The Skinny On Dark Circles And How To Fight Them

Photo: Robert Kneschke

Photo: Robert Kneschke

No matter what we seem to do, dark circles never seem to go away. We have all had the moment of looking in the mirror, and thinking “Holy crap…I look so tired.” One of the problems with having dark circles as a problem area, is that the skin is thinnest in the eye area and therefore harder to manipulate back to normal. The two largest problems with the eye area, are puffiness, and dark circles.

Puffiness

Puffy eyes can be caused by a whole host of things, some large, some small: a nasty sinus infection, crying your eyes out before bed, or simply eating a salty lunch. One of the best things you can do, is drink a lot of water throughout the day to flush out some of the build up.

Sleeping on your side of stomach can cause build up around the eyes. If you wake up with chronically puffy eyes, sleeping on your back may be a quick fix to perfect peepers.

Try not to rub your eyes throughout the day, which can cause the thin skin around the eyes to become inflamed and irritated. This breaks tiny blood vessels around the eye and causes discoloration.

How to fix it:

-Stick two spoons in the freezer. After a solid ten minutes, take them out and slather them in eye cream. Apply under eyes and watch them instantly de-puff.

-A cooling eye mask works just as well.

-Try a targeted eye mask for instant results. After applying eye pads, under eyes are left brighter, smoother, and perkier in minutes. The hydrating pads help to restore water where there may be done, causing puffiness. Plankton extract in these pads has an instant tightening effect.

-If you are a fan of salty meals, try snacking on bananas to balance out the affects of the sodium.

Dark Circles

While dark circles are usually attributed to a late night, they can be causes by much more, and sometimes hereditary. As we get older, dark circles are inevitable no matter how much sleep we get: the skin thins around our eyes, therefore showing more of the discoloration underneath. The elasticity in our eye area begins to lose mass, and shows the outline of the bone underneath, making it look hollow and dark.

Dark circles can take on make different tones, but one of the most common is blue. This is caused from blood pooling around the eyes, and will be most visible in the morning but become less perceptible throughout the day. Brown circles can also be a sign of this. Experts recommend using a soy or citrus bases brightening eye cream to combat this over a few weeks.

“You can fight the good fight on a daily basis by applying night cream. Products with hyaluronic acid will plump the area, hydrating the skin and pushing it up and away from the blood, whereas those containing retinoic acid will thicken the skin to conceal the darkness.” [The Stylelist.]

How to fix it:

-Make up. Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone. Make up artists will tell you to go a few shades lighter, but most of the time, it is not a good look.

-Try using a eye cream with caffeine, which will tighten and lift the eye area. quickly.

-A cold compress or cold spoons will always provide a quick fix.

Four steps to cover it up:

1. Prepare the skin with eye cream. This will bring moisture to the skin and keep it plump, therefore making it a tad bit easier to cover up the veins.

2. Apply your concealer. Choose a concealer with a yellowish undertone to counteract the blueish tinge around the eyes. Dot concealer around the eye area with a small make up brush.

3. Dab concealer. Dab your concealer to blend opposed to brushing it on. This helps to avoid further irritating the gentle skin around the eyes.

4. Apply a powder. Applying a powder to the concealer helps to set it into place. This will help hold the concealer from slipping into wrinkles or fine lines, and prevent shininess throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

DreamDry Brings Their Styling Expertise to Lincoln Park

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Via Racked NY

 

Rachel Zoe may be small in size, but she has no shortage of style to go around. This past Wednesday, Rachel Zoe and Robin Moraetes, co-founders of DreamDry, took the windy city by storm for the opening of their latest location in Lincoln Park. The opening party was just as chic as you would think a Rachel Zoe hosted soiree would be: Moët & Chandon kept the bubbly flowing while Vosges Haut-Chocolat served light, delicious bites. Zoe wore a gorgeous black jumpsuit, and large gold Chanel earrings.

