Eyeshadow sensitivity/allergy

[#1]

Hi there,

I am in my late twenties and I have been wearing eyeshadow since my teens. I had never had a problem until I bought a Jemma Kidd palette (not from Sephora) and had an allergic reaction to one of the colours. I experienced swelling, itching and burning in the area around my eyes that lasted until the following morning. I cleaned my brushes thoroughly and tried the eyeshadow a second time, and experienced the same reaction. It was a gunmetal grey kind of colour, so it's not likely to be a reaction to the red colouring agents that many people are sensitive to.

Ever since I first tried that eyeshadow, I have been reacting to all of the eyeshadows I had previously been wearing without any trouble. It seems particularly bad if I use eyeliner or apply the shadow underneath my eyes. Because I live in Canada and ingredient lists are not mandatory on makeup, I don't have any idea what it is I'm reacting to or why.

Do you have any idea what this could be, and why it is happening? Will I ever be able to use my regular makeup again?

Also, could you recommend a brand of eyeshadow known to be less irritating and/or hypoallergenic available at Sephora? I wear mostly neutrals and would be interested in a palette since I have to basically not wear any of the colours I already have, however I don't want to spend a whole lot of money.

Thanks!

-m

[#2]

Hello mopatop, 

I'm so sorry to hear you are having trouble finding an eyeshadow that is gentle for your eyes.  This can be due to a number of things including ingredients (many client can have reactions to the red dye that is in pink, purple or red toned shadows) or just the glittery or shimmery ingredients. I know my own eyes are very sensitive,and my sister had the exact same issue as you, and only just resolved the issue with some allergy drops and new brands. I suggest that you contact your doctor or dermatologist for some assistance to make sure it is not a specific ingredient that you are allergic to (that may be in eyeshadows, face powder, lipstick, etc.) and I also have a few brands you may want to try that are soft, gentle and safe for sensitive eyes. 

Tarte Eyeshadows

   

Korres Eye Items

 

Josie Maran

  

Clinique

   

Bare Escentuals

   

[#3]

Thanks a whole bunch!

[#4]

no problem! Try Lorac too (as lynneh suggested) they are specially formulated for those of us with sensitive skin and eyes

[#5]

Hi, I'm actually glad you brought this up because I was just looking at some of the Lorac products, and while the colour selection seems very good I noticed a lot of the eyeshadows have Talc or Mica as the first ingredient, and both are known irritants (I don't know if they're MY irritants.) Some of the colours also had Carmine and Red Lake as ingredients, which I believe are also purported to be problematic. Obviously I can try to avoid the colours with those problems, but I was kind of wondering if the line was ok for sensitive eyes at all.

[#6]

The line is specially formulated for those with sensitive skin, but the carmine, red lake, talc and mica can be causes for allergies. I would suggest doing a patch test first if you decide to go with one of those shadows, and definitely apply a lid primer first!

[#7]

Thanks! I always use a lid primer, should it be acting as a barrier? I wish it was, but I guess it isn't? I use Too Faced Shadow Insurance and I'm really very happy with it otherwise. I'm guessing it's not a source of irritation for me but I suppose there's a possibility that I am now sensitive to it, too.

About the patch test - I actually took every eyeshadow I have and smeared a line of each on my inner arm, wrapped it in saran wrap, and hung out like that for a few hours. I got a little itchy in the eyeliner area (nearest my elbow-pit) but there wasn't any conclusive results. Is there a better way to do this?

[#8]

Update! I ordered the Bare Esscentuals Intro to Eyes set, but unfortunately it appears I am allergic to pretty much everything in there. I had pretty bad irritation after using it. I ordered the Lorac palette as well but I'm hesitant to try it the way things are going. I had some Clinique eyeshadow applied in-store and had a reaction to that, so I will not be purchasing any Clinique eyemakeup.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there something specific I might be allergic to? Ever since I tried the Bare Esscentuals makeup my eyes are irritated more or less all the time, but my eye doctor can see nothing wrong. I have these little pin-points along the lashline that are burning and my eyes feel swollen.

Thanks again for all your help!
-m