under-eye circles
 

does anyone else have a bit of this problem?

i used to work late-late nights on weekends, and i think since then, i've damaged the skin under my eyes. i always wear concealer to cover them up, but it's really annoying..i wish i didn't have to hide anything.

does anyone else have this problem? even if i sleep 10 hours,
i still have them, but they do look slightly better. however, then never go awayyyyyy!!! i've tried putting cucumbers on them, but it does nothing..

anything you can suggest?

I'll be curious to know the answer too. I also have the same thing and I sleep more than enough. I just figured it was age since I'm nearing 30. Yikes...30 just hit me I have 2 years left...nm sorry about the threadjack for a moment....

Anyway, I use concealer, but it never really works to hide the circles. I've always taken great care of my face with name brand cleaners, masks, toners, etc. and still have the black bags. :( Great question and I'll be curious to see any solutions.

The basics:

-Get plenty of sleep (you're already doing this).
-Excercise daily. This will improve your circulation, which in turn improves skin health.
-Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated (good for the skin in all kinds of ways, and all sorts of other things)
-Eat a good diet and take a multivitamin with a good amount of vitamin K.
-Use a good high pigment concealer and foundation and take the time to apply it well and make sure you blend thoroughly.
-Take good care in the evening to remove makeup correctly with a good quality makeup remover, use a good facial cleanser, and use an astrigent to clean and tighten pores afterwards. Never let soap come anywhere near your face.

If the basic stuff doesn't work, consult with your cosmetologist or, in the more extreme, dermatologist.

Gilda

Sometimes, even when you take care of yourself, you develop these under-eye circles. It's very often genetic. I'm slavic, and believe me I've dealt with them since my early twenties. The skin there is thinner than anywhere else, so it's gonna show your troubles there first. It'd be great to not have to worry about using concealor, but honestly, I don't know if that's realistic once you get to a point where it's noticable. Sorry.

So here are come great cosmetics to try:
Laura Mercier undereye concealor. This stuff is da bom. It's also pricey. By the way, this is different from Laura Mercier's regular concealor (which is also *really* good). It's creamier and easier to spead in the delicate undereye area. I use both, and have yet to find anything better. I think it works best when applied with a small, sythentic bristle brush.

Chanel Touche Eclat. This comes in a pen-like dispenser with the brush built in. You just click the end and the concealor comes out through the brush. Comes in a pink-tone and a yellow tone. This isn't as heavy-coverage as the Laura Mercier stuff, but it also works as a brightener. It's great, and also somewhat pricy. I like it a lot, but personally I need more coverage.

For drugstore products, I also use Cover Girl's concealor...I think it's CG, I actually can't remember the specifics just now, but I can post them later if anyone wants. It's a liquid that comes in a tube. I also apply it with a brush, you want to be sure not to damage the skin there with heavy rubbing.

Hope that helps.

Count me among the dark-bags people. *sigh*
I use Almay concealer with Kinetin. You want to use the creamy moisturizing stuff like Sultana said - and this works well for that. Supposedly the Kinetin also helps with the darkness. I also use Dermalogica's Extra Firming Booster under my eyes - it reduces the puffiness _noticeably_. Just gently dab a little under your eyes (I also put a little above, in the inner crease area), and let it soak in before using a concealer.

Brushes are great if you know how to use them, but it's easy to accidentally irritate that sensitive skin instead. I find the most natural finish is from my fingertips - gently tapping the color to blend, never rubbing. Use a little at a time, and layer it to your preferred level. Also remember - slightly darker circles are generally more attractive than cakey eye makeup. Don't go too heavy or too light a color. Experiment and be forgiving - it always looks worse to us.

I was born with them, can't really hide them as they are also a crease. The skin under and around your eyes is thinner and the blood vessels closer to the surface, so swelling seems more pronounced. (for me, swelling is a godsend-the creases aren't as noticeable!)
Keep the area moisturized as well as trying to conceal it. I use eyeliner under my eyes, in addition to adding a bit of depth (I have hardly any lashes at all there), it draws some attention away from the circles-just don't make it really dark liner or you'll look like you have crop circles there. I also use a flesh-toned eyeshadow to keep the line thin and from spreading. Never use a concealer lighter than your face. I have also seen on (I think it was) Oprah, concealer should go on LAST not first, then blended into the rest of your makeup. Finish off with a good powder if that's your choice.
And if none of our suggestions work, there's always tinted glasses :)

I've always had dark circles. Mom used to say it was allergies. But all the women in my family have deepset eyes which seems to accentuate the shadows. My Grandmother's eye's looked like those of an empty skull almost by the time she passed away. Also I have pale skin and the blood vessels show through quite clearly.

