If you woke up, as I did this morning, feeling hungover from life, then chances are your eyes are the first part of your body to display that fact. You know how this goes: bags, shadows, puffiness, creases where there were no creases before. It's like wearing a dress on a long-haul flight. Which might be why sensible ladies opt for leggings, hmm?
Anyway, the problem is only worsening for me and I figure I have a choice: I can either look into some serious eye treatments or go the honourable way of Oprah, who wears gorgeous over-sized frames to conceal her eye lines. That woman has been busy for most of her adult life, she's earned those lines. I'm sure many women her age have earned lines too, we just don't see them, (both the lines and the women, I mean).
![Failing becoming Cate Blanchett, there are other options for treating eye bags and shadows.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170525124224im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/t/7/r/r/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvcbaz.png/1493346965911.jpg)
In the most recent Pirates of the Caribbean trailer, we're treated to a younger Johnny Depp, who appears roughly 18 or so, thanks to the magic of film. Variety called it "digital de-ageing."
Remember when they de-aged Brad Pitt in Benjamin Button? I've tried to think of actresses who have been de-aged, and with the exception of the iconic Carrie Fisher, whose de-ageing was central to the entire Star Wars conglomerate, they don't really de-age women.
I wonder if it's because women who age aren't allowed to exist on-screen in the first place. If Carrie Fisher wasn't already central to the iconography of the franchise, would she appear at all? Before her death, she was already having to defend herself on Twitter against critics who asked what had happened to her, but did not ask the same of Harrison Ford.
Contrast this with Brad Pitt and Depp, who are allowed to get as old as Moses on-screen. Each man's brand is so powerful, filmmakers choose to 'de-age' rather than use another, younger actor. No matter how many lines, shadows or wrinkles appear under their eyes, their status and cache are unaffected: they're both 53 and they're still playing male leads.
George Clooney has said he'll to stop acting soon because his face is looking too old. There aren't that many women who get the privilege of bowing out as gracefully.
Alas, I'm not a male movie star, and so I'm still kind of obsessed with eliminating my under-eye creases. Now, the problem with eye treatments is, there's really not that much to be done. Oh, we know there are all the usual preventative measures: lots of water, fresh vegetables, yoga, stretching, mediation, spa treatments, becoming Cate Blanchett. But, I mean. Failing that.
![Oprah Winfrey.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170525124224im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/v/7/n/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gvcbaz.png/1491201644646.jpg)
You can't botox the area, it's too thin. (It's the thinnest skin on the body.) You can't blast it with a laser. You can get an eyelift, or what's known as "tear trough" fillers, but unless you have deep, dark circles and bags, you risk looking like a Real Housewife. You want to look fresh, not taut.
Which leads us to eye cream. Masks are also a wonderful option, but I'm guessing that, if you're the type who suffers from shadows and puffiness, you don't have the time to slip a pair of slimy semi-circle paper cut-outs under your eyes and just hang out staring at the ceiling for 30 minutes. So, back to the cream. I tried three this week in the interests of rigorous science and journalism and also looking better. Herewith my findings.
Olay Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream $48.99
This is perfect if you're wanting to minimise shadows. It works almost instantly because of the light-reflecting pigments in the cream.
Stockist: here
Guinot Time Logic Age Serum Eyes $164
Serums are great because they absorb faster and better than creams. This one, which you apply at night, actually boosts the activity of dormant skin cells.
Stockist: here
LaPrairie White Caviar Illuminating Eye Cream $490
All right. This is a little on the expensive side. But, as soon as I put this on, I could see a difference. It was a Benjamin Button deal in real time. Anti-wrinkle ingredients firmed up the area while lifting and smoothing. This stuff is the real deal.
Stockist: here