How to Remove Eye Puffiness from Crying – Thin Lizzy Guide
Quick answer: Puffy eyes after crying are temporary and usually settle within a few hours. To help them settle faster, hold a cool compress over closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes, drink a glass of water, keep your head raised and avoid rubbing your eyes. For an instant smoother look, Thin Lizzy Puffy Eye Remover Microcream is a tiny amount of quick-setting cream that helps under-eye puffiness look smoother until you wash it off.
A sad film, a hard day or a happy moment that catches you off guard: a good cry can feel like a release. The puffy, tired-looking eyes afterwards are less welcome, especially if you have to head out or face a video call. The good news is that puffiness from crying is completely normal and temporary, and there are simple ways to help your eyes look fresher, from what's in your fridge to a little makeup know-how.
Why Do Your Eyes Get Puffy After Crying?
When you cry, your tear glands produce much more fluid than usual. Normally, tears drain through tiny ducts in the inner corners of your eyelids and into your nose, which is why crying makes you sniffle. During a big cry, that system can't keep up, so extra fluid collects in the soft tissue around your eyes.
Crying also increases blood flow to the face, which is why your eyelids and the skin around your eyes can look red and swollen. Rubbing your eyes adds to it. Because the skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, it shows these changes quickly, but it also settles on its own.
How Long Does Puffiness From Crying Last?
For most people, puffiness from crying eases within a few hours. After a long or late-night cry, you might still see some puffiness the next morning, because fluid tends to collect around the eyes while you lie flat. If puffiness lasts for days, keeps coming back without a reason, or comes with pain, itching or changes to your vision, see your GP.
Quick Ways to Help Puffy Eyes Settle
Cool compress
Cold is the simplest and quickest help. Soak a clean flannel in cold water, wring it out and hold it gently over closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes. Two teaspoons chilled in the fridge work well too. If you use ice, always wrap it in a cloth and never put it straight on the skin.
Chilled cucumber slices
Cucumber slices from the fridge are cool, wet and the right shape to rest over your eyes. Lie back for 10 minutes and let the coolness do the work. It's also a good excuse to sit still and breathe for a moment.
Cooled tea bags
Steep two black or green tea bags, squeeze them out and chill them in the fridge. Rest them over closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure they're cool, not hot, and keep the liquid out of your eyes.
A glass of water and your head raised
Drinking water is good for overall wellbeing, and sitting upright or raising your head on an extra pillow helps fluid drain away from your eyes rather than pooling there. Go easy on salty food for the rest of the day too.
Gentle tapping, no rubbing
Using your ring fingers, lightly tap from the inner corner of your under-eye area outwards towards your temples. It feels soothing and helps you avoid rubbing, which only makes eyes look redder.
Our Picks
Puffy Eye Remover Microcream
Best for: a quick, smoother look under the eyes when you need to look fresh fast.
A tiny amount of this microcream is tapped onto clean, dry skin under the eyes, then left to dry and set for 5 to 10 minutes. It helps under-eye puffiness and bags look smoother for the day, until you wash it off. It contains collagen, elastin, sodium hyaluronate, aloe and chamomile, and you can wear dry or powder-based makeup over it.
- Helps under-eye puffiness look smoother
- Only a tiny amount needed
- Lasts until you wash it off
- Wear powder makeup over the top
Age Reverse Concealer
Best for: brightening tired-looking eyes and covering shadows and redness.
After crying, the area around your eyes can look shadowed as well as puffy. This full-coverage concealer helps dark circles and puffiness look less noticeable, and its creamy, blendable formula lasts all day without caking or creasing. The soft cushion-tip applicator lets you place it gently without rubbing delicate skin.
- Full coverage that doesn't cake or crease
- Helps dark circles look brighter
- Cushion-tip applicator
- 8 shades
How to Look Fresh After Crying: Step by Step
- Cool down first: use a cool compress, chilled spoons or cucumber slices for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Rinse and pat dry: splash your face with cool water and pat (don't rub) your skin dry.
- Apply a tiny amount of microcream: tap a very small amount under each eye on clean, dry skin. Less is more.
- Keep your face still while it sets: give it 5 to 10 minutes to dry before applying anything else.
- Brighten with concealer: dot concealer on any shadows or redness at the inner corners and blend with gentle taps.
- Set with powder: use dry or powder-based makeup over the area for a smooth finish.
- Add a little definition: a coat of mascara and a soft neutral eyeshadow make eyes look more open. Skip heavy eyeliner on the lower lash line, which can make eyes look smaller.
Everyday Habits That Help
- Sleep with your head slightly raised: an extra pillow helps fluid drain away overnight.
- Keep salty food in check: too much salt can make puffiness more noticeable the next morning.
- Drink water through the day: it's good for overall wellbeing.
- Take your makeup off gently: rubbing at the eyes every night can make the area look tired.
- Be kind to yourself: crying is normal. If you're feeling low often, talking to someone you trust or your GP can help.
For more ideas, read our complete guide to minimising eye bags at home, our makeup tricks to disguise under-eye bags and how to choose concealer for dark under-eyes.
What Customers Say
"Easy to use and the instructions are helpful. I didn't feel any heaviness."
Dolores G., verified customer (Puffy Eye Remover Microcream)
"I was a bit sceptical but it's a good product and easy to use."
Neil B., verified customer (Puffy Eye Remover Microcream)
"It's a lovely silky feel to it goes on smoothly"
Sandra J., verified customer (Age Reverse Concealer)
Read all Puffy Eye Remover Microcream reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do puffy eyes from crying last?
Usually a few hours. After a long cry, especially at night, some puffiness may still be there the next morning. A cool compress and keeping your head raised can help it settle sooner.
What's the fastest way to get rid of puffy eyes from crying?
A cool compress over closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes is the quickest home option. If you need to look fresh straight away, a tiny amount of an instant-look eye cream, followed by concealer, helps the area look smoother and brighter.
Can I cover puffy eyes with makeup?
Yes. Cool the area first, then use a creamy concealer only on shadows and redness, blended with gentle taps. Set with a light powder and avoid heavy layers, which can crease.
Why are my eyes still puffy the next day?
Fluid collects around the eyes while you lie flat, so puffiness is often more noticeable in the morning. Salty food, a late night and rubbing your eyes can add to it. If puffiness doesn't settle or keeps coming back, see your GP.
Can I wear makeup over Puffy Eye Remover Microcream?
Yes. Let it dry and set for 5 to 10 minutes first, then use dry or powder-based makeup over the area for the best finish.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy eye products in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Puffy eyes after crying are normal and they pass. Cool things down, keep your hands off, and if you need to look fresh quickly, a tiny amount of microcream and a little concealer will help your eyes look smoother and brighter.
