3 Steps to Your Best Eyes…Starting Now
Peepers, windows to the soul, pools of blue/brown/green…whatever you call them, they’re one of the features people notice first on your face. They have the power to reveal 
exactly what’s going on in your life – whether you’re tired, stressed out, surprised, or excited, your eyes tell it all. To that end, it’s well worth your time and effort to take care of them. No matter how busy you are, I’ve got some great suggestions to bring out the best look for your eyes.
Step #1: DaMaGe CoNtRoL
When you wash your face before bed tonight, pat your face dry with a towel and lean in closer to the mirror. Yes, I don’t like doing this either, but the truth is that you have to assess your eye area without cream, concealer, or foundation to really get an accurate understanding of what your skin needs. If you have dark circles or the area around your eyes is puffy, fear not because there are definitely some measures you can take. If you find yourself noticing (gasp!) a few lines or wrinkles, relax. It’s much better to take a proactive approach and start now so that you can prevent more in the future.
A time-tested home remedy to soothe dark circles is cucumber slices. Everyone has heard of this and while they do help, an even better (and less known) method is thin slices of potato. It sounds crazy but it works. Place slices on your eyes for 10 minutes a day while you lay down and you’ll definitely start to look more awake in as soon as a week.
Another great idea is to throw a couple of teaspoons in the freezer for a few hours and use them to press down (gently!) on the eye area once a day for a few minutes. This is especially helpful to soothe puffy eyes, so it might be a good thing to add to your morning routine.
Step #2: MaInTaIn
Whether you’re in your early twenties or late thirties, it’s never too early (or late) to start using an eye cream. There are a ton of different formulas at varying price points out there, but some are better than others. One of the things to keep in mind as you search for an eye cream is that some of the most expensive ones can do absolutely nothing, while cheaper ones are surprisingly rather effective. Also, don’t expect to see a huge difference in a few days. Eye cream is more of a long term strategy to prevent and heal. After finishing a bottle or two, you can expect to start to see a difference. Most bottles are meant to last 2-3 months. Lastly, make sure to dot (not rub) the cream under your eye with your ring finger, since it is supposed to be the gentlest. Here are some suggestions that I recommend based on personal experience or from friends. I’ve listed them in order of increasing price so you can find one that fits within your budget:
100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
This was recommended to me 
recently by a friend of a friend so I decided to give it a shot. For $19, this sounded too good to be true, but she said that it has worked great for her. I’ve used it for about a week now and I am in love with how great it smells. Available online only at Bath & Body Works.com.
Clinique All About Eyes Rich
This is a great buy for those of you who are loyal to your department store skincare lines. Clinique has long been a favorite among many girls because of their fragrances and cosmetics. A law school classmate raves about the results she got with this eye cream. $28.50 at Sephora and most major department stores.
Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream
A friend told me she has been using this for years and has seen a dramatic difference in the way her eye area looks. I am a big fan of 
La Mer: The Eye Concentrate
Ahh, La Mer. Hands down, this is one of the best skincare lines in the world. Used several notable celebrities as well as women with an envy-worthy disposable income, La Mer has been said to literally transform skin. Even aestheticians recommend it, so you know it’s for real. $165 at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
Step #3: DrEsS ‘eM uP
Of course, these eye creams take time to do their thing, so while you’re waiting, let’s make sure you’ve got some great makeup to cover up the damage. Of course, no article about eyes is complete without some concealer information, so I shall oblige. I have tried many over the years, but my favorites have come from Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown. I found that the MAC ones were too light and Bare Minerals doesn’t provide enough coverage. Your best bet is to hit a Sephora or local department store to let one of the representatives do their thing. Remember, no makeup – they need to be able to see your skin in all its glory to give you the best recommendation. Be sure to tell them what kind of formula you’re looking for (cream, tube, etc.) as well as what other makeup you use.
Hope these suggestions help. Remember though, that all the products in the world can’t replace lack of sleep or bad eating habits, so get those 8 hours and your fruits and vegetables!
— Sonia Lakhany, Editor of Culinary Affairs
