Q. I would like to wear eye shadow and liner but even the smudge/water proof ones end up down my cheeks.  Primer seemed the answer but the ones I tried ended up causing a blurry smear on my contact lenses. So now I’m looking for an oil-free eyelid base, which is preferably colour-correcting.

A. This is the bane of many lens-wearing women. But you need to go back a few steps from make-up, according to experts, and start with how you apply your lenses (daily disposable are best). So – wash your hands thoroughly before putting in your lenses and avoid using any product that is oily, or contains fragrance or dyes, and (obviously) don't use hand lotion. And do put your lenses in before applying make up.

For your eye base, make up artist Armand Beasley (armandinternationalltd.com) recommends Urban Decay Primer Potion/£13.60, which absorbs excess oil and has a slight tint. ‘Don't use rich moisturisers near your eyes,’ he counsels, ‘as this may contribute to the problem. Try a lightweight serum to work on any fine lines, such as Skn-rg Eye Elixir/£65 for 30 ml. Using your ring finger, pat gently round the orbital bone only – not near your eye itself.’

In terms of order of application, Armand advises applying skincare then the eyelid base before doing your foundation, blusher, brows etc so it has time to settle before you apply shadow. ‘Apply cream eye shadow (preferably water-based), using a pressing technique with a flat shadow brush on to the lid to create the look you want.’ NB experts strongly advise against apply eyeliner inside the rim as this is likely to end up on your lenses.

You mention that the problem is worse when you are exercising. Maybe ditch the eye make-up when you’re training – or just pop on the base and a smidgeon of mascara if it really matters.  If you’re out partying and dancing, hopefully the tips above will keep your make up in place.

Photo by Daniel Apodaca on Unsplash

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