In a perfect world, a decent night of sleep would be something that everyone could count on. There would be no need to worry about dark circles, bags under the eyes, or just the general concern of whether or not it's obvious that you were up way too late last night. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world! We live in a world where sometimes you end up too invested in a Netflix binge or a work project and wind up looking like you've got two black eyes.
No worries, though. We also live in a world where, thanks to the internet (particularly Cosmopolitan,) we have a lot of resources to help us fight off the consequences of late nights and early mornings.
Here are our top five favorite solutions for looking like you got a full 8 hours.
Put potato slices over your eyes. We know, we know. There are cucumbers out there, though, and this sounds outright crazy - but let us explain. Potatoes have an enzyme called catecholase, which is a natural skin brightener that will help fight dark circles. Just lay a thin slice over each of your eyes and let it sit for about 10 minutes a couple of times a week. It's that simple.
Cut down on sodium and eat more potassium. Salt causes swelling because it makes us retain water, which can obviously contribute to making the face look puffy. Potassium is a natural way to help reduce bloating, along with plenty of vitamin B.
Lay tea bags over your eyes. Not only is caffeine incredibly effective for tightening the skin when applied topically, tea bags can help to relieve other annoying eye-related problems too, like itching and watering. Moisten your classic black tea bag and lay it over your eyes to soak for a while. Make sure it's cool, though! The goal is to soothe, not burn.
Look into an antihistamine if you notice that your dark circles and discolorations start to appear during allergy season. According to ophthalmologist Robert Mirsky, "Allergens cause swelling in the vessels under your skin, and rubbing your eyes can bruise those same vessels, resulting in a darker shadow." It's definitely worth looking into!
Drink water. We know everyone acts like water is the holy grail for fixing anything, from insomnia to skin problems, but that's only because...well, it is! Water can help to counterbalance the effects of alcohol (if you were up late partying) including the expansion of blood vessels, which can give you that splotchy, red, dark circle chic. One-to-one with cocktails and water should do it and, honestly, drinking more water is always a good idea.
There are plenty of other good ideas out there for taking care of this problem, like concealer and eye cream, but these ways are super simple, and you're most likely to be able to get your hands on the supplies ASAP. Give 'em a shot next time you're rocking a look that screams "raccoon-chic" instead of "well-rested".
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