The eyes are the first area where we notice signs of ageing so what can we do to defend ourselves:

• Wear big sunglasses.  Sun exposure really gets to the fine skin around the eyes, causing dark circles, uneven pigmentation and wrinkling.
• Cut down on salt.  Excess salt leads to water retention and puffiness. The biggest culprits are Chinese food and soy sauce.
• Keep your eye cream in the fridge.  Store your eye cream at below room temperature: when applied, the cooling effect shrinks the tiny blood capillaries and tightens skin to reduce puffiness faster in the morning.
• Don't smoke.  It's one of the worst age accelerators for skin, particularly round the eyes.
• Layer your concealer.  Using first a pink toned concealer to cancel the blueness, then a yellow toned one to blend in with your skin you can disguise the dark circles.  Applying a green concealer stick under your foundation can cancel out rosy glows and lighten dark circles.
• Avoid wine.  Again, it's the puffiness factor caused by the histamines contained in wine.
• Use the shower to de-puff.  Allow the water to splash onto your face and eyes for a minute to provide a massage and boost circulation
• Apply your eye make up carefully. When applying your eyeshadow gently pat and blend using the tip of your ring finger (it is the most sensitive) so as not to drag the skin.