From hiding under-eye dark circles to gray hair, our readers share their favorite frugal tips and products for disguising signs of aging.

Does anyone have any inexpensive way to cover dark, under-eye circles and the stretched skin there? I tried an OTC eye cream, but every time I used it, it got into my eyes and was uncomfortable.

Also, I use a name-brand henna to color my hair. Though it’s labeled “dark brown,” it only stays that color for a few days or maybe a week. I’m hoping to find a natural way to dye my hair dark brown — one that lasts at least a little longer.

Last, any frugal ways to cover facial wrinkles?

Any help is appreciated.
Helen

An Under Eye Brightener Recommendation

I’m a 54-year-old woman and also struggle with dark circles and stretched skin under my eyes. I found an effective and inexpensive product on Amazon that has really helped me.

It’s called the Catrice Under Eye Brightener. It’s currently $6 at Amazon. There is sometimes a 10% off coupon. It really works well for me. I dab it on using my fingers but you could also use a sponge.
Shari

An Old Caffeine Remedy

Tea bags are an old remedy for circles and puffiness. Hence, the new caffeine creams and serums. Caffeine is temporary, whether tea bags or purchased creams.
Kay

Experiment With Two-Process Hair Dyes

You need to use a slightly lighter concealer for your eyes. It works for me. I wore glasses for 20 years and now only need readers, so I am seeing that make-up really helps.

As for your hair, henna is not enough. Find and experiment with two-process hair dyes. I used to use a half-and-half mixture of Revlon Colorsilk. One half was medium golden blonde and the other was medium ash blonde. I now use dark blonde and Clairol Root Touch-Up compacts (Amazon is cheapest) and use blue shampoo, so no brassy look. Good luck.
Sue

A Two-Henna Approach

If you are trying to cover gray or lighter-colored hair, you need to use a shade of henna and then the dark brown henna. That’s why I gave up henna to cover my gray. Having to use henna twice to cover the gray was just too much. I like my gray now. It actually looks more blonde than gray.
Sheryl

Related: Thinning Hair? 4 Ways To Slow Hair Loss

Solutions for Gray Hair to Wrinkles

I can’t help with the hair color question unless Helen is willing to consider introducing highlights into her hair color regime (to help disguise gray hair). Having transitioned completely away from hair color over the past seven to eight years, that is the most frugal of all, and I initiated the process with the liberal use of lighter color highlights in the salon (I never had any talent to do this myself so was sure glad to move past all that).

With regard to the dark under-eye area and saggy skin there, try gently pressing the bottom of a cool (a few minutes in the refrigerator) teaspoon to the area before applying anything. This will help reduce swelling from just waking up, for instance. When applying concealer and under-eye moisturizers, PAT, don’t rub the products onto the skin using the pad of your ring finger. Concentrate the direct application of moisturizer and concealer to the lower part of the area first (at the bottom of the saggy and darker area) and pat upward. By the time you get closer to the lower eyelid area, most of the product will be soaked in and won’t get into the eyes. Unfortunately, in my experience with facial creams, you get what you pay for. Wait for sales in the name brands.

Regarding wrinkles, avoid using foundation and powder! These products will get trapped in wrinkles and make wrinkles more visible. Use good quality serum and other moisturizing products on your skin AND lips twice daily, and make sure daytime products have SPF. For upper lip vertical wrinkles, apply a lip mask to lips and vermillion border several times a day (this one is super cheap and long-lasting). Then, apply a cream lip liner and a creamy lipstick or lip gloss. Having well-hydrated lips will help stop creep of lipstick into those vertical upper lips lines.
Janey

Time and Money-Saving Make-Up Tricks

For the person asking about under-eye circles and wrinkles, I use a cover stick and a bit of petroleum jelly to help smooth it around (and moisturize) to mask circles, wrinkles and reddened areas under my eyes and around my nose and mouth. Something to consider if you wear eyeglasses is that I find rimless lenses on the bottom enhance my under-eye circles, so I always get them with frames, even if they are thin metal ones.

These are my make-up tricks that save me time and money.

I don’t wear make-up unless going out, and I wear much less than I used to.

I always use a light moisturizer all over, make-up or not, morning and night. Several years ago, when foundation ingredient trends made me look cakey, I stopped using it, and no one noticed, not even my observant mother. Even after moisturizing, my skin is still dry in places, so I blend in my cover stick with a bit of petroleum jelly and apply jelly in other areas as needed.

I have fair skin, so I can get away with oat flour as face powder applied lightly with a fluffy brush. I keep a small container in the bathroom and the rest in the freezer for refills (and cooking). I use a pressed powder blush with another fluffy brush and gently blend and, at the same time, wipe off excess with a tissue in downward strokes. I only need to load the blush brush every other time I use it, doubling the blush’s life. I gently wash my brushes a few times a month with soap, wetting only the hairs, so they don’t fall apart. Then, I pat dry and fluff them by shaking them out.

My lip gloss is a clear moisturizing lip balm, mainly for my dry lips. Eye shadow is reserved for special occasions, and I only wear mascara to compliment Halloween costumes.

I like my natural look and am otherwise learning to embrace my aging skin.
Lorraine in NH

Related: How To Have Younger Looking Eyes Without Surgery

Vitamins for Under-Eye Dark Circles

Regarding dark circles, taking vitamins A and E (antioxidants) will help with the dark circles — it may take several weeks to notice the difference. Hope they help restore your appearance.
Cheers,
Brenda

Wet ‘n’ Wild and Bigen

Wet ‘n’ Wild Cover All stick is a cheap and handy solution to dark circles. Apply lightly, blend edges and use a tiny dab of foundation to finish.

Bigen brown dye lasts longer on gray than anything else out there. You may want to use lemon juice on your hair first to open the pores. It is a reasonably priced powder and is available at Oriental grocery stores.

If I knew something that works against wrinkles, I would be using it. Mechanic said that sandblasting doesn’t work.
Margaret

• Smart Savings on Anti-Aging Beauty Products for the After 50 Woman
• DIY Anti-Aging Beauty Recipes
• Frugal Beauty Tips for the Boomer Babe
• Natural Beauty Secrets for Women In Their 50s

Reviewed November 2024