How to Apply Eyeliner to Sensitive Eyes

Co-authored by Melissa Jannes

Last Updated: February 14, 2023 References

Eyeliner is pretty, but it can be a hassle, especially if you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes. If you have sensitive eyes, they may begin to itch or tear up when you apply eyeliner. Minimize your discomfort while looking great by choosing the right eyeliner, applying it correctly, and sanitizing makeup.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Eyeliner

1
Read the ingredients. Some eyeliners say on the label that they are safe for contact wearers or are hypoallergenic. This, however, is not a guarantee that the eyeliner will be comfortable for sensitive eyes. Make sure eye makeup is formulated without sulfates or parabens, which can cause skin irritation. Talc and kohl should also be avoided to prevent irritation. Fortunately, numerous makeup products are now formulated without these potentially harmful ingredients.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Test on your hand first. If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to test a potential eyeliner on your hand before applying it to your eyes. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than other areas, so this test is not foolproof, but if you have an allergic reaction, you will know not to apply the product to your eyes.
- Check for contact dermatitis in the form of a red rash. This can happen right away.
- Watch for the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- You also may develop a reaction in a different area of your body.
- If you have had reactions in the past, talk to a dermatologist before starting to use a new brand.
- It may take up to 24 hours for a reaction to develop, so wait at least a day before applying a new eyeliner to your eyes.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Buy an eyeliner that doesn’t need to be pressed hard. Having to press down or stretch the eyelid can cause your eyes to water when applying eyeliner. When testing different eyeliners, be sure to choose one that provides enough color with a light touch. You shouldn't need to press too hard to get a smooth line.
4
Choose a pencil liner. Long-wearing eyeliner pencils stay put and tend to be easy on sensitive skin. They are less likely to smudge or run, and they are easy to sanitize to prevent infection or irritation. NARS and Urban Decay offer excellent, smooth pencil eyeliners.
5
Pick a gel liner. Gel eyeliner is applied with a brush and is generally long-lasting. A brush liner may require less pressure than a pencil to apply. Bobbi Brown Gel Liner is easy to apply, and L'Oreal Lacquer Liner is also a good choice for sensitive eyes.
6
Select a liquid liner. With liquid eyeliners, you run the risk of smearing if you flinch or blink while applying the product. However, liquid eyeliners with a felt tip are easier to apply lightly while avoiding smudging rather than liquid liners with a brush. They also are less likely to run and drip into your eyes because nothing is worse for sensitive eyes that getting makeup directly in them. Lancome, Kat Von D Cosmetics, and Stila make liquid liners with felt tips that don’t budge.
7
Avoid waterproof makeup. If applying makeup causes your eyes to water, you may be tempted to try waterproof eyeliner. However, this style of cosmetics is more difficult to remove and may require you to rub harder upon removal, which may cause irritation.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Putting on Eyeliner

1
Gently wipe eyes with a non-irritating makeup remover. Eye creams and natural oils can make the eyelids greasy, which prevents eyeliner from staying put all day. You can use a makeup wipe, such as the ones sold by Aveeno, Olay, or Simple, to prime your eyes. If you prefer liquid makeup remover, choose an oil free brand, such as Lancome or Clinique.^{[3]
X
Research source}
2
Apply eyeshadow first. Put on eyeshadow before applying eyeliner. However, if you are just learning to apply eyeliner, it may be best to skip the eyeshadow until you get the hang of it. It may be more difficult to apply eyeliner on top of eyeshadow, but doing it in reverse will cover the eyeliner.
3
Don’t apply makeup to your waterline. The waterline is the inner edge of the eyelid. It’s easy to transfer makeup into the eye, and the proximity to the eye can cause irritation. Plus, it may not last long if applying it causes your eyes to water. Instead, stay outside the lash line on both your upper and lower eyelids. Aim for just underneath the eyelashes on the lower lid. Nearly any style can be applied this way, including a cat eye or a simple line.
4
Don’t pull too hard. Try not to drag the eyelid because it can distort the line when you’re done, and it also may increase irritation. With a gel liner or liquid eyeliner, you may be able to just wink your eye shut without pulling your eyelid.
5
Avoid the inner corner. Start the line just away from the the inner corner to minimize discomfort from wearing makeup. Move the line outward toward the outer corner.
6
Don't use tape as a stencil. Some beauty websites recommend using tape as a makeshift stencil for a classic cat-eye look, but this may not be the best idea for people with sensitive eyes. Instead, you can hold a business card up to the corner of your eye to make a sharp, straight line. This also helps you avoid apply a too-thick line or spreading eyeliner outside the area you intended to apply it.^{[4]
X
Research source}
7
Properly rinse your eyes if makeup gets in them. If you accidentally get eyeliner in your eye, thoroughly rinse it. If you wear contacts, take them out and clean them. Do not put contacts back in while your eyes are still irritated.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
8
Remove makeup at the end of the day. Although it may seem like a no-brainer, be sure to remove your eye makeup before going to bed because it can lead to irritation otherwise. Because the eye area is prone to sensitivity more than the rest of the face, be sure to choose a gentle makeup remover that won’t cause discomfort.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Makeup

1
Sharpen pencils before every use. If you use eyeliner pencils, be sure to sharpen them before every use. Not only does this help you get a cleaner line, but it removes the outer layer of the pencil, minimizing the potential for irritation in case any debris has settled on the tip. This also helps the product last longer.
2
Clean makeup brushes regularly. If you use gel eyeliner, rinse excess eyeliner off the brush after use or before using again. Wash them once a week to prevent eyeliner from building up. Although commercial brush cleaners are available, you can use water and a small amount of baby shampoo to scrub the tips. Let them dry before using again.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Throw old eye makeup away. Eye makeup is prone to collecting bacteria. Pencil and liquid eyeliner can be used for up to year unless the pencil is stubby. However, for sensitive eyes, you may want to replace more frequently. Replacing eyeliner every two to three months helps you avoid eye infections.^{[8]
X
Research source}
4
Sanitize eyeliner. Avoiding bacterial buildup is especially important if you have sensitive eyes. Although sharpening essentially sanitizes pencil liners, you can buy a sanitizing mist for other types or use a small amount of rubbing alcohol in a tissue to gently rub the tip.

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How do you apply eyeliner without eye poking?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician
Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Melissa Jannes

Licensed Esthetician

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Eyeliner can be really tricky. If you have sensitive eyes, try starting out with a pencil eyeliner to get used to it before you try something more advanced, like liquid eyeliner. Also, try to make sure that the pencil is dull when you're just starting out, so you don't accidentally poke yourself in the eye. You could also use a black matte eyeshadow with an angled liner brush, which is a little more forgiving than a pencil.
Question

Can I use a black eyeshadow to line the waterline after applying black pencil liner. I don't have gel liner and I want to make it darker.

Community Answer

You can just use a lighter to heat the pencil and then let it cool for about 30 seconds. Then apply it and it will be a darker, more intense black.