What to do with itchy eyes

For those of us with itchy,watery, allergy eyes, it can be hard to find relief. Even wearing makeup feels like wasted effort when you're just going to rub your eyes until your mascara flakes and your liners runs!
Here's a couple tips that have helped calm my eyes.

1. Consider switching eye makeup removers if you have a silicone based formula. These are not bad formulas, but they can be irritating to sensitive eyes. They are oil free and usually labeled as "oil free" on the bottle. If your bottle is one that needs to be shaken up before use, it probably has a silicone base. Most brands also have a formula specifically labeled as a "gentle" eye makeup remover. Choose that one if you're eyes are sensitive. Neutrogena, Estee Lauder, and Almay have good gentle formulas.

2. Wash your eyes daily with Johnson's No More Tears baby shampoo or the generic equivalent. Your eyes can hold a lot of allergens in the lash base. Not to mention skin cells and bacteria that collect there, too. Lather a tiny drop of baby shampoo and rub into the lash base on the top and bottom. Rinse or use a wet washcloth to cleanse away the shampoo.

3.  Switch to hypoallergenic mascara. This seems like a simple solution, but a lot of people think all mascara is the same. Lengthening and thickening formulas often have extra fibers in the mascara that make the lashes look great, but it can be extra irritating. Waterproof formulas can also be more irritating-especially because some of them won't come off completely for three days! Gel and gel-mousse based mascaras feel better on the eyes, but not all are completely hypoallergenic. My recommendation would be to try Clinique or Almay because they exclusively make hypoallergenic mascaras. My favorite lately has been Almay One Coat Triple Effect.

4. Give your eyes a day off from contacts and makeup. If you wear contact lenses, take a break and wear your glasses for a day. Let your eyes breathe without anything on them. It'll make it easier to look pretty and dolled up without the rubbing and smudging the next day because your eyes have rested.

Bente's Falafel

Falafel has recently become trendy in the U.S. (It seems to have followed in its big sister, Hummus', footsteps) And in top of being trendy, it's also easy to make it vegan, gluten-free, and dirt cheap! 

I soaked my own chickpeas, which gives it a more authentic texture versus canned which get smoother. Canned is easier for making hummus since that is intended to be smooth rather than the slightest but gritty, but either one works. Try both ways and choose your preference! 

I have modified several recipes into Bente's Falafel. Mine is baked and used a small bit of oat flour so it is free of wheat gluten. I serve it in a pita pocket or on top of field greens. It's wonderful with tzatziki or splashed with balsamic vinegar and feta crumbles.