Is lining your lashline dangerous? I remember back in high school, one of my friends decided to try tightlining. I had never heard of it then, but she swore it’d make her eyes more defined and her lashes look longer and fuller. That was the idea. But when she gave it a go, she just stabbed herself in the eye with the pencil. Ouch!
Thankfully, she didn’t suffer any long-term damage, but the pain was excruciating. We both got the message: applying eyeliner to your lashlines is dangerous. If someone as meticulous as she can poke herself in the eye with it, can you imagine what awful things could happen to someone as clumsy as me? The horror!
But, as the years passed and the memory faded, I thought my reaction had been a bit too extreme. I love the way tightlining defines your eyes and thought that, with some practice and caution, there would be no risk of the pencil slipping into my eye and doing some serious harm. It took a while, but I got the hang of it.
But applying eyeliner on my lashline is something that still makes me uneasy. No, I’m not worried about poking myself in the eye anymore. Still, the question remains, are there any other risks?
The Real Reason Lining Your Lashline Is Dangerous
If you look at your upper and lower lashlines closely, you’ll notice some little holes. They secrete Meibum, an oily substance that prevents your tears from drying up. When these little openings are somehow blocked, your eyes become dry. They can them become inflamed, causing blepharitis.
Although it usually doesn’t cause permanent damage (phew!), it’s still not fun to deal with it. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, eyelids sticking together, and a gritty sensation like something foreign has got stuck inside your eye. So uncomfortable!
Should we stop using eyeliner on the lashlines? Well no. I still do so, just not every day. But even daily wear can be safe, if you’re aware of the risks and know how to avoid them. Here’s what you can do:
1. Apply Eyeliner Below The Lashline
Rather than applying eyeliner right on the waterline, try putting it on just below it. Wait a while, and some of the color will naturally migrate to the lower lashline (and even inside the eye). This way, your eyes are still beautifully defined and your eye glands remain (mostly) free and open. Another trick: use a tight, flat brush to smudge a gel liner into the base of your lashes instead of going straight for the waterline. It gives the same impact with way less risk to your glands.
2. Take It All Off At Night
Regardless of where you apply your eyeliner, some of it will end up in your eye. To avoid it blocking your glands, make sure you take it all off at the end of the night. I know it’s a chore and you cant wait to get into bed, but it only takes a couple of minutes and could save you a lot of discomfort later on. And no, face wipes don’t count. Get in there with a gentle eye makeup remover and give your lashline a proper clean. Micellar water on a cotton bud is your best friend.
What Type of Eyeliner Is Best for the Waterline?
Something creamy that doesn’t feel like it’s scratching your eyeball. Gel pencils are usually the easiest. They go on smooth and don’t slide off five seconds later. Just avoid glittery ones unless you want sparkles literally in your eye.
I love using a light shade, like cream or pale mint green, there. It opens up my small eyes and makes them look bigger (dark shades make them look smaller). The problem now is to find a pencil that won’t disappear after 5 minutes! Not an easy task. The most longlasting I’ve found are Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils, but even they need to be retouched during the day.
Related: My Full Review Of Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils
Can Tightlining Damage Your Vision?
Not really, but it can mess with your eyes if you’re doing it all the time and not cleaning properly. You might get dry eyes, styes, that gritty “why does my eye feel weird” vibe. Basically: no, it won’t ruin your vision, but yeah, it can get annoying if you overdo it.
Why Does My Eyeliner Always End Up In My Eye?
Because eyeliner has one goal and it’s to betray you. If it’s too creamy or you put it too close to the inner corner, it just melts and slides into your eye like it’s trying to escape. Try stopping before the tear duct and set it with a little eyeshadow. That usually helps.
Are There Alternatives To Waterline Eyeliner?
Totally. Smudge some dark eyeshadow into your lashes instead. It gives you that soft definition without going into your eye. Or skip liner and get your lashes tinted. Less effort, same vibe.
Yeah, but you’ve gotta be a bit more careful. Put your contacts in first, and don’t use stuff that flakes or has glitter. If your eyes start feeling weird, maybe don’t wear it every day.
The Bottom Line
Tightlining looks amazing, but it’s not totally risk-free. Use the right kind of liner, don’t jam it into your eye, and actually take your makeup off at night (yes, even when you’re tired). And if your eyes start acting up? Ditch the liner for a bit. It’s not that deep.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
