Are watery eyes messing up your makeup? An ophthalmologist recently shared tips on how to prevent this.

      For as long as I can recall, my eyes have always been watery, and I've had a deep affection for eye makeup. However, these two aspects don’t mix well. A mere breeze or a quick shift in temperature can cause my eyes to water, destroying my makeup. If you're anything like me, you may have experienced the frustrating scenario of your eye makeup being ruined several times due to unexpected tears that seem to appear out of nowhere, washing away eyeliner and eyeshadow in the process. I've lost track of how many times a nice, smoky wing has vanished. I experience watery eyes throughout the year, but now that hay fever season is upon us, I've been determined to discover how to prevent watery eyes from ruining my makeup for good. To help me, I reached out to Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes, a consultant oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist, to learn about the causes of watery eyes and the best ways to keep them from affecting my eye makeup.

      ### What Causes Watery Eyes?

      "Blepharitis is the primary cause of dry eyes, which is a general term that includes a range of symptoms, such as redness, a gritty feeling, or the sensation of something foreign in the eye, and ironically, dry eyes which can lead to excessive tearing," explains Dr. Hawkes. "Various factors can contribute, including allergies, medical issues, or certain oral medications, but it’s always advisable to consult an eye specialist or optician, as there are subtle variations."

      **Blocked Tear Ducts**: "If only one eye is affected, it could indicate a blocked tear duct. In the case of blockage, one eye may water excessively, which can result from trauma, be congenital, or due to an infection, but a thorough evaluation is necessary," Dr. Hawkes states. "A common test involves asking patients if their eyes water indoors and outdoors. If they do indoors, it strongly suggests a blockage. Surgical intervention may be necessary for duct blockages, depending on the level of obstruction, as this will determine the invasiveness of the procedure," she adds.

      **Dry Eyes**: "If blepharitis and dry eye syndrome are at play, the main form of treatment is actually lubricating eye drops, which can be a confusing concept for patients," continues Dr. Hawkes. "This is because the more hydrated the eye surface is, the less likely it is that the lacrimal glands will overproduce tears." Eye drops can serve to rehydrate the eyes and prevent excessive tearing.

      **Allergies**: "If allergies are a factor, the underlying cause should be assessed. Numerous eye drop options exist for various causes, all effective in treating the condition," she states.

      ### Can Makeup Make Watery Eyes Worse?

      Depending on the reason for your watery eyes, makeup may worsen symptoms. "Blepharitis is the most frequent cause, leading to blockages in the meibomian glands, which are specialized glands located between the eyelashes that secrete an oily tear film," Dr. Hawkes explains. "Since they open on the waterline, applying eyeliner or mascara can irritate and block these glands," she says. "In general, it's best to avoid applying eyeliner on the waterline and to opt for products designed for sensitive skin. Clinique's 'eye safety promise' is commendable, as their products undergo thorough testing regarding their impact on the ocular surface, which many brands do not," she adds. "Be careful during application and always ensure to remove eye makeup thoroughly, especially if you have sensitive eyes."

      ### How to Prevent Watery Eyes from Ruining Makeup

      Minimizing watery eyes is crucial to keeping your eye makeup intact, and several preventative steps can help.

      **Cleanse the Eyes**: "Similar to how a good skincare routine prepares your skin for makeup, proper eye cleansing and care are essential," says Dr. Hawkes. "Ophthalmologists refer to this as ‘lid hygiene,’ which is crucial for keeping the glands from becoming blocked. Removing debris from between the lashes both morning and evening is necessary." She recommends Optase Life Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover (£10), which avoids harsh surfactants that could disrupt the lipid layer of the eyes while effectively removing makeup.

      **Practice Good Makeup Hygiene**: "Maintaining good makeup hygiene is essential, which includes properly removing makeup, cleaning your brushes, and not using expired or old products," she says. Generally, you should replace mascara every 3-6 months, cream eyeshadows every 12-18 months, and powder eyeshadows every 1-2 years. Typically, cream products have shorter lifespans, so regularly check the expiry dates of your makeup items. Additionally, ensure you clean your makeup brushes often.

      **Opt for Cream Eye Makeup**: While Dr. Hawkes doesn’t pinpoint specific ingredients to avoid, she does prefer cream formulas over powders. "Active ingredients aren’t