What really works to reduce puffiness under eyes? For years the rumor has been that models use Preparation H to shrink puffiness under the eye area. The makers of Preparation H make no such claim and in fact, the ingredient that was supposed to effect this shrinkage, yeast, is no longer included in the formula.

The old home treatments of tea bags and cucumbers do work to an extent. Soak tea bags in cold water before applying one to each eye. Tea acts as an astringent to reduce the fluid in the tissue. Or slice up a cuke and settle back with a couple of slices over your eyes. Another option is to use potato slices. If nothing else, you will feel relaxed and refreshed.

Puffiness under the eyes could be the sign of a medical condition(high blood pressure or allergies for instance), water retention or just genetics. If your doctor has told you they are not the result of any health problem, then basically you just have fluid trapped in the tissue under the eye. Avoid excessive intake of salt (which causes bloating), drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and try one of the traditional home remedies.

Maybelline’s new express finish Advanced Wear Fast-Dry Nail Color is guaranteed to dry ultra fast in only 60 seconds and boasts a new anti-chip formula for longer wear. When you are short on time but want to have your manicure look fresh and polished, this product really comes through.

What I like best about express finish (aside from the 60 seconds from application to ready-set-go) is that it comes in 35 shades. That’s a lot of color choice. Many other speed-dry products come in only a few shades, but express finish has four shades of white - Opal Rush, French Tip White, Ivory in Seconds and Blushing Bride. It’s more like choosing colors at a paint store with the variations on a hue available. You are bound to find a color you like, whether you want a natural beige shade, dark brown, pinks, reds, purples or even blue. The new control-flow brush keeps you from making those mistakes that come from too little or too much polish on the brush.

Average retail price $3.99. Average time to great-looking nails, 60 seconds.

It is estimated that about 20% of the population has brittle nails. You know, those nails that won’t grow long because they are always splitting and tearing at the edge or because they are too weak and thin. Rarely, this can be caused by a medical condition or malnutrition but most often it is simply dehydration of the nails caused by frequent hand-washing, chemicals and even just a dry environment.

Surprisingly, the application of nail enamel is one way to combat the condition because it seals the nail, preventing further dehydration. Unfortunately, nail polish remover is one of the most drying things you can use on nails, so you don’t want to use remover more than once a week.

In medical studies, Biotin, one of the B-complex vitamins has been shown to strengthen nails and decrease brittleness and splitting. This discovery was made originally by veterinarians, who used Biotin supplements to cure hoof problems in horses and make them harder. However, the amounts used in the study far exceed the recommended daily allowance. The best thing you can do for your nails is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Medical experts all agree that deficiencies in dietary nutrition can affect the health and growth of fingernails.

If you suffer from brittle nails, keep them short. Avoid excessive exposure of the nails to harsh household chemicals and too-frequent hand-washing. Keep your hands and nails moisturized, soak the nails once a week in a hot oil treatment designed for that purpose and wear nail polish to seal in the moisture. A good choice is Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails. In time you will grow longer, stronger nails that won’t split and tear.

If you have large pores, you may be disappointed to hear that there is no treatment that will make them smaller. This is your skin type and you can’t change what nature has given you. What you can do is make your skin appear finer and prevent large pores from becoming caked with dirt, make-up and oil. When pores are clogged, they will appear larger. Heavy make-up, especially foundations can cake in pores.

I read an article that advised you to purposely fill your pores with foundation to hide large pores. In my opinion, that will only accentuate them. Here is the best way, in my opinion, to make pores look smaller.

Obviously, keeping your skin clean is the first and most important step. Remove make-up and wash your face with a mild cleanser nightly. A facial scrub will help dislodge debris caught in pores but don’t be too rough, scrubbing harder will only irritate your skin. You can use a scrub two or three times a week. Once a week, follow up your nightly routine with a clay mask. It will tighten the skin and make it appear finer.