One drawback to the weather warming up is pollen literally everywhere. It seems that everywhere you look now, despite the temperatures still having a hard time creeping above 60 degrees here in Massachusetts, is a thin yellow film that’s just awful. In recent years I’ve developed terrible seasonal allergies out of nowhere, and after having my makeup streaming down my face more than a few times thanks to watery eyes, I’ve put together a few tips and product recommendations for you allergy-sufferers out there as well.
The most important thing is finding a good smudgeproof eyeliner and mascara. I always tightline my upper lashline and have always had small issues with smudging. But recently thanks to the Sephora birthday gift, I’ve gotten my hands on the NARS Larger than Life Long-wear Eyeliner. I’ve been using it every day and even when my eyes get super watery and itchy, the liner just stays put. It doesn’t even transfer to my lower waterline! I’ve got a sample size of the shade Via Veneto, a basic black, and I’d love to get my hands on a brown as well. I like to use it lightly smudged into my upper lash line as well, and it never leaves any unsightly smudges on my eyelid. If you’re into liquid liner, the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is perfect as well and never budges on me.
I always tend to use waterproof mascaras anyway because I like the way they hold a curl better, but let me tell you, not all waterproof formulas are created equal. Some still smudge terribly on me, even on a fairly un-watery eye day. The ones that never let me down, though, are both from L’Oreal. I’ve been converted into a full-time worshipper of the Miss Manga Waterproof Mascara, but before that I was a huge fan of the Shocking Extensions Telescopic Waterproof Mascara. They’re both beautiful, affordable mascaras that will stay exactly where you put them.
I normally don’t have too much of an issue with eyeshadow smudging when my eyes water, but I always think it’s better to be safe than sorry, and sometimes I’ll rub my eyes without thinking and be glad I took precautions to make it smudgeproof. All you need really is a good eyeshadow primer, and my current favorite is the Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer - I’ve got both the original and the Champagne version on rotation. A good long-wearing shadow is essential too - my favorites are the By Terry Ombre Blackstar, the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palettes (pictured is the Dolce Vita), and the Maybelline Color Tattoos. Also, I always leave my lower lashline and waterline bare during allergy season to further prevent any smudging.
Lastly, I also tend to get some creasing and fading of my undereye concealer during allergy season so to combat that, I always take whatever eyeshadow primer is leftover on my finger after using it on my eyelids and gently take it underneath my eyes (of course this is best with primers that don’t have any color to them). On top I’ll apply a reliable concealer, like the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser or the Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter.
Do you get seasonal allergies too? What are your top smudgeproof products for watery eyes?
