November 11, 2014

Health Conscious Tips for Wearing Eye Makeup

Cosmetics are a great way to highlight your best features, tone down any imperfections and really take control of the way you look. When applying any kind of makeup near your eyes, it’s important to take appropriate precautions. Eyes are susceptible to infections, irritations and various aggravators, which is why we’ve put together these tips for keeping your eyes healthy while wearing makeup.

Keep It Clean

It sounds simple, but there is a lot involved with maintaining the cleanliness of your eyes.

• Remove before bed: Be sure to remove all traces of makeup before going to bed, especially if you are a contact lens wearer. Use a makeup remover and a cotton pad for your eyelids and a cotton bud to target the residue that lingers in-between the lash line.
• Avoid the waterline: Placing eyeliner in the inner rims of the eye (the area between your eyeball and the base of your lashes) can clog up your tear ducts and cause irritation.
• Take precautions: Simple moves like washing your hands before makeup application can make the biggest difference. It’s also beneficial to disinfect and replace makeup brushes often. Sharpen pencils regularly to give yourself a fresher application.

Out With the Old

After opening the packaging, makeup products have a shelf life of about 3 months. Cream or liquid products like mascara should especially be thrown out within this time period or when they begin to look dry. Do not attempt to remoisten these products with water or your saliva. To best preserve your cosmetics, keep them cool – they should be stored in areas that are kept 85° F or below. 

Don’t Share

Cosmetics can carry bacteria that may be hazardous to your eyes. It’s best to never share cosmetics, even if the other person does not appear to have an infection. This risk is even more significant with the use of in-store eye makeup testers. When trying on samples in-store, have a sales rep disinfect the product appropriately, use single-use or disposable applicators and avoid tubes or pots with cream based or liquid products.

After an Infection 

If you happen to develop an eye infection or irritation, stop using any cosmetic products around the area until it has completely cleared up. Once the issue has resolved itself, be sure to discard any products previously used, especially those that may have been in contact with affected areas.

Have any questions or concerns about makeup and your eye health? Contact us!