We all want to look our best this time of the year for family gatherings, work parties, and celebrations. ‘Tis the season for enhancing our natural beauty with cosmetics! Here are a few tips on how to keep your eyes safe and healthy while still looking fabulous.
Contacts versus Glasses
While some people prefer the freedom of not wearing glasses, others use them as a fashion statement piece. If wearing contact lenses, be sure to remember these points:
Wash your hands before inserting or removing contact lenses.
Don’t use any hand creams or lotion before touching your contacts. Not only does this leave a film on the lenses, but it can also burn and irritate your eyes.
Insert contact lenses prior to applying makeup. This helps minimize the amount of makeup that can get trapped under the contacts. Plus, you’ll have better vision for perfecting that killer eye makeup!
Be Careful
It goes without saying – be careful with makeup pencils, brushes, and mascara wands. A distracted slip could cause a corneal abrasion that is painful and may result in blurred vision based upon the severity and location. Similarly, be very careful when wearing glittery eyeshadow. Specks of glitter can find their way into the eyes, which causes irritation and streak-like corneal abrasions with each blink. It is best to stay clear of eyeshadow with large pieces of glitter; We know you sparkle and dazzle on your own without it!
Makeup Germs
Mascara tubes are a breeding ground for bacteria. Did you know that mascara should be replaced every 3 months? If it starts drying out or getting clumpy, those are signs that it could be expired sooner or even contaminated. Pumping the mascara wand in and out of the tube also increases the risk of contamination as it is pushing air and bacteria back into the container.
Avoid sharing makeup with other people, especially mascara and eyeliner. The bacteria on your friend’s makeup is specific to her, but may give you an eye infection once introduced to your eyes. Passing our individual germs back and forth is a recipe for conjunctivitis, or “pink eye”.
The Finishing Touches
Take off those gorgeous glasses before going wild with the hairspray and body spray. The chemicals could damage the lens coatings, leaving you with streaky glasses. Of course these same chemicals can irritate your eyes and form a film on your contact lenses, so be sure to close your eyes if spraying around your face (even for a few seconds afterwards while the particles are still misting through the air).
Take it Off
After the fun and excitement are over, remove your contacts and makeup, so you can get some shut-eye! It seems obvious, but make sure you remove your contacts before washing your face. Makeup should be completely removed every night. Particles of remaining makeup debris can clog the meibomian glands and get into your eyes, causing irritation, and infections. A clogged meibomian gland that becomes infected is known as a hordeolum, or “stye.” The pores of your facial skin can also become clogged, which could lead to acne or other skin problems. Use a non-oily makeup remover and gentle facial cleanser. If you think you may have a skin condition, consider seeing a dermatologist for a specific facial regimen.
Don’t be bashful with makeup. It is meant to be fun and highlight your beautiful, natural features. Enjoy all of the festivities this holiday season brings, and remember to take care of your precious eyes!
