For as long as I can remember, my eyes have always been watering and I have always loved eye makeup. However, the two do not get along. All it takes is the slightest gust of wind or a sudden change in temperature, and my eyes start watering and my makeup gets ruined.
And if you’re like me, you’ve probably had your eye makeup ruined on more than one occasion due to those wicked tears that seemingly come out of nowhere and result in eyeliner and eyeshadow melting off. I’ve lost count of how many times a soft, smoky wing has gone missing. My eyes water all year long, but with hay fever season in full swing, I’m on a quest to figure out how to keep watery eyes from permanently ruining my makeup.
So, I took help from Dr Elizabeth HawkesA consultant oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologistFind out what causes watery eyes and how to stop them from ruining your eye makeup.
What causes watering eyes?
“Blepharitis is the number one cause of dry eye, which is a broad term that includes a lot of symptoms, i.e., redness or gritty or foreign body sensation and, ironically, dry eyes, because the eye makes more tears when it’s dry,” says. Dr. Hawks. “This can have many causes, such as allergies, medical conditions or as a result of certain oral medications, but it is always best to see an eye specialist or optician as there are subtle differences.”
Blocked tear ducts: “If it’s just one eye, it could be a blocked tear duct. If you have a blockage in your eye, you may have water flowing from your eye, which could be caused by trauma to the tear duct. This could be congenital or caused by an infection, but it requires a thorough evaluation,” says. Dr. Hawks. “A common test done by eye specialists is to ask patients if their eyes are watering indoors and out. If they are watering indoors, it is highly suggestive of a blockage. If it is a blockage in the duct, you need surgery, but it depends on what layer or level the blockage is, as that determines how invasive it needs to be,” she adds.
Dry eyes: “If it is blepharitis and associated dry eye – watery eye syndrome – then the mainstay of treatment is lubricating eye drops, which can be a difficult concept for patients to get their heads around,” says. Dr. Hawks. “This is because the more lubricated the surface of the eye is, the less likely the lacrimal gland is to produce tears.” Eye drops can help re-hydrate the eyes and help protect them from excessive tears.
Allergies: “If it is allergy related, it should be investigated and the cause looked at. Either way, there are lots of different eye drop options available for different causes that can all treat the condition efficiently,” she says.
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Can makeup make watery eyes worse?
Depending on what’s causing your eyes to water, you may find that makeup can worsen symptoms. “Blepharitis is the most common cause, which causes a blockage in the meibomian glands, which are specialized glands in the middle of the eyelids that secrete an oily layer of tear film,” says Dr. Hawks. “They open at the waterline, so when you apply eyeliner or Mascara, you’re irritating and directly blocking these glands,” she says.
“Generally, I would avoid using eyeliner on the waterline and use products suitable for sensitive skin. Clinique has a great ‘Eye Safety Promise’ because the products go through rigorous testing on how they affect the ocular surface, which many brands don’t,” she says. “Be careful with application and always remove eye makeup properly, especially if you have sensitive eyes.”
How to prevent watery eyes due to makeup spoilage
Preventing watery eyes is an important step to reducing the risk of ruining your eye makeup, and there are some preventative steps you can take to reduce watery eyes.
Clean the eyes: “Much like a whole “Making sure that your skin is in a healthy condition to create a good base for your skin care routine and makeup, proper eye cleansing and care is important here,” says Dr. Hawks. “Ophthalmologists call this ‘lid hygiene,’ and it’s very important, removing the eyelashes from between the eyelids in the morning and evening to make sure the glands don’t get blocked,” she says. “Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover (£10) Very nice. It does not contain any harsh surfactants which affect the lipid layer on the eyes and does a great job at removing makeup completely.”
Practice good makeup hygiene: “It’s important to have good makeup hygiene. This includes removing makeup properly, cleaning your brushes, not keeping mascara that lasts for years or using expired or dried-out products,” she says. Typically, you should replace your mascara every 3-6 months, cream eyeshadow every 12-18 months, and powder eyeshadow every 1-2 years. As a general rule, cream formulations expire more quickly, so look at your makeup bag and check the expiration dates of the products you’re using. Additionally, make sure you are washing your makeup brushes regularly as well.
Opt for cream eye makeup: Although Dr. Hawkes doesn’t focus on any specific ingredients to include in your makeup, she prefers cream over powder formulas. She says, “The specific ingredients in makeup are not that important; however, I always recommend cream-based eyeshadow and makeup, as powder particles can get into the eyes and cause irritation.”
