Tired of your tears ruining your makeup? Learn how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup with easy tips from waterproof products to blotting paper.
A simple flick of an eyeliner can instantly take your entire look from 0 to 10, but the same eyeliner, when smudged, can make you look like a raccoon. Just not this, do your contact lens also slip out while applying eyeshadow? Not very uncommon! So, how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup? Let’s take a look.

Stop eyes watering - the basics
Imagine finishing a stunning eye makeup look; with the perfectly blended eyeshadow and an on-fleek cat eye, only to realise that your mascara is running because you can’t stop tearing up. Unintentionally smudged makeup is every girl’s worst nightmare.
Your eyes water due to a lot of reasons like dust, allergens, dry eyes, etc. But if it happens every time you apply makeup, it’s most probably reflex tears. That’s right. It’s the water that your eyes ooze out in response to ward off any irritant. It can be a super annoying problem to deal with. It can ruin your makeup and leave your face looking patchy. Since redoing your look several times is not an option, let’s see if there are ways on how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup.

Tips on how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup
Do not apply eyeliner on the waterline
You know who’s really the culprit here, don’t you? As soon as you put mascara on your lower lashes or line your lower waterline or blend an eyeshadow over the lower lid, your eyes start to water. This is because along the waterline are the meibomian glands which prevent evaporation of the water in the eyes. So, go for fuller upper lashes and liner on your upper lid instead.
Use only clean makeup tools
Let’s be honest. The most obvious way on how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup is to be hygienic. Your watery eyes could be a result of an irritant and bacteria that come in contact with your eyes when you apply makeup. Using clean makeup tools will help. Make sure you clean your makeup brushes and sponges on a weekly basis to keep the germs at bay.

Switch to setting sprays
Using powder concealers and setting powders are bad news for you when you have watery eyes. The water breaks the powder product down and makes it look patchy and streaky. Rather, use liquid or cream base makeup and lock it with a setting spray.
One of the key steps in makeup application that we all tend to ignore more often than not is the setting process. After you have finished applying makeup, including mascara, set it with a generous amount of setting spray to prevent any smudging during the course of the day. This way, even if you have watery eyes, your makeup will stay in place.
Try the Lakme Absolute Made To Last Setting Spray as it has a nutri-rich design that helps your makeup last long with a matte finish. Loaded with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, it also hydrates your skin without being sticky. All you have to do is shake well and spray it six inches away from your face.
Keep the water from rolling down
Another trick on how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup is to stop the water from rolling down. Every time your eyes tear up while applying makeup, stop, breathe and tilt your head up. Don’t close your eyes and try not to blink. Do this until the tear dries up and settles. Once your eyes are not watery anymore, carry on with your makeup.
Fix mistakes with a cotton swab or tissue
If all fails, simply keep a cotton swab or tissue handy. Roll it over the lower lids and inner corner to quickly soak up the water so it doesn’t trickle down and ruin your makeup.
Eyeliner and mascara tips
Smudged eyeliners and mascara tear tracks can ruin a whole look. So, if you can’t control your tears, simply change the way you apply them!

Use a primer
Primer is the first step toward a flawless, smudge-proof base, and this applies to your eye makeup as well. Dabbing on just a little bit of primer all over your lids before applying eyeliner provides a great base for the liner to cling onto and prevent budging. It also helps in evening out your lid to make the liner glide smoothly.
The Lakme Absolute Blur Primer not only blurs blemishes and those crow’s feet you may hate at the corner of your eyes, but it is also waterproof and makes sure the rest of your eye makeup lasts all day long. This primer is also light on your skin and gives you a flawless finish.

Choose the right formula
When you are choosing an eyeliner and tend to tear up while applying it, go for a gel liner. This is because gel liners are extremely lightweight yet highly pigmented formulas that simply don’t budge quite as easily.
The Lakme Black Gel Liner is waterproof, lasting for 32 hours. And the best part is that it dries as quickly as 15 seconds! It is also tested and approved by eye doctors making it perfect for those with sensitive eyes.

Set your eyeshadow
Here’s another tip that a lot of experts swear by. After you’ve finished applying your eyeliner, lightly go over it with a black powder eyeshadow. This will set your eyeliner and seal it in place, preventing it from smudging all day long.

Apply eyeliner after curling your lashes
If you have the habit of applying your eyeliner and then curling your lashes, then you may want to switch things here. Always begin by curling your eyelashes before applying your eyeliner. This is because the curler could make your eyes water and mess up your eyeliner. And of course, never apply mascara before curling your lashes as it can damage them.

Use a waterproof formula
This one is a no-brainer! Waterproof eyeliners and mascara are a lot more resistant and don’t run easily even if you are crying buckets of tears. So make sure you pick ones that are smudge-proof and waterproof and you won’t have to worry about your eyes giving off the impression that you haven’t slept in ages.
Keep it waterproof with the Lakme 9 to 5 Black Impact Liner which has an easy grip and dries quickly so that even amateurs can use it. The Lakme Eyeconic Curling Mascara is also as waterproof as it can get. It is also smudge-proof and light. It even has a smart curling brush that naturally curls your lashes.

Keep blotting papers handy
There is another easy solution if you are tired of your eyes watering. Simply dab a blotting sheet onto your lids and under your eyes while applying makeup to soak up any tears without messing up your base.

Apply mascara to the top half
Just apply the mascara to the top half of your upper lashes so the wand or product do not reach your eyes. You can also skip the lower lashes as they are closest to your tear glands and can make your eyes water.
So, now that you know how to stop eyes from watering when wearing makeup, don’t let your tears smudge up your hard-earned masterpiece.
Written by Lopa K on Sep 20, 2022