The Beauty Diet (37 page)

To avoid wrinkles, don't spend extended periods of time in front of a computer or television screen. Avoid any activity that stresses the eyes and causes you to squint. To diminish an existing line, you can try sleeping with a piece of tape over it.

Wear sunglasses. Bright sunlight makes you squint and contributes to wrinkles; plus, the UV light harms both your eyes and the delicate skin around your eyes.

Relax. Finding ways to relax not only can reduce dark circles but also is incredibly beneficial to your overall appearance (see
Chapter 8
).

Apply soothing substances to your eyes, including green tea, chamomile, cucumber, witch hazel, ginkgo, and aloe vera. For a home remedy, soak chamomile tea bags in ice water until they're really cold, squeeze out the water, then place the bags on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes. An alternative is to use cold cucumber slices or simply a cold cloth. Both the cool compresses and the relaxation will help your appearance.

Shape your brows so they have an arch that opens the area above your eyes. However, don't try to redraw the brows nature gave you.

Use an under-eye moisturizer specifically designed for the area. Some contain skin lighteners, while others are
supposed to shrink capillaries. Keeping skin moist will diminish wrinkles.

Line your eyes, but to make them appear larger, don't line them all the way around with the same color. Try a darker shade on top and a lighter shade below.

My friend Giella produces her own custom-blended cosmetics for the high-end department store Henri Bendel in New York City. I asked Giella for her expert advice for using makeup to enhance your eyes, especially when it comes to getting rid of dark circles and bags. Here's what she had to say:

Concealing dark circles is always a challenge. Here are some rules: Light colors give a more pronounced look, and dark colors recede. It's important to get the perfect combination of light and dark colors to disguise dark circles. Typically, concealers are too light, and that just makes circles more apparent. One tip is to blend two colors: one color that has a peach tone to cancel the skin's blue and another that is lighter to brighten the eye.

When blending, always use a concealer brush. It makes it much easier to control the coverage. A synthetic brush, made out of Taklon, has the feel of silk but the firmness of synthetic hairs. A brush will also warm up the concealer when stroking it, making it easier to apply. You can paint it on very lightly by using the tip of your brush, or you can use the flat side of the brush for a larger area. Remember, put concealer only where you need it. For example, you may not need it completely under your eyes. Typically, the inner corner of your eyes is sufficient. After applying the concealer with your brush, tap it with your ring finger (tap, tap, tap) until it disappears. Do not rub.

Skin texture can make bags or circles look more pronounced. If skin is dry and dehydrated, eyes look much older, so keep the area concealed and hydrated. Use nourishing oils with anti-inflammatory properties to condition skin:

Grapeseed oil is an excellent healing oil that contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. It is a pale green moisturizer that is lighter and more absorbent than most oils. It is a good choice for those with nut allergies.

Another good oil to try is emu oil, a natural oil with anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. The product is obtained from the fat of emu birds from Australia. Emu oil also contains essential fatty acids.