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Preparing a wedding can take its toll on your health and beauty. Maybe you're tired and didn't have enough sleep, or maybe you drank too much coffee to calm your wedding jitters. Whatever the cause, periorbital puffiness or puffy eyes can give you unnecessary stress and make you look like a zombie. Panda eyes can also make your complexion look duller, which leads to an unhealthy-looking, yellowish tint on your skin. Oh, no!
Both men and women of different age groups can have dark circles. In most cases, those dark circles under the eyes are blood vessels that can be seen through the skin. Another important factor is that our skin is most likely to be thinner as we age, so the thin skin can show the ruptured blood vessels a little more clearly. Genetics, as you may have guessed, also play a role in this.
However, there is no need to panic, because there are many ways to deal with puffy eyes. Some of them are pretty easy and can be done even minutes before you do your makeup on your wedding day. Here are some quick fixes you can try.
1. Add another pillow to your bed, weeks before the wedding
Try sleeping on a few pillows so your neck is slightly elevated from your bed. Use an extra pillow so that your head is at least a couple of inches above the rest of your body. This will help your blood vessel to run properly and also cause less fluid retention under your eyes. Sleeping on your sides can also make one of your eyes puffy in the morning, so try to avoid it.
2. Cold compress your eyes with ice or cucumber
Cucumber is a well-known, easy remedy to reduce puffy eyes that's been used since our grandmother's era. It's known as a source of antioxidants and flavonoids that can help with redness, swelling, and irritation. A combination of the coolness, along with the vitamin C and caffeic acid in the vegetable, helps soothe irritated skin and reduce swelling. Wash your face with cool water first, then apply cucumber slices or ice cubes on your closed eyes. Leave them on for 3 to 5 minutes until the swelling subsides.
3. Use a hydrating eye cream
The best eye cream is the one that can make your eyes look brighter and wide-awake. Avoid using fragranced eye cream, since the perfume can cause irritation to the delicate eye area. Choose an eye cream that can hydrate and moisturize your eye area without causing redness or irritation. Using the right eye cream can refresh your eyes and prepare it for concealer application. You can also try using eye masks to apply mild pressure to the eyelids at night.
4. Drink lots of water
Water can help clean your system and rehydrate your skin. In addition, when you drink lots of water, it will automatically reduce puffiness. If your body is hydrated enough, there is less chance of water retention that can cause under-eye bags. Remember not to drink too much water right before you go to bed because it can cause your eye bags to become so much bigger.
5. Use a spoon!
There are lots of beauty hacks that you can do with your spoon, and that includes eye treatment. Put your spoon inside the freezer for a few hours, then take it out and place it on your closed eyes. The cold temperature helps to tighten the skin around the eyes, constrict blood vessels, and reduce puffiness. A spoon also comes in perfect size and shape for fitting right beneath your eyes, so try to massage the area to minimize swelling. Don't forget to rinse the spoon with cold water first so the metal won't be sticking to your eyelids.
See? There are so many home remedies that you can do to avoid puffy eyes on your wedding day. Some of them are temporary, though, so in order to be free of panda eyes for the rest of your life, try avoiding too much salt. Eating foods rich in vitamins, especially A, C and E can help to reduce eye puffiness and maintain clear, moist skin. Avoid substances that are dehydrating your skin, like caffeine and alcohol. If all else fails, you can always apply some concealer. Remember that the skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin in your body, so it's your responsibility to take care of it gently.
