Dark Circles Treatment - Dark Circles Concealer Brush

Dark Circles Treatment

Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush

Description

Shaped to reach into the tiniest corner and deposit the perfect amount of Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer under eyes. Comes with protective cap to prevent mess when carried in a cosmetic bag.

Direction

Use the Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush to apply the Bobbi Brown Corrector (if necessary) and/or Bobbi Brown Concealer up to the lashline and into the inner corner of the eye. Smooth and blend by gently patting with the pads of your fingers.

Review

This Bobbi Brown Concealer Bush is great and easy to use in all ways. It helps the application of Bobbi Brown Corrector and Creamy Concealer going on smoothly. I also like the fact that it does not lose its shape after using for a long time. I would say that this is a good investment!

Dark Circles Treatment - Dark Circles Corrector Review

Dark Circles Treatment

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Description

For very dark circles and extra coverage, Bobbi Brown's secret is her Correctors. Use daily or just when you need exra coverage. Designed to be layered under your yellow-based Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Shade, Correctors come in a range of twelve Bisque and Peach shades. You may check it out on Bobbi Brown's official website (UK Version) at http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/looks/concealer.tmpl for the Shade Guide. Personally I am using Bisque colour corrector with Beige colour concealer.

Direction

Apply a light eye cream underneath the eye area. It should be absorb quickly and leave your skin feeling smooth. Use your fingertip or the Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush (recommended) to apply it at the inner corner of th eeye. Continue placing the Corrector underneath the eye, staying close to the lashes and patting the Corrector whenever your darkness. Gently blend the Corrector by pressing it with your fingers. Follow with a layer of your regular Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer shade (please visit my post at http://darkcirclestreatment.blogspot.com/2010/05/dark-circles-treatment-dark-circles.html for more details on Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer). 

Review

Bobbi Brown Corrector is simply amazing as it blends in smoothly and looks natural on the skin under my eyes area. It also provides long lasting coverage with application of the coordinating loose powder. I think this is a great product for people with serious dark circles under eyes like me. It is well worth for the cost!

You may find out and learn the secrets, tips and advice on the ways to apply your Concealer and Corrector for perfectly from http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/looks/lt_concealer_video.tmpl for "Bobbi Brown's Concealer How-To" Video.

Dark Circles Treatment - Dark Circles Concealer Review

Dark Circles Treatment

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

(Anti-Cernes Creme)

Description

Cover dark circles under eyes and instantly lift your look with this innovative pairing of concealer and coordinating powder. The kit includes yellow-based Creamy Concealer (as known as Anti-Cernes Creme) on top, Pale Yellow Sheer Finish Loose Powder (as known as Poudre Libre Impalpable) on bottom and a Mini Powder Puff to set concealer for long-lasting wear. Packaged in a stacked kit with a mirror flip-top cap. The formula is filled with skin conditioning ingredients like Vitamin A, which helps minimize the appearance of fine dry lines and wrinkles and Vitamin E, which moisturises and provides antioxidant protection.

(Concealer .06 oz./1.7g, Powder .03 oz./8g)

Direction

Apply a light eye cream underneath the eye area. It should be quickly absorb quickly and leave your skin feeling smooth. [Personally I highly recommended you to apply Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream as a base. You may visit my post at http://darkcirclestreatment.blogspot.com/2010/04/eye-cream-serum-review-bobbie-brown.html for more details on Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream.] Use your index finger or Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush (recommended) to apply Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in thin layers. Be sure to blend well. Apply Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer all the way up to your lashline and ONTO THE DARK AREAS BY THE INNER CORNERS OF YOUR EYES. Smooth and blend by gently patting with the pads of your fingers. Set with the coordinating powder.

Bobbi Brown's skin-tone-correct concealer shades cover an average amount of dark circles under eyes. More than 10 shades are available at your choice. You may check it out on Bobbi Brown's official website (UK Version) at http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/looks/concealer.tmpl for the Face Shade Guide. I am currently using Beige colour concealer with Bisque colour Bobbi Brown corrector.

