Mirror image of young woman applying Makeup
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As women, it's fair to say that we go through enough. Squeezing into Spanx, monthly periods, eating our body weight in chocolate, (though there's nothing wrong with that!)... the list could go on and on and it does, extending to even include problems in our current beauty routines. Even though we devote time to getting all dolled up, our makeup can sometimes betray us as it makes our eyes burn and tear up. Why you gotta play us like that, makeup?

When this happens—and as it turns out, it’s actually pretty common—it can even signal that you are suffering from an allergy. Luckily, there are different ways to remedy these issues, such as using a primer that limits makeup contact directly to the skin or switching to a better brand for more sensitive skin. Get ready to practice safe beauty with these essential tips!

How to get clear eyes

Call us Captain Obvious, but burning, itching or tearful eyes can result from makeup getting in your eyes during application. Powdered shadows, bronzers, and even mascara particles can easily slip into the eye and cause irritation unrelated to allergies.

If you want to remove unwanted makeup from your eyes without ruining all your hard work, use a cotton swab. Carefully and slowly swipe a moist cotton swab underneath your lower lashes, removing excess makeup from your lower lid. Be sure not to apply too much pressure. To ensure you don't have makeup in your eyes, pull your lower lid down slightly and move the cotton swab along the inner rim of your eye. Again, Captain Obvious here, but be extremely careful not to poke or prod your eye in the process!

Begin with a clean slate

Before you begin, it's best to start with a clean slate. This means washing the skin around the eye with warm water and a washcloth or toner for sensitive skin, as having any excess soap can cause several issues. For one, soap can be a harsh irritant to the skin. When applying makeup, you may be pushing soap residue into the eye. Not fun! This can happen easily when applying eyeliner to the lower lid. By rinsing your eye area before your makeup application, you may be able to avoid the burning and watering that you may be experiencing.

Prime the skin

Since the skin around your eye is very sensitive and may react differently from the rest of your skin to makeup, it's best to apply a makeup primer before applying makeup. This will form a protective barrier, if you will, as makeup primer around your eyes helps soothe the skin and also makes your makeup appear smoother. Total beauty win! This will keep the makeup from being placed directly on your skin and could stop irritation.

Consider switching your makeup

Uh oh, the makeup you're using currently could be the root of your problems. Many leading brands such as Almay, Revlon, and CoverGirl offer sensitive-skin and organic makeup alternatives that may be better for you. By switching to a more sensitive type, like hypoallergenic mascara, it could alleviate the irritation.

Post-makeup habits

Before hitting the hay, always remove all your makeup. This means using an eye makeup remover in addition to your regular face wash as makeup can build up over time if it's not washed off properly and eventually cause deposits in and around the eye area. This can cause continual irritation. Simply follow these tips and practice safe beauty!