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" Your eye area is like a Facebook status update: It reveals everything about what&amp;#039;s going on in your life \u2014 like whether you&amp;#039;ve been partying hard, working longer hours, or even slacking on the sunscreen. The smart new approach to looking refreshed, experts say, is combining high-tech ingredients with some time-tested, low-tech strategies.  PUFFINESS Firm Up When applied topically, caffeine tightens up the skin, says Laura Hittleman, director of beauty for Canyon Ranch. Put cool, moist black-tea bags on your eyes for 5 minutes or use an eye cream that contains caffeine. She recommends Canyon Ranch Brightness Eye Cream, $70. Use Cold Spoons Place cold metal spoons on your eyes for a few minutes to tighten up the skin before you apply makeup, says Kate Somerville, aesthetician in Los Angeles. Another option: a bag of frozen peas \u2014 it&amp;#039;ll contour to the shape of your face.  Stay Hydrated The effects of alcohol can contribute to swelling and puffiness \u2014 even under your eyes. Stick with one cocktail, and drink water before and after you go out to minimize the visible damage.  Watch the Salt Limit your sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day since salty foods can lead to swelling everywhere. And load up on vitamin B-rich foods (like spinach), which may actually reduce bloating, says registered dietician Lisa Drayer, author of The Beauty Diet.  Try Witch Hazel Place pads soaked in witch hazel (a natural astringent) on your eyes for 5 minutes, says makeup pro Shalini Vadhera.  Do an Eye Massage Use your ring fingers to press your way from the inner to the outer corners of your eyes, says Tammy Fender, aesthetician in Palm Beach, Florida. Then move to your temples and down your jaw. Repeat to help flush excess fluid. Apply Hemorrhoid Cream (Seriously)  Sounds gross, but the main ingredient \u2014 phenylephrine \u2014 constricts blood vessels and shrinks under-eye tissue, says derm Audrey Kunin, founder of Dermadoctor. Apply a bit to the puffy area, being careful not to get it in your eyes. MAKEUP TIP A quick solution for bags is to draw attention away from your under-eye area, says NYC makeup artist Dara Klein. Define your upper lids with liner, then apply several coats of mascara. A good one: Maybelline XXL Extensions XX-Treme Length Microfiber Mascara, $7.99.   DARK CIRCLES Be Sun Smart Cumulative sun damage can cause raccoon circles and darkening. Prevent those problems with a broad-spectrum SPF that won&amp;#039;t sting when you wear it around your eyes. We like Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion, $9.99.  Slice a Potato  Fade your rings temporarily by cutting a potato (which has a skin-lightening enzyme called catecholase) into two thin slices, says Vadhera. Leave them on your eyes for 10 minutes so the juice can seep into the skin. Do this twice a week to even out your tone.  Pop an Antihistamine If your circles appear during allergy season, ask your doc if you should try an antihistamine or allergy-relief eyedrops, says Robert Mirsky, ophthalmologist in New Jersey. &amp;quot;Allergens cause swelling in the vessels under your skin; rubbing your eyes can bruise those same vessels and cause a dark appearance.&amp;quot;  Upgrade Your Cream The newest eye creams have minerals and botanicals that control pigmentation \u2014 a step up from what your mom was using. Try Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream, $18.99.  MAKEUP TIP The secret to covering up circles is a yellow- or peach-based concealer in a shade slightly darker than you&amp;#039;d normally use to neutralize the purple skin, says Klein. Apply it with a brush for precise coverage. Try DuWop Circle Block, $28.    DRYNESS, IRRITATION Drink More Water (and Fewer Caffeinated Beverages) It&amp;#039;s always a good idea to up your water intake, especially if your eyes are feeling Sahara-like. And while you&amp;#039;re at it, keep your caffeine consumption under 300 milligrams per day (one cup of coffee has about 100 milligrams), says Drayer, since the mild diuretic effect of caffeine can cause water loss. Blink More  When you&amp;#039;re staring at a computer screen or PDA, you actually blink less. &amp;quot;Blinking naturally lubricates the eyes,&amp;quot; says Dr. Mirsky. Put a note on your computer reminding you to blink more, and keep your eyes closed for a few seconds. Also, take a break from your digital devices every 20 minutes. Look out the window to refresh your eyes.  Eat the Right Foods There are many reasons why your eyes can look less dewy and clear, including your diet. But a study found that a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds) protects against dry eyes. It&amp;#039;s also important to eat lots of leafy greens and vitamin-C fruits as well as foods rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, like eggs and carrots, says Drayer. &amp;quot;Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is an antioxidant that keeps your eyes healthy.&amp;quot;  Remove Your Eye Makeup Once in a while, we all crash without washing our face, but it&amp;#039;s essential at least to take off your makeup. &amp;quot;This is the easiest way to prevent eye irritation,&amp;quot; says Dr. Mirsky. Keep unscented baby wipes next to your bed so if you&amp;#039;re really zonked, you can quickly swipe your entire face while lying down.  MAKEUP TIP For sparkly, fresh eyes, rim lower lashes with a nude pencil, then apply a shimmery champagne shadow to the inner corners, says Klein. Swipe on a navy mascara to make the whites of your eyes appear even brighter. If you&amp;#039;re sensitive to makeup, try a hypoallergenic brand like Almay or an allergy-tested brand like Clinique.   FINE LINES Buy Big Sunglasses Even if you&amp;#039;re in your early 20s, you already may have a few fine lines around your eyes since they&amp;#039;re the first spots to show signs of aging, says Dr. Kunin. But squinting at the sun when you&amp;#039;re walking outside or driving in your car can cause wrinkles to show up even earlier than they should. Wraparound or large-frame sunglasses are the best protection and look great, but you also need to apply SPF every day.  Go Easy with Makeup Constant tugging and pulling the areas around your eyes when applying makeup can damage the skin. &amp;quot;Dab on eye cream with your ring finger, and use soft brushes to apply concealer,&amp;quot; says Klein. And when it comes to fixing any goofs, saturate a cotton pad with makeup remover, then lay it on each eye for a few seconds before gently swiping it off instead of rubbing it onto your lids.  Use a Potent Product The technology behind antiaging eye creams just keeps getting better. Right now, it&amp;#039;s all about complexes that temporarily fill in lines and relax facial muscles. And some have peptides that help stimulate collagen and elastin production as well as hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin. Try Olay Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex, $42, or Lanc\u00F4me High Resolution Refill-3X, $55. MAKEUP TIP Prep lined areas with a moisturizing eye cream to smooth out creases. Tap it on, and don&amp;#039;t get too close to your lashes. Then use a light-diffusing concealer, like Clinique Airbrush Concealer, $19.50. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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