How to Apply Makeup During Allergy Season

Allergy season can cause numerous unpleasant symptoms on your face. Runny noses, watery eyes, and red faces are common reactions to allergies. This can make wearing makeup difficult. However, you don’t have to go without makeup this allergy season. To wear makeup during allergy season, use the right products to neutralize redness, use waterproof products, and properly moisturize dry, flaky skin.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Eye Makeup

1
Try neutralizing mascara and eyeliner. If you suffer from eye allergies, like bloodshot or red eyes, try changing the color of your mascara and eyeliner. Don’t wear the normal black or brown. Go for a dark blue mascara and blue-toned eyeliner instead. The blue will help disguise the look of the redness.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Brown or black mascara may make the redness more obvious.
2
Wear waterproof mascara. Red eyes and runny noses are usually accompanied by watery eyes. Your eyes may tear up randomly, get watery when you sneeze, or start running. If you suffer from this, try a waterproof mascara.^{[2]XResearch source}
- The waterproof mascara helps keep your eye makeup from smudging if your eyes start watering from allergies.
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3
Try a nude eyeliner. If your eyes are bloodshot, you can use an eyeliner in a nude color to help counteract the redness. Choose a waterproof nude eyeliner. Put the eyeliner along the inner rims of your eyes. It’ll help make your eyes brighter and less red.^{[3]XResearch source}
- You shouldn’t be able to tell you have on eyeliner. Wear something nude-colored or in a soft beige. Don’t wear white because it’ll look too stark and fake.
Heavy eye makeup may make your symptoms worse during allergy season. Your eyes may be too tender to put on makeup or they may water a lot. To give your eyes a pop without makeup, apply some fake lashes instead of the makeup.^{[4]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying Makeup to Your Face

1
Use concealer to cover redness. Concealer can really help if you have allergies that affect your eyes or nose. The color from the product can cover the redness, puffiness, or circles under your eyes.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Make sure to choose a yellow or gold-based concealer around your nose. Around your eyes, try one that is two shades darker than your skin tone. If your entire face is red, try a green-based concealer.
- Use a concealer brush to blend the produce into your skin or gently pat it smooth with your finger.
2
Use foundation. Covering your face in foundation can help cover redness. You may want to try using a concealer first. Then, spread foundation on your face, paying particular attention to the spots that are red.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If your nose is red, add some additional foundation around this area to help cover the redness.
If your eyes and nose are red, try to detract from them by making your lip the focus of your face. Instead of putting a lot of eye makeup on, try lining your lips and then complete the look with a lipstick or lip gloss.^{[7]XResearch source}
4
Exfoliate and moisturize to prevent flakiness. When you have allergies, you will probably blow your nose or wipe it often. This can cause irritation, redness, and flaky skin. To help with this, cleanse your face and then exfoliate the affected area.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Add additional moisturizer around your tender or cracked nose to help prevent flaking.
5
Cleanse your face properly to prevent making allergy symptoms worse. Improper cleansing can irritate your face more than it may already be from the allergies. During allergy season, use gentle cleansers that are fragrance or perfume-free. Harsh cleansers could make your skin redder and aggravate allergy symptoms.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Make sure to remove your makeup each night. Leaving on your makeup could make your allergy symptoms worse.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dealing With Allergy Symptoms

1
Place something cool on your face for puffiness. Puffy eyes and a puffy face are common symptom of allergies. This can make applying eye makeup difficult, and cause you to not look your best. Place something cool on your eyes and face before putting on your makeup.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If you have puffy eyes, place something cool over them to reduce the puffiness. Try a cold spoon, a cold rag, or a frozen bag of tea on your eyes.
- If your face is puffy, dunk your face in a bowl of cold water. Try a wet cloth you’ve placed in the freezer for a few minutes.
Itchy, watery, or sore eyes can make applying makeup difficult. If the allergy season causes your eyes to react this way, try some allergy relief eye drops. This can alleviate the negative symptoms and clear up your eyes so you can apply your makeup.^{[11]XResearch source}
Antihistamines and other allergy meds can dehydrate you and your skin. This can cause dry, flaky skin. Drink water to stay hydrated during allergy season to help combat dry skin. You may also try hydrating moisturizing masks that you can leave on for around 20 minutes to replenish your face’s moisture.^{[12]XResearch source}
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Expert Q&A

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Question
Does makeup make allergies worse?
Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
It's possible. Eyeliner especially can become a problem. If you have bad allergies, you might want to avoid wearing eyeliner altogether.
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Question
Do you touch up makeup during allergy season?
Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
Yes. During allergy season, you may need to touch up the areas under your nose and eyes throughout the day.
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Question
Why do I get allergies when I wear makeup?
Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
You'll need to see a doctor to be sure. If your allergies are making it hard to wear makeup, consider seeing an allergy doctor to find out what you're allergic to. They may be able to give you a prescription that could help.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
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