I’m not usually one for the excessive use of profanities, sailor type swearing kind of loses it’s impact if it punctuates every other sentence. However, for the last few months I have said this to my reflection (or should that be shouted, in a very un-ladylike fashion) pretty much every day. Thanks to a pregnancy related increase in blood flow my fairly average blue-ish under-eye circles have resembled two deep almost maroon hued hollows.

Of all the peculiar skin changes I expected from the last 9 months this wasn’t one of them. They make me look tired. And a little bit unwell. Never mind the alleged glow I am supposed to radiate, you wouldn’t bloody notice it anyway due to the permanently bruised look I am currently sporting.

Anyway this isn’t a plea for sympathy, more of a feature to share products and tricks that have helped improve the appearance of mine. I’m hoping that if you are also a sufferer then it will prove useful, and that you perhaps have some additional recommendations to make.

Reduce Swelling

I find not only are my circles dark, they are also puffy. Yes I know – super attractive. I bought this Clinique “Even Better Eyes” contraption which has a cooling applicator and a tinted cream serum hybrid that does make an improvement, it’s also handy to keep in your bag to apply when your concealer may be looking a little cake-y come late afternoon. Apply a teeny bit and pat away gently for a quick “refresh”.

To be honest though the best (and cheapest) method to reduce the presence of frog like peepers is two cold tea spoons pressed on gently to each eye for 10 seconds, released and then pressed on again. I keep some in the freezer at ALL TIMES. It took my husband a while to remember where to find the majority of our hot beverage stirring cutlery, they reside next to the peas and Ben & Jerry’s, obviously.

Allergy Related?

After suffering with all sorts of strange swollen face issues some years ago a dermatologist advised that actually, excessive dark circles are often caused by an allergy and not anything to do with lack of sleep. If your condition has suddenly worsened then check your eye makeup repertoire and cleansing routine as they could be the culprit.

When I am not pregnant I take an antihistamine if I think some new beauty purchase or other has had an adverse effect. It’s often the case – and my dark circles and general weird lion-esque appearance are vastly improved within the hour. As with all medicines read the dosage information before consumption and consult your doctor should your condition not improve.

Heavy Duty

I generally don’t like a lot of cosmetics on my skin, and with my fine dry complexion I often find that applying “more” just makes me look crap. In particular around the eye area – most concealing products emphasise fine lines I wasn’t even aware I had.

Needs must though and Bobbi Brown corrector paired with the creamy concealer has been a life saver. The trick is to moisturise really well both at night and in the morning for an even application (I swear by the Bobbi Brown rich eye cream for the daytime as well as evening.) You must let your cream of choice sink in properly though and only apply a teeny amount in the AM otherwise you are just asking for creases.

I pat on the corrector with my index finger gently, outside and underneath of each circle as well as the inner corners of the eye. I then apply the smallest smidgen of the concealer I can possibly get away with on top. I use the corrector in “Porcelain Peach” and the concealer cream in “Sand”. There is a wide variety of shades to choose from – I highly recommend you book a consultation and get matched up by one of the Bobbi Brown make-up artists at the counter.

Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer are available at John Lewis

Illuminating

I actually discovered the AMAZING Estee Lauder illuminating highlighter wand recently, only to be told it was discontinued and had been replaced by this “BB Brush-On Glow“. I can’t begin to tell you how distressing this news was.

As you might suspect I went and bought it anyway and I swear it is EXACTLY the same product. I even checked the ingredients and um….they are exactly the same. I am not sure whether I should be annoyed or pleased about this fact.

This works wonders on its own if your circles are not too dark. I swipe it on all over my lids, inner corners, outer corners and just outside/underneath where each circle “ends” so as to blend seamlessly with the rest of my base, rather than highlight the area and potentially make it look worse.

The last 7 days or so I seem to have been “let off” the particularly offensive deep hues of the last 37 weeks and have found that I can just get away with just using this. From a longevity perspective it goes the distance – I dab a bit extra on at lunchtime if I need to and it doesn’t appear to go patchy, just remains nice and smooth.

The Estee Lauder BB Brush-On Glow is available at Boots

Clever Extra’s

A pop of pink blush takes the emphasise away from the blue discolouration underneath the eye area, no I don’t really know why, I just know it works. Mac do a good selection of pinks to suit literally all skin tones.

Some (subtle) gold sparkle on the lid and underneath the lower lash line also seems to work wonders. I like this Dew Pot in “Hollow Haze” from “Me Me Me” at Superdrug. It stays on well too. Apply with your fingers or an eyeshadow brush using a kind of pressing/stippling motion – I find this leaves more pigment and thus improves the look and lasting ability.

Please do leave your thoughts in the comments section below (I thoroughly recommend some rude sweary words if your purple patches are thoroughly doing your head in.)