Ok! so here is a simple sounding topic…something we all deal with from time to time, some more often than others, but we all do at some point. When i came up with this topic i had so many questions running through my head i didn’t know where to begin! But having done more research i’ll do my best to break it down for you in some surprisingly simple ways how to fairly naturally and effectively reduce eye puffiness:)

What causes eye puffiness??

Improper sleep: Eyes often appear more puffy in the morning after a long night’s sleep. This is partly due to the fact that when reclining, blood flow is increased in the face. Also, when the body is deprived of sleep, the eyes become strained and overworked, usually causing dark circles under the eyes, puffiness and or redness.  Be sure you’re getting the recommended amount of time for sleeping every night to reduce puffy eyes.

Crying: When we cry, our eyes  get swollen and puffy. Even after you have calmed down and stopped crying, the puffiness is there to remind you of why you were crying, No?

Fluid retention: Not having enough water will tell your brain that you are dehydrated. This will cause an anti diuretic hormone to be released which will cause your kidneys to allow water back into your body instead of going out with your urine. Also, if you consume too much salt, more water will be reabsorbed into your body by osmosis. That is why salty food and dehydration cause edema (swelling). So, in this case, and in general, sticking to lower sodium diet will greatly help, from the inside out, as well as adequate water intake.

Other reasons for puffiness: allergies, taking certain medications, weather, hormonal changes, or even heredity!

Note: Visit a doctor if you have sudden or severe swelling in the eye area; it may indicate sinusitis or an allergy.

Here are some helpful things to try in reducing puffiness, redness, or some dark circles:

1. Apply chilled fruits or vegetables! Cool cucumber, apple, strawberry or potato slices on top of your closed eyelids for a few minutes until the slices warm up will reduce puffiness naturally.
2. Chilled Teabags! Cover your closed eyes with damp, chilled teabags. The tannic acid in the tea bags helps sooth the entire eye area. (This also works for red eyes if you do not have drops available) Simply dampen two teabags and chill them in the refrigerator for a few moments. Lay them over your closed eyelids putting very light pressure on them for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Use Cold Spoons! Stick two teaspoons in the refrigerator or freezer, and gently lay them over your eyes until the spoons warm up.
4. Try Ice! Simply wrap some pieces of ice in a soft paper towel or washcloth and gently apply to your eyelids and the puffy area.
5. Cold Milk! Dip some cotton pads in ice cold milk and then squeeze excess milk out. Apply on lids until pads warm up. You may do this a few times until swelling is gone.
6. Witch Hazel! Soak a cotton ball in chilled Witch Hazel, squeeze out excess then place on closed eyes.   Note:  Position your face upright, elevated above your chest, to decrease blood flow from the face. This basically means don’t lie down!
7. Chill Your Eye Cream! Keep your eye cream in the refrigerator. The coolness will instantly help reduce puffiness when you apply it. Be sure to apply it gently with your ring finger and tap gently when applying.
8. Apply Hemorrhoid Cream! While Hemorrhoid cream is not completely natural, it is also known to do the trick. This used to be an old models trick for the instant reduction of puffiness. From what I understand however, some of the creams in the United States no longer have the ingredient that made this work so well. Note: Be sure to find a cream that has shark’s liver oil and yeast in it. (Also, be very careful to not get cream in eyes.)
9. Use an eye serum! Find an eye serum that is specifically formulated to reduce puffiness. There are many on the market that do this. Keep all products that you are using to reduce puffiness out of your eyes. If they get into your eyes, these products may add to the puffiness problem.

1. Use a Gel or Water Mask! Again, while you might have to purchase this item in a store, it also works very well. Wearing a cold gel or water mask for a few moments not only reduces puffiness, but can be very soothing as well!

          NOTE TO REMEMBER: Drink plenty of water!! remember Water retention, which causes bloating, occurs when the body has too much salt and not enough fluids to flush it out.

So there you go!! A few simple ways to take care of yet another one of those little things that bother us:)

~maresah~        

Long hair is definitely the trend…you’ll notice all these trends have long or at least shoulder length hair as their base. This is a great beach look, or relaxed weekend wear- but I wouldn’t style my hair like this for any dressier events.

Do: 

-Let hair air dry, or blow dry depending on the silkiness desired.

-Spritz with hair volumizing spray, or thermal hair spray.

-divide hair into small section and use curling iron to curl only the middle of each hair section, leaving the bottom and top curl free.

- Spritz with hair spray for stay-power.