Review

I have tried using few dark circles treatment products to cover my dark circles under eyes but I am not satisfied with them at all. On one particular day I went to a Bobbi Brown store together with my friends as my friends were looking for eye shadows. The sales person asked me to try out Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer for my dark circles under eyes and surprisingly the appearance of my dark circle under eyes were less visible. My friends said that I looked fresh and less tired with the creamy concealer. It worked in covering up my dark circles under eyes and I use this product together with Bobbi Brown Corrector [Please visit my other post for more details on Bobbi Brown Corrector] on a daily basis. In order to keep my corrector and concealer in place for long hours, I apply Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream as a base (as recommended above). For better result, you may consider to purchase Bobbi Brown Brush as it is specifically designed for easy application.

You may find out and learn the secrets, tips and advice on the ways to apply Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer perfectly from Bobbi Brown's official website (UK Version) at http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/looks/lt_concealer_video.tmpl for Bobbi Brown's 'Concealer How-To' Video.

Eye Mask Review - TheFaceShop Raspberry Roots Collagen Eye Patch

Dark Circles Treatment

TheFaceShop Raspberry Roots Collagen Eye Patch

Description

Water-soluble hydrogel with Chitosan, wild Himalayan Raspberry Roots and Aqua Collagen optimizes elasticity, soothes and thoroughly hydrates eye area. The addition of platn extracts promotes the natural secretion of pleasure-inducing beta endorphins and stimulates the formulation of collagen for more youthful-looking skin.

Direction

Use PM after toner. Remove clear film from both sides of the patches and apply one under each eye. Leave on for 30-40 minutes. Remove and discard.

Review

Just like Skin Food Carrot Collagen Eye Sheet and Etude House Good-Bye Dark Circle Eye Patch, I do not have any sticky feeling towards TheFaceShop Raspberry Roots Collagen Eye Patch. I can feel that both of the eye patches are getting dry and all essences have been fully absorbed by the skin under my eye area within 20 minutes of such application. However, I must admit that the essences for this product is much lesser than the Skin Food Carrot Collagen Eye Sheet. It did moisturise and firm up my skin under eye area but it did not really work on my serious dark circles.

Eye Mask Review - SK-II Signs Eye Mask

Dark Circles Treatment

SK-II Signs Eye Mask

Description

SK-II Signs Eye Mask is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area. A soft 100% cotton mask drenched with moisturisers enhanced with Pitera and ProteoActive complex hydrates deeply, smoothes fine lines and revives the eye area.

Direction

Place eye mask with the film-cover side up, the broader end meeting the outer corner of the eye. Remove film. Leave eye mask on for approximately 10 minutes.

Review

Some of the magazines highly recommended that results can be seen within a single day. After using one pack of thsi product, my serious dark circles under eyes are still quite visible but I can feel that my fine lines were softened and slightly plumped up. The skin under my eyes area is also hydrated.

Eye Mask Review - ZA Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask

Dark Circles Treatment

ZA Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask

Description

ZA Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask diminishes dark circles, giving eye areas a fresh feel and radiant look.

Direction

Use ZA Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask after softening and moisturising the skin. Remove eye masks from packet and separate them. Place the masks under eyes. The wide end of the mask should fit well onto outer corners of the eye. Relax for 5-10 minutes. Remove eye masks and massage remaining essence into skin. Complete by gently pressing temples. Concentrated ingredients immediately penetrate teh skin, then massage around the eye area promotes effective facial skin circulation, for a synergistic effect. Apply whenever dark circles and dryness occurs. For better results, use twice weekly. Discard each mask after use.

Review

I was recommended by a popular Taiwan chinese magazine, namely 女人我最大 to use ZA Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask (ZA is a beauty brand under Shiseido, Japan). It helps lighten the appearance of my dark circles and dullness and also moisturises the skin under my eyes area. A warm reminder to massage remaining essence into the skin as this eye mask is filled with rich essence. It is worth a try as it is not very expensive.