I have noticed that sleeping too much as well as too little seems to make them darker. Also a lot of coffee or alcohol seem to bring them out. It also brings out my Rosacea as well which is affected by dialating the blood vessels partly.

I usually use a covergirl concealor when I do use makeup on them. Otherwise I've gone back to wearing my eyeglasses - the somewhat camoflage them too.

I had it when I was younger because of too much salt in my diet, so try cutting back and see if it works.

Age is just a number my dear :)

and at just 28? you're a spring chicken!

sweetpea

I have an auto-immue disorder... so dark circles are something i have daily since my system is always fighting something, nothing i can do about it... but eh, i don't really mind.

Although i'm going to try what LaFemmeFatal suggested and cut down on my sodium. Good suggestion!

sweetpea

she's so smart isn't she? :D

*lust* smart girls always turn me on.....

:icare:

sweetpea

Also, perhaps a green tinted concealer? Isn't green supposed to counteract the purplishness of undereye circles? I am really not an expert in that area...

I would say one of your best bets would be to go get a makeover somewhere- perhaps at a spa or at least by a licensed estetician (the people who go to school to learn how to make other people look good). They'll know more about skin color theory, what colors works best on a particular skin tone/type, etc. The best defense is a good offense!

green is good for getting rid of reddness... Yellow, I believe is good for getting rid of dark patches, and I can't recall what lavendar does... It's usually rosacea that people try to cover...

Excellent idea to go to a makeup counter-- I'd try Clinque...

Ya, yellow, that's what I meant!

*goes to study her color wheel again*

http://www.facialplasticsurgery.net/...ye_circles.htm

When all else fails. Were I to ever cave to the plastic surgery temptation, this is the first thing I'd have done.

I've always had undereye circles since I can remember. Nothing I've ever tried has gotten rid of them. I have just learned to live with them.

omg i would never resort to surgery!

I read some of that site Jaca. I find it interesting that they stress that you should be very stable emotionally/psychologically.
For me to consider this I would have to have EXTREMELY dark circles, even to the point of looking like constant black eyes. There are enough potential problems post surgery or even DURING surgery. They say they will prescribe multiple pain medications including Valium, which suggests to me that the recovery period can be very painful. Also they said that the redness can persist up to 3 months post surgery.
I would have to be emotionally AND psychologically unstable to even consider putting my face through this pain and risk. I cannot comprehend someone who WAS stable truely considering this unless the mar on their face was actually more than the average undereye circle.

All women should start using a good eye cream in their early 20s.

Personally, I steal my mom's All About Eyes: http://www.clinique.com/templates/pr...UCT_ID=PROD503

i've heard Clinique products have a lot of chemicals.. :|
and i've used their products before and i find they irritated my skin.

my mom just bought an olive oil based cream, all natural, and it seems to be pretty good. anyone know of any olive oil creams that are good? i'm talking for the face.

also, another question: is it bad to use eye creams at a young age? mid-twenties? what kind of eye cream do you look for? anti-wrinkle? lol
i'm so clueless .. :rolleyes:

MOST products have lots of chemicals. That's why we buy them - for the most up-to-date engineered moisturizer that will soothe, even, moisturize, slice dice and julienne fries!
Ahem. Sorry. :lol:

The better you take care of your skin now, the longer it retains the elasticity of youth, so no, it's fine to use stuff early. Just make sure not to use those products that have too much active stuff for your skin. I.e., products for women's skin in their 50's is different than products for women's skin in their 20's. We might want a smidgeon of retin-A or something, but a 50 year old might want a larger amount that would be bad for us.

The best thing is simplicity, for most people. Find one cleanser that really feels good. Find one exfoliation method (whether it's a scrub or a wash cloth or whatever). Use the least amount of product you can, and still have healthy even skin. I use something for my eyes, and something for my face. In the winter, the face stuff is a slightly heavier moisturizer because I live in a cold climate; in the summer, I use the lightest thing I can get away with (skinceuticals B5 gel, it's mostly adhering water to your skin).

And yes, Mal is right - greens to neutralize red spots, and yellows to brighten dark/blue spots.

i tend to really like thick moisturizers like Nivea..
my skin drinks it up..
i'm looking for a thick moisturizer for the face, that's as natural as possible...and preferable made from olive oil...is that too much to ask for? :rolleyes:

if any one is interested in home remedies, here are some:

1. milk with honey: mix cold whatever % milk wth honey and wash your face with it after removing your makeup at the end o f the day.

2. cool sandal wood paste under your eyes help. Buy sandal wood powder..should be able to get them at any indian grocery store. mix with water (..should be and the consistency of say your foundation)...appy generously around your eyes. Make sure you dont have any make up on. Leave it on till it dries up ~15min, wash it off with cold water.

ciao