11 Tricks To Stop Watery Eyes From Ruining Makeup

Prev Article Next Article

Imagine you’ve spent hours perfecting your eye makeup, only to have it ruined by a sudden surge of tears. It’s a frustrating experience that can leave you feeling defeated and wondering why your watery eyes have to be so problematic. If you’re like many makeup enthusiasts, you’ve probably had your fair share of watery eyes ruining your eye makeup, but before you give up on your favorite smoky wing or cat eye, take a deep breath and read on. With the help of Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes, a consultant oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist, we’re going to dive into the causes of watery eyes and explore some expert-approved tricks to help you stop them from ruining your makeup.

Understanding the Causes of Watery Eyes

Watery eyes can be a real nuisance, especially when it comes to makeup. But before we can start looking for solutions, it’s essential to understand what causes this pesky problem. Dr. Hawkes explains that blepharitis is the number one cause of dry eye, which can lead to watery eyes. “Blepharitis is an umbrella term that encompasses lots of symptoms, including redness, a gritty or foreign body sensation, and ironically, dry eyes as the eye makes excess tears when dry,” she says.

But blepharitis isn’t the only cause of watery eyes. Other potential causes include blocked tear ducts, dry eyes, and allergies. Dr. Hawkes notes that if you have a blocked tear duct, you may experience watery eyes, which can be caused by trauma to the tear duct. “It can be congenital or caused by an infection, but it needs a thorough assessment,” she adds.

So, what can you do about it? Dr. Hawkes recommends seeing an eye specialist or optician to get a proper diagnosis. “Subtle differences in symptoms can make a big difference in treatment,” she says.

Preventing Watery Eyes from Ruining Makeup

Preventing watery eyes is the key step to minimising the risk of them ruining your eye makeup. And it all starts with proper cleansing and care of the eye. Dr. Hawkes stresses the importance of ensuring your skin is in a healthy condition to create a good base for makeup. “Much like a thorough skincare routine, proper cleansing and care of the eye is key here,” she says.

So, how can you keep your eyes healthy and watery eye-free? For starters, make sure to remove your eye makeup properly, especially if you have sensitive eyes. Dr. Hawkes recommends using products suitable for sensitive skin and avoiding eyeliner on the waterline. “Clinique has a brilliant ‘eye safety promise’ as the products undergo rigorous testing on how they affect the ocular surface, which not many brands do,” she says.

Makeup-Related Causes of Watery Eyes

So, how does makeup contribute to watery eyes? Dr. Hawkes explains that blepharitis causes blockage of the meibomian glands, which are specialised glands in between the eyelashes that secrete an oily layer of tear film. “When you apply eyeliner or mascara, you’re irritating and directly blocking these glands,” she says.

That’s why it’s essential to be cautious with application and always remove eye makeup properly. Dr. Hawkes recommends replacing mascara every 3-6 months and cream eyeshadows every 12-18 months, and powder eyeshadows every 1-2 years.

Eye Care: A Key Step in Preventing Watery Eyes

Good eye care is crucial in preventing watery eyes. Dr. Hawkes stresses the importance of regularly washing your makeup brushes and using fresh products. “This is especially important if you have sensitive eyes,” she says.

So, how can you keep your eyes healthy and watery eye-free? For starters, make sure to remove your eye makeup properly, and get into the habit of regularly washing your makeup brushes. Dr. Hawkes also recommends using lubricating eye drops to treat watery eyes. “This can be a tricky concept for patients to get their heads around,” she says, “but the more lubricated the ocular surface is, the less likely you are to trigger the lacrimal gland to produce tears.”

Alternative Treatments for Watery Eyes

While lubricating eye drops can be a great solution for watery eyes, they’re not the only option. Dr. Hawkes notes that there are many different eye drop options available to treat the condition, and it’s essential to investigate and look at the cause of allergies before treating the symptoms.

So, what can you do if you have watery eyes? Dr. Hawkes recommends seeing an eye specialist or optician to get a proper diagnosis. “Subtle differences in symptoms can make a big difference in treatment,” she says.

Conclusion

Watery eyes can be a real nuisance, especially when it comes to makeup. But with the help of Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes, we’ve explored some expert-approved tricks to help you stop them from ruining your makeup. From proper cleansing and care of the eye to regularly washing your makeup brushes and using fresh products, it’s essential to take good care of your eyes to prevent watery eyes.

So, the next time you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and see a smudge of eyeliner or a smoky wing that’s been ruined by a sudden surge of tears, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, watery eyes are a common issue, and with the right knowledge and care, you can keep them under control.

Additional Tips for Preventing Watery Eyes

Here are some additional tips for preventing watery eyes:

1. Use lubricating eye drops to treat watery eyes. Dr. Hawkes recommends using lubricating eye drops to treat watery eyes. “This can be a tricky concept for patients to get their heads around,” she says, “but the more lubricated the ocular surface is, the less likely you are to trigger the lacrimal gland to produce tears.”

2. Regularly wash your makeup brushes. Dr. Hawkes stresses the importance of regularly washing your makeup brushes. “This is especially important if you have sensitive eyes,” she says.

3. Use fresh products. Dr. Hawkes recommends using fresh products, especially if you have sensitive eyes. “This is especially important if you have sensitive eyes,” she says.

4. Be cautious with application. Dr. Hawkes recommends being cautious with application, especially when using eyeliner or mascara. “When you apply eyeliner or mascara, you’re irritating and directly blocking the meibomian glands,” she says.

5. Remove eye makeup properly. Dr. Hawkes stresses the importance of removing eye makeup properly. “This is especially important if you have sensitive eyes,” she says.

Conclusion

Watery eyes can be a real nuisance, especially when it comes to makeup. But with the right knowledge and care, you can keep them under control. So, the next time you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and see a smudge of eyeliner or a smoky wing that’s been ruined by a sudden surge of tears, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, watery eyes are a common issue, and with the help of Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes, you can learn how to stop them from ruining your makeup.

References

Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes is a consultant oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist. She has a special interest in eye safety and has worked with Clinique to develop their ‘eye safety promise.’

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. If you experience watery eyes, it’s essential to see an eye specialist or optician to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.