We might think we’ve escaped itchy, sneezy hay fever season once winter is upon us, but the annoying symptoms can can continue into the colder months thanks to ‘winter hay fever’.
Winter hay fever, often mistaken for a common cold thanks to its symptoms, is caused by a reaction to house dust mites, rather than the grass pollen allergy that plagues sufferers in the summer months.
These mites are present all year round, even in the cleanest of homes, but become more of an irritant in winter when people spend more time indoors without the windows open.
While the sneezing, streaming eyes and itchiness are frustrating enough on their own, for women they can also lead to seriously smudged makeup and a battle to conceal blotchy, red eyes.
Fortunately there are ways to hay fever-proof your makeup routine this winter.
Makeup artist Saffron Hughes from FalseEyelashes.co.uk has given FEMAIL her tips on how to conceal a red nose, relieve itchy eyes, and ensure your face of cosmetics lasts all day long.
Makeup artist Saffron Hughes from FalseEyelashes.co.uk has given FEMAIL her tips on how to conceal a red nose, relieve itchy eyes, and ensure your make up lasts all day. Stock image
Pay attention to your lips
Saffron suggests focusing on other facial features like your lips helps draw attention away from your watery or puffy eyes.
She explained: ‘You should go for an unexpected pop of colour and experiment. Using bold, daring lip colours are perfect for the season and helps to draw attention away from the eyes.’
Her go-to colours include orange hues, fuchsias, brick reds, coral pinks, rose shades of lipstick and gloss.
Grab a green concealer to conceal redness
‘Applying a green concealer means you are toning down any redness as well as camouflaging the inflammation and breakouts as red and green are complementary colours,’ Saffron said.
‘When concealing a red nose, simply apply a green-coloured concealer around the edges of your nose, blending with a brush all over, before setting with a translucent powder.’
Choose a skin soothing facial mist over setting powder
Thirdly, Saffron swears by using a soothing facial mist to help set your makeup instead of caking on setting powder which she claims will irritate your skin further.
She said: ‘Our skin can feel inflamed, stressed and dehydrated during hay fever season. Not to mention, the weather outside can cause your makeup to slip and slide.
‘Instead of adding more product to the skin, spritz on the facial mist as desired throughout the day when your skin needs a pick-me-up and to wear a fresh, long lasting makeup look.’
Make sure to pick a Hypoallergenic concealer and foundation
If hay fever makes you break out in blotchy patches on your skin, this one’s for you.
Saffron explained: ‘Hypoallergenic foundations are the best for hay fever sufferers as it helps to improve the skins texture.
‘They work to prevent aggravating your seasonal allergies, and typically have less irritants than regular products to suit all skin types.
‘If your foundation is non-comedogenic, this means it will also work to stop pore blockages and breakouts. Win-win!’
Winter hay fever can lead to constant sneezing, streaming watery eyes, itchiness, as well as smudged make-up. But thankfully, your everyday cosmetic look is not doomed (stock photo)
Anti-inflammatory ingredients are key
‘If you want your makeup long-lasting, the key is a perfect makeup base’, explained Saffron.
‘It is important to first calm your skin down, as blotchy inflamed skin will result in a poor makeup appearance. Opt for ingredients that boost anti-inflammatory properties.
‘First cleanse your skin to prepare the base, then hydrate with an unscented moisturiser to hydrate the skin. When choosing a moisturiser, opt for one that’s also cooling and can be used on sensitive skin.’
She says skincare ingredients to look for include hazel, chamomile, aloe vera, vitamin C, vitamin D, turmeric, CBD or murumuru butter.
Use antihistamine eye drops
Antihistamine simply relieves hay fever symptoms – including itchiness and watery eyes.
The eye drops work to block histamine, which is responsible for inflammation and helps to hydrate the eyes too.
Saffron said: ‘For best results, hold the dropper directly over your eye and apply one drop in the lower eyeline. Close your eyes gently for one minute and then open.’
For best results she recommends using the eyedrops before starting your makeup or at least 15 minutes before putting contact lenses in.
Waterproof mascara is your saviour
Suffering with smudged makeup, streaky mascara and the dreaded ‘panda eyes’? Opt for a waterproof mascara, insisted the makeup artist.
Saffron said: ‘When suffering from hay fever, your eyes may become red, itchy, and watery causing this to smudge your eye makeup.
‘Opt for a waterproof mascara and eyeliner to ensure your makeup stays intact, even after you accidentally rub your eyes.’