NO COST REMEDIES FOR BEAUTIFUL EYES

Smoothing lines
The skin around your eyes is 10 times thinner than the rest of your face. Add to the fact that your eyes are the most expressive part of your face, and it is no surprise wrinkles show up here first. The skin is also low on natural lubrication, which makes it very receptive to cosmetic creams, and for once the idea of buying a separate eye product is not just a clever marketing ploy. The thinner skin around your eyes really can't absorb thick-textured creams, so your normal night or day cream will be too heavy (and could cause puffiness). Instead, invest in a separate eye product packed with anti-ageing vitamins, and only use a blob the size of a small pea for both eyes to avoid overload. For best results use an eye cream or serum at night to prevent dehydration, and an eye cream or gel (preferably with an SPF) in the morning to stimulate circulation and reduce puffiness. Use your ring finger to pat gently onto the skin over crow's feet and around the eye contour, avoiding eyelids.


Dark circles
Dark circles can happen at any age, but become more noticeable as skin thins and blood entering the vessels under your eyes shows through. The most common reason for dark circles is lack of sleep,although stress, a food intolerance (which can be triggered by stress) and smoking can also cause problems. And do not ignore genetics. If your mother has dark circles, you may well have inherited them too. The first line of defence is to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins, and cut down on alcohol and salty food. You can also try avoiding wheat and cow's milk, which are the most common food-intolerance triggers. Luckily, light-diffusing concealers work wonders at disguising dark circles. And application is foolproof if you bear in mind that less is more.
Drop your chin and look up at yourself in a mirror so you can see the darkest area. This is where you need to apply a line of concealer, preferably with a fine brush. Then work quickly to blend over the entire dark area, being careful not to overlap onto lighter skin - or your camouflage work will have a highlighting effect instead.

Puffy eyes
Puffiness is caused by trapped fluid in the tissues under your eyes, and is usually worse in the morning as fluid collects overnight. Eyebags after a boozy night out or a good cry are common, but if you suffer regularly you may have a food intolerance. Again, common triggers are wheat and cow's milk products (do not forget cheese and and cottage cheese), plus citrus fruits, eggs and nuts. You should also cut down on salt, which increases water retention in all parts of the body. And beware hidden salt. You may be aware that pre-packaged foods are high in salt, but did you know that mass-produced breakfast cereals often contain more salt than a bag of crisps?
Puffy eyes can also be a sign of sensitivity, so it is worth switching brands you use daily to see if that makes a difference. And make sure you are not overloading your eyes with a too-rich cream.

No-cost remedies for reducing puffiness

• Wrap an ice cube in clingfilm and hold it over the area for a few minutes, as this will stimulate blood vessels and help the flow of toxins. Stainless steel teaspoons kept in the fridge all night will also do the trick.
• Place slices of raw potato on closed eyes for five minutes.
• The tannic acid in black tea is great for reducing swelling. Soak two teabags in cold water and place over your eyes for 10 minutes.
• Tap the under-eye area lightly and quickly with your middle finger, moving from the inner corner outwards and back again.