How I De-Puff My Eyes (Without Breaking the Bank)

I have a confession to make: I add salt to canned soup. Yes. I am a bona fide, hardcore sodium addict. And, while there's probably not a 12-step program for such a transgression, it's definitely not good for my blood pressure or my face. Some mornings when I wake up after a salt-fueled fiesta I look like I've gone six rounds with [insert some famous boxer guy's name here]. No joke. I have some serious swelling issues and, while you'd think that vanity would be enough to wean me from evil crystals, it's not, so I'm stuck contending with the puff. Every. Freaking. Day.

Sure, as a product junkie I've combed the aisles of CVS and Sephora in search of the latest, greatest serum, cream or balm that will banish my bags once and for all, and every single time I willingly fall prey to the alluring promises and clever copy writing, because, yes, I want a quick fix and am convinced the glycerin or caffeine or whatever other key ingredient that's featured will somehow morph into the magic wand I require. Having said that, after many, many trials, Olay Regenerist DermaPod Eye AntiAging Triple Response System, $26.49 and Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Eye Return Cream, $135 are my hands down favorites and work as well as can be expected from a topical product.

But, there are three things that really help to banish the bags (aside from, duh, passing on the Progresso and Vlassic for a day). They are:

1. Getting enough sleep. You read/hear about this all the time but it's the honest truth. Sleep is of paramount importance for a whole host of beauty (and health) issues. "Law & Order" re-runs are so not worth it!

2. While you're clocking all those Zs, lie on your back propped up by at least two pillows. While passing out face down into a pile of Downy may be tempting, keeping your head raised is a great way to keep the puffiness at bay. Gravity (in this case) is good.

3. Apply cool witch hazel pads. It may sound like Granny's secret recipe ('cause it kinda is) but if you douse cotton pads in chilled witch hazel (keep a bottle in the fridge) and lie with them on your eyes for 5-10 minutes before starting your day, you'll not only feel refreshed and ready to go, but your puffiness will be deflated a bit too.

Know any other great tips for de-puffing? How about for kicking nasty soup habits? I'll trade you one of those for these 4 Steps I Use to Prevent Hat Hair!