white, carrot and aloe vera in a small bowl and whisk with a fork until frothy (about 1 minute). Let the mask dry for at least 15 minutes or up to 30 minutes. Use a soft, wet towel to gently clean off the mask. Finish with moisturizer.

  • Mega Moisturizing DIY Eye Mask

This mega moisturizing eye mask is made with coconut oil and vitamin E, to visibly smooth fine wrinkles and cool tired eyes right away. A trick for the long term is to avoid exposing your eyes directly to the daytime sun, by wearing sunglasses and hats, and applying SPF cream. 

  • 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, melted if needed
  • 1 capsule vitamin E oil

Combine ingredients in a bowl. Cut cotton pads to fit the under-eye area. Soak cotton pads in solution and freeze for a few minutes until icy cold. Apply to eye area and place eye cotton pad on top. Let sit for 15 minutes and remove. Follow with eye cream.

DARK CIRCLE EYE MASKS

A cure for dark circles that only costs 99 cents? Sold! Vitamin C, chlorophyll and vitamin K in parsley help lighten skin discoloration, diminish age spots and reduce puffiness. So go ahead and add that bunch of parsley to your shopping cart, even if you’re not planning on making soup any time soon. 

  • Handful of fresh, organic parsley
  • 1 tablespoon yogurt

Roughly chop parsley then grind with a wooden spoon until the leaves release their juice. Add yogurt and stir. Apply with fingers or cotton balls and let mask sit for 10-15 minutes. Repeat twice a week to reduce discoloration. 

  • Milk & Turmeric Eye Mask

Turmeric masks are excellent for brightening complexions and evening out skin tone, and they even work on pesky dark circles. Combine with milk for a bit of gentle exfoliation.

  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon milk or buttermilk

Mix ingredients together in a small bowl and then use a brush to paint onto your under-eye area (avoiding the eyes). Leave on for 15 minutes and then carefully wipe off the mask.

  • Potato slices

Potato slices offer the same effect as cucumber—the cooling of the skin can reduce the vascular congestion to improve the appearance of this area, according to Dr. Ilyas. Her only concern surrounding the application of potatoes on the skin is that they may contain catecholase, which can actually darken the skin. “Catecholase is an enzyme that can promote melanin production,” she says.  

What home remedies to you use for your eyes? We’d love to hear your tips and tricks! 

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Beat Dark Circles at Home!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Looking tired lately or want to rid those dark circles? Try these at home remedies that work, remember these remedies are natural and gentle, so give it at least a couple of weeks before you see results.

Almond Oil: Massage gently under your eyes every night. Make sure to wash the formula off in the morning.

Lemon and Tomato Juice
In a bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of tomato juice, lemon juice, and flour. Beat the mixture with a fork until a smooth paste. Apply the paste under your eyes and leave for approximately 10 minutes. Remove the paste before it dries by rubbing very softly. Try doing this once a day, this remedy should show results after just a few days!

Cucumber Juice
Shred one cucumber in a food processor then uses the strainer to squeeze the juice out. Place in refrigerator for approximately one hour. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and mix. Saturate Cotton ball with mixture and place on each eye for 15 minutes, wash thoroughly and apply almond oil to the area for moisture. Repeat once daily.

Grated Potato
Grate a fresh potato and squeeze the juice out with a strainer. Dip your cotton ball in the juice and place on both eyes for 10 minutes. Wash the area thoroughly and moisturize with almond oil. Repeat 3 times a week. Note, potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase found often in cosmetic skin lighteners.

Vitamin 101 | Even Skin Toner (Takes 10.5 Seconds to Make)

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

I try a TON of makeup and skincare products–needless to say, my skin takes a beating for it! Of course, knowing what to use on my skin really helps! Without some simple techniques, my skin starts to look dull and completely uneven! Not to mention I break out, veeeery easily!! One of the best things to do when I have no time but need some freshening up is to actually use cucumber juice and rub it on my face with a cotton pad! Of course making fresh cucumber juice can be time-consuming, so sometimes (like today) I just rub cucumber slices on my face for the same effect!

12 benefits of cucumber juice

Why this is awesome: Cucumbers are AMAZING at tightening our pores and help freshen up your skin immediately! They are also great for evening skin tone and keeping skin balanced, which means fewer breakouts!! Plus, they have vitamins A & C, plus great amounts of potassium, silica, and chlorophyll, which means it not only feels great but is so healthy for your skin!

Have You Tried This? Comment how you use cucumbers!

Every Trick I’ve Learned To Get Rid Of Dark Circles

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

As you guys can probably imagine, my life has been pretty hectic: I’m always on-the-go, rushing between the office, appointments, and trying to spend every minute I can with my family. As a result, it often means my beauty sleep takes a serious hit. Admittedly, I’ve never been a great sleeper, and dark circles have always been a beauty issue of mine, which means I’ve learned almost every trick in the book: from how to prevent them with natural remedies to how to conceal them with makeup. So I thought I’d pass on all of my tips and tricks; even if you’ve been up all night – working, studying, babysitting, partying – whatever! No one will be able to tell you missed a minute of beauty sleep. Here’s everything you need to know:

What Causes Dark Circles

Dark circles are a result of two things: genetics and lifestyle choices. In the case of genetics, it can be caused by a type of hyperpigmentation in your skin (aka an overproduction of melanin, which is what gives your skin its color). Genetically, some people typically have thinner skin here (it’s usually 0.5mm, whereas the rest of your body is 2mm), which makes blood pooling in this area more obvious, which can be down to poor circulation. Lifestyle choices can also contribute, so because of thin skin, when your veins become dilated, they expand, and this makes them look darker. There are a number of reasons why your veins may become dilated – not enough sleep, stress, dehydration, dietary factors, even allergies. To work out the main culprit behind your dark circles, gently pinch the skin and lift it off the surface. If the skin remains brown, it is hyperpigmentation, and you can consult your derm for the best treatments. It could be to do with lifestyle choices, in which case I have plenty of tips on how you can easily get rid of dark circles.

