Your eyes never lie. But with the right help, they might at least stretch the truth when it comes to revealing your age.
So it's important to pamper your peepers with smart pick-me-ups like these. They do a number on getting rid of wrinkles, dark circles, thinning lashes and everything in-between. Besides costing under $100, they all tackle several top eye concerns at once. Some are for sensitive types, others are all natural and some are as close as your nearest drugstore
Satin Smooth Skin Care Brightening Lift Eye CreamPart of the Conair beauty family, this anti-aging eye therapy blends an exclusive peptide called Axp33TM and antioxidant-packed vitamin C to help reduce fine lines as well as under-eye bags and dark circles. Caffeine refreshes skin while Shea butter, apricot oil and geranium oil hydrate and nourish. Papaya and cucumber extracts plus ultra-moisturizing hyaluronic acid also help smooth, soothe and brighten the under-eye area.
You can use this talented cream morning and night by itself or before applying other serums or moisturizers. I like that it goes on light, doesn't feel greasy and includes both skin-brightening and repairing vitamin C and caffeine, which I've heard is a natural remedy for fluid build-up under your eyes. A bargain at under $15, this dermatologist-tested choice is also friendly to sensitive skin. ($13.75 for 0.5 ounces at StyleSource.com)
If you're looking for a budget stretcher, Burt's Bees has several 99% natural options that target specific eye issues. Two to try:
Sensitive Eye Cream - Helps reduce under-eye puffiness without risking redness or irritation. This super-gentle salve includes cotton extract to soften and protect skin from aggravation. Antioxidant rich, it moisturizes, calms and improves skin texture with white genepi extract, eyebright, rice extract, olive fruit oil and aloe.
Even extra-sensitive types can relax about using this fragrance-free find morning and night every day. In addition to being hypoallergenic, it's dermatologist, ophthalmologist and allergy tested and clinically proven not to cause ugly reactions. It hydrates my dry, temperamental skin without feeling heavy or oily, soaks right in and so far, so good ... no nasty surprises.
Just take care when opening the tube. Since it's sealed to stay fresh, you have to cut off the end and squeeze gently to get things flowing. Apply too much pressure (guilty!) and you'll end up with a mess not to mention wasting some of this precious potion. Woops! ($18 for 0.5 ounces)
Radiance Eye Cream - Gives the under-eye area a youthful glow while minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This dermatologist-tested formula gets much of its clout from vitamin-rich Royal Jelly, one of nature's most nourishing substances. It also features skin-soothing chamomile and cucumber (Ahhhh!) plus light-diffusing natural mica to blur lines.
Although you can use it both morning and evening, I really enjoy patting on this essential cream before bed when my skin cries for attention and on days when I'm too rushed for full makeup. It smells nice, absorbs easily, and leaves skin looking fresh and healthy. Plus, you just need a smidge. ($18 for 0.5 ounces)
You can find Burt's Bees products at BurtsBees.com as well as many drugstores, grocery stores and other retailers across the country.
One
of Avon's latest innovations, ANEW Clinical Dark Circle Corrector instantly brightens your under-eye area so shadows aren't so noticeable and helps fade them over time. It combines kudzu root extract, fennel fruit extract and other potent ingredients that smooth uneven texture and automatically adjust to match your skin tone.
Since dark circles are my #1 eye complaint, I was thrilled to see Avon take aim at them by launching this clever product in July. The tube has a twist-open applicator and a flexible tip that helps you glide this treatment directly under your eyes. You can forget dipping your finger in a jar or squeezing a little on your hand first as I normally do. (No wonder the top of my left hand looks better than the rest of my body!)
You can use this rich cream in the morning after cleansing as well as before bed. It soaks in with a little blending and gives your under-eye area a glow that makes it easier for concealer to do its job. With consistent use, this eye saver is also said to lighten dark circles by one grade in two to four weeks. In fact, 93% of women surveyed said their dark circles were dramatically reduced. ($34 for 0.5 ounces through Avon Representatives. To find one, call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit Avon.com.)
This cool, calming balm from The Jojoba Company Australia helps smooth fine lines, lessen puffiness and hydrate the area around your most expressive feature. You can feel good about patting on this gentle cream because it contains healthy vitamins and botanicals.
Cucumber, green tea (I'm addicted!) and vitamin C-packed guava soothe skin and fight puffiness. Horsetail extract stimulates collagen production. Pomegranate helps increase skin elasticity. And Australian-grown jojoba provides deep-penetrating hydration while nourishing with antioxidants and vitamins A, D and E.
