Tips for Concealing Under-Eye Circles
Even though they are generally associated with the signs of aging, under-eye circles can afflict people of all ages. In young people, under-eye circles usually occur due to:
- Allergies
- Stress
- Smoking or drug abuse
- Congestion (enlarges and darkens veins between your eye and nose area)
- Irregular pigmentation of the skin
- Sun damage (causes increased melanin production in the skin)
- Damaged vessels around eyes (such as due to injury or frequently rubbing your eyes)
The under-eye circles we associate with aging caused because fat and connective tissues in skin break down, making the skin thinner and looser. It makes the blood vessels underneath the eyes much more visible.
Note: if your under-eye circles appear suddenly without apparent 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. It is because the cold will cause the blood vessels to contract. Slices of cucumbers are a right, 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.
- Get a Full Night’s Sleep: If you aren’t getting enough sleep, then your skin becomes paler, 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 misapply makeup, 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. It will only make the bags under your eyes seem puffier. The key to hiding those under-eye circles is to use a foundation that 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 a foundation that explicitly made for underneath the eye—these makeups designed for the sensitive skin of the eye area. Still apply under-eye makeup with your ring finger (as it has the gentlest touch) or a soft makeup sponge. Never rub the mascara on as this can further damage the blood vessels under your eyes and worsen the dark areas.
