It’s that time of year again. Not much sun, but a lot of hay fever. I never used to suffer from it and then during the summer of my first year at uni four years ago, it arrived completely out of the blue. I had no idea you could suddenly develop an allergy, but the signs were all there and it’s been hell ever since.
Here’s what I’m faced with in the morning…
Ouch! Puffy, swollen, weepy eyes and a lot of dark circles. Thank goodness for makeup. Having hayfever eyes that look this horrific means a bit of work to get them ready for facing the public. Here’s what I do…
Soothe
The first step is calming and soothing the skin. My two favourite products for giving much needed relief to my swollen eyes are Clinique All About Eyes Serum and Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion. Both products are oil-free and gentle on the skin, instantly cooling the eye area to leave them feeling refreshed and hydrated. I particularly like the roller-ball application of the Clinique serum for a revitalising mini massage. This is also a good time to use some eye drops to really soothe the eyes.
Conceal
These levels of dark circles require a heavy duty concealer so I use Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (a perfect dupe for Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer). This is a full coverage concealer which flawlessly covers blemishes and dark circles without feeling heavy, looking cakey on the skin or having a very matte finish.
Red rimmed eyes aren’t an attractive look so I line the waterline with Illamasqua Medium Pencil in Hex. This nude coloured pencil nicely masks the redness and returns my eyes to a natural flesh colour.
Add eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and voila – healthy looking eyes again!
Which products do you reply on to transform your hay fever eyes?
Oh I suffer terribly, I've rubbed my eyes so much this year the skin is now dry & flakey! 🙁 think I need one of those rollerball things to soothe them a bit.
x
What a big transformation! I wouldn't even notice that you have hay fever. Awesome trick! Love your blog and following now:) xx
The clinique roller ball is lovely, will take a look at the Collection 2000 concealer…but no way with my hay fever eyes would I be able to wear false lashes!!
Amazing transformation. I suffer from hayfever too and it's such a nightmare. I'm currently using the Garnier roller ball eye cream and ELF undereye concealer. I also try to keep my eye make-up quite simple as don't want to irritate my eyes further. Lots of black mascara helps though as it's a contrast to the redness! x
What a gorgeous transformation. Personally, Even Pearl's salmon concealer does wonders for me but this has inspired me to take a look at yours.
Ouch, your eyes look so sore in the first picture, poor you!!
They look amazing in the last picture though, lovely eyes 🙂
x x
Iv had hayfever for as long as i can remember, so bad that i had to have prescription only anti-histamines. Then for the last two summers i was hayfever free, but its back this year 🙁 . No idea why it happens but hope you get a year off from it. I use MAC select cover up for my dark circles xx
your eyelashes look amazing in the last photo amy!xo
stilettosandcigarettes
I have horrible allergies (I'm currently waiting for my antihistamines to kick in), but unfortunately when they act up, makeup isn't an option for me :/ I end up rubbing it off and smudging it all to hell.
Your eyes look amazing. Clever trick with the flesh colored pencil for waterlining; it totally cancels out the red!
oh my, they look so sore!
I've never suffered with it myself,
but you wouldnt even notice it after you'd done your make-up!
x
Oh my, you poor poor thing. That looks horrible!
You did a good job at covering it up though sweetie, hope it goes away soon and never comes back!
xxx
its amazing what make up can do! gotta love it!!
tzeyien89.blogspot.com xxx
Oh WOW! That's a major transformation! I stuffer from allergy's so I know how you feel. A lot of times I don't wear makeup cause of it! Feel Better!
Amazing transformation, as a hayfever sufferer I feel you! What mascara is this?! I'm sure your lashes are incredible anyway but they look MEGA! xxx
What a huge difference! I don't get hayfever, but my younger sister's eyes almost always look like she does. I'll have to use some of your tricks here!
Great tips! You look amazing in the last picture, I bet no one can tell you have hay fever! You have amazing lashes (:
Wow that is a good transformation 😀
i will definately adopt the nude/flesh color eyeliner in the waterline to my morning ritual!!! brilliant idea!!!
thanx K.
Great tips, ive just got the liz earl eye lotion cant wait to try it. You have such pretty coloured eyes xx
I use Benefit Erase Paste. It's a complete cover concealer and has a slightly melon tone, so it's great for covering and lightening up dark circles. I then put a couple of dabs of Ooh La Lift highlighter on, which is a white highlighter. Teamed up with my YSL Effet Faux Cils mascara (which I am addicted to!) the effect is pretty amazing! Complete transformation!
I like to use Benefit Erase Paste. It's an amazing full coverage concealer and has a nice melon tone, so great for covering up dark circles and redness. I then put on a couple of dabs of Ooh La Lift, also a Benefit one. It's a white highlighter and lifts the whole eye area. Teamed up with YSL Effet Faux Cils mascara (best mascara ever made, btw!) and it's a sure fire winner!