Crying may help us cleanse our soul of emotional burdens and stress. But it will leave you looking less than presentable pretty easily. As someone who is very prone to tearing up in public I have picked up a few tips to cover up the emotional redness.

The first rule of crying is to not rub your eyes. Blindly wiping under your eyes and pressing a tissue over your eyelid will smear your mascara. Instead, fold a tissue several times and gently blot under your lash line and towards your leaky inner corner. You’re not removing your makeup, just trying to prevent mascara lines. Now, get your butt to the ladies room and do some damage control. Tap some water on another folded tissue and blot again lightening up the eye makeup. Next, apply some eye drops clearing your eyes of redness or puffiness. If your crying has left your face blotchy then simply take a warm paper towel and press firmly on your cheeks and neck. Lastly, re-apply a very light layer of makeup (don’t bother reapplying mascara), take a deep breath and smile… You’re now free to cry tears of joy!

Tip: If you know you will be crying (you rented The Notebook, going through a breakup, watching Feed the Children infomercials, etc.) then skip the waterproof mascara. Seriously! Waterproof mascara will run, and it will be difficult to wash away leaving you with tarantula lashes.