Tricks for refreshing tired eyes

Who needs fancy, expensive creams to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Check out these tips and tricks for refreshing tired eyes and you'll be ready for your close-up in minutes!

Models and performers have long held the secret to reducing puffiness and wrinkles no matter how late they were up the night before, and it's not an expensive eye cream. What is it? Hemorrhoid cream, which tightens puffy areas and wrinkles. If the odour of the cream is too strong, mix a bit of your moisturizer into it before applying. And do be careful not to get any of the cream into your eyes; after all, it's designed to be used much farther south.

The next time your peepers need pepping, take two metal teaspoons from the kitchen drawer and hold them under very cold running water for a few minutes. Then lie down and place the bowls of the spoons over your eyelids for 30–60 seconds. The sharp cold of the metal will revive tired eyes and may boost your energy level at the same time.

Was the baby crying all night, leaving you with tired eyes? No problem. While baby naps, put two of his teething rings in the freezer until they're ice cold, stretch out on the sofa, and place the rings on your closed eyelids for about 10 minutes. The cold will not only reduce eye puffiness but invigorate you, too.

For many people, tiredness causes dark circles under the eyes — "raccoon eyes" — that add years to the appearance of men and women alike. If you can't catch up on your rest, place slices of ripe avocado under each eye or apply a paste of ground almonds and milk to lighten the dark shadows.

When your eyes are all red and puffy (you party animal, you), cut a couple of slices of cold cucumber, lie down, and put a slice over each eye for 30 minutes. Once you're up, your eyes will be brighter and your body refreshed.

Caffeinated tea — which contains natural tannins — is a mild diuretic and long-used by grandmothers and runway models alike for reducing eye puffiness. Soak two tea bags in warm water, and then chill the bags for a few minutes in the refrigerator. Place one tea bag on each eye for five minutes, and your peepers will be fresh as a daisy.

You don't have to walk around with tired, puffy eyes; try one of these easy solutions to relieve the problem and leave you feeling energetic.