COOL EYE

Eyes can look swollen from allergies, too much partying, toomuch computer time, too much (or too little) sleep, or loose under-eye skincaused by heredity or aging. Whatever the cause of puffed-up peepers, here's howto deflate them fast. Just head for the kitchen and . . .

Slice a cucumber. Dermatologists aren't surewhat's behind the anti-inflammatory effects of cucumbers, but here's a possibleexplanation: The veggies contain a combo of mild natural acids that reducewater retention. Some beauty pros say cucumbers work best when they're cold,which makes sense: Because cukes are 90% water, chilled slices are likedelicate mini ice packs.

Reach for the peas. Any bag of frozen food willdo, but frozen baby peas have a way of fitting into the nooks and cranniesaround your eyes. Put a soft cloth around the plastic package to protect yourskin from the frigid surface, then chill out for 5 to 15 minutes while the coldshrinks the swelling.

Make a milk bath. Milk is a natural soother ifeyes are irritated as well as puffy. "Just don't use skim milk, since itdoesn't contain fat, one of milk's most soothing components," says NewYork dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD. Other ingredients in milk that calmswollen skin: protein, amino acids, lactic acid, and vitamins A and D. Pourmilk into a bowl of ice so it gets really cold, saturate a clean washcloth, andapply to eyes for up to 15 minutes. Soak and reapply when the cloth loses itscool.