7 makeup tips for sensitive eyes
Just because you’ve got sensitive eyes, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear eye makeup. Truly it doesn’t. You just need to be savvy with your product and brand choices, and have a little know-how when it comes to application. And once you do, you can say goodbye to sore, itchy, red eyes…
MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #1: Be brand savvy
We’re a sensitive bunch of humans, and many beauty brands have cottoned on to this. By using brands that don’t use fragrances and ingredients that could potentially cause irritations, you’ll still be able to play around with makeup, but lower your chance of suffering from watery, stinging eyes ten fold. Our members love Almay, Nude by Nature and jane iredale.
MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #2: Clean your brushes
And by clean, I mean regularly. Or daily, if you want a gold star. Makeup brushes and tools become contaminated very easily, so it’s always smart to use clean ones around sensitive eyes to prevent general irritation and infection.
RELATED: The beauty tools you're forgetting to clean
RELATED: Stop making these makeup brush washing mistakes
MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #3: Use eye drops strategically
This means using eye drops at least 30 minutes before applying makeup, not moments before. If you don’t allow enough time, your eyes may be even more sensitive when applying makeup products, causing them to become watery. Not fun.
MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #4: Avoid the waterline
Love wearing eyeliner on your eyelids? We understand your affection, but just ask you apply it next to the lash line instead of the waterline to avoid unnecessary irritation. If you’re planning on defining your lower lash, too, run your pencil underneath the lash line and blend well for a striking finish.
bh recommends: Inika Organic Eyeliner for its ease of use.
RELATED: 12 incredibly useful eyeliner hacks
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MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #5: Swap powders for creams
Powder eyeshadow is essentially the enemy of sensitive eyes as it can easy crumble and find its way into your eyes. Opt for the long-lasting, easily blendable cream varieties instead, as they’re less likely to create fallout.
bh recommends: Mary Kay ® Cream Eye Colors and Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick.
MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #6: Say no to mascaras with fibres
Just like powder eyeshadows, these fibres can fall into your eyes and cause irritation. Stick to lengthening mascaras without fibres if you still want fluttery lashes, or try a volumising product instead – they boost lash thickness to make them truly standout.
MAKEUP TIP FOR SENSITIVE EYES #7: Remove with care
Taking off your eye makeup at the end of the day to help prevent infection is even more important than making wise product choices. If you don’t, product can remain stuck to your lashes and lids and work its way into your eyes while you sleep. Use a gentle cleanser or micellar water to remove all traces of makeup, leaving the eyes clean and soothed.
bh recommends:
- Simple ® Skincare Micellar Cleansing Water
- Uriage Thermal Micellar Water
- Rosehip by essano Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water
- Avène Micellar Lotion
Do you have sensitive eyes? Or do you have any tips for those who do? And which brands do you love for easily irritated eyes?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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232 Member Comments
I have very sensitive eyes. Eye makeup is something that I will spend the extra money on to ensure that I buy quality.
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I'm an eye makeup avoider due to sensitivity so thank you for the advice on good brands I might be able to try.
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Sadly all products make my eyes water, however the worst ones cause my eyes to swell (think elephant man) it has been known to cause me to struggle to see. The line that one must endure pain for beauty was not coined by someone with allergies and highly sensitive skin. My immunologist in the end told me to stop wearing make up, so I'm a social worker who looks like she doesnt sleep with delightful uneven skin tone, that may have been dragged out of a bush backwards. Personally i prefer to think clients disaged with me because im downright scary (not to ascertain if thats visually or professionally). Make up and sensitive eyes is a nightmare, ive been asked if ive been crying, if i had black eyes, on drugs and so on...
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Well let me tell you I understand what you've been through I've been going through the same thing for the past few years but just recently since I turned 40 it's gotten worse for me I woke up one morning getting ready for work putting on my town vacation in my powder in my eyeshadow and my eyeliner and few hours later after having it on my face I started to feel tingling in my eyelids my eyes would water they became very irritated and red basically I thought I was having a reaction she's something but I had no idea I haven't been able to wear makeup and almost a year do to my eye swelling up and I know what the elephant Man looks like I felt that way every morning after just trying to wear any kind of makeup on my face especially my eyes I've been to the dermatologist they suggested putting hydrocortisone cream on and certain little things but to the game now I can't put anything on my face no moisturizer is no water no cleansers no nothing without irritating me so I'm asking you what you have found out because I have found no answers whatsoever but basically putting nothing on my face
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I never used to have sensitive eyes, but i've noticed now as i've gotten older i do, especially after wearing mascara all day. By the end of the day I have the itchiest eyes ever! I normally use Simple eye make up remover, which works great but I can't wait to try these, especially the Uriage Thermal Micellar Water, as I use Uriage Thermal Spray Water on my eczema and it works wonders :)
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I never used to have sensitive eyes, but i've noticed now as i've gotten older i do, especially after wearing mascara all day. By the end of the day I have the itchiest eyes ever! I normally use Simple eye make up remover, which works great but I can't wait to try these, especially the Uriage Thermal Micellar Water, as I use Uriage Thermal Spray Water on my eczema and it works wonders :)
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Make up tip #8 - keep your brushes and products out of your eyes! Something that I seem to have trouble doing, but luckily I don't have sensitive eyes.
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I'm pretty lucky that my eyes aren't sensitive but these are some great tips for the ladies that do have this problem
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I don't have sensitive eyes but these are great tips for those who do :).
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Yes, avoid fibre mascaras, they are the worst!!
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I just avoid mascaras full stop. My eyes are very sensitive
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My eyes are becoming more sensitive a time goes on so I am having to be a lot more careful with products that I use.
Thanks for the reminders in the article
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yea ive recently cut back on eye makeup a lot because of the increased irritation and sensitivity of my eyes to most products :(
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pile on less products might help too.
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These are great tips for sensitive eyes.
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For someone who has sensitive eyes, I couldn't have given better advice myself.
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I know a few people that this would really help!
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I need to pick up some more Simple Eye makeup remover.
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I am pretty fortunate that I mostly don't have sensitive eyes. If they feel a bit itchy or red, I generally use some eye drops and I am all good.
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I have been using Garnier's micellar water. I love essance brand, will try it's micellar water after i finish my current bottle.
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I have sensitive eyes...or should I say sensitive eye lids. If they get upset they break out in a rash and become sore and itchy. I do have to wash my brushes often but I cant wear cream eye shadows. I have to use powders although color tattoos are fine.
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Great tips! Especially not wear fibre mascara.
I don't have sensitive eyes but if a fibre gets into my eye oh boy, it's bad. Unfortunately fibre seems to be rhe only thing not smudged on me!
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It has to be said, wash your hands before applying your makeup and inserting your contacts
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