Under Eye Problems

Here's a dose from Dr. Jessica Wu of the Daily Glow =):

Whether you want to look relaxed and in control at work or be fresh-faced for a new date, there are ways to minimize dark under-eye circles. Here are some common causes of dark circles, along with ways to treat them:
 
Excess skin pigmentation on the upper part of the cheekbone and under the eyes can lead to dark circles. This can be hereditary or caused by freckles and sun damage. One way to tell if you have excess pigment is to gently pull down on the lower eyelid. Do the spots move with the skin? If so, skin-brightening creams may help. One study showed that a cream containing licorice extract and hyaluronic acid reduced dark circles after six weeks. Both of these ingredients are found in C. Booth Black Licorice Eye Cream ($12.99 at drugstore.com).
 
Thin lower-eyelid skin can also produce dark circles when the dark eyelid muscles are visible beneath the skin (the same way that black panties are visible through thin white pants). Another study showed that a gel containing retinol helped reduce dark circles after four weeks, possibly by thickening the skin of the lower eyelid. Try Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Eye Cream (about $19 at drugstores).
 
Under-eye bags can produce shadows and hollows underneath them that accentuate dark circles. If you wake up with puffy lids, try soaking cotton balls in cold soy milk and holding them on your closed lids for a few minutes in the morning. The cold temperature and anti-inflammatory properties of soy can help shrink swollen tissues and reduce puffiness. However, if you have under-eye bags caused by fat deposits, topical treatments won't be enough to shrink them and reduce the circles. These types of circles may require injectable fillers to fill in the hollows or surgical removal of the bags.

Revlon Under Eye Concealer Review

For those of you that reviewed this product with me please send any pictures you wish to have posted, email your reviews or leave you thoughts in the comments. Can't wait to hear what you thought!

Reader Request: Dark Under Eye Circles

 

I got an email from Erica asking about under eye circles. I know that a LOT of my readers have this problem!!! Those pesky critters (am I Davy Crockett?) are famously annoying and unforch, there's no way to get rid of them. However, you have options for concealing them. So let us focus on the positive and we will do our BEST to get the right product in your hands and learn some tips for proper application. Let's tackle your first option:

*Concealer*

You should look for a concealer than is moisturizing and won't give you "dinosaur skin" under your eyes. Of course with a creamier product, you need to set it well with a good setting powder. Try to pick a shade (remember yellow will combat blue) lighter than your foundation. If your circles are super dark then try two shades. PLEASE don't go TOO light or you will look like a raccoon!!! I've dealt with models that have this problem and there are a few products that are my "go to's". I'll share them with ya cuz I like ya so much =):

- Sue Devitt Automatic Camouflage

 - Erase Paste by Benefit (super creamy, use Powderflage to set)

 - Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

- Laura Mercier's Undercover

(best drugstore find? Maybelline's New York Cover Stick) 

I also find that if you really want to pull out the big guns then use a highlighter on the inner corners to brighten! My most fav and an overall crowd please is the Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat. Did you know that this product is SO popular that one is sold somewhere in the world every 20 seconds??? You can use this also for contouring!

Now I have Gwen Stefani's song (and maybe my ring tone) playing in my head,"Now that you got it whachu gonna do about it?" You have your concealer, how the JUNK do ya put it on??? Well I'll TELL you...

• Moisturize eye area and let it "soak" into your skin for a minute.
• Add a primer to you face and coat your under eye well so that when you use concealer, it will be less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
• Apply concealer with fingers or a brush (I aDORE using a MAC 217 for this!!!).
  
• Blend softly so it becomes "one" with your skin. Don't tug because the under eye is very delicate and you'll just make the concealer travel.
• Set it with a loose powder (I swear by Benefit Powderflage). I like to use a sponge or any fluffy soft brush (MAC 224 is a great example). 

Option Two:

*Eye Cream*

Invest in a vitamin-K based product. Basically buy an eye cream like Vita-K Solution gel or Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue that can help strengthen capillary walls so dark circles and veins become less visible. 

Option Three:

*Laser Treatment*

If you have chronic under eye circles than you can contact your trusty doctor about lasers. Lasers can thicken the skin by increasing collagen production, so you are less likely to see veins, according to Los Angeles facialist Kate Somerville in InStyle mag (LOVE it!!!).

So that is what I have found to be helpful and I hope that helped you too! Remember that going to Sephora can be SO much fun because you can test out EvErYtHiNg!!! Do it and DON'T be ashamed. I look like an absolute FREAK by the time I walk out of there. Like I'm totally tribal and preparing for war! Join me, it's fun to be "special" LOL.