Does the practice of putting cucumber slices over one’s eyes, y’know, actually do anything? Or is it just for show?
I’ve always understood them to be a cooling agent (though not for long). I don’t think there’s enough vegetable oil in them to make a difference. They feel great. I tried 'em. But then they get warm and flexible and you just need to pitch 'em.
I was having a facial done in the early '80s at this fancy-ass salon on Madison Avenue. The facialist put cucumber slices over my eyes, and I started singing, “The sun’ll come out, to-morrow!”
She didn’t get it.
OK. But what do they do? Or is that the beauty of it…? 
Eve, at risk of embarassing myself… the little pupiless Annie Warbucks? If so (and probably even if not), that hilarious.
Supposedly it reduces bags under the eyes. I have no idea why that would be; it might have something to do with the muscles around the eyes contracting as they cool, or it might be for some other pseudo-scientific reason. I’ve heard that you can use used tea bags as well (make sure they’re thoroughly cooled, of course.)
I have no idea why I know this.
Ordinary or burpless cucumbers?
Cucumbers are mildly astringent. Astringents tend to cause tissue to contract which in the case of cucumbers on the eyes will reduce the look of bags under the eyes and tighten up the skin in general.
Yep. And since Annie was new on Broadway, you think she’d have gotten it . . .
My buddy lieu second-guessing himself??? I’m flabbergasted! 
But then I totally missed the intent of your response to the “Munch” birthday thread yesterday: :eek:
I took it to mean something sexual. :smack:
Apologies!
Quasi