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
RELATED: Winged eyeliner for different eye shapes
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?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in beautorium.
225 Member Comments
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
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Being an optometrist, I reckon this article should apply to normal eyes too, not just sensitive eyes! Completely agree with these tips.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Great tips, occasionally I will have sensitivity issues around my eyes. I will keep these tips in mind.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Tip #5 I'm not so sure about. I find it creases more easily!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use the Garnier Micellar Water to remove all my eye makeup. It's both gentle and doesn't irritate the skin!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Fibre mascaras are the worst... so itchy and watery.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 1
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 1
My eyes aren't that sensitive but something about putting eyeliner on my waterline makes my eyes water!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have dry eyes that get irritated easily. I find hot eye compress helps a bit.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Mine are sensitive so I usually don't wear any eye makeup.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
i usually go waterproof, when my eyes start to water at least i know i won't look like a raccoon
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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:(
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I don't use mascara, and take care when applying moisturiser around this area etc.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I think I need eye drops too Elly. It might stop my runny eyeball :)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I avoid the waterline now as it has been proven that it isn't healthy to put those chemicals onto that delicate skin area. I have tried natural mascara (eyes of Horus I think is the brand I have bought). I was getting blood shot eyes from my maybelline mascara
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Mine are so sensitive that i can't wear eyeliner.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I always make sure I get beauty products for sensitive skin not just for eyes but for the whole face.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
You really do need to find what products work for You. Clean your beauty blender often. It will help
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have watery sensitive eyes sometimes and find Eye of Horus a great brand that doesn't irritate. Using waterproof mascara counterintuitively irritates me less than one that flakes.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I had good results from Natio eye shadows but refuse to use them since they started having them made in China.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
