Can I wear eye makeup if I have dry eye?

The meibomian glands open in a row along the lid margin, just behind the lash line, on the inner edge of the lid. That strip is precisely where liner goes when it is applied along the waterline.

Liner applied outside the lash line does not sit over the openings, which is why the same product can be entirely fine in one position and a problem in another.

Extensions themselves are not the issue so much as what comes with them: adhesive close to the lid margin, a routine that discourages thorough cleaning, and infills every few weeks. Lid margins that cannot be cleaned properly tend to become inflamed, and that inflammation blocks glands.

If you wear extensions, lid hygiene matters more, not less. Some lash growth serums also cause redness and irritation along the margin; if your symptoms began around the time you started one, it is worth mentioning.

Dry eye disease is more common in people who wear eye makeup than in people who do not, and incomplete removal raises that risk further. Gentle, thorough cleaning every night — including the lash line, not just the lids — does more for your eyes than switching brands.

Waterproof formulas are worth avoiding for that reason: they need vigorous removal, and the oily residues left by waterproof removers can block meibomian glands, which is how styes start.

Replace liquid eye makeup on schedule. Mascara should be replaced every three months, and discarded outright after any eye infection. The open-jar symbol near the ingredients tells you how long a product stays stable once opened.

Clean your brushes and sponges regularly, and apply with freshly washed hands — applicators harbour bacteria. Do not share makeup or applicators.

Skip glitter and powder shadows with large particles. Those particles end up under the lid, where they scratch the surface or embed in the cornea.

Keep liner off the waterline, for the reason above.

Recovery after treatments varies, and when to resume makeup will be discussed at your appointment. It differs between treatments, so it is worth asking rather than assuming the same rule applies each time.

If you are having both dry eye and cosmetic treatments with us, say so when booking. We will sequence them so the advice does not contradict itself.