Hypoallergenic eye make-up?

[Principessa1284]

I've had allergies since I was a baby. They used to be awful I couldn't even have a stuffed animal or carpeting in my room, let alone use anything with any sort of scent what-so-ever. Through allergy shots and allergy pills, I'm now WAY better and I'm just left with a strong allergy to most perfumes and colognes. I can even use most of the products from places like bath & body works, as long as it's not too flowery of a scent.

In any case, I've been wearing make-up since I was a teenager, it just look a lot of time to find the right kind of foundations (benefit) and powder (neutrogena), but no other types of makeup gave me any issues. Lately, however, anytime I wear eyeliner, shadow, or mascara, about an hour after I put it on my eyes start itching like MAD. I just traced it to the eye make-up this week - anywhere I don't wear any, I don't have any issues. I've been using mostly cover girl, if it matters, and I've never ever had a problem with their eye or lip wear. I'd love to just stop wearing it all together, but my eyes look SO pale and sunken and I don't want the customers to be afraid to come up to me at work, lol.

Does anyone know of any good hypoallergenic eye make-up? I'm mostly concerned with liner and mascara, if it matters. I've read physicians formula and almay have some pretty good ones, but I haven't tried anything yet. Help!

 

[maelstrom]

Almay is hypoallergenic.

 

[mousetravel]

I have the same problem! I have tried everything, even products that say "hypo-allergenic". I've tried the expensive stuff (Clinique, etc.), and the cheaper stuff (Cover Girl, etc.) I've even tried Avon and Mary Kay, and EVERYTHING I use causes me to swell and itch in my eyes.

So I tell you what i did, and it may sound crazy, but it worked for me.
If you have any bronzer, use that as eye shadow. You can even get the "bronzing beads" (Mary Kay used to have that and that's what I always used until they discontinued it, but WalMart has something very similar).

It must be something in the dye that is used in eye shadows because since I use the bronzer, it has never caused me problems. If you try that out, let me know how it works for you.

 

[Principessa1284]

Good tip! I will definitely look into some of the bronzer - I'm pretty sure physicians formula makes some.

 

[KimR]

Try everydayminerals. I've been using their shadows for several years now and haven't had the slightest reaction to any of it. Prior to that, I tried all the supposedly 'hypoallergenic' shadows and they all caused an allergic reaction. Also, they are very inexpensive and surprisingly high quality.

As for liner and mascara, I can't really help you there. Eyeshadow is the only thing that's caused me to break out. Although if you find an eyeshadow that works for you, you can use it as a liner, too.

 

[Tina]

What you can wear may just come down to your reaction to trying several. I never had makeup allergies until a few years ago. Luckily, my eyes are the only problem area. After years of wearing anything I wanted, I had to switch to Almay. I wore that for a few years and then started having problems with them as well. Incidentally, my sister, who has ALWAYS had makeup allergies also had to stop using Almay at the same time. I believe they changed something in their makeup and it's no longer as hypo-allergenic as it once was. I switched to Clinique and have been doing well. I've tried a few others, but all give me a horrible itchy red rash on my eyelids. I use Bare Escentuals on the rest of my face, but cannot get it on my eyelids. You also need to be careful of makeup remover solutions. I can't even use Clinique removers. I stick with warm water and Purpose soap to remove my makeup.

 

[KimR]

What you can wear may just come down to your reaction to trying several. I never had makeup allergies until a few years ago. Luckily, my eyes are the only problem area. After years of wearing anything I wanted, I had to switch to Almay. I wore that for a few years and then started having problems with them as well. Incidentally, my sister, who has ALWAYS had makeup allergies also had to stop using Almay at the same time. I believe they changed something in their makeup and it's no longer as hypo-allergenic as it once was. I switched to Clinique and have been doing well. I've tried a few others, but all give me a horrible itchy red rash on my eyelids. I use Bare Escentuals on the rest of my face, but cannot get it on my eyelids. You also need to be careful of makeup remover solutions. I can't even use Clinique removers. I stick with warm water and Purpose soap to remove my makeup.

It's odd becuase like you, my eyes are the only problem area. The same shadow I can put on my inner wrist with no issues at all will cause a horrible reaction on my eyes. I can use most soaps, lotions, and powders. The only non-eye product I've ever had a reaction to is Bare Escentuals foundation and I found out that it has an ingredient in it (bismuth, I think) that commonly causes allergies. All I can say is that I am so thankful for Everyday Minerals because I LOVE make-up and going without is not an option for me.

 

[mousetravel]

Good tip! I will definitely look into some of the bronzer - I'm pretty sure physicians formula makes some.

I checked mine so I could let you know the name of it and it is Physicians Formula. Its Pearls of Perfection Multi Colored Bronzer.

 

[Schmeck]

Forgo the mascara, and get your eyelashes tinted. A good tint lasts 3-4 weeks, and they can leave some dye on the lid to be the liner too.