Reader Question: Allergic reaction to liquid eyeliner

Q: Hey Vanessa!
I just wanted to say I love reading your blog, I read it like a religion, hehe. I've always used a stick eyeliner but decided to change to liquid. I bought Wet n Wild liquid eyeliner in Megaliner. When I put it on I got a burning and itching sensation. I didn't understand why, the only thing I'm allergic to is bleach. Do you have any theories of why this happened? I'm scared to get a different liquid liner now. Thanks!
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A: Hi Mary!

I am glad you asked me this because I have the same experience with SOME liquid eyeliners. Prestige liquid eyeliners and surprisingly MAC liquidlast eyeliners give me a burning sensation recently to the point where I find myself scrambling for a makeup wipe to wipe it off because it stings so much! I am not quite sure what causes these allergic reactions, as I don't experience this with my Revlon Colorstay Liquid eyeliner in "Blackest Black", nor do I experience this with my Indelible Gel Eyeliner.

I suggest you give the Indelible Gel Eyeliner a shot if you have a steady hand because it's very soft and creamy, easy to move and use, and perhaps won't cause such a reaction. Also, try using different drugstore brands such as Maybelline or Covergirl and see if those do the same thing, if you purchase from Rite-Aid (not sure what state you live in), but some drugstores have a very lenient return policy in which you CAN return opened makeup items in the event it doesn't work out.

Hope that helps!