any cures for dark under eye shadows?

[treacletart]

I looked in the mirror properly last night and was horrified at what a year of motherhood has done to the shadows under my eyes - it looks like the skin has actually gone purple. Touche eclat - or my cheapo no7 equivalent, does a not bad job of covering up but does anyone know of a product that can actually improve/get rid of them? If I could be sure something worked I could justify buying it, but I'm loathe to splash out on "hope in a tube". Any suggestions? - apart from 6 weeks at a 5 star retreat ...

I know this isn't exactly the advice you're looking for but drinking bucket loads of water will make a HUGE improvement...honestly!!
You need to drink at least 2L a day (or 4 pints).

How about some slices of cucumber on your eyes? Or one of those cold masks that you put in the fridge. I find they usually help me no end.

If you are really desparate you could get them lasered off apparantly!

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The skin of your eyelids is thin and contains little fatty tissue. Blood that passes through large veins close to the surface show through the skin producing bluish black tint accentuated. When one is tired or pale during menstruation and later part of pregnancy. With aging the discoloration may become more obvious and permanent.

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ouch! dont,t think I'm ready for the lasers just yet.
Gloworm I ran to the fridge for the waterbucket when I read your post. I do my best to drink loads of h20 but dont often hit the 2litres mark.
CD, do cucumbers really work then?

Get rid of the children ?

I drink loads of water and always have but I think the fact is that having children plays havoc with any aspect of your appearance, or it has to me.

Lack of sleep has created my dark shadows and like you treacletart, I am always shocked when I walk past the mirror in the morning!

Do you remember when, pre-kids, you used to moan 'god I am sooooooo tired' cos you had had a late night? Pah, never seen tired until you have children.

or fat, or poor! Blimey I wish I'd realised what a loaded supermodel I used to be!

Try lying back and putting cold (wet) teabags on your eyes. The cheaper ones are actually better as they have more tanin (sp) in them. They really do work.

Cucumber is good if your eyes are puffy and loads of water - it takes away the toxins.

avon do a product for under eye circles(I cant recommend this because Ive never used it)
clarins do a fantastic eye gel(for puffiness and dark circles) it works a treat for puffiness but not sure how well for dark circles(but its lovely anyway)
there is also a cream I have bought to fade thread veins and even out compexion which is a vitamin k serum bought online-its called medik 8 vitamin k serum.this is supposed to work for eye circles too.its worked on my complexion and made it more even.its expensive but I think this would work if you email me through mumsnet I ll send you a sample in a little tub if you want!!

shouldnt really be on this thread but I can second dps Clarins eye gel as a real life saver!

i use clinique "all about eyes" - £20 for a little pot which I don't think has worked for me (first pot). However, I did use a brilliant one from Bodyshop (about £15) which really firmed up the skin and my dark circles vanished in about a week !!

Loads and loads and loads of water. It does work, but takes up to a week to make a difference ... then you have to keep it up. The good news is you pee less frequently when your body gets used to it. The bad news, if you stop, you are really, really thirsty all the time.

Another cure: rid your house of mirrors and live in delusional land like me

can't remember the exact name but clinique do a lightening magic stick with a brush at end. it is fab for under eyes. if you ask at their counter i'm sure they'd tell you its name!

you could have a look on the QVC site-if you get something and it does'nt work for you just send it back!I've had lots of skin treatments from various makes(sorry not for your problem though)and have always returned them if I'm not 100% impressed.

must add it goes back-even if the tube/pot is completely empty!

I have the lightening magic stick from Clinique and it does work but it isn't as good as the Clarins one apparently

100% pure aloe vera gel works really well

Hi treacletart, I use the far cheaper Nivea undereye shadow cream, about £8. Not bad.