The first feature I noticed at DreamDry was the crazy zig zag floor. The whole space is decorated in black and white, and reminds me of classic glamor. Zoe and Moraetes recently talked to Suntimes Splash, and explained who DreamDry will serve: “We wanted to come up with a solution for the busy professional, the busy mom, to have a more upscale, affordable luxury experience. DreamDry really is a destination.” [Suntimes Splash]

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DreamDry does not just offer a blowout, but a full experience. I had the pleasure to experience a DreamDry blowout last week, and was pleasantly surprised at the difference between DreamDry and other blowout salons I have tried. As an avid blowout bar junkie, I appreciate the small things. My stylist immediately handed me an Ipad fully loaded with the different hairstyles available. I settled on the “Stevie,” a bouncy blowout with loose curls. My stylist gave me a phenomenal scalp massage while washing my hair, and then gave me a mini Ipad stacked with all the latest magazines to keep me occupied during my appointment.

I left with shiny, voluminous hair that lasted for three days after my blowout. My verdict? I would go back in a heart beat.

Blowouts and braids start at $40.00, but with the impeccable service and long lasting effects, it’s well worth it.

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The Best Spots To Pamper Yourself This Weekend: Chicago

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Blowtique, River North:

Blowtique was one of the first blow out bars in Chicago back when it opened in 2012. Since then, blow out only salons have popped up left and right, but Blowtique is still #1 in my book. More specifically, I see Rhona. My hair is washed twice and conditioned with luxurious Kerastase products, and then winded and brushed into loose waves with loads of body. A classic blowout ($40) includes a shampoo, blow-dry, and style with Oribe products. Added bonus? BYOB is encouraged.

Contact: 1 E. Huron. 9am-9pm. Blowtique.com

DryBar, Lincoln Park:

DryBar opened their first location in California, and they now have 40 locations, with two more to come in the next year. Chicago Magazine said it best: “Ringing in as one of the pricier blowouts on our list at $40, Drybar justifies its cost with plenty of perks: iPhone charging docs, flat screen televisions galore, and a complimentary coffee, tea or mimosa with your service.” Appointments tend to fill up fast, so if you’re looking to get glam for New Years, book now.

Contact: 1611 N. Sheffield Ave. Mon-Wed. 7AM-8PM, Thur-Fri. 7AM-9PM. Sat. 8AM-9PM. Sun. 9AM-7PM. Thedrybar.com.

Bliss Spa, GoldCoast:

Bliss Spa at the W on Lakeshore drive offers deluxe services of all kinds in a modern, luxurious space nestled on the eighth floor overlooking Lake Michigan from all angles. Services are pricey, but if I had to pick one? The Triple Oxygen Facial. The facial that made Bliss famous, this classic radiance reviver includes a targeted peel, an energizing enzyme pack and three forms of skin brightening oxygen, including an oxygen wrap and vitaminized O2 spray. It’s like a breath of fresh air for your face-literally.

Contact: 644 N. Lake Shore Drive. Mon-Sun. 8AM-9PM. BlissSpaWorld.com

Nail Fairy, Lincoln Park:

Nail Fairy is my go to spot for a mani/pedi.With a serene atmosphere and beautiful space, it is impossible not to relax instantly. Chick flicks play on a giant screen TV at all times. The manicure is great for a budget at $15.00, but you would think it costs much more. They start off by going through the basic manicure staples, but throw in a five minute hand, arm, neck, and shoulder massage. They finish the manicure by perfectly polishing your nails and send you off with a warm smile.

Contact: 1249 W Fullerton Ave. Mon-Sat. 10AM-7PM. (773) 883-3040.

Lush Lashes

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They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, so why not make sure you take care of your lashes too? False lashes seem daunting, but with the right tips and tricks, are shockingly easy and will have you looking doe eyed in five minutes flat. A few lashes placed on the outer corner of your lids will give impression of wide eyes.

Making lashes look natural is key, so go small strips or stick to individual falsies. When using strips, I recommend this helpful tutorial from Beautylish.