Eye Mask Review - Elianto Brightening Eye Zone Treatment Patch

Dark Circles Treatment

Elianto Brightening Eye Zone Treatment Patch

Description

Spot treatment for eyes zone, brighten, hydrate, improve elasticity. Formulated with pearl extract that helps to lighten dark circle appearance, blotches and uneven skin tone. Witch Hazel extract to reduce dark circle and such improve eye puffiness problem.

Direction

Thoroughly cleanse and dry face. Take out and unfold the eye patch and gently pad on eye zone area. Put on for 10-15 minutes and gently peel off slowly from the edges.

Review

This is the cheapest eye patch that I have ever used. It comes in 12 pairs in a packet. To be honest, I do not see any specific or immediate effect of using this eye patch except for moisturising the skin under my eyes area. However, I think that it is worth to use this eye patch for couple of times per week since it is relatively cheap (at least it is much better than not using any product).

 

Eye Mask Review - Etude House Good-Bye Dark Circle Eye Patch

Dark Circles Treatment

Etude House Good-Bye Dark Circle Eye Patch

Description

Formulated with slim tea complex and broccoli, hydro-gel eye patch supplies care to worrisome dark circles and bags for youthful looking eyes.

Direction

Remove clear film from patches and fasten adhesive sides to areas beneath the eyes. Remove patches after 10-15 minutes.

Review

There is no sticky-feel after using the Etude House Good-Bye Dark Circles Eye Patch. I do not have to massage any excess essence as all essences have been fully absorbed by the skin. However, I feel slight irritation after applying it for couple of minutes. I am not too sure whether it is my skin's problem or the ingredients of this product are too sensitive to my skin. Besides, I think this product does not really work on my dark circles under eyes. It did moisturise and slightly firm up my skin under eye area. I doubt I will buy this product again due to the irritation.

Eye Mask Review - Skin Food Carrot Collagen Eye Sheet

Dark Circles Treatment

Skin Food Carrot Collagen Eye Sheet

Description

Eye sheet with carrot extracts rich in Vitamin A, marine collagen and royal jelly contained in hydro gel. Contents are gradually absorbed into eye rim upon attachment to skin. It provides moisture and elasticity to dry eye rim.

Direction

Remove patches from foil sachet and then remove clear plastic backing from each patch. Apply each patch to the under-eye area, and leave on for 30-45 minutes. Apply 2 or 3 times per week.

Review

I like the fact that there is no sticky after-feel and I do not have to massage any excess essence (like other eye mask/patch) as all essences have been fully absorbed. It does not effectively reduce the appearance of my dark circles under eyes. However, it minimizes the wrinkles and fine lines under my eye area. I would say that this is a good eye sheet.

Eye Cream/ Serum Review - Essence of Elemente

Dark Circles Treatment

Essence of Elemente

Description

Essence of Elemente is a concentrated serum of nature's finest ingredients including grape seed extract, ginseng berry and cactus fruit.

Direction

Gently pat underneath eye area until it is fully absorbed.

Review

I have been using this product for more than 2 years and I am still using it. I am not sure whether it reduces my dark circles (as I am using other products at the same time) but I am sure it reduces my wrinkles underneath my eye area. Same comment given by my mother for the wrinkle reduction. Besides, I feel that the serum absorbs quickly into the skin under my eyes.

Eye Cream/ Serum Review - Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

Dark Circles Treatment

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

Description

An ultra-gentle moisturiser for the delicate skin around the eye. Pure Avocado Oil provides intensive hydration to help minimize the look of fine, dry lines; Aloe Vera calms and soothes. Formulated to absorb quickly, and prepare skin for smooth and easy concealer application.

Direction

For daytime, apply only to undereye area. At night, pat gently over the entire eye area.

Review

I like to apply Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream prior to the application of corrector and concealer to my dark circles under eyes as my eyes get dry and dehydrated easily after make-up. It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin under the eyes feeling smooth. I am still using it now as it does keep my corrector and concealer in place for long hours. I highly recommend you to apply this product as a base for your corrector/concealer. It really makes a difference, trust me!

