Help me with my eyes! (Pic)

[JessieMcJessie]

I hate my eyes. Or at least the skin around them. I’m early forties but I feel like my eyes really age me. A lifetime of allergies has had me rubbing them and now they’re puffy and lined underneath with dry skin that shows through concealers. One is much more lined than the other. The lids are hooded and eyeshadow looks shit on them; I’m allergic to most shadows anyway. I also have an 18 month old and am knackered!

What would you do if these sorry peepers were yours? I am seriously considering cosmetic surgery. Help!

[doubleshotespresso]

Hello OP

If it is any consolation, you eyes look waaaayyyy better than mine before I "deal" with them! I suffer with eczema (aggravated by even the best brands of cosmetics) and have a nocturnal toddler so feel your pain.

I would recommend trying to deal with any dryness/irritation first. What is your skincare routine?
What creams do you use?
Are you treating your eyes overnight?

For puffiness here are a few options for you to try:
-Keep teaspoons in the fridge and hold over your eye area first thing after you wake up (this works!)
-The Ordinary do an eye product that contains caffeine which gets great reviews and is quite cheap via Victoria Health or Deciem.
-Nivea thick cream in the blue pot dotted under your eyes last thing at night really helps with lines/condition /hydration of your skin.
-Drink LOTS of water especially if like me you rely on buckets of coffee to get through the day.

Reducing irritation:
-Try out creams like Diprobase and other emoillient lotions that might help.
-Try and identify what triggers irritations and breakouts. Mine for instance are stress, extreme tiredness, any make-up containing glitter or glue, lanolin and fragrance.

-Make-up:

-For dark circles there are shedloads of colour correcting pallettes and products available. Even on days you are not needing the full make-up this can make a big difference in a couple of minutes. Using a loose powder on a damp sponge and leaving it to bake will really help to reduce caking, lines and make it last longer.
-Eye brightening products such as Touche Eclat can be quite a trigger for allergies, I have found a few cheaper ones (such as Maybelline or Collection) work very well.
-Adding highlight just in the inner corner of your eye and on your brow bone this will "open up your eyes".
-There are loads of tutorials on youtube etc for applying shadow to hooded eyes, but generally keep darker colours to outer corners and apply lighter colours up and above the crease of your eyelid.
-Apply mascara to outer upper lashes in an outward direction and don't go to heavy on the eyeliner.

Hope the above helps but for what it is worth I don't think your eyes are that bad! If you need any links to products or whatever let me know and I will copy some in for you ;-)

[Rememory]

Sympathies OP, I have the same. Allergic shiners and puffiness are a pain to cover. I'm trying to look after my skin better after years of letting it go and have just ordered from the Ordinary too. I do find that having my eyebrows done properly (not my usual tweeze here and there) helps to open up my eyes and makes them look better.

What a great post doubleespresso I'll be trying some of your top tips. Thank you!

[margaritasbythesea]

Mine are the same but I don't know what to do with them either.

Very helpful post doubleshot . How long do you have to keep the teaspoons on for?

[JessieMcJessie]

What a lovely helpful post doubleshotespresso, lots to think about there.

Part of my problem is that they get dry and itchy but most moisturisers sting and irritate them. Interesting you mention Diprobase, I have heard before it is very soothing on sensitive skin but have avoided buying it before as it only seems to be in massive vats for about 20 quid, which will be a total waste if it doesn’t agree with me. I do use hydrocortisone 1% when they flare up (approved by doctor) and sometimes that settles them down for a while enough to use a serum like Olay regenerist, which seems to plump out the lines a little bit. But so many things seem to set off the allergic swelling and redness.

Tbh I don’t think the under eye bags are so much puffiness as genetic fatty bags. I remember my Dad and my Gran having similar eyes.

You’re right, I do feel better when I get my eyebrows properly threaded, am lucky that they are quite nice and naturally dark already. And for my wedding I got lash extensions, those were amazing and of course meant no risk of irritation from mascara.

Has anyone had an under eye bag removal? I do wonder if it’s something that I should be planning for in 10 years.

[JessieMcJessie]

Eyebrows comment was to rememory.

On makeup and hooded eyes I have watched a few YouTube vids etc and it’s true that quite a lot of celebrities have hooded eyes- Jennifer Lawrence, Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslet, Blake Lively. But my eye skin is also very crepey. I am so jealous of eyes like these

I’ve tried “smoky eyes” before, hilarious disaster like I had been punched in the face

Weirdly also although my eyes are dry underneath they go oily on top and makeup slides off them.

[JessieMcJessie]

Sorry doubleshot can you explain a bit more what you mean about using a loose powder on a damp sponge and leaving it to bake?

[doubleshotespresso]

Hello all, I hope I answer everybodys queries, if not please nudge me.

• margaritasbythesea I keep the teaspoons on for about 30 seconds or a minute-it's a bit of a shock to my system first thing.
  