Used after cleansing morning and night, this eye-pampering potion goes on light and absorbs quickly. Although suitable for all skin types, it's a great moisture boost for those on the dry side like me. It helps make fine lines less noticeable and keeps concealer from flaking. ($42.95 for 0.8 ounces at Stpwellness.com)
Another natural-based winner, Korres Quercetin & Oak eye treatment fights wrinkles, dark under-eye shadows and puffiness. It's powered by quercetin, 
an antioxidant derived from oak bark. Studies have shown this natural alternative to retinol helps skin act younger so it becomes softer, smoother, firmer, more radiant and better able to resist stresses.
This top-rated multitasking formula also includes healing botanical extracts. Myrtle extract works as an anti-aging booster and helps improve skin's elasticity. Mourera fluviatilis extract helps lock in moisture and rhodiola rosea extract minimizes dark circles and bags.
Dabbing this thin cream under my eyes morning and night is a pleasure. A little goes a long way, spreading easily and soaking in with minor rubbing. This dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested pick hydrates and brightens without irritating my sometimes sensitive skin. No breakouts or redness! Plus, it includes no harmful chemicals and in clinical trials 72% or more of women reported firmer skin, reduced eye puffiness, and less visible wrinkles and dark circles. ($45 for 0.51 ounces at Sephora.com and Sephora stores)
Designed to beautify the entire eye contour area, this new Lierac treatment helps correct and erase wrinkles, under-eye bags and discoloration while firming and brightening skin. It focuses on the circle that goes from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner under your brow, working below your eye as well as up to your brow bone. Bonus!
This anti-ager contains a high concentration of patented D-Glyox complex, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E. It's also enriched with red vine to improve its ability to correct under-eye puffiness and shadows.
To use this fragrance-free formula, you twist the bottom of the tube several times to release product into the applicator brush. That makes it a cinch to swish serum around the eye contour area without squandering a drop. Afterwards, you get a slight sensation as it soaks into your skin, which says it's working.
You can treat your eyes in the morning, at night or both. But I prefer putting on this smooth, creamy salve before bed. I tried it under makeup but my current concealer tends to look clumpy on top of it. Whatever your choice, Lierac's Precision Eye Care helps your peepers look more rested immediately and the benefits improve with time. In fact, more than 85% of users reported both dark circles and puffiness were less visible after seven days. ($49 for 0.14 ounces at Lierac-USA.com, Duane Reade and Walgreens)
HydroPeptide Eye AuthorityAlso made to refresh the full eye contour area, HydroPeptide Eye Authority brightens dark circles while diminishing the look of expression lines, wrinkles and puffiness. This award-winning formula features 13 multitasking peptides, crushed pearls and hyaluronic acid.
Besides fighting under-eye bags and shadows, the peptides provide wrinkle-relaxing, skin-lifting, illumination and a slew of other benefits to help turn back the clock. Crushed pearls, rich in minerals and amino acids, are like a dose of sunshine. They light up your eye area instantly and diffuse discolorations and other imperfections while nourishing skin. Hyaluronic acid delivers lasting hydration that's a relief to dry skin.
To get the most from this luxe, anti-aging hero, use it a.m. and p.m. daily. At $74 a bottle, it might seem pricy but a pea-size drop treats both eyes. The handy pump dispenser doles out the appropriate amount so there's no waste and one bottle can last and last.
Although very moisturizing, Eye Authority has an airy feeling, doesn't sting my eyes and soaks right in, giving me a nice canvas for eye makeup and preventing any concealer or shadow creasing. It's free of gluten, artificial fragrances, parabens and other harmful substances. Plus, 91% of women surveyed agreed the fine lines around their eyes were less visible in just two weeks. ($74 for 0.5 ounces at HydroPeptide.com, Dermstore.com, NordstromSpa.com, Skinstore.com and fine spas and dermatological clinics)
Murad Eye TherapySince hydration is essential to a youthful look, Murad offers two uber-moisturizing formulas designed to revive the delicate skin around your eyes:
Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream - Reduces the appearance of wrinkles near your brow bone as well as below your eyes while helping diminish under-eye puffiness and dark circles. It also improves elasticity and helps smooth skin while brightening the eye area.
Thanks to a recent makeover, this bestseller has a new formula that's even more moisturizing than before. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 and retinol help stimulate collagen production and reduce medium to deep wrinkles. Phytoestrogens, like wild yam extract, soybean sterols and iris root extract, increase firmness, elasticity and hydration. Eye brightening complex shrinks dark shadows and under-eye bags while lighting the eye area.
This multitasker instantly soothes my parched skin and gives my brow bone and under-eye area a subtle glow. Talk about a nice way to keep your makeup looking I-just-put-it-on fresh! ($75 for 0.5 ounces)
Age 
Reform Intensive Wrinkle Reducer - Ups the anti-aging war with a formula proven to visibly reduce the appearance of crow's feet. It instantly firms, tightens and brightens the eye area working to smooth current worries while preventing future damage.
