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
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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
My eyes are more sensitive when I wear eye make up so I tend not to wear it.
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Nice tips. I have found that my eyes can get sensitive to certain brands of mascara and not others. Some will dry my eyes out and make them red the whole day. I guess it is a trial and error process.
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Handy tips for everyone not just sensitive eyes
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I get hay fever so tend to steer clear of most eye makeup during the hay fever season, other than mascara
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I have sensitive eyes and do think that it is important to be brand and product savvy. Sometimes a certain product will cause my eyes to water, bit of trial and error
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My eyes are not that sensitive but they water so easily and next thing I know I've got eyeliner and mascara running done my cheeks. I use the most waterproof formulas I can find
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Being an optometrist, I reckon this article should apply to normal eyes too, not just sensitive eyes! Completely agree with these tips.
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Great tips, occasionally I will have sensitivity issues around my eyes. I will keep these tips in mind.
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So far have been only sensitive (burning eyes) to eye creams. Not makeup items. So I avoid those and use face stuff that I know my skin loves
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Tip #5 I'm not so sure about. I find it creases more easily!
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I use the Garnier Micellar Water to remove all my eye makeup. It's both gentle and doesn't irritate the skin!
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Fibre mascaras are the worst... so itchy and watery.
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These are great tips, when I find a brand I don't react to I never change from it, plus removing every trace is also important
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My eyes are very sensitive and I agree with all your advice. Brand savvy seems obvious but it took me a long time to realise that some brands are so much more gentle on the peepers. Innoxa is really good for me.
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My eyes aren't that sensitive but something about putting eyeliner on my waterline makes my eyes water!
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I have sensitive eyes, sensitive skin, and dry all over. Love the Nude by Nature eye primer. The Simple products make my skin so red and irritated so I can't use those unfortunately.
Absolutely loving Eye of Horus. Superb products for sensitive eyes.
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I have dry eyes that get irritated easily. I find hot eye compress helps a bit.
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Thankfully I don't have sensitive eyes
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Mine are sensitive so I usually don't wear any eye makeup.
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i usually go waterproof, when my eyes start to water at least i know i won't look like a raccoon
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The seasons are so out of whack my hayfever is still hanging around and it's June! Yesterday I took the kids to the park and ended up with one watery eye. I looked in the mirror when I hop back in the car and my cat eye flick was gone:(
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I don't use mascara, and take care when applying moisturiser around this area etc.
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I think I really need to get eye drops!
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