BellaSugar

How to Deflate Puffy Eyes

Real Beauty — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:05:11 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

If getting more sleep isn't an option, we've found other ways to get rid of pesky under-eye bags.

Find the perfect cream for your eyes

It's normal for your eyes to look a little swollen first thing in the morning. But drinking alcohol, eating salty foods, allergies, and watching The Notebook can produce bigger bags that stick around for a few hours. Here's how to get rid of them fast.

What We're Sweet On: Excellently Organic Eye Cream

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:05:29 PST

Dried-out skin under your eyes isn't pretty, but it's a reality for a lot of us. The only thing that really helps is a moisture-trapping hydrator, which is why we've been using KTO Vitality Rose & Cucumber eye cream ($30). The primary ingredient is pure vegetable glycerin, which packs a hydrating punch and helps keep the moisture around, too, and the cream also has aloe, shea butter, jojoba, and a host of other excellent oils and soothers. It makes the little lines we get around our eyes from the in-office dry heat vanish completely, and after we put it on, our skin just feels a lot more comfortable, too.

And if you're wondering about the naturalness of the product, most of the ingredients are certified organic, and it's free of artificial preservatives, parabens, and sulfates. Plus, the price point is extremely reasonable for a product that works as well or better than some $80 products we've tried. All around an excellent bet if the windows to your soul are looking a little down at heel.

2 Easy Steps For Curing Tired, Puffy Eyes

Jaime Richards — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:04:00 PST

In the spoofy song, "The 12 Pains of Christmas," the singer explores all sorts of holiday-related issues: hangovers (which we have you covered on), rigging up the lights, and batteries-not-included - just to name a few. But one thing he doesn't mention is the puffy, tired-looking eyes that often come from not just overdoing it with rich foods and a packed schedule, but flying, as well. While the exclusion was probably just an oversight, it turns out puffy eyes don't have to be such a problem, after all. Luckily, it's an easy cure:

Step one: "I think the best thing is to use cool, cloth compresses," explains celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer. He recommends applying them for about a minute or two and then repeating after about an hour.
Step two: Then, apply a touch of eye cream with hyaluronic acid in it, and it's as easy as that.

5 Luxe Skin Care Products That Are Worth the Splurge

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 06:00:00 PST

Not sure where to start or what to get when it comes to high-end skin care products? Team Bella has tried out lots of luxe skin care items over the years, and here are a few of our favorites. Some are slightly more reasonably priced than others, but all deliver luxurious results.

This Citrusy Toner Will Brighten, Tighten, and Lift the Spirits

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:00:00 PDT

After discovering more than two gray hairs near my temples, lately, I've been paying a bit more attention to antiaging skin care. Arbonne's RE9 Advanced line, which consists of 11 products, is paraben-free and supposedly, you'll see results in 24 hours. I tried a few products out from the packaged-in-orange line, so to find out more about which item I liked most, just keep reading.

DrSugar Answers: Petroleum Products Safe Around the Eyes?

DrSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:30:12 PST

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's answering a question about treating wrinkles.

Dear DrSugar,
I have noticed the fine lines around my eyes becoming not so fine. I know it is just basic aging, but I would like to slow the process down. My sister said to put petroleum jelly (she uses Aquaphor) around my eyes at night. I've never used an eye cream before and am not really a fan of petroleum jelly - it just doesn't seem like a good idea to put a petroleum product on my skin, especially by my eyes. Is it safe? Will my body absorb dangerous chemicals?
- Concerned About Chemicals

I’m going to admit that I had to do some reconnaissance in my local drugstore to research this question. This research involved reading the labels of both regular petroleum jelly and Aquaphor (a Eucerin product). I also did the inevitable Google search for "Aquaphor" and for "fine lines and wrinkles." As a woman in her early 30s, this question interested me a bit personally as, like the reader, I am definitely noticing some little lines and crevices on my face! To learn more about the aging process and if you should be treating it with Vaseline, keep on reading.

Product Review: Aveda Tourmaline Charged Eye Cream

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:11 PST

I've been using Aveda's Tourmaline Charged Eye Cream ($32) on-and-off for several years; and recently, our love affair is back on, and here's why. The antioxidant-laden eye cream, which is more like a soft, easy-to-spread gel emulsion, never pills up on you or feels greasy. It simply just sinks right into the skin, creating a subtle luminosity under the eyes, which thanks to its smooth texture, wears nicely under concealer or foundation.

Whenever a beauty product costs more than $20, I think twice before making the purchase, and at $32, this eye cream isn't cheap, but since it tends to last me well over six months, I have no qualms about forking over my cash at the register. While Aveda claims this product reduces puffiness, I can't say I've noticed a big difference, and while the cream doesn't fade my dark circles, it does create a light-reflecting glow around the eyes. If you're looking for a lightly moisturizing way to perk up tired eyes, you might just want to eye this cream up.

Help This Reader Find an Eye Cream

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:11 PST

The other day I received an email from a reader looking for a good eye cream, and I thought that instead of just giving her a couple of options I like, I'd open up the floor to all of the eye-stuff experts reading the site. Want to help her out? Then here's what she has to say:

"I'm 25 years old, and I've decided I'd like to finally delve into the world of eye creams (I hope I'm not too late!). However, I don't really know where to start! Makeup counters have advice, but it all seems biased. I'm looking for something meant for a girl my age that'll offer SPF while combating puffiness and dark circles. Does this product exist? I'm a little worried that using the wrong cream could be detrimental-no need to load up on unnecessary chemicals, right?"

In my own experience, on the high end I'd recommend something like a Lancome Genefique Eye ($59), and for a cheaper, more natural option, a product like Weleda's Wild Rose Eye Cream ($22.75). What are your thoughts?

Ask Bella: Do I Really Need an Eye Cream?

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:01:39 PST

Have you ever wondered if an eye cream is really necessary? A reader posed just that question, asking:

I recently went to Sephora to replenish some of my basics - moisturizer, eyeliner, concealer, etc. A saleswoman asked if I had any questions and I did; I can never seem to make my concealer stay put! She said I needed to start using an eye cream and that it would make my concealer stay. I know there are many benefits for using eye cream, but is this one of them? Or was she just trying to make a sale?

It's always tough to know whether a salesperson is being sincere about what beauty products are actually worth the purchase, or whether he or she is trying to make their sales goals, but when it comes to eye creams, I've got some opinions. Find out my answer when you read more.

5 Affordable Eye Creams That Really Work

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:00:46 PST

Eye creams are total wallet drainers, but thankfully, you don't have to spend more than $20 to get results. Recently, a reader wrote in asking about some great affordable eye creams, with ones formulated for preventing dark circles and crepiness in particular. I've done some research to uncover five of the highest-rated eye creams addressing the most common under-the-eye issues - all within a reasonable price range. Score.

To find out more about these top five, keep reading.