Makeup Application Tips for Watery Eyes
By Wander Beauty | Oct 12, 2022
Do your eyes tear up at the mere sight of an eyeliner pencil? Have you ever completed a full face of makeup only to look like a raccoon-eyed mess just seconds after pulling out your mascara wand? If so, we know the struggle, and we’re here to help with expert makeup tips!
First off, knowing the cause of your watery eyes is essential to tackling the issue. If your eyes only tear up during makeup application, what you're dealing with are reflex tears. This is common in sensitive eyes and is what we’ll be addressing today. If however, your eyes tear up often throughout the day when the wind blows, around smoke, while wearing contact lenses or due to allergens, you may need to see your optometrist for a full exam and appropriate course of action.
Here are our top tips for mess-free makeup application.
1. Use eye drops before applying your makeup
If your eyes are dry or irritated before applying makeup, it's probably only going to get worse during the application process, and you can almost certainly expect your eyes to start watering. In this scenario, you’ll want to apply eye drops and then wait until your eyes feel completely normal again before you start putting makeup on. Eye drops will reduce discomfort and help flush out anything that may be causing irritation. However, if this is common, be sure to speak to your doctor.
2. Check the expiration date
Old or expired makeup is more likely to cause irritation and infection, so keep a check on your makeup's expiration date. Experts recommend updating your mascara every three months. Furthermore, dirty brushes can also irritate your eyes, and may even lead to styes. Be sure to wash your makeup brushes and application tools at least once a week using a gentle cleanser, and replace brushes that are shedding bristles to avoid unnecessary discomfort.
3. Use hypoallergenic and water-resistant makeup
If you generally have sensitive skin and eyes, the makeup and skincare products you're using might be causing your eyes to water excessively as a symptom of an allergic reaction. Synthetic fragrances and dyes can be particularly irritating for sensitive eyes. Something as simple as switching to hypoallergenic mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner could make an immediate difference. Look for products formulated specifically for sensitive eyes/skin, or choose products that are suitable for sensitive eyes/skin such as Skyliner Automatic Gel Eyeliner. With its quick-setting, soothing formula, Skyliner is one of the best gel eyeliners available.
Of course, just to be on the safe side, it's best to choose water-resistant eye makeup such as Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara.<product>1,2</product>
4. Use a makeup primer
Because tears contain salt, you may want to use eye makeup primer to keep the sensitive skin beneath the eyes from drying out. However, the primer you use for the rest of your makeup may not be as helpful to your eye area, as most primers contain silicon, which won't necessarily help eye makeup set well. If the idea of having to use two separate primers doesn't speak to you, concealer can act as one of the best eye makeup primers, and if you’re using a gentle, hydrating, skin-loving formula such as Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, it’ll be the best eyeshadow primer for watery eyes too.<product>3</product>
5. Avoid lining your waterline and lower lashes
Waterlining may make your lashes appear thicker, but if you have watery eyes, skipping this step in your makeup routine will make your life significantly easier! The Meibomian glands are located along the waterline and secrete oil that coats the eyeball, helping to keep tears on the surface of the eye without evaporating. If makeup runs into the eye, it can clog the glands, making eyes drier and more likely to tear up. Instead, experiment with top-lid wings, or keep to eyeshadow and mascara.
6. Be prepared for potential waterworks
If tears do happen to start mid-application; tilt your chin up, open your mouth, and breathe slowly through your nose. Keep tissues on hand and place the edge of a tissue as close to the eye as possible so that it absorbs excess moisture before it escapes the eye and runs down your face.
7. Remove all your makeup at night
This applies to everyone, not just those with sensitive eyes. Your eyelids and lashes should be completely clean before you go to bed each night so that the glands of the eye don't get irritated and dry out. Remove your makeup in the evenings using a gentle makeup remover such as B.O.M Voyage Cleansing Balm, and follow with Drift Away™ Cleanser for a double cleanse if you wear a lot of makeup.<product>4,5</product>
Perfect your look with Wander Beauty
Fortunately, your eyebrow makeup should be way easier to do, since you won't be working so close to the eye. To create the perfect brow to complete your look, you’ll need the perfect brow pencil. Frame Your Face™ Precise Brow Gel fills, grooms, and sculpts your brows, giving you a natural, fuller look. It's enriched with hinoki essential oil to moisturize and nourish hair for flake-free, smudge-free, and long-lasting brows.<product>6</product>
If your eyes aren't the only thing that is sensitive, be sure to check out our top tips for managing irritation and sensitive skin and explore our library of expert makeup and skincare secrets on The Wanderess Edit.
