This article was co-authored by JoAnn Solomon and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. JoAnn Solomon is a Celebrity Makeup and Hair Artist, Beauty Consultant, and Founder of JoAnn Solomon Beauty, a beauty service in New York, New York. With over 15 years of experience, JoAnn specializes in beauty consulting and writing, makeup and hair artistry, product training, and creative directing. She is a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician and is certified in Airbrush Makeup. JoAnn has been published in Glamour Magazine and Lipstick.com. She is also a beauty contributor for Condé Nast, The List, Essence, Style Bistro, Family Circle, and Nylon Magazine. Her looks have been showcased in editorial, fashion, television, and red carpet events. A few of JoAnn’s celebrity clients include Beyoncé Knowles, Dr. Joe Biden, Alicia Keys, and Quincy Jones.
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Sometimes, you just need to let it all out and have a good cry. But what about afterwards, when you look in the mirror and see that your eyes are all puffy? If you’re looking for ways to take care of this problem, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a complete guide on how to get rid of puffy eyes after crying. We’ll also go over how to reduce redness and dryness, and how to use makeup to make it less noticeable that you’ve been crying. Keep reading for everything you need to know!
Steps
How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes from Crying
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Apply a cold washcloth. Wet a soft, fluffy cloth with ice cold water. Wring it out, then fold the cloth and place it over your eyes for about ten minutes. The cold should constrict the blood vessels around your eyes, reducing the swelling.[1]
- If you're in a rush or a public place, visit the bathroom for a quick refresh. Fold a paper towel twice to make a neat square, then wet it with cold water.
- Press it lightly against your eyelids for fifteen seconds each, then look upward and place the towel just beneath your lower lashes, pressing gently for another fifteen seconds on each eye.
- This quick refresher should help to slightly reduce the appearance of visible puffiness.
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Use a cold compress. For a bit of a more intense option, apply a cold compress to your eyes for 5-10 minutes. This quickly reduces blood flow to the area, which helps soothe any puffiness, swelling, and inflammation you may be experiencing after crying. You can use anything cold that you have on hand, such as an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas or corn, or even refrigerated spoons.[2]Advertisement
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Apply chilled cucumber slices to closed eyes. Cold cucumber slices help reduce eye puffiness in the same way that cold washcloths and cold compresses do. They act as a vasoconstrictor, slowing blood flow to the area and therefore reducing puffiness.[3] Place them over your eyes for about 5-10 minutes to feel these effects.
- Cucumbers also call to mind relaxing spa days, so take this time to truly relax and pamper yourself.
- Lay back, put on a soothing song, light a nice scented candle—whatever makes you feel at peace!
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Apply tea bags to closed eyes. Chilled tea bags can also help soothe and reduce eye puffiness.[4] Just soak two tea bags in cold water, then place them on your closed eyes for about 15 minutes. If the tea you’re using is caffeinated, this is also a plus! Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor (just like the cold temperature is), and it’s a common ingredient in eye creams that aim to reduce eye bags and puffiness.[5]
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Apply chilled eye cream or face cream. Refrigerate the cream for about ten minutes, then rub gently into the skin underneath your eyes. Be careful not to get the product too close to your eyes—just apply it to the surrounding area. The cool temperatures will soothe the puffiness and reduce inflammation. If the eye cream you’re using includes caffeine, you’ll likely see an even more dramatic result![6]
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Gently massage or press under your eyes with your fingers. Using your fingers, lightly press on the puffy areas underneath your eyes. This can stimulate blood flow and help reduce puffiness in the area. To make this method even more effective, run your fingers under cold water first. The cold temperatures will be extra soothing.[7]
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Use a facial roller tool. Eye-roller tools made out of metal, jade, or quartz can help improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, which can reduce the appearance of puffiness. You can also chill your tool before using it for extra effectiveness.[8]
How to Get Rid of Eye Redness & Dryness from Crying
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Use eye drops or artificial tears. Over-the-counter eye drops and artificial tears can provide some added lubrication, relieve irritation, and flush out allergens from your eyes. This can reduce the appearance of redness and soothe dryness.[9]
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Increase your water intake. Drinking enough water helps your eyes stay moist and healthy. Try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. You can also eat foods with high water contents, like cucumbers and watermelon, to help you reach your hydration goals.[10]
Using Makeup to Reduce the Appearance of Puffy, Red Eyes
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Apply eyeliner to your upper waterline. Once you’ve stopped crying, consider tightlining your eyes. Tightlining involves applying eyeliner to your upper waterline to increase definition and accentuate your lashes.[11] This quick makeup technique can help you look more alert and refreshed right away, which may make your recent cry a bit less apparent.
