Beauty & Fashion 

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Help for under-eye circles

Yes. First of all, most dark circles are caused by the appearance of veins beneath the thin skin under our eyes. As we age and our skin becomes more damaged due to sun exposure, the skin under our eyes becomes thinner and more wrinkled, which allows the veins in this fatty padded area under the eye to appear more prominent. These veins also become more swollen and obvious in people with allergies. Similarly, people with a history of eczema, hay fever or asthma often develop dark circles. They do, of course, become more apparent with a lack of sleep. In some people with dark skin, circles under the eye may actually be due to superficial pigmentation of the skin and not the underlying veins.

Common sense measures such as getting plenty of sleep and treating allergies can often help. Short-term tricks of the trade include applying cool cucumber slices or cool tea bags to the under-eye area, which helps to reduce swelling. Cosmetic concealers and foundation can also work wonders for tired looking eye circles. Choose a gold-based colour that matches your skin shade exactly (the gold will counteract the blueness of the under-eye circle). The most common mistake women make when applying concealer is choosing a colour that's too light - which only achieves a 'reverse raccoon' effect. Another common mistake is putting the concealer only under the eye. You should apply it all around the eye area and blend it in well. After applying, set the concealer with a light dusting of translucent face powder so that it stays put. To avoid drawing attention to your under-eye area, don't apply eyeliner or mascara to your lower lashes.

Often, the inner corner of your eye is the darkest part, so a white shimmer pencil will cover it. Some companies manufacture a blueish or white pencil just for this purpose.

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