Eye Cream/ Serum Review - Lancome Blanc Expert Ultimate Whitening Anti-Sport Anti-Dark Circles Eye Serum

Dark Circles Treatment

Lancome Blanc Expert Ultimate Whitening Anti-Spot Anti-Dark Circles Eye Serum

Description

Lancome Blanc Expert Ultimate Whitening Anti-Spot Anti-Dark Circles Eye Serum helps reduce brown spots on the eye contour area and keep it clear, translucent even-toned. Unique scientific innovation the production of melanin. Active whitening ingredients control the formation of melanocytes. Light diffusing agents helps make dark circles less obvious.

Direction

Massage a fine layer gently around eye contour area day and night.

Review

A close friend of mine recommended me to use this product as it is specially designed for dark circles treatment. Surprisingly my dark circles under eyes are slightly reduced and my eye contour is more translucent and even-toned.

Eye Cream/ Serum Review - Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex

Dark Circles Treatment

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex

Description

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex is a silky serum-gel, which helps to repair the appearance of past damage and protect the future of the skin around the eyes.

Direction

Apply every AM and PM. Dip the applicator into the jar and apply 3 tiny dots around each eye. Gently pat into skin and never rub using ring finger. Rinse and dry applicator after each use.

Review

I have tried this dark circles treatment product and I found out that my skin under the eyes looked and felt more moisturise and less puffy than before. However, it does not reduce my dark circles under eyes.

Eye Cream/ Serum Review - Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Brightening Eye Creme

Dark Circles Treatment
Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Brightening Eye Creme SPF 15/PA+

Description

Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Brightening Eye Creme SPF 15/PA+ is an extra gentle moisture cream that helps to shield the eye ares from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB exposure and pollution. Illuminating optics instantly brighten the look of dark circles and discolorations.

Review

Recently I got a free sample of Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Brightening Eye Creme SPF 15/PA+. I like the fact that it has not only SPF (Sun Protection Factor) but also PA, which provides protection against UVA. Besides, I like its packaging very much and it smells good to me. It is very moisturising and non sticky. I would say that it is a very good product to be used in daytime.

Eye Cream/ Serum Review - Dermalogica Total Eye Care

Dark Circles Treatment
Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15

Description

Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15 is a technological-advanced eye treatment cream. Gentle alpha hydroxy acids smooth while firming plant extracts retexturise the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of puffiness and fine lines. Optical light diffusers help diminish dark circles. Achemical-free sunscreen helps to shield against further damage. Contains no artificial fragrance of colour.

Direction

Gently pat underneath eye area, blending inward from outer corner. Use daily under makeup or alone.

Review

For daytime dark circles treatment, I have been using Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15 for more than 2 years. This product is good for people with dry skin whereby it provides sun protection, retexturises, firms and moisturises the eyes area. The texture of this product is good and it is tinted, which creates a reflection against my dark circles. Anyhow, you cannot expect an immediate effect to cure/reduce your dark circles under eyes.

Make-up Tips for Concealing Dark Circles Part II - How to Apply Concealer

How to Apply Concealer

1. Apply foundation to your face without paying particular attention to the skin under the eyes. It is easier for you to see the dark circles under eyes that you need to conceal after application of your foundation.
2. 
   
   Apply the concealer from the inner corner of eyes to outer side in a thin and even coat till the concealer blends completely with your skin. This can be accomplished either by using a make-up brush (some brands have their own brushes specifically designed for the purpose of their own concealers) or by patting it on with your finger.
3. 
   
   Spread the concealer evenly along the entire area around dark circles under eyes to achieve effective blending with the normal skin in order to prevent uneven skin tone and shading.
4. 
   
   Pay attention to your skin underneath the eyes, especially the place where your eyes meet the bridge of your nose as this area tends to have the darkest circles.
5. 
   
   Avoid applying mascara on lower lashes as flakes of mascara frequently fall from the lower lashes worsens the appearance of dark circles.
6. 
   
   Apply powder to the concealed areas with a translucent powder. This gives a smooth well polished appearance as a final step.

