Can I Wear Makeup After Lasik Eye Surgery? LASIK Makeup Tips

Can I Wear Makeup After Lasik Eye Surgery?

The toughest thing about getting LASIK was not being able to wear eye makeup for a week and minimal makeup after that. I know. I know. Totally vain thing to think about, but let’s face it, it’s very difficult! I mean, we can’t be expected to woo our acquaintances if we make children cry with our hideous appearances. Okay, I’m being totally dramatic.

I had a lot of trouble finding post-LASIK makeup tips. So here are some basic suggestions to help you get through this difficult time in your life. 

Day 1 to 3: This is the time to hide out in your room. You cannot wear any makeup whatsoever. Not even foundation. Accidents happen. Your eyes are still prone to infection and you do not want to risk getting any makeup in your eyes. This is the worst of times and your life will be miserable. 

Day 4 to Day 7: Bring out the Sunglasses! You can wear foundation/concealer starting on Day 4. Focus on making your skin look flawless. Be sure to be extremely careful with application, your eyes are still very sensitive at this point. You cannot wear any eye makeup yet. Bring out your other features using blush or lipstick. Throw on a pair of huge sunglasses and no one will know you’re hideous. 

Now I know you’re going to ask, “Jackie, I work. How am I supposed to be at work indoors with sunglasses?” The answer is simple: just do it. Let your coworkers know why you're wearing them, at this time your new eyes might still sensitive to light.You might get some questionable glances but, who cares? 

Here are two pictures to give you an idea of the makeup looks you can pull off  

Balmain RTW Spring 2013 and Michael Kors RTW Spring 2013
Photos from Style.com

Day 8 to Week 4: Okay, so, you have managed to make it through the ugly week and can now wear minimal eye makeup. You must wear light makeup that can be removed easily. Anything waterproof is out of the question. It requires too much rubbing to remove. You don’t want a dislocated cornea. That is not fun. Now, some of you don’t need waterproof makeup. And I hate you all. My eye lashes do not stay curled with regular mascara. They just go back to being straight after applying mascara. Totally unproductive. Ugh, my life is miserable. So if you are like me this is what you need to do.

Step 1: Curl eyelashes in three places (Tip, Middle, Near lash line). Lightly curl the tip and middle. When you curl near your lash line be extra careful not to disturb your eye. Again, dislocated corneas are no fun. Curl near your lash line for about 10 seconds.

Step 2: CAREFULLY apply mascara to your lashes. Be sure to coat all your lashes.

Step 3: Add a second coat of mascara to make lashes appear fuller.

Step 4: Let lashes slightly dry. Once they are tacky press them up with your fingers to help it curl back up. DO NOT USE AN EYELASH CURLER for this part. Never curl your lashes with mascara on them, it will rip out your lashes no matter how careful you are. Keep doing this until your lashes are fully dry.

Highlight your brow bone using a light shimmer color. Keep eye shadow to a minimum. Do not use eyeliner. It is too close to your waterline and can cause infection. 

To remove your makeup, use something extremely gentle. Again, avoid rubbing your eye as much as possible. This is a general rule even after recover. Rubbing causes wrinkles and premature aging.  

Here a couple pictures to give you makeup ideas:

Gucci Fall RTW 2012 and Derek Lam Fall RTW 2012
Sytle.com

After Week 4: Congratulations! You no longer have to be ugly. Resume wearing makeup as usual. Continue being as gentle as you can when removing any eye makeup.