How To Prevent Dark Circles From Forming

sleepy

1. Sleep well

I know this may sound super simple, but this sleeping hack can make a huge difference. When your pillows are too flat, all of the blood will collect around your eye area, so to help drain the blood and to make sure it doesn’t pool overnight, sleep on your back with an extra pillow. I also like to take a digital detox two hours before I go to sleep (although I admit, this doesn’t happen often enough), to limit my blue light exposure, and if I do have to be on my phone, I set it to nighttime mode. It takes a while to get used to at first, but it’ll make such a difference to your sleep quality, I swear.

2. Cut back on salt

As you guys probably know, sodium aka salt causes your body to retain water, but it can actually cause puffiness in your eyes as well. Cutting back on sodium will help combat puffy eyes, so you appear less tired.

3. Stay hydrated

If your body is dehydrated, it tries to compensate for the lack of hydration by retaining as much water as possible, resulting in puffiness and under-eye bags. This is why making sure you drink the recommended amount of water is super important, as it not only keeps your skin looking good, but it’ll keep dark under eyes at bay. I keep a bottle of water on my desk at all times as you’re supposed to drink a half a gallon (2 liters) of water a day.

How to get rid of dark circles

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Sweet Almond oil: There are so many amazing natural remedies for dark circles but I’ve got to admit I think Sweet Almond Oil is my fav. It’s rich in Vitamin E and K, both of which will brighten the undereye and help de-clot the blocked veins as it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce any morning swelling. All you need to do is gently pat in a drop of sweet almond oil under your eye using your fourth finger. If you do this every night, you should be able to notice a difference in a few weeks.

Potato: This is a really great remedy for dark circles as potatoes are super cheap and easy to get hold of. Not only do potatoes contain both vitamin A and C, which brighten and hydrate, but they also contain starch and other enzymes which will help get rid of dark circles. For a quick and easy DIY, I like to combine the potato juice with a little honey, which will make the application easier, while the honey will also work to hydrate the under-eye area. Once applied, leave on for 30 minutes, before wiping it away with a damp cloth. You’ll notice results within a couple of weeks if you do this every day.

Green Tea: Green tea is packed with caffeine, which can help to shrink the blood vessels in your under eyes, reducing inflammation in the veins and skin. The tannins in the tea will also restrict the blood capillaries, improving the appearance of dark circles. Some people simply like to place green tea bags under their eyes, but I find the method of mixing brewed green tea leaves with a little Vaseline to be really effective and easy. Try, Green Tea EYES by ToGoSpa – The Dark Circle Warrior – 3 Treatments, $15. Taurine and Green Tea Extract promote circulation for an extra tingly sensation. Specifically targets dark circles!  

Ice: To reduce swelling and to efficiently drain the blood from your under eyes, apply something cool. By cooling this area, the blood vessels will constrict – we use anything we have in our fridge, from cucumber slices to a cold spoon. Jade rollers are also amazing at depuffing, and you can store yours in the fridge for a quick de-puff in the mornings. Over the years, I have been using Ice Water EYES by ToGoSpa – The De-Puffer, $ 15.00, these collagen eye pads moisturize, plump and add nutrients to the delicate under-eye zone, creating a more relaxed and refreshed appearance. Also, EYES collagen gel masks are micro-infused with a combination of hyaluronic acid, natural high-density marine collagen, enzymes, amino acids, natural marine minerals, trace elements, proteins and vitamins C & E.

Try It!

I’m obsessed with the Knours Knows Sweet Enough Rescue Mask Set, $25, which is perfect to use during your period, when both body and mind are weary, or whenever skin needs a treat, this mask is formulated with restoring and hydrating honey extract – the best remedy for skin’s worst week. Like a boost of energy, the mask instantly revitalizes and rejuvenates tired skin. Also, I love Knours Knows One Perfect Cream, $48.00, this is a multi-tasking moisturizer that brightens and hydrates skin while providing age-defying benefits, leaving complexion dewy and perfectly prepped for makeup. Ideal for addressing multiple skin concerns at once, the at-home beauty treatment is the one and only moisturizer skin will need. The Double Duty Mist, $36, is good too. A customizable toner with two layers that transforms to address complexion needs. The bottom layer contains aloe vera water and MultiEx BSASM Plus® to calm and soothe; the top layer features jojoba oil and botanical extracts to deeply nourish and moisturize. Its packed with botanicals to immediately lift, brighten, and depuff the under eye area. They’re quite pricey, but are the best!

How to conceal dark circles:

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Color correct: When it comes to concealing dark circles, you can balance them out by using opposite shades that will ‘cancel’ the color. It’s all about finding the right tone to color correct the particular shade of your dark circles. If your under eyes have a red or pink undertone, you should neutralize the area with a concealer with a yellow undertone, whereas if your dark circles have a blue or grey tint, you should use a peachy concealer to counteract the undertones.

Conceal: Naturally, concealer is the easiest way to say bye Felicia to dark circles. I prefer a full coverage formula, and then I like to bake the area to add extra brightening and ensure the concealer stays in place all day and doesn’t settle into fine lines.

Let me know if there are any other beauty topics you’d like me to write about in the comments below.

**FTC: This post is not sponsored. No monetary compensation was received for this post, however, products were sent to me. Opinions are 100% my own, of course.