Personally, I am using Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit (Anti-Cernes Creme) as my eye concealer. You may visit my post at http://darkcirclestreatment.blogspot.com/2010/05/dark-circles-treatment-dark-circles.html for more details on this product.

Make-up Tips for Concealing Dark Circles Part I - How to Choose a Concealer

Good cosmetics together with proper tools make hiding dark circles under eyes fairly effectively. However, it is only a temporary fix but not a permanent solution. You may check out my previous posts for more details on dark circles treatments/ solutions.

How to Choose a Concealer

1. 
   
   Visit a beauty make-up counter in order for you to try out different types of concealers.
2. 
   
   Different types of concealers have different effects towards your dark circles under eyes. A yellow tinted concealer conceals the appearance of purplish circles, an orange concealer for blueish circles whereby blue, mauve or tan concealers for brownish circles. There are even green and light blue concealers for red circels under eyes.
3. 
   
   The colour of a concealer should be one shade lighter than your normal skin if the dark circles are blue or black. Conversely, you should select the concealer colour that is one shade darker than normal skin if puffiness is associated with your dark circles.
4. 
   
   Choose a creamy-typed concealer product, which allows it to glide onto the skin under the eyes smoothly.
5. Check the effect of the chosen concealer under natural lights just to make sure that your dark circles are not noticeable in normally lit circumstances.

Personally, I am using Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit (Anti-Cernes Creme). You may visit my post at http://darkcirclestreatment.blogspot.com/2010/05/dark-circles-treatment-dark-circles.html for more details on this product.

Dark Circles Treatments/ Solutions

Cucumber

• 
  
  Lie down on your back (which makes it easier to balance the slices of cucumbers on your face) in a cool place with as little direct lightning as possible, close your eyes and apply thin slices of cucumber on the eyes for about 5-10 minutes. Make sure that the cucumber slices have contact with the skin under the eyes. This will not only help to reduce the appearance of dark circles under eye, but also sooth and cool the eyes. Avoi sunlight or harsh bright lights as they will drain the moisture out of the cucumbers and may worse the appearance of dark circles under eyes.
• 
  
  Alternatively, cut a couple of fine cucumber slices with the skin on it, mash or squeeze them and apply the fresh cucumber juice to the dark circles under eyes daily. Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes, and then wash it off. Cucumber juice has cooling and soothing effects. It also has mild bleaching properties. Be careful not to get cucumber juice in your eyes.
• Follow the abovementioned dark circles treatments regularly on set days of teh week and at a set time each day, which will hydrate your skin under eyes, reduce puffiness and help eliminate the dark circles under eyes.

Potato

• 
  
  If you do not have a cucumber in the house, try using slices of potato. It works almost as well.

Tea Bag

• 
  
  Lie down, preferably in the morning, close your eyes and apply used cool tea bags (you may refrigerate them overnight) on the eyes for about 10-15 minutes and you will see a noticeable improvement in puffiness and dark circles under eyes. The caffeine in tea bags acts as a remedy for dark circles by diminishing puffiness. Caffeine in tea helps to diminish water in the tissues around the eyes and tea contains antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin. Make sure the tea bag is somewhat dry because irritating tea can get into your eyes if it is too moist.
• 
  
  Herbal tea bags are not recommended, except for chamomile. Chamomile tea bags can help in reducing dark circles and puffiness around the eyes due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Almond Oil

• 
  
  Massage under and around the eyes with almond oil daily for 2 weeks. Almond oil is the excellent skin food which helps in lightening the dark circles under eyes.

Towel

• 
  
  Apply hot and cold towel alternatively under eyes for 5-10 minutes for the first thing in the morning. This will help to increase circulation and reduce constricted blood vessels under the eyes, at the same time alleviating swelling and dark circles.

Cotton Ball

• 
  
  Dip cotton balls in rose water or chilled water and keep it over the dark circles under eyes for 5-10 minutes to reduce the appearance of dark circles. A chilled spoon under the dark circles can also do the magic.