Makeup Application Tips for Watery Eyes
Do your eyes tear up at the mere sight of an eyeliner pencil? Have you ever completed a full face of makeup only to look like a raccoon-eyed mess just seconds after pulling out your mascara wand? If so, we know the struggle, and we’re here to help with expert makeup tips!
First off, knowing the cause of your watery eyes is essential to tackling the issue. If your eyes only tear up during makeup application, what you're dealing with are reflex tears. This is common in sensitive eyes and is what we’ll be addressing today. If however, your eyes tear up often throughout the day when the wind blows, around smoke, while wearing contact lenses or due to allergens, you may need to see your optometrist for a full exam and appropriate course of action.
Here are our top tips for mess-free makeup application.
1. Use eye drops before applying your makeup
If your eyes are dry or irritated before applying makeup, it's probably only going to get worse during the application process, and you can almost certainly expect your eyes to start watering. In this scenario, you’ll want to apply eye drops and then wait until your eyes feel completely normal again before you start putting makeup on. Eye drops will reduce discomfort and help flush out anything that may be causing irritation. However, if this is common, be sure to speak to your doctor.
2. Check the expiration date
Old or expired makeup is more likely to cause irritation and infection, so keep a check on your makeup's expiration date. Experts recommend updating your mascara every three months. Furthermore, dirty brushes can also irritate your eyes, and may even lead to styes. Be sure to wash your makeup brushes and application tools at least once a week using a gentle cleanser, and replace brushes that are shedding bristles to avoid unnecessary discomfort.
3. Use hypoallergenic and water-resistant makeup
If you generally have sensitive skin and eyes, the makeup and skincare products you're using might be causing your eyes to water excessively as a symptom of an allergic reaction. Synthetic fragrances and dyes can be particularly irritating for sensitive eyes. Something as simple as switching to hypoallergenic mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner could make an immediate difference. Look for products formulated specifically for sensitive eyes/skin, or choose products that are suitable for sensitive eyes/skin such as Skyliner Automatic Gel Eyeliner. With its quick-setting, soothing formula, Skyliner is one of the best gel eyeliners available.
Of course, just to be on the safe side, it's best to choose water-resistant eye makeup such as Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara.<product>1,2</product>
4. Use a makeup primer
Because tears contain salt, you may want to use eye makeup primer to keep the sensitive skin beneath the eyes from drying out. However, the primer you use for the rest of your makeup may not be as helpful to your eye area, as most primers contain silicon, which won't necessarily help eye makeup set well. If the idea of having to use two separate primers doesn't speak to you, concealer can act as one of the best eye makeup primers, and if you’re using a gentle, hydrating, skin-loving formula such as Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, it’ll be the best eyeshadow primer for watery eyes too.<product>3</product>
5. Avoid lining your waterline and lower lashes
Waterlining may make your lashes appear thicker, but if you have watery eyes, skipping this step in your makeup routine will make your life significantly easier! The Meibomian glands are located along the waterline and secrete oil that coats the eyeball, helping to keep tears on the surface of the eye without evaporating. If makeup runs into the eye, it can clog the glands, making eyes drier and more likely to tear up. Instead, experiment with top-lid wings, or keep to eyeshadow and mascara.
6. Be prepared for potential waterworks
If tears do happen to start mid-application; tilt your chin up, open your mouth, and breathe slowly through your nose. Keep tissues on hand and place the edge of a tissue as close to the eye as possible so that it absorbs excess moisture before it escapes the eye and runs down your face.
7. Remove all your makeup at night
This applies to everyone, not just those with sensitive eyes. Your eyelids and lashes should be completely clean before you go to bed each night so that the glands of the eye don't get irritated and dry out. Remove your makeup in the evenings using a gentle makeup remover such as B.O.M Voyage Cleansing Balm, and follow with Drift Away™ Cleanser for a double cleanse if you wear a lot of makeup.<product>4,5</product>
Perfect your look with Wander Beauty
Fortunately, your eyebrow makeup should be way easier to do, since you won't be working so close to the eye. To create the perfect brow to complete your look, you’ll need the perfect brow pencil. Frame Your Face™ Precise Brow Gel fills, grooms, and sculpts your brows, giving you a natural, fuller look. It's enriched with hinoki essential oil to moisturize and nourish hair for flake-free, smudge-free, and long-lasting brows.<product>6</product>
If your eyes aren't the only thing that is sensitive, be sure to check out our top tips for managing irritation and sensitive skin and explore our library of expert makeup and skincare secrets on The Wanderess Edit.
