Your eyes are one of the first places on your face to age. I’ve got nothing against getting older, but anything I can do to prevent looking older, I’ll try (as long as it doesn’t involve needles!).
Here are a few easy secrets I’ve learned as SELF’s editor-in-chief:
Block the sun: If you’re an outdoors person like I am, you probably know that sunglasses, even the big-framed ones everybody’s wearing now, don’t always shield the full eye area. Rays can leak in from the sides or top, and rays reflected off pavement or sand can sneak in from the bottom.
I’ve always been leery of using sunscreen near my eyes because somehow it always seems to migrate into them, and that stings! But my beauty editors turned me onto sunscreens made with mineral (as opposed to chemical) ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc, which don’t irritate. They’re often labeled "no-sting" or "tear-free." Another hint: Formulas for babies or kids may use those ingredients, too.
Fake a good night’s sleep: Believe it or not, moisturizer is the answer to lightening dark circles. That’s because undereye skin appears darker when it’s dehydrated. Look for a cream with hyaluronic acid; I can’t explain exactly how it works, but it binds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, leaving you moisturized with no greasy feel.
Prevent puffing: Pile on the pillows (even one extra will do) when it’s time to snooze. The added elevation prevents fluids from pooling underneath your eyes.
Wake up with makeup: It seems like every single makeup artist SELF talks to says one of the quickest, best ways to make eyes look big and bright is to use an eyelash curler. I confess I don’t always do this (when I’m in a hurry, it just seems like one step too many), but when I see myself in the mirror and think "You look tired," the curler’s the first thing I pull out now. Try it.
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