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Style and beauty

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Original poster

I'm a bit fed up of sporting the "two black eyes" look, any ideas?!

57 replies

FarleyD · 19/04/2013 22:52

Have two permanent black circles under my eyes, seriously I look bruised. Apart from drinking lots of water, fresh air, exercise etc, is there anything I can do that will help? Are there any creams or beauty products that I can try, or shall I just go and buy a balaclava now? Tia.

OP posts:

NicolaSeven · 19/04/2013 23:15

Watching with interest. Now that I've got rid of the hyperpigmentation that has plagued me for bloody years, it's highlighted how awful my dark circles are.

Not much to add at this stage, except I've read that vit c eye cream can help make the skin regenerate and so cover the underlying veins more.

Am giving it a go with homemade vit c serum so will report back.

Original poster

FarleyD · 19/04/2013 23:40

Oh yes, please do Daffy! Good luck. How are you making your homemade serum?

OP posts:

NicolaSeven · 19/04/2013 23:49

Oooh. Very scientifically.

If you go on makeupalley in the reviews bit there are all sorts of complicated, medical-ish recipes, whic are probably much better than mine.

I just dissolve one teaspoon in about 10 teaspoons of water and then dot it round my eyes. And keep it in an old advanced night repair bottle (the brown one) as it oxidises and stops working if you expose it to light.

OneLittleLady · 19/04/2013 23:53

I've been using superdrugs Naturally Radiant Brightening eye cream and it's really helped with my dark circles. They haven't totally gone but there's been a really big improvement in how they look. However, my sister also tried it and it did nothing for her. I don't know why it did nothing for her but we have very different skin colours, I am very very pale and she is olive skinned. Not sure if that was the difference between us in terms of the cream helping or not though

TheYoniWayisGerard · 19/04/2013 23:54

Preparation H and Urban Decay concealer. Don't know whether the first is an urban myth, but the concealer is good.

Original poster

FarleyD · 20/04/2013 00:16

Thanks for that Daffy, will investigate.

OneLittleLady - got excited for a minute reading your post til I got to the bit where you said it hadn't worked for your olive skinned sister - I too am olive skinned!

TheYoniWayisGerard - Preparation H? As in pile cream?! Wow, how did someone come to think of putting arse cream under their eyes?! Although actually, I may not want to hear the answer to that. Wonder if it works!

OP posts:

mamalovesmojitos · 20/04/2013 00:41

I've been trying a sample of dermalogica eye cream this week. It's very moisturising and is slightly tinted so lightens around the eye. Fab stuff but I haven't investigated the price yet . Beyond that just touché éclat and blusher - seriously. It makes me more 'awake' looking and lessens the impact of the dreaded circles. Beyond that I don't know.

BinksToEnlightenment · 20/04/2013 06:45

I can second that preparation h works.

I tried it after reading a tip!

It also works on tits and thighs to give them a temporary tone up.

NicolaSeven · 20/04/2013 08:57

I am so buying the arse cream.

Just a thought, could it be a pigmentation issue? I read that some dermatologists will prescribe a lightening cream for certain dark circles.

Is not the issue with me though. Mine are blue

mewkins · 20/04/2013 09:08

It can be a sign of iron deficiency. Could ask for some blood tests especially if you're feeling run down as well. Lots of green veg are good for iron (I wss anaemiv during pregnancy). Brocolli, peas, plus lentils. If you are anemic they will give you ferrous sulphate tablets which help you feel better quite quickly.

happyfreeconfused · 20/04/2013 09:32

I have always had dark circles under my eyes and have always used concealer (from touche eclat to rimmel hide the blemish, I'm not fussy.) However, once I had my make up done free in the hairdressers and she spent ages and ages putting concealer under my eyes with a brush and when I looked in the mirror I couldn't believe it - I looked like a different person! I have never achieved that look again mind.

Sonotkylie · 20/04/2013 09:56

And dried apricots for iron deficiency. V easy to eat! Works for DS ...

TurnipCake · 20/04/2013 10:17

It took me years to get it right, but the formula that works for me is BB corrector, NARS radiant creamy concealer and time - the majority of my make up time is spent on covering the dark circles, if rushed, it's not going to look as good.

neolara · 20/04/2013 10:24

Try piriton. Seriously. My dd is allergic to lots of things, some more serious than others. Having the "black eye" look is one of the symptoms. I can tell if she is starting to react to something because she suddenly looks like she hasn't slept for about a month.

LadyMountbatten · 20/04/2013 10:48

give up booze

TerracottaPie · 20/04/2013 10:55

Second what neo said. If you do have allergies it could well be the dark circles are to do with that. ENT call them allergic shiners I think (or something like that!).

DorisIsWaiting · 20/04/2013 10:55

neolara my dd1 also has the black eyes when she has soya/ dairy .

OP rather than covering it up maybe you could look at a gfood diary to see if cutting out helps?

BarbaraWoodlouse · 20/04/2013 12:04

LadyMountbatten · 20/04/2013 12:06

Seriously It makes such a difference, try it!

TheRealFellatio · 20/04/2013 12:06

Farley how old are you? I'll tell you why I'm asking when you've replied.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 20/04/2013 14:38

I get this when I have boozing too much so ladyM is right

ballroomblitz · 20/04/2013 14:42

Mine are hereditary unfortunately. Aunts and sis have them and my poor ds seems to have taken after me. Funny we are olive toned too.

I usually use benefit/touché elcat. Stock up every year at the airport where it's cheaper.

LadyMountbatten · 20/04/2013 18:42

You give up wine for one week. Save money. Lose weight. Lose dark eyes

Original poster

FarleyD · 20/04/2013 20:00

Sorry for not being back sooner, have been out all day, for once not feeling self conscious about hiding behind extra dark sunglasses! Thanks for all the suggestions.

Interesting about allergies possibly making things worse. I'm not aware of having any but guess that doesn't mean I don't have any. Am so going to try the pile cream now that Binks has kindly tested it out! And I do eat fairly healthily but will try upping the iron contact to see if it helps.

I've never really got the hang of concealer, can't apply it without it being so obvious that it's nearly as bad as the dark circles, but I've been saying for years now that I need to go and have make up lessons.

I never drink wine, only copious quantities of gin. But I guess alcohol is alcohol, no matter what shape bottle it comes in.

And I am old enough to be embarrassed about telling people my age these days - 48. Now Fellatio, come back and tell me why you want to know! Do you think black circles are age related? Now I come to think of it , they do seem worse these days although I have always had them.

OP posts:

Original poster

FarleyD · 20/04/2013 23:18

Er, stupid question time - what sort of Preparation H do I go for?! Who knew there were so many variations to choose from? Do I try gel or cream or ointment? Not wipes presumably. Definitely not suppositories, worked that one out for myself!

Life is so hard ...

OP posts:

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