Ditching mascara completely for everyday?

[UsernameNameUser]

I’m beginning to hate mascara. I’ve tried so many brands over the last 12 years, and while I’ve found many that make my lashes look like falsies, the removal is always such a pain. Sometimes, literally causing pain. I’ve tried many different methods of removal, many different brands from Nivea to Elemis (high price does not equal better quality btw), and I’m just always let down.

My eyes are so sensitive as it is. Rubbing them can easily cause me to get a headache. If I so much as get an eyelash in my eye, that’s it - my eye is blurry for the day, and I get a headache, just from trying to remove it and the irritation caused. So you can imagine what removing mascara 5-6 days a week can cause for me. Even the skin around my eyes suffer - the skin gets red and sore to the touch, and my dark circles get worse (I’ve got anemia, so I always look bruised under my eyes).

All this to ask; will I look silly if I ditch the mascara? I normally use lashes if I’m going to an “event” (work party, family wedding, etc) and they don’t irritate me - but they’re a bit much for my liking for everyday. I also don’t want to get lash extensions or a lift because of the sensitivity risk. I’m 27, and it seems all of my peers are all about the lashes, so I don’t want to stand out or look odd either. Also aware I could be overthinking this entirely

Have any of you ditched the mascara?

I don't wear mascara day to day as I have black eyelashes. Have you got light eyelashes? If so maybe tinting would be better

They’re an ashy brown but the tips are very light. Not very long but not short. They’ll hold a curl so I’ll often curl them and just leave them as is, but it’s still very clear I’ve not got anything on them. Wear glasses most days as well so draws attention to the eyes.

I’ve not tried tinting them before - is it invasive at all? The sensitivity I get is insane. I’m in bits now with raw eyes because I wore mascara today 🙈

Tinting is henna dye so don’t use it if you’re allergic to that.

Clear mascara and a tint looks good but it may not be enough whoomph for you.

Either way, give your eyes a break. Use Brolene for a week to stop
infection and go big on lipstick.

Just because all your peers are 'about the lashes' doesn't mean you need to be the same. Can you just wear normal mascara day to day, saving the falsie look for special occasions?

The normal mascara is the issue. Lashes actually don’t cause any issues for me, but they’re a bit much for daily wear

Thank you for the advice. Luckily there’s no infection, I just have very sensitive skin 🙈 The discomfort goes away after 1-2 hours but the headache (if it happens) will stick around

@UsernameNameUser Why a bit much for daily wear? I wear my magnetic ones every day, so much easier than taking mascara off every day. You can get subtle looking ones

Ooh any recs for those? I tried some I got off QVC before but they didn’t stick at all. And sorry, I meant the gluing & fitting them to my eyes can be a bit much if I’m rushing to work in the morning. However, happy to give magnetic ones another go!

Haven't worn mascara regularly for years.
I'm 45 now, I think I dropped it around 30.
But these days, clean my face , moisturizer and a bit of BB cream and that's it.

I had to stop wearing it for a few months due to an eye problem and despite having very blonde lashes, it didn't bother me after a week or so. It helps that I wear glasses but the joy of not having to remove it was lovely. However I'm just lazy and hate removing it. I do use the Nivea eye makeup up remover on cotton pads, hold it for 30 seconds and it's completely gone with almost no rubbing.

I never really bothered. I always found it used to rub on my glasses and cause smudges but I have black eyelashes so I figure......meh.

I have sensitive eyes, I don't use remover at all for the same reasons, I use Maybelline Sky High ( not the burgandy one as that sticks like glue) and remove it with a wash cloth and warm water. Comes off easily.

I feel your pain @UsernameNameUser
I have the most sensitive eyes on the planet.
I don't always wear mascara but when I do, I use Avene eye make up remover. It's expensive but it doesn't cause irritation. I've had so many suggestions for eye make up remover for sensitive eyes from Mumsnetter in the past but nothing worked til I bought the Avene.
One of the Clinique eye make up removers also worked without irritation.

Sadly tinting my eyelashes is out of the question because of the irritation I suffered in the past when I had it done.

I use simple face wipes for sensitive skin then double cleanse with my face wash which works well for me. The wipe doesn’t get all the mascara off but does get the bulk of it, I gently hold it on the lashes and wipe them with it, without rubbing my eyelids. They are really moist so work well.

I can’t use most makeup removers as they really irritate me.

I use Maybelline mascaras, not waterproof, they stay on well but are easy enough to remove. I use sky high and the false lash one (can’t remember what it’s called) I have very light eyelashes so don’t like to go without mascara!

Have you tried tubing mascara? It comes off so easily, with just warm water and a flannel. I’ve tried a few but my favourite is ELF lash extender.

I gave up mascara years ago. I have fair brows and lashes and with my eye shape it just looks really odd on me. Plus my eyes are very sensitive like yours and I hated removing it.
I usually use a little bit of eyeliner close to the roots of my eye lashes and smudge it in if I don’t want to look too bare. You can run an eyeliner pencil tip along the lashes to add a little colour too. It looks more natural than mascara and is easier to remove.
It may help to look at the ingredients in the cleansing products you use and see if you can narrow down which ingredients you might be sensitive to. For me alcohol is a big one.

I read that gen z are ditching mascara

I tried tubing mascara but found having to rub my eyes with a cloth and water to remove it made them red and swollen. So not a solution for me.
Perhaps a solution for @UsernameNameUser though.

I’ve been using this one. I find by the end of the day it’s disappeared - most make up does this on me. But I definitely don’t need any special scrubbing or wiping.

A mascara that disappears by the end of the day is probably not the greatest marketing strategy but might be worth a go in your case.

i do use the Nivea eye makeup up remover on cotton pads, hold it for 30 seconds and it's completely gone with almost no rubbing.

I also use Nivea Double Effect eye make up remover and yes it dissolves mascara in about 30 seconds. Clinique Take The Day Off is equally good for my very sensitive eyes. I’ve had my eye lashes tinted in the past and I do like the effect, but due to my sensitivity I suffer for the next 24 hours

It's horses for courses but what works for me is tubing mascara. I use L'Oréal Beauty Tubes (but that's getting very hard to find, so I might try elf as recommended by a PP). I just bathe my eyes with warm water using my fingers rather than a flannel.
Then I remove the rest of my eye makeup with Simple eye makeup remover as it's the only one I've found that doesn't feel oily or make my eyes sting.
A friend who doesn't like mascara just brushes her lashes with Vaseline and looks great. However her lashes are thicker than mine and I don't think I'd like the feel of something so greasy near my eyes.

I use a clear lash serum which adds no colour but just gives a bit of definition and makes them look thicker.

Im wondering this. I just bought a new one (drama by a well known brand) and my god my eyes - I have had some sort of sticky painful reaction and am on day two of it now. The removal was a nightmare.

I'd leave it for a week and then try a tubing mascara which comes off with warm water. Might not work for you, and they're never quite as good as the conventional ones but then again it might work and if it does it's better than red eyes.

https://www.boots.com/soap-and-glory-thick-and-fast-tubing-mascara-12ml-10342587?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--LIAs---_-pmax_beauty__gg_shopping__lia___pmedia&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwQRtxZkT-oeCO_xHBlIAZPrI&gclid=CjwKCAjwyfe4BhAWEiwAkIL8sEjPYy2-d6eHhF3cN61HscAdrJUy3eKU6y2pHUMs58340Vq8oYH3HxoCUTAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

There are tutorials on YouTube to make your own mascara with natural ingredients, believe it or not. Worth a try?