Eye Cream/ Serum

• 
  
  Use dark circles eye cream/ serum with Vitamin E and C and gently pat on dark circles under eyes, blending inward from outer corner. Use it daily, which help to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Use eye cream/ serum with at least SPF 20 and PA ++ for morning session.
• 
  
  Massage dark circles under eyes with eye cream/ serum at day and night time for better blood circulation.

Yoga

• 
  
  Do Sarvangasana [as shown in the picture below] daily. This inverted yoga pose helps to strengthen the abdominal area, stimulates the thyroid gland and improves the blood circulation. It works on dark circles by increasing blood circulation to the upper body (as this is an inverted pose) and this helps the clean blood and oxygen to reach the face quickly and thus reduces dark circles effectively.

• 
  
  Do 'Kapalabhati' Pranayam for at least 5 minutes daily. 'Kapalabhati' Pranayam - Take 2 normal breaths. Inhale. Now exhale, pulling in your abdomen, repeat 20 times, keeping a steady rhythm and emphasizing the exhalation each time. Then inhale, exhale completely, inhale fully and hold your breath for as long as you comfortably can. Slowly exhale. In Sanskrit, 'Kapala' means skull or forehead and 'bhati' means shining. Regular practice of this cleansing breathing exercise not only helps to reduce dark circles under eyes, but also keep your skin glowing.

Dos and Don'ts for Dark Circles under Eyes

Take Rest and Get Plenty of Sleep Nightly

• 
  
  A recommended amount of sleep is 7-9 hours per night, but the hours of sleep may be varied throughout different people. Try to get that same hours of sleep regularly for a couple of weeks to see if that helps. Lack of sleep tends to cause the skin to become paler thus increasing the appearance of dark circles under eyes.

Drink Plenty of Water

• 
  
  8 glasses of water is recommended for daily consumption, which will help in reducing dark circles.

Take Cod Liver Oil

• 
  
  Swallow a capsule of cod liver oil daily, which will strengthen eyes and help in reducing dark circles.

Drink Fruit Juice

• 
  
  Drinking fresh fruit juice helps in detoxify body. Try drinking cranberry juice.

Eat Healthy and Balanced Diet

• 
  
  Eating healthy and balanced diet, particularly vegetables which are higher in calcium and magnesium than dairy products (especially cabbage, spinach and other leafy green vegetables), fruits and proper vitamins. Poor vitamin absorption may tend to reduce adrenal function. The less adrenal function you have the less vitamin B6 you tend to absorb, the less vitamin B6 you absorb, the less well your adrenal glands work and alas you end up in a vicious dark circle.

Avoid Junk Food

• 
  
  Keep away from junk food (including other processed food) as they contain artificial colours which contribute to the formation of dark circles under eyes as well as other diseases.

Avoid Excess Salt Intake

• 
  
  Avoid excess intake of salt in diet. Excess salt intake causes the body to retain water in unusual place, which will form puffiness under the eyes. Excess intake of salt in diet can also cause various body problems, for instance impairing circulation and causing blood vessels under the skin to appear bluer.

Use Sunglass under Sun

• 
  
  Use sunscreen or sunglass under the exposure of sunlight. This is to keep the eyes from harmful rays. In such way the skin under your eyes does not darken as quickly as the rest of your face and thus your dark circles seem lighter.

Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol

• 
  
  Smoking and drinking alcohol can adversely affect the quality of sleep resulting in appearance of dark circles under eyes as mentioned above. Moreover, smoking causes vascular, i.e. blood vessel problems that will threaten your life as well as make your blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer beneath the skin.

No Rubbing Skin

• Do not rub the skin under eyes area. The rubbing irritates the skin and can break tiny capillaries beneath the skin, causing both puffiness and discoloration.

Causes of Dark Circles under Eyes

One of the earliest signs of aging happen around the eyes area. It has been medically proven that eyes are vulnerable to dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles.

Dark circles under eyes are very common beauty complaint. The variuos causes of the dark circles under eyes are as follows:

Fatigue/ Lack of Sleep

• Fatigue and poor quality of sleep can cause paleness to the skin, which causes blood vessel to become visible through the skin, and thus forming dark circles under the eyes area.

