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Amped up lashes without the irritation

Just like sensitive skin, sensitive eyes need TLC and special products. Mascaras are high up on the list, as a harsh formula will only lead to irritation, meaning you'll be tackling soreness as well as that tell-tale panda look.

From contact lenses to hormonal fluctuations, there are lots of reasons why your eyes may be itchy, sore or watering. And now that we are well and truly in hay fever season, you may find yourself foregoing mascara entirely.

But sometimes, it's hard to feel properly put-together without a defined, fluttery lash. The good news is, there's no need to go without: step forward, the best mascaras for sensitive eyes. Ideal for contact lens wearers and allergy sufferers, these gentle formulas contain nourishing ingredients and are less likely to provoke a reaction.

There are a few things to avoid if you have easily aggravated peepers. Fragrances, alcohol and thickening agents can be a no-go. A good sign is when the mascara is ophthalmologist tested. It's important to consider how easy your mascara is to remove, as lots of tugging and rubbing will only further irritate your eyes.

Don’t fancy squinting at the small print ingredients lists? You're in luck: we’ve rounded up the best mascaras for sensitive eyes, whether you want jet-black definition or a long, defined flutter.

Following Clinique’s clean and gentle makeup philosophy, this mascara is ophthalmologist approved and allergy-tested. The fragrance-free formula is kind to the eyes yet boasts impressive staying power. The brush is cleverly tapered, allowing you to coat every lash for a voluminous look. The best part? It comes off with water alone, so no need for vigorous scrubbing.

The Lancôme Hypnose mascara has been topping best beauty lists for years. This famously good tube lives up to its curling and lengthening expectations, but it’s the waterproof capabilities that have got us hooked. The formula is tear-proof without drying out your lashes – thanks to the conditioning provitamin B5 – which makes it a perfect match for watery eyes and contact lens wearers.

Packed full of biotin (great for hair growth) and conditioning oils, this Perricone MD mascara is like a gel serum for your lashes. The fragrance-free formula doesn’t flake throughout the day, so that means no fishing out mascara crumbs in your eyes. Initially, this one is on the watery side so can take a while to build up, but if you are looking for a more natural look then this is the one for you.

Known for its stellar skincare, La Roche Posay’s mascara was always going to be a showstopper. The French pharma brand has applied its scientific know-how to this stellar lengthener, and it's a safe bet for contact lens wearers or those with reactive eyes. The gentle, nourishing formula is packed with lash-strengthening ceramides, but doesn’t compromise on volume or length.

L'Oréal Paris proves you don’t need to spend a pretty penny to get a hard-working, hypoallergenic mascara. This formula is gentle across the board; the cornflower water helps calm irritated eyes while the oil-enriched formula helps the mascara slick onto lashes with minimal tugging.

Another brand known for its gentle and skin-first formulas, Bare Minerals’ mascara is a great option for those with peepers prone to reactions. It is formulated without any parabens, sulphates, phthalates – basically any ingredients that may be allergens. The mascara itself is great at separating and defining, thanks to the clever ‘hairbrush’ wand that makes sure no lash goes amiss.

Dr Hauschka’s defining mascara is great at catching the smallest of lashes, thanks to its slim, fine-bristled wand. The colour itself is derived from all-natural mineral pigments; choose brown for a more natural look or blue to make sapphire eyes pop.

Glossier is a frequent flyer in beauty edits, with the brand’s mascara being a top performer. It's packed full of tiny little fibres which attach to your lashes to maximise your length. As well as being ophthalmologist-tested and fragrance-free, Glossier’s Lash Slick is water-resistant (not waterproof). This means it will stay in place all day but is easily removed with warm water – so none of that harsh rubbing we were talking about.

Green People’s organic mascara is one for those who just want to keep it au naturale. It is made without parabens, phthalates, synthetic colourants and formaldehyde – the latter being a common ingredient in makeup that people can have strong reactions to. Despite being all-natural, the mascara delivers an almost false-lash effect. It really packs a volumising and lengthening punch due to the thin bristles which load the product onto each individual lash.

ByTerry is a luxury brand known for its skin-loving formulas. The brand’s mascara has been ophthalmologist-tested and contains some familiar nourishing ingredients – like collagen and hyaluronic acid – that you may find in your favourite serums. But, trust us, they are just as moisturising on the lashes. Try the purple shade to make green eyes pop.