Updated post.
I was the owner of two sleep-thieving children up until about a year ago (when they both finally started to sleep through), meaning dark eye bags were par for the course.
I’d gotten used to spreading the concealer on thick..Then, earlier this year I started doing more research asking mama friends for secrets and searching online to help improve the eye bags. Three months on, the tips I discovered and implemented have made a pretty big difference. So much so, some days I even go concealer-free. There’s a sentence I never thought I’d write!
Check out my top 5 tips to blasting away puffy eyes below. Go get yourself insta-ready, or you know, able to do the school-run without the need for sunglasses. You’re welcome!
1. Firstly, I had intolerance and allergy tests done by York Test and my GP, eliminating foods I was found sensitive to including wheat, gluten and yeast. Whilst I’ve known these foods were working against me for years, I’d slowly reintroduced them over the last year, only to find they were still exacerbating my skin (eczema was a problem), giving me tummy ache, and yes, bulging eye bags. Making dietary changes in just the last month has had a big impact. You are what you eat, after all. My advice is take tests, remove toxins including too much alcohol and the dreaded puff-inducing salt from your diet. Sugar isn’t great either as we know, and a treat weekend often left me with a puffy face so I try and avoid the sweet white stuff too.
2. An organic silk pillow case from Silk Skin had literally been the greatest skincare gift I’ve ever treated myself to. A preventative to wrinkles and hair frizz, this brand are free from nasties and importantly, sweat-inducing material, you can sometimes find in other supposed ‘silk’ pillows on the market. Try it.
3. I always remove any trace of make up before sleeping and use a gentle but effective under eye cream for that delicate area, and a nourishing moisturiser on the rest of my face. I love L’Oreal’s Absolute Eye and Lip Remover to remove heavier make up after a shoot or night out but I use Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water almost every evening, and frankly, can’t remember life without it. Refreshing, cleansing and ideal for my sensitive skin, I can’t recommend it enough. Just don’t forget to use it.
4. Becoming more active. Exercise is the BEST way to get the glow. Yoga is brilliant for overall wellbeing, and skincare too: all those deep breaths calm your mind, and your skin, so go get on the mat.
5. Take a multi vitamin. I take a high strength multi vitamin which support my skin and overall health. Ask your pharmacist or GP for advice.
Final tip: My favourite concealer when those pesky eye bags look their worst (newborns, teething, late nights) is The Retoucher by Charlotte Tilbury, an utterly magical formula which will hide eye bags instantly (as well as marks on your face). I adore it!
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Great tips! Thanks
jojo recently posted…Revitol Eye Cream Review
Thanks!
These sound like fab tips! I’ve not thought of using cream just on the bags before! i may have to consider scaring hubby with my new night look hahahaha! #brilliantblogposts
Mrs Mummy Harris recently posted…Triumphant Tales #6
I 100% need to take the above tips on board! My 8 month old has only just started sleeping a bit better (fingers crossed), and so I think it’s time for me to start some exercise! #brillblogposts
Hope they help lovely x
A silk pillow case what such luxury! I love the sound of that! #brillblogposts
Tooting Mama recently posted…The magic of baking and how I learned to love cooking with my children
You’ll love it x
Ooooh, now a silk pillowcase would be a real treat. I’ll put it on my birthday list. I haven’t tried Charlotte Tilbury concealer – I have one of her eye shadows and I really like it. The concealer I use is from Clarins. It has caffeine in it. I really like it. Pen x
Pen recently posted…A personal note to a special person
Adore everything Charlotte Tilbury and that Retoucher is ah-mazing. You’ll love the silk pillow x
I’ve been meaning to buy a silk pillowcase for ages. Garnier micellar water is an essential for me, I can’t be without it!
Emma xxx
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Emma Peach recently posted…Lightweight Biker Jacket and Culottes + Style With a Smile Link Up
It’s amazing isn’t it and I love the silk pillow x
Hi, my allergies and intolerances are the cause of my dark eyes I’m sure. Thanks for the tip about the silk pillow I’m of yo gind one now #brilliantblogposts
Chloe recently posted…Review of Twinings Mint Green Tea
Hope you can get them sorted, removing the things which effect me have really helped x
Love these tips – I had no idea about silk pillows! Must look in to them. Drinking plenty of water helps too. x
Caroline recently posted…How to tidy and clean fast: get your home guest-ready in a hurry!
Definitely, getting enough liquids is vitals. The silk pillow is fab x
Darling I have such bad eye bags – I loved reading this – Thanks you *orders silk pillowcase* Cx
Thanks lovely but you do not have eye bags. Adore my silk pillowcase x
Silk pillow and The Retoucher, officially going into my online shopping cart! Everything else I’m doing. I swear, exercise keeps me sane and gives me so much more energy for my life outside the gym. xx
Lisa recently posted…How to Wear Pink Sequins Like a Grownup
Absolutely need exercise too, such an incredible stress-reliever, you will love the products x
Oh a silk pillow case sounds good!
So good x
Some great tips here! Food intolerance’s were always a biggie for my client’s with darkness under their eyes when I was practicing in my naturopathic clinic, even for kids when they get dark circles under their eyes that won’t go away. Getting tested is always a great idea! However I have never heard that about silk pillow cases, now this I have to try, sounds nice and easy and for frizz free hair too! 🙂
Hope recently posted…Peanut-Miso Tempeh Salad Bowl with Cashew Nuts
So great for skin and hair and that’s so interesting re eye bags for kids too. Food is crucial isn’t it x
Great tips!! I’ve just got the Bodyshop concealer and its fab! Although I hope to not use it everyday when my health improves!
I’d love to try yoga but am so nervous of going to new places and am always worried I’d fall over and make a fool of myself!
#brillblogposts
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I love a yoga DVD I do at home and YT videos are brilliant too, sending you healing vibes x
I’ve recently completely overhauled my skincare regime, two months on and my skin is glowing, however I am still heavily reliant on my concealer and YSL… the pillow sounds amazing – I’m defiantly going to try this out… x
Such a brilliant pillow, I still use concealer but some days go without xx
Oh dear, I’ve been make-up free for ages now…in fact since I left work following sick leave for stress…May 2015!!! I think I’ve all but given up, you may just have inspired me to take a wee bit more care of myself xxx
Oh no Rebecca, so sorry to read this. Do you have support there? Please know you are not alone. Speak to those you trust and your GP too. Sending love and strength x
As soon as I saw the title, I HAD to click! You know how little sleep I get with my youngest, and those eye bags are not going anywhere. The thought of going concealer-free under my eyes is just out of the question and I haven’t heard of Charlotte Tilbury before. I’ve been using MAC for years and love it 🙂 You’re the third person who’s mentioned silk pillowcases in a month! I can’t find the pillowcase you’re referring to on Amazon. Have you got a direct link (you should be a rep for them – totally buying one!). x
Mel recently posted…Gluten-free Vegan Biscuits #FreeFromEaster
No way, they really are fab: https://www.silkskin.co.uk/ is the link and with postage they are around £53. You will love Charlotte Tilbury, adore her make up range! x
I am definitely investing in that concealer and a silk pillowcase! Alcohol is the biggest thing that gives me eyebags (after the children!), and just makes me feel bleurgh in general. I’ll see how the pillowcase goes! xx
five little doves recently posted…10 places to visit in Lancashire
Really noticed a difference here and to my hair. Alcohol really puffs up my skin and eyes for sure x
I’ve been wanting to treat myself to a new pillow for ages. This has just given me the perfect excuse!
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You won’t look back Hayley xx