You’ve heard this before: The eyes are the windows to your soul – and so much more. Your eyes can reveal clues about your sleep schedule, level of , emotional state, and workaholic tendencies. One look at those puffy, tired eyes, and everyone knows you had a long night.
Can’t deal with another “You look tired” comment? Read on to uncover what may be causing your eye fatigue – plus tips to feign the I-slept-like-a-baby look. No more swollen, raccoon-like eyes ruining your busy day.
Causes of Tired Eyes
Eye bags are the hallmarks of sleep deprivation. So, it would be shocking if your eyes were droopy and sullen even after eight hours of sleep, wouldn’t it? FYI, some people genetically have more melanin or deep eye sockets, which can appear as dark circles. But if you have neither and you still have tired eyes, here are some factors that may be causing them:
- Staring at digital screens for hours. Blue-light exposure can dilate the blood vessels around the eyes. Moreover, it can delay your sleep onset, which makes it harder to catch some quality zzz.
- Fluid retention from eating salty foods. Instant ramen on a rainy night can keep the blues away, but it welcomes puffy eyes. Reduce your salt intake and drink lots of water a few hours before bedtime to prevent the appearance of tired eyes.
- Allergies. Your body releases histamine during an allergy flare-up, which irritates the eyes. All the sneezing also makes your eyes swollen and watery.
- Exposure to dry air from an AC or fan. These two summer heroes pull moisture from your body, including the eyes. The dryness can also make you more tempted to rub your peepers, breaking tiny blood vessels and darkening the under-eye area.
Quick Tips to Make Your Eyes Look Alive
Almost everyone has had their fair share of rocking tired eyes – at best, emulating the grunge look that Gen Z (and millennials) appreciate. But if you want to look more put together, do these steps to perk them up.
1. Start fresh with a splash of water.
Rehydrate your skin as soon as you wake up. First, drink a glass of water and take a to reduce puffiness. You can cover the eyes with both hands to induce relaxation but be careful with the pressure. The skin around the eyes is thinner than other parts of the body, so it’s more prone to sagging and dryness.
Next, wash your face with a gentle cleanser like Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Brightening Care, infused with Active-boost serum and hyaluronic acid. It removes makeup and dead skin and gives the skin a radiant glow.
2. Grab a spoon.
No, it’s not for stirring your coffee. The spoon is for de-puffing your tired eyes. Pop two in the freezer for five to 10 minutes and place them on your closed eyelids. If the hot shower helps the lymphatic vessels, the cold spoons tighten the swollen skin around the eyes. Apply gentle pressure from the inner to the outer corner of the eyes. You can also use jade rollers if you’re feeling fancy!
3. Pat and blur.
You’ve been told that touching your eyes is a one-way ticket to wrinkles. That won’t be the case if you do it with a bit of on your fingertips. Pat on a generous layer of POND'S Age Miracle Anti Aging Eye Cream with Prebiotics and Blur Technology to Reduce Wrinkles on your under-eye, outer corner, and eyelid areas. This eye cream minimizes the appearance of fine lines and in an instant.
4. Roll your eyes (not sarcastically!).
This one is a head-scratcher, but research says that can improve symptoms of tired eyes. This practice, known as eye yoga, involves rolling your eyes in different directions. Begin by putting a thumb out and focusing your gaze on it. Extend your arm and draw an infinity sign for 30 seconds. Remember to follow the line with your eyes.
For the second part of the exercise, imagine a giant clock in front of you and move your eyes from the 3 o’clock to 12 o’clock position. Go as slowly as possible and try not to move your head. Move your gaze counterclockwise until you return to the same position, then do it again in the other direction.
5. Conceal with makeup.
Disguise those half-moon shadows with a concealer. But before anything, apply a serum to prime your skin. Go for something lightweight like POND'S NEW YORK Bright Brilliance Day Serum Essence Vitamin C PRO to prep and moisturize your skin without making it greasy. In addition, this serum has vitamin C, which protects you from sun damage.
Use a peach-based corrector if you have fair skin with bluish eye bags. On the flip side, color-correct with a yellow- or orange-based concealer if you have and purplish dark circles. Blend the product with your fingers or a small, tapered brush for a seamless finish. Wrap things up by applying translucent powder to set everything.
With these tips in your arsenal, you’re free to do all your late-night rendezvous without the consequence of tired eyes in the morning.