Is it bad to wear eyeliner on your waterline every day?

Author: Ellis Wilderman  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

"When makeup is applied to the area known as the waterline, it can potentially block the glands known as meibomian glands that release an oily substance that contributes to the tear film, which can subsequently lead to dry eye or irritation," Garshick said.

Is putting eyeliner on your waterline bad?

Yes. Just make sure it's not a liquid liner or your eyes will tear. Also make sure it's hypoallergenic. You might be allergic to some eyeliners so your best bet is to just try it on your waterline and make sure your eyes don't burn or tear. It's totally safe to line your waterline your eyes.

Does eyeliner on waterline age you?

Lining the waterline not only makes eyes look smaller, but it ages you, dulls your complexion, and makes us all very, very sad.

Is it bad to put eyeliner on your eyes every day?

If eyeliner is continuously being applied, tiny particles are allowed to then build up. The residue build-up can seriously damage the eyes -- leading to infection, irritation and blurred vision.

Does eyeliner on waterline cause styes?

Failing to remove makeup at the end of the day can aggravate the skin around your eyes. Leftover mascara, eyeliner, or foundation can block glands and follicles overnight, leading to inflammation and eventual stye formation.

THE REVERSE EYELINER TRICK FOR HOODED, DROOPY, AGING EYES | Nikol Johnson

What is the safest eyeliner to use on waterline?

Marie Claire's Best Eyeliners for the Waterline
  • Best Overall Eyeliner for the Waterline: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil.
  • Best Affordable Eyeliner for the Waterline: Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Pencil Eyeliner.
  • Best Luxury Eyeliner for the Waterline: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner.

Why do I get a stye every time I wear eyeliner?

Makeup can also contribute to developing styes. In applying eye makeup, applicators repeatedly touch the products and the eyes, causing bacteria to transfer between them.

Where not to put eyeliner?

What Should You Not Do With Eyeliner? DON'T line your whole eye. DON'T tight line your waterline on top and bottom.

How to remove eyeliner from waterline?

For those stubborn bits of liner that just won't budge, it's time to bring in the big guns - Q-tips! Dip a Q-tip in makeup remover and carefully trace along your lash line to remove any remaining eyeliner. This is especially helpful for getting rid of liner on your waterline or between your lashes.

What are the risks of eyeliner?

Eyeliner Risks
  • discomfort for those with sensitive or dry eyes.
  • irritation.
  • redness.
  • bacteria entering the eye.
  • eye infections.
  • blurred vision.

Does putting eyeliner on your waterline make your eyes look bigger?

Lining Your Waterline With Black Eyeliner

A light color opens up your eyes, making them look larger. You can certainly use black eyeliner, just avoid lining the inner rims of your eyes.

What make up ages you?

These 5 Makeup Mistakes Might Be Ageing You
  • 1/Wearing Eyeliner On The Lower Lash Line.
  • 2/Not Prepping The Skin With Hydration.
  • 3/Wearing The Wrong Shade Of Foundation (Or Too Much Of It)
  • 4/Ignoring The Eyebrows.
  • 5/Skipping Concealer Under The Eyes.

Who should not wear black eyeliner?

"If you have light eyes and light skin, black liner will show up more dramatically on you," says Giglio. Simply put, "If you're very fair-skinned and don't want the drama of a black liner, opt for the brown." "Brown eyeliner creates a softer, more natural look.

Is it OK to put white eyeliner on waterline?

Using on your waterline will create the illusion of a more wide-awake, brighter looking eye, but it's also fabulous for other uses. Trace a faint line on your Cupid's Bow to emphasise your pout before applying a little highlighter. This will help to define the look of your lips for a truly kissable pout.

Does eyeliner on waterline cause dry eyes?

Direct Contact with the Glands

When eyeliner is applied directly on the waterline, waxes, oils, silicones and other ingredients coat the openings of the Meibomian glands, creating blockages that interfere with oil production.

Is waterproof eyeliner bad for you?

“In really bad scenarios, it can get stuck under your eyelid and can get trapped there and cause irritation and dry eye,” Hecht said. She also noted that “there are a lot of chemicals found in waterproof makeup to make them last longer, including things called forever chemicals.”

Is it healthy to put eyeliner on your waterline?

In the footage, Carver says: "This patient has worn eyeliner on her waterline since she was a teenager. "The reasons eye doctors do not recommend to wear eyeliner on the waterline of your eye is because there are specialized glands there that produce and excrete oil.

What eyeliner stays best on waterline?

The Best Waterline Eyeliners, Listed
  • For ease of use, try: Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner.
  • For added brightness, try: Chantecaille Brightening Eye Kajal.
  • For a mechanical option, try: Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner.
  • For tightlining, try: Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner.

Can vaseline remove eyeliner?

Well, because Vaseline is petroleum-based. Therefore it can pretty much dissolve almost any kind of makeup gently, making it super easy to just wipe it right off.

Is it OK to wear eyeliner daily?

If eyeliner is continuously being applied, tiny particles are allowed to then build up. The residue build-up can seriously damage the eyes — leading to infection, irritation and blurred vision.

Does bottom eyeliner age you?

Does Bottom Eyeliner Age You? In certain circumstances wearing eyeliner on the bottom lid can make someone appear older or hardened as it can make the eye seem more sunken.

What is the difference between tightline and waterline?

There's no difference between tightlining and waterlining: Both terms describe the same technique of applying eyeliner to your waterline. Some may use “tightlining” to refer to only lining your upper waterline, and “waterlining” to describe lining both upper and lower waterlines, but this isn't a hard-and-fast rule.

Can you pop a stye with Q tip?

Take over-the-counter pain medication to further reduce inflammation and pain. It is important to never try to pop or squeeze a stye as it can spread the infection to the rest of your eyelid.

Can eyeliner cause eye problems?

Avoid applying eyeliner to your eyelid margins

These oil glands provide the oily component of the tear film that lubricates your eyes. Makeup can block these oil glands, causing an unstable tear film that evaporates too quickly. This can lead to issues with dry eye and irritation.

What is the best eye makeup remover?

  • Best Budget. e.l.f Cosmetics Cleansing Balm. PHOTO: Amazon. $11 at Amazon $19 at Ulta $11 at Target. ...
  • Best for Mascara. Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover. PHOTO: Nordstrom. ...
  • Best for Eyeshadow. Clinique Makeup Remover. PHOTO: Sephora. ...
  • Best Multitasking. Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser. PHOTO: Sephora.

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