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    The beauty fix for oily eyelids

    Updated:11 May 2016 1:16 PM | Posted by
    bh's Carli Alman's picture
    bh's Carli Alman
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    One of the most common make-up questions I get asked (besides,“what foundation can I use for my fair skin?”) is about oily eyelids. More specifically, how to stop eyeliner from smudging in the creases.

    I thought it was about time I popped the answer up on the Internet so that all of you can benefit (there were a lot of people I told, “good question. You’ll have to wait for the article on beautyheaven”).

    Here are four handy tips to help you combat Oily Eyelid Syndrome*:
     

    AVOID OILY LIDS TIP #1: SAY NO TO FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER

    As an eyelid primer, that is. See, your eyelids already produce quite a lot of oil (which is why oily lids is such a common problem), and when you add a creamy formulation like concealer or foundation, it’s a lot easier for your eyeliner to smudge into the eyelid crease.There are two exceptions to this rule:  1) if you use mineral or powder foundation or 2) if your base products are water-based (rather than oil).
     

    AVOID OILY LIDS TIP #2: CHOOSE YOUR LINER CAREFULLY

    Kohl eyeliners are typically smudge-y liners. That’s how they’ve been designed (you know, for all of those sultry, smoky eye looks). So if oily lids are a big problem for you, avoid kohl liner and opt for a gel liner instead, like Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Gel Liner. The formulation means that once it dries, it won’t budge until you remove it. If you prefer something more pencil-like, try Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner.
     

    AVOID OILY LIDS TIP #3: SET YOUR LINER

    If you really want to use a kohl or pencil eyeliner, set the colour with an eyeshadow powder. After you’ve drawn your line, grab an angled eyeliner brush (like the Clinique Eye Definer Brush) and an eyeshadow in the same shade as your eyeliner, and gently sweep the powder over your eyeliner line. The powder will essentially absorb the oil in the eyeliner and prevent it from making its mark on your eyelid crease.
     

    AVOID OILY LIDS TIP #4: THE POWER OF POWDER

    Once your eye look is complete (whether that’s just some eyeliner, a winged look or some beautifully blended eyeshadow), use a soft eyeshadow brush to gently sweep a touch of translucent powder on your lids. A big fluffy brush and some Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder should do the trick to keep your lids smudge-free. The key is to have a light hand with the powder – you don’t want your lids to look cakey.

    *Not an actual medical term. I made it up, because as far as I'm concerned it’s an actual thing.

    Do you suffer from Oily Eyelid Syndrome? How do you stop your eyeliner from smudging?

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    Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Gel Eyeliner
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    92 Member Comments

    Ellyloves 2 May 2021 9:53 PM

    Reported spam below.

    BH, please remove.

    Ellyloves 2 May 2021 9:52 PM

    I didn’t know eye lids could be oily.

    Margi59 5 Aug 2019 6:56 PM

    Thanks for such Wonderful Tips will powder my eyelids even more now also using L'Oreal Colour Stay Eyeshadow it seems to last and using Waterproof Eyeliner and Mascara.

    shannonkrueger 17 Nov 2017 4:20 PM

    I have this problem at the moment with summer, but I have started using an eye primer. It is pretty easy and quick, and definitely worth the extra few seconds.

    caitlins_beauty 6 Nov 2017 1:47 PM

    So much powder! cannot agree with this enough!

    FaceAttire 18 Apr 2017 7:37 PM

    Can't agree with the power of powder enough!

    jillian206 10 Apr 2017 11:28 AM

    I am guilty of sweeping foundation over the eyelids.

    xotic 12 Jul 2016 3:24 AM

    I unfortunately suffer from oily lids too!! Thanks so much I'm going to try the powder next time I get ready and hopefully it works!

    Shop A Everyday 29 Jun 2016 2:12 PM

    A little prep, like on your lips too, means your makeup will stay put for much longer

    Pixie96 7 May 2016 8:44 PM

    I don't think I get oily eyelids.

    preciousia 6 May 2016 2:29 AM

    how do i know i have oily eyelids

    Yohanna 1 Dec 2015 8:32 PM

    mine does smudge, i do rub my eyes forgetting that it is there :D

    Pink_Sugar 26 Nov 2015 1:49 AM

    I haven't worn eyeliner in a long time so I don't even remember!

    zigzagleft 19 Nov 2015 3:02 PM

    My eyelids are oily enough that eyeliner just loves to smudge off. I have yet to find the right one for my eyes.

    Mikki29 23 Aug 2015 4:41 PM

    The only way I found that works for my oily eyelids is to use Elf eye primer in sheer and then Stila's liquid eyeliner - This works amazingly and I don't even bother to try other eyeliners anymore

    Arty Girl 30 Jul 2015 3:59 PM

    Yes, I suffer from oily eyelid syndrome. I discovered this when using a regular Maybelline mascara. I applied my mascara making sure that there were no smudges but by the end of the day, there were mascara smudges on my eyelids. Obviously, the oil in my eyelids caused the mascara to transfer from my top lashes to my eyelids. I was not happy at all and so I've stopped using this mascara altogether. In fact, I've stopped using all mascara which is a bummer !!! :(. After reading this tips, however, I'll try using mascara again.

    smckinnon 29 Jul 2015 8:24 AM

    Thank you!! Not only is this article addressing one of my major beauty concerns but it gives me a link to an article addressing my other major one!! (Foundation for fair skin) I will definitely try setting my eyeliner, it's hard to find a super black shimmer free affordable eyeshadow though. The ones I find just aren't pigmented enough

    TheUglyDuckling 28 Jul 2015 12:31 PM

    I am yet to try the Benefit Push Up Liner. By the way everyone keeps carrying on, I think I'm going to have to jump on that bandwagon and go for a ride.

    mandymandy 25 Jul 2015 7:51 PM

    I love Benefit!!!! THEIR EYELINER AND MASCARA ARE AMAZINGGG

    Deeknight 8 Jul 2015 2:27 PM

    The eyeshadow primers i have tried that actually keep my shadows and liners on without creasing and smudging are - Essence I <3 Stage eyeshadow primer - Sephora eyeshadow primer - Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow primer! all perfect bases for any look!

    Deeknight 8 Jul 2015 2:27 PM

    The eyeshadow primers i have tried that actually keep my shadows and liners on without creasing and smudging are - Essence I <3 Stage eyeshadow primer - Sephora eyeshadow primer - Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow primer! all perfect bases for any look!

    Growing old 8 Jul 2015 11:31 AM

    I swear by Revlons liquid eyeliner. It isn't waterproof but it doesn't budge once I've applied it. Love it.

    Shop A Everyday 1 Jul 2015 3:47 PM

    Great ideas, some liners set much better than others too

    Joanne330 23 Jun 2015 4:07 PM

    This is really useful. I've got oily eyelids and have always used a primer, but my eyeliner never fails to smudge. I've got to try the other methods to see if they work for me! ;)

    Fashionista8P 22 Jun 2015 9:38 PM

    i love the face of australia powder to set my whole face not just eye lids

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