How can I prevent this from happening?

May 18, 2016

Hannah K.

What exactly is happening here? It's hard for me to tell. Is it smudging or flaking?

May 18, 2016

Chelle W.

Is it smudging on the lower lash line or?

May 19, 2016

Alma M.

Have you tried a bottom lash mascara?

May 19, 2016

Ziar K.

Maybe you should use a mascara with a drier formula.

May 19, 2016

Aurora S.

Perhaps the eye cream and concealer has too much emollients and even if you put a small amount of powder over, it doesn't really,.. Set completely and the excess emollients can end up liquefying/breaking down even some of the most waterproof products due to the oils in the eye cream and concealer.
Perhaps try blotting after you apply your eye cream and concealer.

May 19, 2016

Ezri A.

This happens to me all the time, but only when I wear eyeliner, and I use a waterproof kind. I'm following to see if anyone else has suggestions.

May 19, 2016

Hannah K.

So it seems like what's happening is that your eyeliner is gradually migrating downwards throughout the day, and getting stuck in little eye creases and such? My suggestion, if that's the case, is to make sure that you're using your eye primer under your eye as well, and setting your eyeliner with a matte shadow over top to help prevent it from moving =) That tends to work for me. I also recommend being very careful with your eyeliner placement, if you angle the pencil upwards while you're lining your waterline, the lower edge of it will drag along your lashes and slightly under, which can result in more smudging, so make sure you angle the pencil downwards with the point against your waterline to prevent the liner from getting everywhere.

May 19, 2016

Alma M.

I'm absolutely confused by your response Aurora.
Too much emollient in eye cream or concealer that could be the cause? That's something new I've never heard before, were did you hear that? I'm trying to understand your comment truly I'm just confused.
Emollients are in everything it's moisturizer. The under eye needs it to soften the skin if dehydration occurs. Please clarify, thanks.  :)

May 19, 2016

Kiran T.

I think what Aurora meant is maybe her eye cream might be too heavy for use under the concealer which is causing the transfer. I've noticed certain eye creams are richer for nighttime use while others may have a slightly lighter consistency that absorbs faster under the eyes. It's like my Algenist Genius under eye cream (very rich) vs. my Bobbie Brown Hydrating eye cream. Hope that makes sense.

May 19, 2016

Aurora S.

@alma, I mean what Kiran is explaining, perhaps the eye cream and concealer are too rich, too much emollients in them (things targeted toward dry skin tend to have more)

As such, they may not really dry down especially if under her eyes are more normal rather than dry.

And thanks Kiran for explaining it better :)

May 19, 2016

Chelle W.

Aurora I agree, that's the only thing I can think of if it's waterproof. It may simply be that the product you're using under your eyes are degrading the formula of the mascara and causing smudging. You may need to switch to a drier formula or ease up on the moisturizer or concealer. OR you could possibly not bring your moisturizer up to your bottom lash line.

May 19, 2016

Chris M.

Oh you guys are fantastic! Sorry I couldn't participate in the discussion sooner, and I appreciate all your input!
@Hannah - I don't know exactly, but I think it's smudging or migrating.
@Chelle - it's smudging below the lower lash line, under my eyes.
@Joana - thank you! I used to use a tubing mascara, I believe? years ago. Was it by Kevyn Aucoin? Anyway, I'll certainly check that out. Maybe it doesn't have the same type of pigment that can become so messy...?
@Alma - I don't use any mascara on my bottom lashes at all.
@Ziar - I do use what I believe are dryer mascaras. I use Givenchy Phenomin and at Jacqueline's suggestion, I use DiorShow. Neither are goopy, clumpy or wet.
@Aurora - I do use LOTS of moisturizer! During the day I use Hyaluronic Acid and pure Squalane all over my face and under my eyes. My skin is very moist and dewy. The same idea occurred to me, actually, but I thought the light layer of setting powder would do the trick. I guess not! ;) That's a great suggestion to try blotting! Thank you!
@Ezri - yes, I too only use waterproof!
@Hannah - you are correct in your diagnosis! I have not tried eye primer under my eyes! Only on my lids. Would it be the same primer as I use on my lids or a face primer? I do not line my waterline, just under the lashes. Thank you!
@Kiran, Aurora & Chelle - I understand what you are explaining. I do put very oil-y moisture under my eyes because I'm older and need all the moisture I can get. It will be worth the try to find an eye cream that's less emollient. I will certainly try that!
Thank you all!

May 19, 2016

Shengmin L.

I use eyelid primer on my lash lines, it won't budge at all.

May 19, 2016

Alma M.

Ok Thank you for clarifying.
I was confused because since the eye area is thinner most eye creams are thicker (Emollient) so it wouldn't really be the eye cream in my opinion.
It could be application error. Chris thank you for clarifying it's not bottom lash mascara which I thought that was it. Lol
Do you dot and Pat the eye cream on? You just need a tiny bit. Do you let it seep in for a minute or two before you apply any other product?
I also use Squalane oil all over my face but not on my lids.I also pair it with the It CC cream which together is a pretty combo.
What liner are you using?
Have you tried Benefit Stay don't stray? It primes to top lid as well as under the eye, it's good stuff. :)

May 19, 2016

Hannah K.

