Makeup is used as a beauty aid to help you highlight your natural features and keep you looking young and attractive.  But did you know that if not used correctly, makeup can damage your eyes?  Especially eye liner!  I know i’m not the only one who has rubbed my eyes before remembering that I’m wearing eye liner!

It is super important to take a few precautions and keep those beautiful eyes in mind when applying your mascara or removing your under eye concealer.

One of the first and most important things to note about applying your makeup is to always start with a clean face!  I recommend only washing with soap once a day.  At night, use a makeup remover cloth to remove all makeup and wash with face wash and warm water in the morning before applying your makeup.  Remember to always remove all makeup before bedtime!  This will create a routine of always starting the process with a clean face.  Eye makeup contains many ingredients that can damage your cornea and cleaning your face daily helps prevent eye makeup from causing damage to your eyes.

Another very important thing to remember is that your makeup should not be shared with others!  I know it can be difficult when your with your girlfriends to not share and try on their makeup but no matter how amazing that makeup looks on your friend, don’t borrow it!  Swapping makeup can spread germs, dirt, oils and can increase the possibility of an eye infection.

Another very common mistake when applying your makeup is not remembering to wash your hands first!  We use our hands for everything and you could potentially be carrying harmful bacteria under your finger nails.  It is extremely important to wash your hands thoroughly before applying all makeup products to your face.

Properly wash your hands using the following method:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running warm water and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by quickly running them together with soap.  Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for over 20 seconds.  Need a timer?  Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean running water.
5. Turn off faucet with your arm or elbow if possible.
6. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Another very important thing to remember is to clean your makeup brushes!  You should clean your brushes at least once per week but I recommend cleaning them every couple of days.  Using antibacterial liquid soap and hot water or makeup brush cleaner are the best ways to clean your brushes.

Remember that your makeup can drastically affect your eye health and your makeup remover can too!  Make sure to use the right makeup remover that helps avoid irritating your skin and eyes.

When it comes to shopping eye makeup and makeup remover, make sure to buy only quality name brand products!  Have your ever heard the saying “if it sounds to good to be true then it probably is?”  If you find a quality name brand makeup product for a quarter of the price, it’s probably a fake!  Fake or copycat makeup products can contain harmful bacteria and can cause allergic reactions and infections.  These products are normally imported from overseas and produced in unauthorized home factories.  When shopping for makeup, only purchase from licensed makeup stores authorized to sell the particular makeup product you are looking for.

So what happens if you develop an eye infection?

If your develop an eye infection or breakout, make sure to replace any and all of your eye makeup.  Also, make sure to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor and seek immediate treatment.  Viruses like pink eye and corneal infections can create extreme discomfort and long term damage to your eyes.  By replacing harmful makeup products, you can prevent re-infecting your eyes.

Your eyes are special and unique and are the only pair you will get!  It is very important to take good care of them and make hygiene a priority.  Always use quality eye makeup products according to their intended uses.

Lastly, remember that good hygiene and a healthy diet is optimal for overall eye health.  If you experience any eye irritations or infections, call and schedule an appointment with your optometrist.  Remember to always keep those beauties’ looking and feeling healthy and vibrant!