More Than Makeup: Ash K Holm on Protecting the Eyes Behind the Glam

January 13, 2026
For celebrity makeup artist, content creator, and educator Ash K Holm, eye health became a priority after she began noticing symptoms she couldn’t ignore. Now, in partnership with the American Optometric Association, she’s helping others understand the importance of in-person, comprehensive eye exams and why your eyes deserve the same care as the rest of your body.

As a professional makeup artist who spends her days crafting bold looks, mastering detail work, and helping her clients look and feel their best, Ash always relied on her eyes. But for years, she put her own health on the back burner. “In my 20s, I honestly neglected my health,” Ash reflects. “I was focused on work and just getting through the day.”

It wasn’t until she entered her 30s that she began noticing subtle, but persistent changes. Despite her love for eye makeup, the products she once wore comfortably began to make her eyes feel dry, irritated, and unusually sensitive.

Eventually, Ash made an appointment with her optometrist, something she now wishes she had done even sooner. That visit changed everything. “When I finally went to my optometrist, I found out I actually had chronic dry eyes, blepharitis and ocular rosacea, all issues that never would’ve been diagnosed through an online vision test.”

Conditions like these underscore why comprehensive, in-person eye exams are so essential. Unlike online vision tests, which assess only visual acuity, a full eye exam evaluates the entire visual system and can detect eye diseases like glaucoma and systemic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension—many of which show no early symptoms. Relying solely on online tools can delay needed care and compromise long-term eye health.

Her optometrist helped her develop a personalized treatment and care plan, easing her symptoms and supporting her  overall eye health. With targeted drops, cleansers, and a daily routine, Ash finally felt relief.

Because of her experience, Ash learned just how vital comprehensive eye exams really are, and through partnering with the American Optometric Association, she hopes to help her followers recognize the signs she once ignored and prioritize their own eye health sooner

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