By Marci Robin, Allure
Whether a seasonal shift has you reminiscing about a time when you could use your nostrils for breathing or you inexplicably agreed to dog-sit what may very well be just a dachshund-shaped piled of dander, allergies can throw you for a loop. As if itchy, watery eyes and a congested nose aren't annoying enough, those symptoms can cause puffiness, redness, and make your eye makeup one sneeze away from running down your face.
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When allergies are trying to give you a makeover you didn't ask for, consider the following advice from makeup artists, who've found themselves applying these tips not only to their clients, but sometimes to themselves.
1. Use waterproof eye makeup.
Every makeup artist we spoke to stressed the importance of waterproof mascara and eyeliner. It may seem like a no-brainer, but if your allergies are acting up enough, you may feel like you have no brain. There are countless waterproof eyeliners in both pencil and liquid formats, and with so many mascaras available in both regular and waterproof formulas, consider keeping a back-up waterproof version of your favorite. "I myself am an allergy sufferer, which causes my eyes to water," says makeup artist Jadene Munson. "If I have an event or special occasion and must wear makeup, I use Ardell Splash Party Waterproof Mascara. It gives maximum volume with no smudging."
2. Try skipping liner altogether.
If you're still worried that watery eyes — or an undeniable urge to rub away itchiness — may lead to smudged eyeliner, try another, less smearable way to line your eyes: eye shadow. "When eyes are just too red and runny, I avoid further irritation and skip liner altogether. Instead, I define it with matte shadows," says makeup artist Jared Lipscomb. "A perfectly placed shadow can enhance, elongate and add dimension to your eyes without the risk of runny liner. I’ve been loving the new Deck of Scarlet Matte Eyeshadows since they’re easy to blend and don’t produce a lot of fallout, which can further irritate the eyes."
3. Color correct.
According to Lipscomb, understanding the basics of color correction can mean no has to notice the redness your allergies are causing. "To combat nose redness, use a green-toned product before your makeup application. Dab a green concealer around the problem area, or try a green-hued primer to tame the red tone. I love Smashbox Photo Finish Reduce Redness Primer — just remember to apply it sparingly."
When it comes to redness around the eyes, however, senior Mehron educator Megan Luman opts for a different tint: "Using a small amount of yellow under the eye can neutralize red tones. I love using the Daffodil shade from Mehron’s Correct It palette for this," she says, because it also contains soothing aloe vera.
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4. Cool down puffiness before you start applying your makeup.
"Swollen eyes can be very hard to conceal," Luman says, "so using ice packs for five to 10 minutes before applying makeup can work wonders." Lipscomb agrees — he's a fan of the old keeping-metal-spoons-in-the-freezer trick, placing them on the eyes for a few minutes in the morning. However, he also recommends investing in a cooling product, like Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer. "Take the time to massage the product under the eye and around the nose to calm the inflammation," he says.
5. If you’re still puffy, consider contouring.
Don't worry about your cheekbones right now — focus your contouring efforts on the puffiest areas of your face, like your eyes and nose. "Use a matte medium brown eye shadow shade to contour your eyelids and under your lash line to reduce the look of puffiness," says Munson, who recommends the Ardell Beauty Pro Eyeshadow Palette in Matte. As for a puffy nose, Lipscomb says, "If the sides of the nose are extremely inflamed, you can hide this with a dusting of bronzer on either side for a subtle contour."
See more at: Allure