One of Murad's most advanced age fighters, this concentrated cream features Durian Cell Reform technology to help speed cell turnover and improve penetration for maximum benefits. Hyaluronic microspheres decrease wrinkle depth while ensuring long-lasting hydration. Green tea extract and Aliantoin soothe and protect skin from free radicals.
I adore dabbing this lightweight serum on my brow bone and under my eyes. Although mega hydrating, it leaves my skin feeling toned and looking healthy without a trace of oil. Even better, it's been shown to reduce fine lines and crow's feet by 33% in 4 weeks as well as to improve skin firmness by 55% in 12 weeks. ($95 for 0.5 ounces)
Whether you go for Murad's Renewing Eye Cream or Intensive Wrinkle Reducer, these eye-kind creams are most effective when used a.m. and p.m. daily. You only need a small, pearl-size drop to do the job. And they come in smart, pump-style containers that help measure the perfect amount so you can get a lot of mileage from one little bottle.
They're available at Murad.com, the Murad Inclusive Health Spa, Sephora, Ulta, Massage Envy Spas and leading salon and spa locations nationwide
Lierac Paris Eye Makeup RemoverLierac's new triple-action eye makeup remover lets you wipe off cosmetics, moisturize your eye contour area and encourage eyelash growth in one simple step. Now, that's a first!
This gentle must try combines coconut-oil-based cleansers, hydrating panthenol, and calming cornflower and chamomile waters. It also features vitamin B and an innovative lash-growth peptide to strengthen lashes, stimulate growth and reduce hair loss.
I'm wild about the idea of protecting and nurturing my lashes while cleansing my eyes, especially after losing my fringe to chemotherapy several years ago and having to wait what seems like EONS for it to grow back. So trying this multitasking formula was a no-brainer.
Sprayed on a cotton pad, it dissolves my everyday makeup without a lot of rubbing or tugging. Waterproof mascara didn't come off as easily but that's no big deal since I only wear it occasionally. Afterwards, my eye area feels soft and smooth.
With 15 days of use, this fragrance-free workhorse promises diminished lash loss as well as hairs that are three times longer, thicker and more voluminous. Tested under ophthalmological control, it's suitable for sensitive eyes and contact-lens wearers. ($24 for 3.4 ounces at Lierac-usa.com, CVS and Duane Reade)
Longing for thicker, stronger lashes? Mary Kay's Lash and Brow Building Serum is another must-try. Designed to reduce lash loss, it helps both eyelashes and brows look fuller and healthier in just 30 days.
The lash- and brow-boosting formula combines a matrix-supporting peptide with amino acids to fortify your eye fringe. You apply this clear serum on your top lids at night after cleansing just as you would liquid eyeliner. You can also brush it on thin areas in your brows.
Besides taking only seconds to put on, this eye opener doesn't sting my eyes or dry out my lids like some other lash enhancers I've tried. Plus, it costs almost 70% less and works on BOTH lashes and brows. In the past, I've had to buy two separate products. Ouch!
Ophthalmologist-tested, Mary Kay's strengthening serum won't discolor your lids or eyes and is safe for contact-lens wearers as well as those with sensitive eyes. After using it every day for a month, 7 out of 10 women said their lashes looked longer, stronger and fuller. That's all good news for my baby blues! ($36 for 0.15 ounces from Mary Kay consultants; visit MaryKay.com to locate one in your area)
If your eyes scream "I'm tired," Patchology's rejuvenating eye patches could be just the wake-up call you need. They use patented micro-current technology to penetrate the under-eye area with skin-transforming ingredients.
Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps skin, helping it retain elasticity and firmness. Okra plant peptide tightens and smoothes. Calming cucumber extract helps relieve puffiness. Vitamin C lightens dark circles. And vitamins B3 and B5 protect against free radicals which can accelerate signs of aging.
Recommended as a deep-moisture treatment, these rejuvenating stick-ons come in a kit that includes everything you need for 12 sessions.
After cleansing and drying your under-eye area, you just roll the included activating gel on two of the wing-shaped patches and put a patch under each eye. They stay put easily, giving husbands lots of material for bad jokes (that Bob!). There's no discomfort but you might have a cooling and tightening sensation as they begin work.
Then relax, answer emails or do some chores for at least 20 minutes. If your skin is really worn out and dehydrated, make that an hour. Or, for a major jolt of refreshment, you can wear the patches up to 12 hours.
When done, slowly peel them off your skin and return them to their re-sealable pouch because each patch can be used up to four times. Then clean under your eyes with one of the included botanical extract-infused wipes to get rid of any leftover gel.
One 20-minute spin with these winged wonders left my skin soft, smooth and nicely hydrated. Used weekly, they're said to reduce fine lines, crow's feet, wrinkles and under-eye bags. ($75 for a kit including everything needed for 12 treatments at Patchology.com, Neimanmarcus.com and Bergdorfgoodman.com)
You'll also enjoy:
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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