Fashion Week Survival Kit: Allergy Season Edition
PAGE
By PAGE Editor
Runway days move fast. There’s hair, makeup, fittings, photos, a sprint to the venue, and a second sprint to the after-show. If your eyes water and your nose rebels the moment pollen counts rise, the schedule gets even tighter.
This survival kit keeps you photo-ready and clear-headed, with practical steps you can use in a town car, backstage, or back at the hotel. Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, runny or stuffy noses, and itchy, watery eyes—symptoms that don’t mix well with mascara or tight call times.
Pre-Show Game Plan
Check the pollen forecast while you build your day. If the count is high, front-load indoor tasks, keep windows closed where you can, and stash a few extras in your bag (tissues, saline, spare contacts or glasses). The CDC recommends monitoring pollen and limiting exposure when levels spike.
Book a room with clean air in mind. A portable HEPA purifier can reduce airborne particles like pollen in a single room or suite; EPA reviews note that portable HEPA units have shown improvements in some allergy symptoms, though results vary, and no air cleaner removes all pollutants. Place it near where you sleep or prep.
Backstage Refresh Kit
Backstage moves fast, so your reset routine needs to be quicker than a lineup change. Pack small tools that calm symptoms without disturbing hair or makeup. Everything here can be used in under a minute and stashed in a belt bag.
Saline nasal rinse or spray. A gentle rinse helps wash allergens from your nasal passages and thin mucus. Use distilled/sterile or previously boiled and cooled water, and clean the bottle or neti device after each use.
Artificial tears + a brief cool compress. A couple of drops soothe burning or irritation; a quick cool compress reduces puffiness before makeup. Blot—don’t rub—to keep liner and concealer intact.
Soft tissues, micellar water, and cotton buds. Blot tears instead of swiping. Use micellar water to tidy the lower lash line and tap a touch of concealer back in place.
Glasses as a look. On ultra-high pollen days, specs double as eye shields and a styling moment. Wipe frames and lenses often to clear pollen and oils.
Makeup That Survives Watery Eyes
If your eyes are constantly running, you’ll need to think through your makeup routine. First things first, start with skin comfort. Use a hydrating primer where you need smoothness, and mattify only where shine creeps in. Allergic skin can feel touchy, so keep textures lightweight and layerable.
Then, build from there:
Choose tubing mascara. Film-forming formulas resist tears and remove with warm water—ideal when eyes water mid-show.
Tightline smartly. Keep liner on the upper waterline only; avoid heavy pigment on the lower lash line if your eyes tear.
Set, then refresh. A light setting spray locks things down. Later, a damp sponge with a dot of concealer gently re-perfects without pilling.
Sleep and Fabrics, Fashion-Week Edition
A good night is your secret weapon. Congestion wrecks sleep, and poor sleep worsens daytime focus. Studies link allergic rhinitis with sleep disturbance and daytime performance hits, which is the last thing you need in show week.
If you’re sensitive to dust mites, ask housekeeping for freshly laundered pillowcases and consider packing a light, zippered pillow encasement. Wash bedding at home weekly in hot water (about 130–140 °F) to reduce allergens.
Time Your Outdoor Sessions
Street-style photos are part of the job. When possible, plan longer outdoor stretches for moderate-pollen hours and save admin time for peak counts.
Opt for outdoor shoots. When you’re done, wash your hands and face, and change into clean clothes upon returning to the hotel to minimize the pollen you carry into your sleeping space. Do your best to minimize exposure and be sure to keep your windows shut on those high-pollen days, whether you’re at home or in a hotel.
Medicines: Choose Thoughtfully
Side effects matter on a runway day. Some first-generation antihistamines can cause drowsiness; that groggy edge can slow reaction times and make a packed schedule feel heavier. Newer options tend to be less sedating, but everyone responds differently—test how you feel on rehearsal days, not show day.
For nasal symptoms, over-the-counter steroid sprays are widely used for allergic rhinitis; they can ease a runny or stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. Follow label directions and give them time to work.
If you want something that lasts longer than a day or two, look into allergy immunotherapy. Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy) are designed to help retrain your body’s immune system to be less sensitive to a particular allergen. Over time, your body builds a tolerance, leading to not-so-strong reactions to those allergens.
It takes time, but with consistency, shots can reduce symptoms and the need for daily medicines season after season.
The Take-Away
Allergy season doesn’t have to win Fashion Week. Lead with exposure control and sleep, build a smart backstage kit, choose medicines that keep you clear rather than groggy, and consider a long-term plan if every season repeats the same story. That’s how you keep eyes bright, skin calm, and energy steady when the cameras are rolling. With the right approach, you can move through show days with fewer allergy symptoms and more polish.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FASHION?
COMMENT OR TAKE OUR PAGE READER SURVEY
Featured
Tap to read…