Avoid eye makeup: After talking to makeup artists over the years, I’ve learned that it’s best to avoid glitter or glitter eyeshadows, as they can clump up and cause further eye irritation. As far as your lashes go, tubing mascaras are great because they last longer, but also come off easily with warm water. Waterproof mascaras are great for preventing smudges; However, they are more difficult to remove, so look for a good eye makeup remover to remove them completely.
Find eye-safe brands: “Additionally, I recommend products and brands that have been tested, like Clinique’s Eye Protection Promise,” she says. Look for brands and products that have been ophthalmologist tested to reduce eye irritation. Additionally, if you wear contact lenses, Dr. Hawkes says that can cause problems in itself, so be very careful to take extra care of your eyes. She also recommends avoiding eyelash extensions if you’re prone to problems.
If your eyes continue to water, always seek medical advice. “If you leave anything on for too long, it can affect your vision, so it’s best to be safe and cautious when it comes to your vision,” says. Dr. Hawks.
How to fix eye makeup
Be it a windy day or an important occasion with high pollen counts, there are times when blurry eye makeup needs to be fixed. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve done my professional makeup for a wedding or special occasion, only to have it ruined because my eyes watered. Here are my tips for fixing it.
Press, don’t rub: Avoid rubbing the area and instead pat with a tissue to remove any excess tears. Often, the area can become dry, so you can rehydrate the area to suit sensitive skin eye cream. This will help hydrate and soothe any irritation around the eyes. For quick fixes, a Q-tip can help clean up small smudges, or you can use a small makeup brush to clean up smudged eyeliner wings.
Fix base: If the situation requires you to completely reapply your makeup, there are a few things you can do. Applying a little concealer can help create a grippier canvas for eye makeup, and then setting it with pressed setting powder to create a waterproof barrier. It is best to apply with a puff rather than a brush to avoid particles getting into the eyes. Tap on skin to set concealer.
Apply eye makeup: Waterproof eyeliner or long-wearing eyeshadow (like a cream-to-powder formula) will provide the best look. You can also apply a small amount of powder eyeshadow over the cream formula to set your eye makeup. Just make sure the area is completely dry of tears; Otherwise, eye makeup will not stick. Then, you can apply a setting spray to help lock it in (just keep your eyes closed while you’re misting!).
Keep important things with you: Keep a few of your key products on hand in case you need a fix or top up throughout the day. As well as your makeup, eye drops or mists can help keep eyes fresh throughout the day, and sunglasses are useful for protecting eyes from drafts or even as a last resort to hide smoky eye makeup.
Best products for wet eyes
clinic
High Impact Hi-Fi Full Volume Mascara
Clinique’s eye makeup is great for those with sensitive eyes, and this mascara is in a class of its own for volumizing lashes without causing irritation.
haiko san
Extra Eye Drops with Hyaluronic Acid
Adding these eye drops to my eye care routine has been the biggest game-changer in preventing watery eyes from ruining my eye makeup. They provide relief from dry eyes and prevent excessive tear formation throughout the day.
Optez
Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover
Dr. Hawks Recommend this eye makeup cleanser to gently remove makeup without any hassle.
clinic
quickliner for eyes
This is a great eyeliner that won’t tug on delicate lashes and is also ophthalmologist-tested and water-resistant.
peep club
instant relief eye spray
If you have dry or irritated eyes this convenient eye mist is a great way to refresh your eyes on the go or at your desk. It’s also great to have on standby to soothe your eyes during hay fever season.
La Roche Posay
Dermalergo Soothing Eye Cream
I swear by La Roche-Posay’s gentle formulas, and this eye cream is recommended by dermatologists for sensitive skin.
Cream eyeshadows are often more long-lasting than their powder counterparts, and I trust Merit’s eyeshadows to last longer.
it cosmetics
Goodbye to under eye concealer
This under-eye concealer is not only great at hiding dark circles, but thanks to its waterproof formula it’s basically indestructible.
UKlash
tubing mascara in black
I’ve always loved tubing mascara formulas because they’re so easy to remove. All you need is warm water and the mascara will gently slide off your lashes – no need to rub.
isocline
makeup brush cleaner
Take this as your cue to clean your makeup brushes. This spray formula makes the job less difficult and melts off makeup with ease.
charlotte tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
As setting sprays go, this is one of the few I’ve tried that actually helps keep my eye makeup in place while my eyes water.
