Ways to help Eliminate Dark Circles Under the Eyes

There are some everyday things that you can try to eliminate puffiness and dark circles under your eyes. Get plenty of quality sleep, remove all of your eye makeup before you hit the bed, treat your allergies which can cause discoloration under the eyes, eliminate nasal congestion, eat well and  don't smoke. Natural remedies include cold compresses such as cucumbers slices under the eyes to eliminate puffiness or laying a cool tea bag (the tannins in tea assist with discoloration) or cold spoon to your eyes for 10-15 minutes. I know that there are a lot of over the counter products to choose from for restoring youthful looks to your face, especially your eyes, but don't be overwhelmed!

Dark Cirlces: Discoloration under the eyes can be caused by several factors, genetics, exposure to the sun, thinning of the skin due to aging, the loss of collagen or uneven melanin production. 

• Products that contain Peptides (these can increase collagen production) can help fill in the hollows under the eyes and diminish darkness. 
• Matrixyl 3000 as an ingredient helps restore pigment balance and evening out skin-tone.  
• Hyaluronic Acid is a moisturizer that plumps up skin cells which aids in boosting the thin skin under the eyes. 
• Eyes creams that contain Vitamin K and Retinol 
• Eye creams that contain caffeine, green tea, grapeseed oil or Vitamin C

I Would recommend that you search online to see which products contain the ingredients above. Natural remedies can be purchased at any health food store. Beauty creams can be purchase online or in stores. If you go to the manufacturer's website and if they have an email signup, they will usually have discounts or coupons available.

 I just bought ROC Multi Correction 5-in-1 Eye cream at Target, and am anxious to see the results! I found a coupon right on their website for $2.00 off under "promotions". It is around $25.00, which is a mid-range price. I am also considering trying Strivectin-EV dark circle and puffiness correction cream. It is $59.00, so I am waiting to see how the RoC cream does first! I think that you can spend a small fortune trying all of these wonder creams! Ultimately though, I know I will find which one is right for me, and it will be a lot less than getting a facelift!

Ta ta for now...save money!

What's in Your Makeup Bag?

On most days I am either too lazy or too tired to put on makeup. Then later in the day if I catch my image I yell at myself (internally that is) and wonder who that tired, bland woman is. Let me clarify, I am not a heavy makeup wearer, but more a try-to-enhance-what-you-have kind of person. I love to go makeup free so I don't beat up my pores, but as I age I find that there are some things that just need a little extra help! Since most days I can't get up early enough to put makeup on at home, I have taken to carrying a small bag with me with some essentials to spruce up with at work.

I'll open my bag and dump out the contents, here's what I have inside:

• A tube of Garnier Nutrishioniste "Skin Renew" anti-puff eye roller (good stuff, I have the Olay anti-puff tube at home and believe me it feels good and works).
• A small travel version of ROC Retinol Correction Eye Cream which claims to visibly reduce wrinkles around the eyes, crow's feet, dark circles and puffiness (bring it on!)
• A travel container of Elizabeth Arden's ultra restorative ceramide capsules (says it helps strengthen skin's barrier against the visible signs of time-YES! When I run out it will be a huge splurge to replace).
• A tube of generic concealer to mask dark circles and dark spots on my skin. I also use it before my base to tone down redness in small areas.
• Currently I am using Covergirl's natureluxe liquid foundation. It goes on smoothly and quickly and has an sps of 10  (I like fast, uncomplicated makeup applications). coupon offer
• An inexpensive, self contained mineral powder with built in powder puff applicator and mirror (quick, easy and non messy for travel).
• Clinque #110 precious posy blush, (this was a splurge, but I love the color and it is lasting forever!)
• A cheap  eyebrow pencil for filling in the outer edges of my eyebrows that seem to be balding away, ughhh!
• Almay's crayon contour eyeliner pencil for lining my eyes (I love this product).
• A tube of Rimmel Lash Accelerator, both a mascara and lash treatment (I love how it goes on and separates my lashes and gives them length. They seem fuller). And look Zooey Deschanel is a model on their website, I didn't know that! Cute!!
• A tiny sample tube of Clinque's high impact mascara that I received for free. (still testing, no impression yet)
• An inexpensive lip lining pencil.
• And lastly a small bottle of Advil (never without headache relief!), a comb, a tooth flossing pick in a plastic wrapper (what?), a pearl baby barrette and a tiny suction cup (I have no clue).

I can honestly tell you that most of these makeup items were purchased with a coupon at Target. The specialty creams were purchased during specials at Costco (I'm in big trouble when they run out) and I buy generic whenever possible.

Rimmel and L'Oreal makeup coupons. Scan the personal care section. If you can't find them, enter your own zip code!

It doesn't always have to cost a lot to look nice!

Ta ta for now...