Under-Eye Masks That Actually Work
The only kind of bags we want to know about are the ones we can bookmark to buy on NET-A-PORTER.
But if, like us, your favourite pastimes include wine, Instagram, late dinners and more wine, the bags you probably see most on a daily basis are the ones hanging below your eyeballs.
To make matters worse, dark circles and fine lines prove that bad things come in threes.
A bit of concealer or Touche Éclat will definitely smooth things over, but we wouldn’t mind being able to go without.
The bad news is: all of the above is often hereditary, and hard to shake.
The good news is: most people have it, and a little bit of extra love in the eye area goes a long way.
Enter… the new-guard of super-charged eye masks with the most weird and wonderful ingredients – from pure gold and seaweed, to ‘dragon’s blood’ and beyond.
We’ve been there, done that, and these are the ones that work.
By Carmen Hamilton.
Best all-rounder – SK-II Signs Eye Masks
Ok, these are simply magic. Fast-working, functional (the shape was the easiest to apply) and incredibly effective.
10 minutes = 10 years off your appearance.
Brush your teeth, make your bed, get Instagram deep, or just sit pretty then peel them off. You’ll look like you’ve given your under-eye area a once over with the Clone Stamp tool.
Best for plumping – Chantecaille Gold Energizing Eye Recovery Mask
An unexpected but effective mix of seaweed, 24 Karat gold and silk combine forces to smooth and plump the skin’s surface by kick-starting the lymphatic drainage process and pumping the skin full of moisture.
We’ll put money on the fact that NET-A-PORTER’s Beauty & Health Director knows what she’s on about, and these made the cut in her top four products for the face.
Best for fine lines – Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask
Let’s just say we weren’t surprised to find out Kim K swears by these to battle post-baby dark circles around the eyes, and hey, she’s tried it all (blood facial, anyone?).
These retinol-packed pads penetrate the skin in just 15 minutes to minimise fine lines and build up the skin’s resilience.
Best for bags and darkness – Rodial Dragon’s Blood Eye Masks
If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, these are worth the 30-minute wait.
They pump the skin with Hyaluronic Acid to firm, plump and hydrate, while arnica extract reduces puffiness.
‘Dragon’s blood extract’ (a red-coloured tree sap known for its healing properties) acts as a soothing second skin while the skin cells repair.
They’re slightly trickier to apply, but not as exy as the others and definitely worth the hype.
