Allergic to eye make up

Great- nothing personal in my response above- but Sharon's look so awful, and I've seen many 'more mature' women wearing some which are just too long and so unnatural.

So, good on you Norah.

Jura2 I have the shortest ones applied, they are lovely.

How much do those cost, I wonder.

Hope you don't over do it- as I must say, honestly, that those extra long lashes, especially on 'more mature ladies' look so false and make the eyelids droopy and eyes small. See Sharon in East Enders- looks awful, sadly.

I resorted to tattoo brows, upper liner and lower liner. I have lashes applied every 3 weeks and filled as needed.

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Usually makeup free, but wore it occasionally although no more due to irritation- Must admit the mascara was old- A woman I knew who had beautiful eyes naturally had permanent blue liner tattooed on her lids and it looked great on her-

The only mascara I can use is Clinique and the only foundation, Bare Minerals.
They are expensive, but I buy online or in Duty Free and always look for a discount code.

My daughter uses Bare Minerals as she has exema (?) which flares very easily.

If you are allergic to eye make up. It is possible that the products you are using are harmful for your skin.

I have psoriasis and very sensitive skin.

I can't use Clinique or Elizabeth Arden or Simple products.

Boots no 7 hypoallergenic range is fantastic. Skin creams ,bubble bath, makeup, tanning products, a bit expensve but affordable.

Jaylucy, I have just been to the optician and I get artificial tears on prescription from the GP. The dry eye condition tends to cause extra irritation, as the artificial tears don't lubricate my eyes all through the night .

Actually Panstick is a really efficient concealer and doesn't irritate my eyes. It just is the wrong colour.

You could be suffering from a mild form of blepheritis or even dry eyes. If you are due for a sight test, mention it to your optician and they will advise. Even try over the counter eye drops for dry eyes.
Cosmetic companies are constantly changing their recipes - the current trend for long lasting make up has caused quite a few problems. I'd email Bobbi Brown and explain the problems you have been having or the alternative is to try other brands. I personally like Bare Minerals make up. They do a primer for makeup that covers any redness on eyelids - you only need a tiny bit!

I have suffered with this problem for approx 10yrs. Eyes v sensitive. I never buy without trying first. Amazingly, Aldi eye moisturiser, pencil and mascara are ok for me!

Yes, but Clinique what? I need cover for reddish eyelids. I'd also like something more up to date than Kagal pencil , for above my eyelashes.

I do like Panstick for concealing as I find it does not irritate. But Panstick is not quite the right colour for eyelids.

All I can use now are Boots tinted moisturiser and a little lipstick. Anything else causes irritation. I will try Clinique now. Thank you for the suggestions, ladies.

The only ones I can tolerate are good old Panstick, and Rimmel kagal pencils. I had to stop using any moisturiser on eyelids. Lanoline seems to be quite a common allergenic.

For dry eyes, it's best to use single use eye drops as those contain no presrvative.

I react to all types of makeup, so only use mineral eye products and face powders. Oddly enough, although I rarely wear mascara, I’ve found the cheaper makes (including Wilko’s waterproof mascara and Rimmel) better than the more expensive brands!

Nannarose thanks for the recommendation, I will look at their site.

M0nica - Odylique don't use parabens. I love their stuff, but the mascara is not long-lasting, and as I can use Clinique long-lasting, I use that.
I use a lot of other Odylique stuff though

I cannot use standard make-up brands because they all include preservatives, usually parabens, and these are the cause of some of my allergies.

I have had problems with some eye make up since my 20s and had to stop wearing contact lenses in my 50s because I became allergic first to the lubricating liquids and then the lenses themselves.

I now use powder eyeshadows and use organic cosmetic and skincare products. I use Lavera mascara and foundation, I do not use eyeliner, and my moisteriser comes from Pure Nuff Stuff. I have to include foundation and moisteriser because they go near my eyes. All are bought online.

From replies it seems clear that skin becomes more sensitive as we age. I will look for alternative brands. I thought about how long I’ve had my current make up and it’s years! Why throw something away if it hasn’t been used up? Beginning to see why now. I feel a clear out coming on. I am very light skinned with colourless eyelashes and brows so I need the lift I get from some enhancement otherwise I look ill.

My daughter is allergic to most things so sticks to Clinique for everything with no problems at all as long as eye shadow doesn't have glitter in it.

Nannarose Thank you, will try the Vaseline trick. I was told I'd need a patch test for the eyelash dye, but so far have been too much of a wimp even to have that done - my eyes are so sensitive.

Yes, this happened to me some years ago, and full marks to Lancome - I contacted them, they gave me a full refund and a voucher so that I could try their products again in the future. I'm sorry to say that I still can't use Lancome, but I give them a plug!
I now contact any eye make up brand I am thinking of using and ask for a sample - I have never been refused.
At the moment I can use Clinique, By Terry & Chantecaille.
If you are thinking of having lashes dyed, they will do a patch test. I am unable to have my lashes or eyebrows dyed.
An old trick of my mother's was to smear Vaseline on her forefinger and apply to her eyelashes - it clumps them together a bit so they look a little darker.