The beauty fix for oily eyelids

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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91 Member Comments
The advent of primers has helped me mostly eliminate the problem. I like Maybelline gel liners & I always wear waterproof mascara.
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Great tips and I only tend to wear eyeshadow when i go out at night. Or a special occasion
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Love these tips! I have oily eyelids and I'm deff going to try these
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Eye shadow lasts on me with very little effort. I am very lucky.
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Mine are a little oily but have never really thought about it until now haha. I guess less product would definitely help in oil management
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I have oily eyelids that's why I make sure to use a great primer
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Excellent tips, Carli.
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Wonderful tips, thanks BH.
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I have shocking oily lids. Even the benefit liner smudges on me. Primer and setting powder see to help a lot. Also avoiding eye creams on the upper half of the eye.
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Great tips. I don't have oily lids but have a problem with my liner always smudging because I have monlids.
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I think I do get oily eyelids occasionally.
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Thankfully I don't have this problem. I do use an eyeshadow primer, and it's amazing the difference it makes. I like Urban Decay Primer Potion.
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I have oily and hooded AND sensitive eyelids which is a nightmare for eye makeup. I don't really wear much eyeshadow but Stila Stay All Day liquid eyeliner wears perfect on me and no irritation. I don't even need eye primer, although I always dust a little translucent powder.. Definetely HG for me. also Eye Of Horus lasts pretty well as well :)
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Good tips. It took me a few years to master working with my oily eyelids.
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I don't wear a lot of eyemake up but this is an interesting article for anyone who does.
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