How to Reduce Puffy Eyes Before the Wedding

Don't panic. There are several ways to reduce those puffy eyes.

By MiShaun Taylor

Photo by iStockphoto.com

The day you have waited your entire life for is finally here. Everything is going smoothly and now it's time to put your makeup on and get dressed. You take a deep breath, look at yourself in the mirror and do a quick check. Perfect hair? Check. White teeth? Check. Flawless skin? Hold it. Where did those suitcases under your eyes come from? Don't panic. There are several ways you can reduce those puffy eyes before you walk down the aisle.

• What You Need to Know
• In the weeks leading up to your wedding, be sure to remove your eye makeup every night. This keeps your pores from becoming clogged and swollen and reduces puffiness.

Step 1:

Use what you have on hand. There are several home remedies that you can test out as long as you have the materials available. You can make a cool water compress by soaking a cotton ball in cold water and then applying it to your eyes for five to 10 minutes each. Place a couple of spoons in the freezer for a few minutes, then take them out and place them over your eyes. You can also try an icepack or a refrigerated gel mask. Chilled cucumber or potato slices are also great for reducing puffiness. If you have teabags on hand, soak them in a bowl of water in the refrigerator and then place them on your eyes. You can also soak a cloth or nursing pad in cold milk and apply it to your eyes.

Step 2:

Try creams and gels. If somebody can make a quick trip to the store for you, send them to pick up eye gel or cream. To view a list of the top 15 eye creams, visit TheBeautyInsiders.com. Prescriptives makes a Magic Cooling Wand that contains 70% water, so the skin firms up as the water evaporates. A couple of other products to try are Murad Essential-C Eye Cream, Sephora Relief Eye Cream and MD Formulation Moisture Defense Antioxidant Eye Cream.

Step 3:

Hide it with makeup. If the puffiness is resistant to the above-mentioned techniques, you can try to hide it with makeup. For under-the-eye puffiness, use regular foundation or concealer to mask the problem. If the swelling is considerable, use foundation or concealer that is a shade darker, but only on the swollen area. For upper eye puffiness, dark eyeshadow often helps hide the swelling. Use a darker shade from your eyebrow down to your crease, and then use a lighter shade from your crease down to your lashes.

Step 4:

Prevent the puffiness. If at all possible, try to prevent any swelling beforehand. The week before your wedding, be sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and keep you from retaining water. Get plenty of sleep, especially the night before the wedding, and sleep with your head elevated.

• Tips & Warnings
• Allergies may be the culprit of puffy eyes. Ask your doctor about prescription allergy medications if it becomes a major problem.
• Cut back on your alcohol and salt consumption too in the days leading up to your wedding. Both of those lead to water retention.