Angela Jenkins on Beauty, Wellness, and the Dry Eye Journey

When it comes to beauty and wellness, most of us think skin, hair, maybe even fitness routines — but rarely do we think about our eyes. For Angela Jenkins, that blind spot became both personal and professional. What began with her own struggles — watery eyes, blurred vision, and the frustration of makeup not sitting quite right — grew into a bigger mission: to make eye health part of the beauty conversation. Angela is the voice behind Dry Eye Girlfriend, a platform where science meets everyday life, and where women can feel understood, empowered, and equipped to care for their eyes without giving up the things they love. In this interview, Angela shares her journey, busts a few myths, and reminds us that when your eyes feel good, you feel good. 

What started your dry eye journey?

My dry eye journey is both personal and professional. Personally, I began noticing the signs myself: blurry vision, watery eyes, that constant sandy feeling, and even difficulty wearing makeup the way I wanted. At first, I brushed it off, but as the symptoms grew, I realized just how disruptive dry eye can be. Professionally, working in eye health, I saw countless women experiencing the same struggles, often without even knowing it was dry eye, and when they did seek help, they were usually told to “just use drops.” What was missing was a bigger conversation about lifestyle, beauty, and nutrition. Living it myself and witnessing it every day sparked the idea for Dry Eye Girlfriend: a space where women feel understood, where science meets everyday life, and where we can take care of our eyes without giving up the things we love.
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What is the most misunderstood piece of information on eye care that you have read on social media?
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One of the biggest myths is that “clean” or “natural” automatically means safe for the eyes. In reality, some natural oils and plant extracts can actually block or damage the delicate glands that keep our tears healthy. On the flip side, preservatives have been given a very bad reputation, but what often gets lost is that preservatives play an important role in keeping products safe and stable. The issue isn’t preservatives themselves, it’s about the type, the concentration, and how the product is formulated. When social media oversimplifies this conversation into “clean is good, preservatives are bad,” women are left making choices that aren’t always best for their eye health.

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How does makeup influence eye health?

Makeup can be empowering and fun, but it’s also one of the most overlooked factors in eye health. Ingredients in mascaras, eye shadows, and lash serums can irritate or even damage the meibomian glands that keep our eyes comfortable. Glitter and waterproof formulas can migrate into the tear film and cause irritation. Even something as simple as applying liner inside the lash line or not fully removing makeup at night can make symptoms worse. My philosophy isn’t to say “no” to makeup, it’s about making informed choices so beauty enhances your life without compromising your eye health.

What is your ideal cosmetic routine and how important are wellness rituals in your daily life?

My ideal routine is simple and intentional. I stick to eye-safe products like a gentle mascara and cream eye shadows, paired with balanced skincare that supports skin and barrier health. The most important part of my routine, though, is how I remove my makeup, I’m diligent about cleansing everything off at night and finishing with hypochlorous acid to keep my eyes and skin calm and healthy. But honestly, my real beauty ritual happens before I even reach the bathroom mirror: hydration, omega-rich foods, strength training, daily walks with my dog, and moments of mindfulness. These wellness rituals are non-negotiable because they don’t just support my eyes, they support my whole body. To me, beauty isn’t only about what you put on, it’s how you nourish and care for yourself every day.

What is the most important piece of advice you have for women and their health?
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Don’t ignore your eyes. We think about our skin, our hair, our fitness, but our eyes are rarely part of the self-care conversation. Yet they’re deeply connected to hormones, nutrition, stress, and overall health. Your eyes can be the first to signal that something is off in your body. My advice is to pay attention to those signals and take your eye health seriously. Protect them, nourish them, and listen to what they’re telling you because when your eyes feel good, you feel good.