Have you ever had your eyeliner or mascara run down your cheek because your eyes wouldn’t stop watering? Or how about a spot on your eyelid where eye shadow would just disappear because of your watery eye? Whether it’s because you have sensitive eyes or allergies, the struggle to keep makeup on your face is real.

Here are 5 tips for how to wear makeup when you’ve got sensitive eyes or allergies.

1. Tool type and cleanliness
Whether you use makeup brushes, sponges or both, take a closer look at what they’re made out of. Synthetic brushes may be your solution. Sometimes we keep makeup sponges for longer than necessary, so don’t be afraid to throw yours out and start fresh with a new one. And always always always clean your tools more often than you think you’d need to clean them. It’s not a fun chore but your face will thank you in the end. Be sure you’re cleaning your tools with a gentle soap and that you get all the excess soap off before you use it again.

2. Formula
Have you ever wondered if the formula you’re using is the right one for you? If felt eyeliners always make your eyes water, perhaps you should stay away from them. If loose eye shadows irritate your lids, try a cream shadow. Play around a bit with formula, because that can change a lot about how you wear makeup.

3. Clean your area
Have you been sneezing more lately? It’s easy to forget to clean the area in which you do your makeup, whether that’s a bathroom, bedroom or elsewhere. If there’s dust in the air or if you’re by a fan or AC, that can also change the way you’re applying your makeup.

4. Natural makeup
If changing up your makeup formula doesn’t help, it may be the chemicals inside your makeup. It’s not something we often want to think or talk about, but the truth is, those chemicals may be irritating your skin and/or eyes. Try some natural makeup products to see if that makes any difference at all.

5. Antihistamines
If you do have allergies, antihistamines may be your best solution. Take a antihistamine pill before you apply your makeup and you should be set.

Makeup should be fun, and watery eyes shouldn’t ruin that for you. They don’t want you to win, but we do.