I use the same primer both under and over my eyes, Chris :) I used to have the same problem and I find that it has stopped completely with the primer.

May 19, 2016

Alma M.

^ I agree with Hannah :)

May 20, 2016

Chris M.

@Alma - I do understand, however, that some eye creams are oiler than others. Some will probably dry down better than others. I do pat my eye cream on, but I love the feeling of its application so much, I do tend to enjoy rubbing it in. Since my "eye cream" (my Hyaluronic & Squalane) is thinner than a traditional eye cream, it's a pretty easy spread. I usually use the Bobbi Brown waterproof gel liner (which is what I was wearing in the picture above) and an off-brand waterproof pencil liner. I also occasionally use non waterproof pencils and there seems to be no difference. I will check out the Benefit Stay Don't Stray! I've been using By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer and recently bought the Urban Decay Anti-Aging eye primer, but not sure if it's as good as the By Terry...the jury's still out. I've only been using those on my eye lids, however. Have you tried either of those and if so, how does the Benefit compare? Thank you for your wonderful insights and suggestions!
@Hannah - thanks for the recommendation! I tried that today, but had to remove my makeup after a few hours for a massage, so I didn't get a fair result.

May 20, 2016

Jay M.

I've tried both the UD Anti-Aging and Benefit Stay Don't Stray. The UD one I find very hydrating, and I guess the word I'm looking for is creamy. Like it doesn't set completely...helps grab my eyeshadow pretty well. Keeps it from creasing and lasts pretty much all day. Especially with my higher end shadows.
The Benefit one Alma mentioned is my favorite though. It has a matte finish and the medium shade is perfect for my skintone. Great coverage. It's not drying and I find the colors really pop when I use it. My eyeshadow can last 2 days if I don't wash it off at night. Ya, I think that is my favorite eyeshadow primer. I've never tried the Terry one, would love to know what you think of both the Terry & UD. As far as eyeliner you could try UD 24/7 Eyeliner...great lasting power on the waterline.

May 20, 2016

Chris M.

Thank you, Jay! Love your new pic! I don't do my waterline, but I could try the UD 24/7 on my lash line. I'm not sure if the smudge is from the liner or the mascara, but it does make sense to me that if I'm using a high-oil eye moisturizer, it would cause my mascara to smear as I blink. Both the UD and By Terry feel nice. I'm not much of a connoisseur, however. I rarely wear eye shadow or mascara, even. My eye liner is tattooed (as are my lips and eye brows!), so it's easy to be lazy. I used the By Terry on one eye today and the UD on the other. It felt as thought the shadows went on smoother and more evenly with the BT, which make sense to me if the UD doesn't dry down all the way. Creamy or tacky might "grab" well, but doesn't strike me as a smooth canvas for powder shadows. Maybe for creams...? Neither one evens my skin tone much. I would like one that does a better job of that, though. I'll try the Benefit one. Can the Benefit be used under the eye, as well? Can all primers - for face or eyes - be used under the eye?

May 21, 2016

Chris M.

...not as bad, but still there. Hahahahaha! ;)
(Gosh, my small nose looks huge in this pic!)

May 21, 2016

Jay M.

Wow your lashes look so long and gorgeous! Thank you so much for your sweet words about my profile pic. Your such a doll... I can't believe your makeup is tattooed on, I LOVE IT!! I would totally have it done if I knew someone reputable in my area and had the money. Oh so much less work for sure and it looks fabulous! I never would have guessed. Ya if your looking for more coverage (which I need) the benefit does do a great job. Thanks for letting me know about the Terry primer, I might have to look into that one. I love trying new products, you never know what's going to work! In my experience yes, all primers can be used on the eyelids and just under the bottom lash line to help set any shadows or eyeliner you use. I highly recommend UD's 24/7 eyeliner. It lasts for hours and doesn't run like others I've tried. In looking at your latest picture my suggestion would be to take your ring finger during the day and just gently swipe underneath your eye. That will help smooth out any concealer creasing or blackness that has dropped from your eyes during the day. It might help :)

May 21, 2016

Chris M.

Thank you Jay! I do have eyeliner on in all of the pictures I've posted on my profile. My tattoo'd eyeliner is substantial, but I got black liner years ago when my hair was darker. If I did it today, I'd get dark brown. That's the problem with tattoo - it's not easy to change. They also cannot bring the top liner to meet the bottom liner with tattoo at the outer corners due to some sort of danger, so I use liner to complete my eyes if I want to. The lines I wanted when we began are not the same, either, as I would choose now. They begin too close to my nose on the bottom lashes, but I'm stuck with that. I've also had my brows and lips done. The lips were great for a while, but the color influenced any lipstick I put over it and now I prefer a more neutral lip so I haven't redone it lately. When I got all of this originally, I didn't wear much makeup, so I didn't want to hassle with putting anything on. Now I'm really into makeup, and I don't want the tattoo to interfere with my application. I do love waking up in the morning, however, with eyes! At my age, eyes seem to disappear! It seems to me that the By Terry eye primer did not prevent the black from gathering under my eye. I will have to try the Benefit. As for my lashes, I use Latisse. They make my lashes really long, but they grow in crazy directions which makes it hard for me to "fan" my lashes evenly. You can see how some clump together in my 2nd picture. Well, that's about it. Thanks again! :)