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Apply concealer to red areas on your face. After a cry, you might notice redness and blotchiness in several areas of your face. To hide the fact that you were crying, quickly pat some concealer on these red areas to make them less noticeable.[12]
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Put on some lipstick or blush. Add some color to your lips and cheeks with a bit of blush or lipstick. Accentuating these features draws attention away from red, puffy eyes, and it can also help you appear more refreshed.[13]
Preventing Puffy Eyes
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Get plenty of sleep. Even if your puffy eyes are caused by crying, other factors can determine their severity. A lack of sleep, for example, can cause puffy bags underneath your eyes on a regular basis, and they may be accentuated when you cry.[19] To avoid this, make sure to get enough quality sleep each night. The right amount varies depending on your age, but most healthy adults need at least 7 hours per night.[20]
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Treat any allergies you might have. Mild allergic reactions to pollen, dust, animals, or food can cause swollen eyes and exacerbate puffiness.[23] Take allergy relief medication if you normally do, or visit a doctor for more advice on how to treat allergies.
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Visit an eye doctor. If you frequently get puffy or irritated eyes, there may be an underlying cause. An optometrist can check your vision and possibly prescribe glasses or contacts to reduce eye strain, and an ophthalmologist can examine your eyes for medical conditions.[24]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you get rid of a swollen and puffy eye in 10 mins?Camille SangheraCamille Sanghera is the Owner of Lash Envy Cosmetics and Esvee Beauty in the Vancouver, British Columbia area. Camille is trained and certified in microblading, scalp micropigmentation, eyelash extensions, hair and makeup, and lash lifts. She is listed on Microblading Map Canada and has also been featured on TuneIn Radio and in Bridal Fashion Week Magazine.
Beauty StylistUse a cold compress and place it on your eyes in addition to washing your face with ice cold water. -
QuestionHow do I stop my puffy eyes from getting worse?Camille SangheraCamille Sanghera is the Owner of Lash Envy Cosmetics and Esvee Beauty in the Vancouver, British Columbia area. Camille is trained and certified in microblading, scalp micropigmentation, eyelash extensions, hair and makeup, and lash lifts. She is listed on Microblading Map Canada and has also been featured on TuneIn Radio and in Bridal Fashion Week Magazine.
Beauty StylistSometimes you can take an allergy pill when you wake up to reduce puffiness throughout the day.
Tips
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If you’ve cried through your makeup, remove it with a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover. You can use soap and water on a paper towel if you don’t have makeup remover on you.Thanks
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White eyeliner on your waterline makes your eyes look less bloodshot.Thanks
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Hide puffy eyes with a brightening concealer, or a mixture of liquid concealer and liquid highlighter.Thanks
Warnings
- Wiping away tears can increase swelling. Blot them dry instead.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/top-expert-tips-to-get-rid-of-puffy-eyes
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-get-rid-of-bags-under-your-eyes
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-get-rid-of-bags-under-your-eyes
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes
- ↑ https://www.health.com/puffy-eyes-7105220
- ↑ https://www.health.com/puffy-eyes-7105220
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes
- ↑ https://www.health.com/puffy-eyes-7105220
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/home-remedies-bloodshot-eyes-when-to-see-doctor
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/dry-eyes-home-remedies
- ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/tightliner-how-to-make-your-eyes-look-bigger
- ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/makeup/568757/how-to-hide-crying/
- ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/makeup/568757/how-to-hide-crying/
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2013/real-simple-dr-marina-peredo-how-to-fix-red-puffy-eyes-after-crying
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/facts-about-tears
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/facts-about-tears
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/bags-under-eyes
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/bags-under-eyes
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-sleep-do-you-actually-need-202310302986
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/bags-under-eyes
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ss/slideshow-alcohol-skin
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-get-rid-of-bags-under-your-eyes
- ↑ https://www.health.com/puffy-eyes-7105220
About This Article
To get rid of puffy eyes from crying, soak a towel in cold water and press it lightly against your eyelids for 15 seconds for a quick fix. Alternatively, wet a soft cloth with ice cold water and fold it over your eyes for 10 minutes to reduce the swelling. You can also tap your eyes gently to stimulate blood flow or massage the bridge of your nose to relieve any built up sinus pressure. To learn how to reduce puffy eyes with face creams, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
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"I have had a major puffy eye problem lately due to allergies. Problem is, I can't use eye drops because I'm allergic to sulfur found in most drops. I have had puffy eyes, and these things I have done from home have helped me greatly."..." more