Makeup for Criers

I’m obsessed with makeup and skincare. Sephora is my favorite place to be, and I’m always the first in line to try new products by my favorite brands. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m any good at applying makeup…in fact, I find it quite challenging. I’ve never mastered the cat eye (mine looks more like a black eye). I’ve never been able to contour my face (unless you count weird lines that make my face look like a marionette puppet as a success). And don’t even get me started on what happens when I try to apply red lipstick. ?

I say all that as my disclaimer for the tutorial I’m about to offer you today. Because, while I may not ever be featured on YouTube teaching others how to create a flawless face, or how to do the perfect smokey eye, I think there is one area of makeup application where I’ve moved up the ranks from amateur to master of the craft. 

Today, I present: Makeup for Criers – How to apply makeup when you’ll likely bawl your eyes out.  

There are many factors to consider when doing makeup that will likely be cried off. First, should you do your makeup at all? For me, the answer is yes. Even though I’m writing this in the midst of our world pandemic, I do my makeup most days. I just feel more pulled together (and if you’ve been with me on this journey so far, you know how much that matters to me). I know, I know, there are reasons not to do your makeup and of course I don’t find my worth in how I look yada yada yada…I do it for me. Just want to get that out there. 

So, if, like me, you’ve decided that you are going to do your makeup, tears or not, then please read on. 

Step One: Prep properly 

I won’t bore you with all my skincare routine, but suffice it to say, I’m serumed, moisturized, and sunscreened before I start with makeup. I also let all that stuff sit for a bit before attempting to put the colorful layers on. I’ve heard that helps. 

Step Two: Prime Your Face

A crucial step for creating a makeup look that works well for criers is to find a good primer. And by good primer, I mean you need something that will stick like glue. I have searched high and low for a primer with staying power. I had found one with Biossance – their former SPF 45 was the PERFECT primer, truly the best product I’ve ever found. But, it’s gone now. May it rest in peace while we share a moment of silence…

Since my fav is no longer available, what I’ve found that works for me is a mix of two products.

The first is BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense – Do a nice layer (1 ½ to 2 pumps) and let it sit for a minute. This product is great because it has SPF and also protects your skin against harmful blue rays, so that’s an extra win! Does it help prime? I don’t know. But, it does have a nice radiance effect, which reminds me of the Biossance one. 

Next, you’ll want IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Makeup Primer+. This product claims it holds your makeup all day, and I’ve got to say – it does a pretty good job, even when hot salty tears rain down over it. Apply all over the face with a pressing motion, give it at least 2 minutes to set, and now you’re ready for foundation.  

Step Three: Foundation

When you’re going to be crying for any good amount of time, I find that it’s important to pick a foundation that is easily touched up. From my personal experience I’ve found that a full coverage matte foundation can show streaks from tears more easily than a medium coverage natural finish. My foundation of choice right now is Clinique’s Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum 15.

It has nice coverage, but blends well with my touch up makeup (I’ll get into that in a minute). So, do your foundation however you usually do, I personally like to apply mine with a sponge. Then, set it and add whatever else you normally put on top (see, I told you I’m not an expert). For me, that’s some blush and sometimes a touch of bronzer. 

Step Four: Eye Makeup 

Next, let’s talk eyes. Your eyes are going to need a little extra care if you’re wearing makeup and crying all at the same time. First of all – I suggest you wear absolutely nothing on your lower lash line. I’ve tried all the eyeliners and it doesn’t matter what brand, when you’re bawling with any regularity, it runs, and that’s just not cute. 

I do put a light layer of eyeliner on my top lid, as well as a skin tone eyeshadow (over an eye primer), and then a lid color that is a bit darker. For the shade on your lid, I recommend using a shadow shade that isn’t too vastly different from what you’d use as a bronzer, because it will make its way down your face at some point, in spite of our careful prep. If you choose say a purple shade, that could end up looking like a bruise. 

Should you wear mascara? 

This is a personal choice, but I can only say that if you choose to wear it, you’d be wise to consider waterproof options only. Also, make sure you grab for the right one (I once thought I had waterproof on when chatting with X by video call, but I did not – I’m sure that was a pretty sight). 

Step Five: The Touch Up

Now comes the tip that makes this article worth the price of admission. You will need to touch up your makeup throughout the day. Perhaps you run off to your room to have a crying fest, but then need to appear fully ok for your family when you come back in the room. Or, you might get slapped with an unexpected text from the ex that brings on the waterworks just before you were going to have a video call with a client. 

As you probably know, touching up makeup over powder and blush can be a little wonky. But, I’ve got you! I found an amazing touchup product: Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid. This stuff is like magic. Dab it over the tear streaks, lightly blend, and maybe top it off with a touch of powder if needed, and you’re good to go. 

Will your makeup look perfect? No. Heck, my makeup doesn’t look perfect even in the best of conditions. But, it should be good enough to get you through with some confidence while you wait for this storm to pass. 

Also, here’s a bonus tip to help during these crazy times: Even when the pain hurts so much that you don’t know how you’ll stand it, even when it feels like the end of the world and you can’t go on, try to find something to laugh about or smile at. Even if that something is just a lousy mock makeup tutorial from someone who really shouldn’t be giving makeup advice.