• Jessie I have spent my life and probably a decent house deposit on moisturisers all claiming to be great for sensitive eyes. The truth is specific ingredients that may suit you may not others and vice versa. If you pay attention to creams that have not worked well, make a note of say the top 5 or 6 ingredients, chances are you will soon find that you can pinpoint a bit better which bits to avoid. All the creams with "wonder/miracle" claims and ingredients pentipeptides and other such unsubstantiated shite are often heavily fragranced and do not help with allergies.
  

Also worth looking at whether or not water/aqua based moisturisers or those with silicone content work best for you. You should note that if you are using primers that water and silicone products work against each other. This could be why you are getting the "oily eyelids" following your eyeshadow (mihght be worth checking??)
-Diprobase can be bought in a toothpaste sized tube for about £4 quid -I will try and find you some links if that is helpful. I find it a real relief at night.

-Another thing that has significantly helped my very irritable skin is double cleansing. So first with an oil and a hot damp flannel, followed by a cream or balm cleanser. Superdrug/Bodyshop and Boots all do reasonably priced products if you fancy giving this a go....

-I have never had eyebag removal.... would be far too terrified! FWIW I don't think you need to either!

-Eyebrows I think are like all other bits of grooming, generally just help you look a bit more pulleed together with or without make-up. Though mine get a bit neglected until I realise they need doing. I use a brow gel for everyday (I am too pale for the heavy drawn-on eyebrows and too scared of microblading).

-Jessie the picture you link to is relatively easy to achieve as very little blending is involved. Do you use an eye primer? Also if you youtube search "cut crease method for hooded eyes" you will see it is quite easy to create depth and open your eyes up with a bit of trickery....

Jessie-so "baking" is a very quick but effective way of sealing your under eye make-up and maximising any colour correcting and brightening efforts you make. Once you have applied al your products and blended it all in under your eyes (tap it in with your fingers when doing this-it stimulates circulation and ensures the product is worked in and blended nicey). Then tap a bit of loose powder into a lid and dab an ever so slightly damp sponge into the powder and press into the under eye area. Go about your business finishing all your other make-up (maybe a minute or three) and then dust off with a fluffy brush. That is all you need to do.

I will try and find some links for you.....

[doubleshotespresso]

www.feelunique.com/p/Laura-Mercier-Secret-Brightening-Powder-4g?option=24644&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh_DTBRCTARIsABlT9MaDqj5qWuRpt4OPhZu-nufxbRKEuTzCNX00VADzXsGNBULKBZYyYE0aAi7xEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Johnson's baby powder works just as well ;-)

[doubleshotespresso]

A great product but a bit pricy (lasts ages though)

www.cultbeauty.co.uk/becca-under-eye-brightening-corrector.html

This is more affordable and great for paler folks like me! Not to be confused with darker and heavier concealer which comes in same bottle/packaging

www.superdrug.com/Maybelline/Maybelline-Eraser-Eye-Concealer-Brightener-6-8ml/p/730243

This is fab, cheap and doubles as a concealer for your face too-last really well on too:

www.boots.com/collection-lasting-perfection-concealer-10196692

[doubleshotespresso]

Video links for baking:

www.bustle.com/articles/118632-7-baking-makeup-tutorials-to-watch-because-this-technique-is-important-videos

[doubleshotespresso]

Jessie I thought this page might be of help and interest to you?

www.buzzfeed.com/chrissymahlmeister/hooded-eye-makeup?utm_term=.jrKWpdMwl#.jlYx0mbyE

[doubleshotespresso]

50g diprobase tube :

www.boots.com/diprobase-emollient-cream-50g-10160795

[FritzyMousey]

Have you tried any non-surgical salon treatments? Defo a first step before considering surgery! I can recommend CACI Eye Revive obviously I don't know if your skin might react but it's more about the electric current than any products so you may be ok. I did a course of 10 and noticed a difference.

[doubleshotespresso]

Double cleansing

graziadaily.co.uk/beauty-hair/skin/double-cleansing/

[doubleshotespresso]

This is a fabulous dupe for the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser (reviews in the link) and the range generally suits my skin woth no irritations. They also do a Vitamin E range with a simliar lot of products and facial oils which for the money are very decent quality and value. Might be a good way to try this out if you fancy it?
www.superdrug.com/Skincare/Superdrug-Naturally-Radiant-Hot-Cloth-Cleanser-150ml/p/516251?gclid=Cj0KCQiAh_DTBRCTARIsABlT9MYHhtHT5zg9DLao7YXyrSH2ZMASLZGI4Ee6i5rb4ezl7k8AVHhZevMaAn-4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CIy3qb-kltkCFbIw0wodxVEJTw

[JessieMcJessie]

Wow doubleshot you are a star!
Thanks so much.

The pic link was less about the makeup more just about that type of eye people
have with no skin hanging over the lower lid. I haven’t tried eyeshadow for years.

And thanks for the link Fritzy.

[doubleshotespresso]

Jesus I have completely taken over this thread sorry-hopefully some of the above is useful anyway! Best of luck!

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

I had eczema around my eyes. The boots Pharmacist recommended simple eye ointment, which is usually used inside the eye but I used it around the eye and it worked a treat.

[margaritasbythesea]

Thankyou for the info about teaspoons. I am going to try it while my water for a cup of tea boils.

Great links too. Very helpful.