Help me: I look like a basset hound.

[openerofjars]

I have bags you could carry your shopping home in under my eyes. I've always had them but now, since DS and accompanying sleep deprivation, I look like the dog on the Hush Puppies logo. I'm 33 and the other week someone at work was shocked I was so young (cow).

So what, apart from growing long droopy ears to match, can I do about it? Can anyone recommend any good products? I can't afford to spend shed loads but if there's a brilliant product I might be able to treat myself.

[cakeymakey]

Benefit - erase paste - works a treat on dark circles - its very thick and you have to blend it well with a finger - but it does make you look like you had a proper nights sleep......

[openerofjars]

Thanks, cakeymakey (wonderful name!).

I think I've got some of that in a "realness of concealer" set. No, it's not dark circles that are the problem. I wish. It's the puffy bags. They don't belong on a 33 year old: they've obviously fled the face of some debauched old roué and ended up stuck to me.

At least dark circles would look romantically wasted and consumption, rather than like John Prescott.

[geronimoo]

You could try some haemorrhoid ointment like anusol, anti-inflammatory agent is alleged to help reduce puffiness - but there are warnings of allergic reactions etc so take care. Cold compresses help too, drinkg more water does as well.

[mathanxiety]

Sleep is the only thing that will help. And drinking more water never hurts.

[tryingtoleave]

I'm the same - 33 and massive bags after 4 years of sleep deprivation. DCs are sleeping through now, more or less, but the bags seem to be staying. I even tried anusol once but I got some in my eye - ouch! So I will be watching this thread with interest. Hopefully someone will have a solution.

[woopsidaisy]

My BFF had a cpmplete nightmare day before her wedding. She cried herself to sleep,and even then only got a few hours,so she looked like CRAP on the morning of her wedding.
We lay her down with wet teabags on her eyes for 30mins and she looked great! Couldn't believe the difference it made. And she had a great day.
Not very practical to a busy mum-who has 30 mins to spare every morning? But might be of help if you are going out somewhere.

[1234ThumbWar]

My daughter has a brilliant solution for this, you put two teaspoons in a cold glass of water (we add ice). Leave them for five mins or so until they are cold. Then you lie down and put the spoons against your eyes and relax.

Honestly it works

dd is 9 btw .

[TheProvincialLady]

Yes, you could try cucumber slices (I couldn't contemplate teabags, sorry!) every day for 15 minutes and see if that helps.

I have been told that putting creams etc on your eyelids and under eyes is not a good plan except in minute quantities, as it is absorbed by the skin and then builds up and sits there. This may be total crap of course.

[MungBeans]

I've got the same problem.
I'm considering surgery because it's just so ageing. Gah.

[openerofjars]

Right, cucumber, spoons, teabags - got all of those already, can do. I was terrified that I was going to get unilateral recommendations of some obscure serum that costs squillions of pounds. Thanks!

I had wondered about pile cream but can't face DH's derision and I'm not sure I could do surgery. I mean, I look tired and canine now, but what if it went wrong and I had to wear a bag over my head for the rest of my life? Also, I am scared of general anaesthetic, despite having had it a few times before. Mind you, it's one way of getting some sleep.

Thanks all, will see how it goes.

[kikidee]

If the cucumber, spoons, teabags etc don't work, then you could throw some money at Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye cream which is a bit less than a squillion pounds (about £30 I think but a little goes a long way). I've been using it mainly for fine lines (who am I kidding, wrinkles) and I think it's good.

[MungBeans]

I was trying to dry my hair with teabags balanced on my eyes this morning. My son was looking at me like >>

I blame you lot!

[madmomma]

Listen up and listen good, girls: FACERCISE by Carole Malone. Get the book and learn the eye exercises. you just do them in 2 mins a day when you're watching. Changed my life. sorts the puffiness out if you do them properly. I'm still very dark beneath my eyes, but it's the puffiness that is the real bugbear cos you can't hide it with make up. The teabags work if you've got time, the best concealer is benefit boing. Bourjois' version of touche eclat is better than YSL. Also, if you're pale, a touch of light tanner on your face will stop the darkness looking so pronounced. Believe me I've been there - I am the original Basset Hound!

[Acanthus]

Wear blusher at all times too, to make you look perkier even with the bags? LOL at anaesthetic to get some sleep!