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Unfortunately, not everyone wakes up looking refreshed after a night’s rest. We’ve all been there — waking up to see the dreaded puffy eyes. In most cases, it’s caused by lack of sleep, consuming too much salt or not drinking enough water. When this happens, don’t panic. We have an age-old recipe for banishing them. 

Start by applying a cold compress to your peepers. Some at-home remedies include:

Cooled green tea bags: the caffeine and antioxidants in green tea will assist with reducing the swelling.

Cucumber slices: the cucumber has astringent properties which will reduce puffiness.

Ice pack— not too fancy, but the cold factor does reduce the puffiness. If you’re a mom of a baby, frozen teething rings work well, too.

We also like Sephora Brand Pearl Ice Cooling Eye Mask by Inka: This mask is kept in our freezer for those “just in case” situations. Filled with tiny glass beads and enclosed in thermal plastic, this mask can also be warmed by placing it into a bowl of warm water. $26, sephora.com

After relaxing with one of these on for 10 to 15 minutes, follow with the application of a lightweight eye gel or cream  (steer clear of “hydrating” creams that will only trap the water under the skin).  Be sure to look for ingredients like caffeine, Vitamin K and chamomile. 

Great puff-banishing eye gels:

L’Oreal Dermo Expertise Defense Eye— Our drugstore favorite, this gel treats our puffy eye symptoms with caffeine and other ingredients to sooth and combat signs of aging.  $13.49, drugstore.com

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels are perfect for travel when puffiness due to lack of sleep is common. Cooling and refreshing, your eyes will thank you for this de-puffing treat. from $45, sephora.com

Benefit Depuffing Action Eye Gel soothes our eyes with chamomile and red raspberry extracts while a “secret” ingredient gives puffiness the boot. $28, benefitcosmetics.com

By Jennifer Davidson and Monique Hankins

From using Preparation H on puffy eyes, toothpaste on pimples and Crisco on super dry skin, we’ve heard our share of unusual beauty tricks over the years. But not all secret remedies are wacky, here are a few of our favorites that really work:

1. Avocados not only make a delicious dip for your favorite chips, they also make a nourishing treat for your skin. For a deep moisturizing treatment, take two whole, ripe avocados and mash them in a bowl, then slather all over your body. Let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing for buttery smooth skin.

2. Rub solid antiperspirant/deodorant (the kind that goes on clear) on feet to prevent blisters, and of course, stinky feet.

3. If you experience irritation after waxing or shaving, whole fat milk works great for treating skin. Since milk protein is an anti-inflammatory, it’s perfect for soothing affected areas. Add a few cubes of ice to one cup of (whole) milk, saturate a washcloth or cotton ball and apply to area. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Repeat until skin feels better, then rinse.

4. Create an “aspirin mask” to help treat breakouts. The components of aspirin are similar to salicylic acid which helps exfoliate and unclog pores. Crush a few aspirin, mix with drops of water to form a paste, then apply to face. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse. (If your skin is dry, add some honey into the mixture)

5. Dryer sheets are great for taming frizzies and fly-aways. Just lightly run one across your hair and your tresses will be tamed.

6. Vaseline mixed with sugar makes a great exfoliant for your lips, leaving them soft, smooth and sweet.

7. Olive oil makes a great moisturizer for lips, cuticles, rough elbows and more.

8. Apple cider vinegar is a great way to combat dandruff without all the chemicals found in most dandruff shampoos. One cup of the vinegar plus one cup of cold water on the scalp after shampooing and conditioning, left on for one minute, then rinsed with cool water will balance the pH of your scalp and also help relieve any itching.

9. Mascara works to temporarily hide grey hairs in between color appointments. Choose a shade that matches your hair at the root and cover, cover, cover!

10. Need to powder your nose but don’t have blotting tissue? Toilet seat covers in public restrooms will absorb excess oil from your face without disturbing your makeup.

11. For moms with babies, baby wipes are a great makeup remover if you’re tired and in a rush. The cloths are soft and the formulas are mild enough for delicate skin. They’re also great for removing stains from clothing in a pinch.

12. For natural teeth whitening, rub a fresh strawberry over your teeth. The fruit contains natural whitening agents and the seeds work great for cleaning. Since they also contain sugar and acids, it’s important to brush immediately afterwards with a fluoride toothpaste. Catherine Zeta Jones swears by this trick!

This post has been brought you by Only in a Woman’s World.

The last time we heard anyone say they didn’t want shiny hair was…never. Shiny hair equals healthy hair, it makes us look better, thus we feel better. Unfortunately, with everyday stress, poor eating habits, illness, heat styling and hair coloring, lack-luster tresses can be the result. We have tested many shine-enhancing products and put together a list of our favorites. Get ready to get your shine on…

Citre Shine Shine Miracle Highly Laminating Shampoo

For hair that looks shiny and glossy, start in the shower. this shampoo contains citrus extracts, essential vitamins and minerals to instill a healthy looking shine without stripping away the essential oils from your hair. We love the fresh lemon scent that is more fresh squeezed lemons and less Pine-Sol. $3.99, drugstore.com

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray

For Shine that resists frizz, we reach for this. Fruit micro-waxes seal in shine without feeling greasy or leaving hair feeling weighed down. No wonder it’s a favorite of celeb stylist David Evangelista, who mists this on his clients’ hair before they head out the door. $4.29, drugstore.com

Ouidad Shine Glaze Serum

Kiehl’s Climate-Proof Shine-Enhancing Non-Aerosol Spray

Ojon Shine and Protect Hair Ritual Kit

Cleanse:

Every facial includes a second cleanse, typically being a formula made specifically for your skin type or condition. To keep skin’s moisture in balance, regardless of skin type, we reach for Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. This soap-free cleanser is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin, contains anti-inflammatory balm mint and lavender extracts to soothe the skin, and natural quillaja saponaria to gently foam away toxins and debris. 16.9 oz. $48, drugstore.com

Exfoliate:

To remove dead skin cells, and speed up the process of cell turnover that slows down as we age, exfoliation is key to getting, and keeping, a youthful complexion. Queen Helene Oatmeal ‘n Honey Natural Facial Scrub sloughs off those dead cells, but also soothes skin with moisture-rich honey. $3.49, drugstore.com

Mask:

Tone:

Give your skin more moisture with a toner that doesn’t contain alcohol— for this we recommend Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner. Along with antioxidant green and black teas, the sweet, calming scent also makes this an exceptional skincare product. For combination and oily skin types, it provides hydration without added oils; for dry skin types it’s a boost of long-lasting hydration that improves the performance of your favorite moisturizer. $27, skinstore.com

Moisturize:

The last step to your at-home facial is applying moisturizer. It is important to choose one that will suit your skin type. For oily/acne-prone skin, try Neutrogena Oil-Free Free Fresh Moisture, a light-weight, non-greasy formula that will leave your skin feeling smooth, and works great right before makeup application $11.99 drugstore.com.

If your skin is on the dry side, try Complex 15 Therapeutic Moisturizing Face Cream. While it sounds like a heavy-duty moisturizer, it is surprisingly light, oil-free and absorbs quickly into skin. $7.49, drugstore.com