Tips for Concealing Under-Eye Circles
Under-eye circles are one of the most common beauty problems. Even though they are normally associated with the signs of aging, under-eye circles can afflict people of all ages. In young people, under-eye circles normally occur due to:
- Allergies
- Stress
- Smoking or drug abuse
- Congestion (enlarges and darkens veins between your eye and nose area)
- Irregular pigmentation of skin
- Sun damage (causes increased melanin production in skin)
- Damaged vessels around eyes (such as due to injury or frequently rubbing your eyes)
The under-eye circles we associate with aging are caused because fat and connective tissues in skin break down, making skin thinner and looser. This makes the blood vessels underneath the eyes much more visible.
Note: if your under-eye circles appear suddenly without obvious reason (such as lack of sleep), are severe, or only under one eye, then you should consult a doctor. In rare cases, under-eye circles can be a sign of a health problem.
Reducing Under-Eye Circles
There are some simple ways to reduce under-eye circles at home without the use of expensive creams or therapies.
- Apply Cold: If you apply cold to your eyes, it can help reduce the appearance of under-eye circles temporarily. This is because the cold will cause the blood vessels to contract. Slices of cucumbers are a good, soothing choice as well as dampened refrigerated tea bags.
- Prop Your Head Up during Sleep: Try sleeping with an additional pillow so your head is raised above the rest of your body. This will keep blood from pooling in your eye area and reduce inflammation and excess blood in the eye area.
- Get a Full Night’s Sleep: If you aren’t getting enough sleep, then your skin becomes more pale and your under-eye circles will be more noticeable.
Makeup Can Make Under-Eye Circles Look Worse!
As you age, it is unlikely that at-home methods for getting rid of under-eye circles will be completely effective. So, many women turn to makeup to conceal those dark spots under their eyes. The problem is that the skin underneath your eyes is particularly sensitive and the wrong makeup can make eye bags even worse. Further, many women simply apply makeup incorrectly which makes their under-eye circles more noticeable.
Do not just cake on the under-eye makeup in hopes that it will cover up the darkness. This will just make the bags under your eyes seem puffier. The key to hiding those under-eye circles is to use a foundation which is lighter than the rest of your face. Then, use a powder to blend your eye foundation with the foundation on the rest of your face.
Even though they do cost more, you should always buy foundation which specifically is made for underneath the eye. These makeups are designed for the sensitive skin of the eye area. Always apply under-eye makeup with your ring finger (as it has the gentlest touch) or a soft makeup sponge. Never rub the makeup on as this can further damage the blood vessels under your eyes and worsen the dark areas.
