Under-eye bags are something that many of us deal with on a regular basis. This post includes the cause of those under eye circles and how to get rid of them! (Feature image source.)
If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that this site is all about confidence. So now it’s time for me to be really honest about something that I’m incredibly self-conscious about… under-eye bags. They’re one of the few totally outward-facing, doesn’t-matter-at-all things that I focus on incessantly.
But if I feel that way about under-eye bags, then I’m certain that I’m not the only one!
My history with under-eye bags
From the time that I started wearing makeup or paying attention to outward appearance (see: my totally awkward Junior High/glitter eyeshadow stages), I’ve been petrified of my under-eye bags. They’re not even that bad!
But they were the first facial characteristic where I noticed aging and I have always felt that they have the potential to make me look tired. So I have now set out to learn more…
What are they?
Under-eye bags can be genetic or caused by lifestyle factors. But what’s really crazy is that you can learn which “type” of under eye circles you might have to determine how to fix them up.
To do so, you look directly at a mirror and slightly angle your head downwards to see if your under eye bags are more brown or blue in terms of pigmentation.
Brown – Typically triggered by hyperpigmentation from chronic eye rubbing, sun exposure, or genetics.
Blue – From oxygenated blood pooling beneath the skin and these usually happen in the morning after we’ve been horizontal for a while.
Personally, my under-eye bags tend to fit more into the “blue” grouping.
How to get rid of under-eye bags
Obviously, there are some differences with how the two different types of under-eye bags can be handled, but there are a few tricks that can be used no matter what you’ve got going on.
- Chug Water – Under-eye bags can usually be caused by salt pooling underneath your eyes, over-extenuating any of the above listed characteristics. This typically happens when you eat salty foods the night prior or if you were crying. To flush the salt out, I suggest chugging lots of water and trying to avoid dehydrating drinks. (… I see you coffee!)
- Triangle Concealer – I originally heard about the triangle concealer trick here and have been using it ever since. It’s been a game changer! When you first try this out, it’s going to feel like you’re wearing a ton of concealer. But, with proper blending, it will brighten up your eyes and make you look much more awake. (Pro tip: Always use a makeup sponge to blend your concealer, which is much less harsh than using your fingers on the delicate skin below your eyes.)
- Use Something Cold – I have a relatively well stocked refrigerator, at least when it comes to beauty products. At any time, I have either sliced cucumbers, my everyday eye cream, or two spoons chilling so that they are ready for use in the mornings. Whenever my under-eye bags are feeling a bit more puffy than I’d like, I’ll rest any of the aforementioned on my eyes for about 10-15 minutes. The cold stimulates circulation around your eyes and decreases fluid retention in that finicky area, which decreases the puffiness so that you look energized and ready to take on the day.
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