Age

• As people age, the skin on the face inevitably becomes thinner, dry and lack of the natural immunity to outside factors we put it through in which contributing the delicate veins and features beneath the eyes more visible and more susceptible to dark circles. The natural wrinkles, creasing and drying of more mature skin also equates to more prominent and pronounced dark circles under eyes. Likewise, the loss of moisture and elasticity on the skin also stimulate the dark circles to become darker and more prominent.

Stress/ Depression

• As a result of interruptive and not so recuperative rest periods, stress can causes difficulty for bodies to relax, rest and soak in the benefits of daily beauty sleep. Moreover, people constantly find themselves on edge generally tend to live less healthy, neglecting proper nutrition, and not allowing their bodies to relax and relief from busy life activities. As a result, people experiencing stressful lifestyle normally have a tendency to attribute the formation of dark circles under eyes, whereby skin around the eyes is very thin and easily subjected to more stress than most other areas of the skin.

Nutrient deficiency

• Lack of nutrients in the diet, or the lack of balance diet causes discolouration of the area under the eyes. The formation of dark circles under eyes may show a sign of iron deficiency in the diet, which is the most usual type of anaemia.

Allergies, Asthma and Eczema

• Itchy eyes, regardless of any condition cuasing it, may contribute to dark circles under eyes due to over rubbing or scratching the skin under the eyes. Hay fever sufferers particularly will notice under-eye "smudges" during the height of teh allergy season.

• Sensitive to skin, hair and eye care products or even nail polish can also cause puffiness to the eyes area.

• Furthermore, some food allergies may cause the area under the eyes to be more visible and darker. For instance the sulphites in wine, which may cause serious "morning after' face including puffy eyelids and dark circles under eyes.

Sun Exposure

• Exposure to sun can lead to excessive melanin production in the eyes area, which breaks down collagen and elastin, causing skin to lose its firmness. The skin under the eyes get damanged easily when exposed to the sun rays causing the skin under the eyes area becomes thinner and wrinkled. The veins below this skin will start looking prominent and thus wrinkles and prominent veins form dark circles.

• The same principle applies to darker skinned people whereby exposure to sunlight, especially during the summer months, can cause a higher-than-normal level of skin pigmentation under the eyes.

Hereditary and Genetics

• Genetics Darkness under the eyes area runs in the family and is more visible on fair skin, which accentuates dark circles under eyes. If your family members have dark circles, it is highly likely that you also have the same as it is an inherited trait like varicose veins.

• The skin under the eyes is very weak and thin. Thus, when blood passes through the large veins close to the surface of the skin, it will produce bluish tint. The more transparent the skin is, the more prominent the appearance of dark circles.

• Facial bone structure that produces the appearance of deep-set eyes and structure of the nose (high nose bridge) also contribute to the appearance of shadowed dark circles under eyes.

Lifestyles

• Smoking and consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages may cuase dark circles. Smoking damages the skin and destroys certain vitamins in the body (particularly vitamin C is required to rebuild skin cells). In the meantime, it also causes the blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer beneath the skin around the eyes area.

• Excessive alcohol consumption causes dehydration to the skin because it sucks moisture out of tissues and this can lead to wrinkles and premature aging. Combined with regular consumption of coffee and other high-caffeine drinks, these lifestyle factors are regarded to be behind the cause of dark circles under eyes.

Poor Blood Circulation

• Blood circulation may be one of the factors causing purplish circles and puffiness around the eyes area. As the skin under the eyes is weak and thin, tiny blood vessels on the skin gets pooling and drying due to poor blood circulation. As a result of pooling of the blood vessels, the skin under the eyes stretches over the bony structurally foundation of the eyes sockets and the lack of fatty layers, the purplish in appearance effect shadows and half circles appeared to be more visible under the eyes.

• Poor blood circulation in less serious circumstances could be contributed by stress, lack of sleep or in the more upsetting situation generated and inherited by family.