Geez, if I didn't do both of those, my eyes would disappear!

I really don't have a problem with most stuff bothering my eyes, but I do want some eye make-up with more staying power...I've worn contacts now for...geez, almost 30 yrs...and I've run up on some types of make-up that are a definite no-no...but lining the outer edge of my eyes just makes me look funny...and I've got short lashes, so mascara is a must...sooooo, just have to use types that don't irritate...

ALMAY, ALMAY, ALMAY!!!!
when i wore contacts i loved all the almay products for my eyes- they seem to have little to no "fall out" or flaking particles to stick to contact lenses.

avoid cheap makeup- the lower quality can really irritate eyes that are already getting quite a bit of irritation from sticking your fingers in your eyes...

*giggle*...if I tried putting my make-up on before I put my contacts in, I'd look like a $2. prostitute...

Most of the make-up that I wear is in creme variety...I've even been using a creme eyeliner and putting it on with a tiny brush...so no chance of any problems with powders poufing into my eyes...and I really am pretty much stuck on the Maybelline Great Lash...it's always done well for me, so I stick with it...my big thing is making my make-up more dramatic for performance...I go heavier and I feel like I come out looking like a little girl that got into her mother's make-up...not used to such a 'bold' look, I guess...*shrugs*

I've been wearing contacts for 20+ years. Never had an issue with eyeliner or mascara.

I'm too shaky-handed to use liquid, so I'll use Revlon Colorstay eyeliners with a gel eyeliner (that H.I.P. line from L'Oreal) and then black powder over that to set it all. Sometimes I'll do the eyelash thing. The trick to those is to wait at least 30 seconds for the lash glue to become tacky before applying the lashes.

Finally, spray the whole face with Ben Nye Final Seal... cuz I sweat like I have malaria.

I always line my waterline...I will never be happy with my look if I can't. Not lining it is NOT a viable option for me...I don't wear makeup most of the time but when I do, that is what looks right. Good for you that you can make your makeup look right without it, but I can't. My only issue is that it doesn't last long, and ends up smudging under my eyes anyway. I am happy with the look until it smudges, which it always does. I currently use rimmel eyeliner...but thinking about trying something different.

For mascara, I always use waterproof, it seems to flake less. And I do look for hypoallergenic because I have somewhat sensitive skin.

I have issues with false lashes because a lot of the adhesives contain latex, which I am slightly allergic to. It makes my eyes itch after a short while. I think Hard Candy's adhesive does not contain latex, however. Any others that people know of?

In that vein, Bobbi Brown makes a kickass "Long Wear" gel liner. It's not the cheapest, but great quality & staying power. It's very workable before it sets and then stays put until you want it gone -- even on my fairly oily lids.

For small eyes: *not* lining the lower water line (makes water line actually makes the whites of small eyes look larger -- or use white liner on the water line and then darker at the lash base), but definitely doing at least a drop shadow at lash base, tapered from narrow at the tear duct to heavier at the outer corner. Wing it up if you have downturned eyes and then blend into upper lid liner. Use a colour a shade lighter than the liner you used on your upper lids. Smudge for a smoky effect and then using a narrow angle brush to line just the very base of the eyelashes in the darker upper lid colour.

Make sense?

For contacts wearers: try Kiss Me mascara. It's a non-flaking formula that won't deteriorate into tiny chunks that get into your eyes and cause irritation. Also what the other posters have said about better-quality shadows that are well-set. Ben Nye Final Seal is good for under hot stage lights or in summer sun/heat. Some MUA's use an eyeshadow primer, but I find that well-set foundation/concealer does a fine job of that. You'll be wearing foundation anyway, so might as well let it to dbl-duty.

Liquid Liner: in my Twenties, I used to envy my High Goth Glamour friend's always-amazing and perfect liquid liner. She finally told me the key to it -- apply it every day for a month. Even if you just apply it and then wash it right off, do it Every Single Day for 30 days. The first week it'll still be shaky and weird, but you'll see improvement quite quickly thereafter, and then by the end of the month you'll be an old hand at it. Same holds true for applying fake lashes (actually, that only takes a few days of repeated practice, not a whole month).

(Also, I don't wanna smack talk the generally-awesome artists working for MAC, but I have had some iffy-at-best experiences at pretty much every makeup counter at one point or another. Not everyone who works for a makeup line knows *everything* yet -- no-one's infallible. I'm an experienced and professionally trained makeup artist, but I still have my off days, too. If a MAC or any other line's employee does something you're not too sure about look-wise for you, trust *your* gut. Don't just stick with something b/c a "pro" applied it. And don't get me started on the unsanitary state of counter samples! Yeesh!)

Thanks, those are some good tips.