Need a little more guidance? Here are our four steps to getting the perfect fringe:

Curl: Curl your lashes before applying your fake lashes or mascara.

Apply Mascara: Choose a lengthening formula so your natural lashes blend in with your falsies. Apply one to two coats, and keep it thin. This prevents clumping and will help your false lashes blend in. For added perfection, use a small brow comb to go through your lases before applying falsies.

Line: Smudge a charcoal black liner thinly along lids. This way, in case there is a gap between your fake lashes and your natural lash line, the smudges liner will hide it.

 

SSC picksChanel Professional Liner Duo. MAC Individual Lashes. MAC Half Lashes. Diorshow Mascara.

Beauty In Review: Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract

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What is it:

A gentle, light orange, slightly grainy, but effective cleanser.

What it does:

Scrubs away make-up, skin impurities, and dead skin.

Why I love it:

Clarins gentle, spa-fresh facial exfoliator rids skin of make-up, embedded impurities and dead surface cells in one time-saving step. After use, my skin was left feeling clean, fresh, and polished. Orange extract softens, refreshes and renews radiance. The cleanser smells amazing, so it is never a “chore” to wash my face in the morning and at night. Moringa Seed extract purifies and refines while preserving skin’s natural moisture balance. Gentle Silica Microbeads give clogged pores a breather. While some exfoliants can be too harsh for everyday use, this Clarins cleanser has just the right amount of grit. I have been using this cleanser for about three weeks, every morning and night, and have noticed that my skin is much smoother.

Screen Shot 2014-10-29 at 10.21.04 PMClarins Beauty, $35.00 for 4.2 oz.

Classified Beauty: Exclusive Tips From Shannon O’Brien

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Shannon O’Brien’s work has been featured in CS Magazine, Refinery 29, and national ad campaigns, but that’s just the start. This isn’t why O’Brien’s clients rave about her, it all boils down to her incredibly refined work and relationships with everyone she comes across. Beauty can get complicated, and that’s why we asked Shannon to let us in on her favorite hush-hush beauty secrets & products. Now you can look like a glam goddess every day, all year long.

Shannon O'Brien

1. Makeup Forever Aqua Brow

This is so crucial if you love a strong brow.  Not only does it not travel or smudge, but it is waterproof WATERPROOF!  I love it particularly because it makes my brows a bit more buxom when they’re feeling a too skinny.  I play with my brow color a lot so I like to mix 2 or three to get the perfect shade.

2.  Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

This water based foundation is gorgeous, natural, and build-able.  It has a natural hydrated finis and I love to mix it with a beauty balm in the summer to sheer it out.  This is also a photo-friendly foundation.  Illamasqua also sells it with a “skin enhancer” color that when mixed in can highlight, contour, brighten, or bronze depending on the color you choose.  A++++++

3.  Sacha Juan Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

I just started using this combo and LOVE it.  I typically only wash my hair once a week so it’s important that the products I use hydrate my hair without weighing it down.  I even work about a quarter size of the conditioner into my hair after my shower to leave in for extra moisture.  I just like how soft and shiny it leaves my hair.  I am also a sucker for the simple packaging.

4.  Vaseline Cocoa Radiance Body Lotion

This is my all time favorite body lotion.  It leaves my skin buttery with a glow even the day after I use it.  It has a very subtle cocoa butter scent that makes me feel like I’m on vacation without being overpowering.  I keep it in my kit as well to knock out dry knees and an elbows on my models.  I feel like this stuff is magic.  My skin never feels better than when I use it and it’s a drugstore staple!

5.  SK-II Mask

This is the perfect cure for tired skin.  10 minutes in one of these babies and your skin is plump, radiant and super hydrated.  I like to use these the night before a big event to make sure my skin looks it’s best.  It is also a kit must have for VIP clients.  You look like Hannibal Lecter while using them, but I swear the pay off is worth it.