How often do you apply a perfect eye makeup only to have it spoiled by your eyes watering? Over the summer I started walking to work after I’d spent at least half an hour each morning putting my makeup on and using a setting spray to help it stay put. Unfortunately after about five minutes of walking my eyes would start to water at the edges. I’d wipe the water away with my fingers or dab at my eyes with a tissue, trying not to smudge my eyeshadow, mascara and eye liner. When I got to work I’d look in the mirror and was frustrated to find watery eyes spoiling my makeup. My first step to try and stop this was to look at why my eyes were watering.
Things That Make Your Eyes Water
Other than injuries to the eye area, an eye infection or a medical condition (where you should consult a medical professional), everyday things can cause potential eye problems:
Weather – external factors such as a windy day, bright sunlight, or a cold snap can affect your eyes, irritating them enough to make them water.
Eyestrain – using a computer all day or scrolling on your phone too much can cause you eyes feel tired and gritty which will also make them water
Bright lights indoors– working in an environment where the overhead lights are very bright can irrirate your eyes
Make up & applicators – eye makeup products and makeup application products can bring a risk of eye irritation
Dry Eye – unfortunately dry eye symptoms are a lot more common if you’re over 50 and female as hormonal changes can affect tear production. You’d think with a name like ‘dry eye’ you wouldn’t have the problem of watery eyes. But the lack of tears can give you itchy eyes or cause them to feel sore and gritty. When this happens your body reacts by creating more tears than normal to lubricate your eyes and so they become watery.
Things You Can Do To Help Irritation that Causes Watery Eyes
Wear sunglasses : it seems like an obvious solution but we tend to think about using sunglasses only during the summer months. The sun can also be bright during winter months (even in the UK!) and can affect sensitive eyes. Pop a pair of your favourite sunglasses into your handbag just in case. It may just do the trick.
Limit your screen time : we spend so much time looking at computer screens, phone screens and television screens. I know my eyes always feel tired after a day at the keyboard or hours spent scrolling social media on my iphone. To help lessen eye strain make sure your computer screen is at least 20 inches away from your face and use a glare filter to dim any bright light. I also found that changing my mobile phone background to black rather than white helped too, it just doesn’t feel as harsh.
Alternative lighting : ff you’re using an overhead light in the office then try switching it off and just use the natural daylight. If it’s a particularly dark day then you could add a soft lamp to your desk, it may be all you need. If you’re relaxing at home reading a book then make sure the light you’re reading by is adequate. Set up a lamp that shines down over your book to lessen the strain on your eyes. It’s really cosy too.
Use eye drops : Thera Tears Dry or Tired Eye Drops are a dry eye treatment that’s especially for mature dry or tired eyes, Thera Tears eye drops are formulated with the “patented technology of cross-linked hyaluronic acid and distilled waters of chamomile and mallow to reduce eye strain, restore and provide instant and long-lasting relief. The eye drops add a lubricant to your eye helping combat the symptoms of dry eye disease as they restore and improve tear film stability”. I found these eye drops easy to use as the drops don’t come out of the bottle too quickly and the bottle is easy to squeeze. I have found putting eyes drops in my eyes quite difficult in the past as I don’t like them hitting my eye ball. I was shown the best way to apply eye drops, (if you’re squeamish), by my diabetic eye screening nurse. Tilt your head back and close your eyes, hold the eye drop applicator to the inner corner of your eye and squeeze. Once the drop is released open your eye and let the drop trickle onto the surface of the eye. It works perfectly for my eye screening and I found it does the job when applying Thera Tears Eye Drops. You can also use the eye drops if you wear contact lenses.
Use the right makeup products:
- I find waterproof mascara to be very problematic and struggled for years finding the right formula for my eyes. Mascara apparently lasts only three to four months so if you’ve had yours longer it may have reached its expiry date.
- I found using mascara on my lower lashes sometimes gave me eye irritation so maybe this is something you could try.
- If you use an eyeliner pencil or liquid liner, use it on the outside of the bottom lash line, rather than the water line, if you suffer from dry eyes (this also makes your eyes look bigger).
- Use makeup removers that don’t irritate your eyes. My go-to makeup remover is The Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter. I use it all over my face, including my eyes, and it removes my makeup without irritation or stinging.
- Some foundations make my eyes sting. Don’t put up with a foundation that irritates your skin, try another one until you’ve got the right makeup products in your daily makeup routine.
Clean your makeup brushes :
- Give your mascara wand a clean every week if you use if on a daily basis, include your eyelash curler in your cleaning routine too. They can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Get into a routine of cleaning your makeup brushes regularly to avoid build-up of bacteria and old makeup particles that can cause irritation to your eyes. Regular washing will help keep your brushes in good condition for longer although you should change them every three to five years. Wash them in warm water and a little of your hair shampoo (I’m assuming your shampoo is gentle and doesn’t sting your eyes) and then let them dry naturally.
By trying and following all of the above tips the good news is you can really help watery eyes spoiling your makeup.