Waking up to swollen eyes is never fun, especially when you have a self-preparation deadline.
Whether you stayed up past your bedtime, allergies got the best of you, or you had a hearty sob-fest the night before, these remedies are here to lend a helping hand…or potato? If you’re dealing with puffiness, read on for more info!
1. Cooling Masques
Origins has a creation to save us all in the puffiest situations: No Puffery Cooling Mask for puffy eyes. It is a refreshing, icy mask that works to decrease swollen eyes with yeast extract, and eliminate redness with Hoelen mushroom. Rub a dab under the eyes before bed and wake up looking refreshed. Sephora, $23
2. Tea Bags
Head to the cupboard for this trick! If you have a set of puffy peepers on your hand and have the time to pamper yourself, steep 2 bags of green or black tea in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Once the bags cool, place one over each eye while lying down. The caffeine in these teas help reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels, while herbal teas contain anti-irritants that soothe irritation and redness.
3. Cold Water
If you wake up for work to a pair of puffers, don’t panic. This trick works in a flash! Simply rinse your face with cold water, focusing on the eyes, and swelling symptoms should noticeably deflate instantly. The cold water reduces swelling and constricts blood vessels, helping to erase evidence of irritation.
4. Cucumbers
‘In a pickle’ with irritated eyes that Ben Stein can’t help you cure? This is a remedy passed down from generation to generation. Not only are cucumbers refreshing for your palate, but they’re super refreshing for your eyes, too. It turns out the astringent-like properties in the veggie constrict the blood vessels under and around the eye. That is, if you don’t eat them first! Simply lay back and relax for 10-15 minutes and let the magical cuke slices work their wonders.
5. Potatoes
You say “potato?!” I say another great remedy! Believe it or not, spuds are natural anti-inflammatories and have been used to treat everything from joint pain to headaches. It also has the power to ease irritated eyes. Slice just as you would a cucumber, and place the slices over your peepers for about 15 minutes. Then sit back and be amazed at the many uses of your new bud, Spud.
6. Spoons
Another head-scratcher? Probably. But not after reading! Spoons can work wonders for puffy eyes by helping to soothe and restore them to normal proportions. Place about 4 in your freezer until nice and cool. Take 2 out and place the curved side down on your eyes. When they start to warm, replace with the others from the freezer.
7. Salt
You read that right. Salt never cured anything swollen until now! Too much salt in your diet is what can cause the bloating, but a simple mixture of salt water applied to baggy, puffy eyes can magically make them disappear. Dab a cotton ball in a glass of the water and dab over and around eyes for about ten minutes and arise to un-puffy eyes.
It is also important to make sure you are staying hydrated. Drinking at least 8 ounces of water a day and keeping the sugary drinks to a minimum can prevent puffiness from popping up in all the wrong places. With these great tips, you’ve got under-eye bags in the ‘bag’. Now feel free to cry it out sans guilt – happy cries of joy from these tips, of course.
For more great advice to keep you looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, these simple makeup tips can brighten sleepy peepers.
