I have had two different friends ask me about sensitivities to make up in the past week, from weepy watery eyes to red hot flare ups.  These things are obviously no fun to deal with so I want to pass on some suggestions on how to deal them.

 1. Throw away old products. Bacteria can grow in things like lipsticks and mascaras so don’t keep them too long.  Products like lipstick can also expire and spoil.  I recommend the following time frames:

    a.  Mascarra — 4 months

    b.  Lipstick — 1 year

    c.  Lipgloss — 4 months

    d.  Liquid Foundations — 1 year

    e.  Cream Foundations(compact style) — 4 months

    f.  Liquid liners — 3 months

    g. Eye and lip pencils — 1 year 

    h.  Powders — 2 years plus 

 2.   Keep your applicators clean.  Bacteria can also grow in your brushes and makeup sponges, and using dirty brushes and sponges can further contaminate your products. 

    a.  Brushes should be washed weekly.  You can use a gentle hair cleanser to clean them.  You can also use a professional brush cleaner.

    b.  Make Up sponges should not be used longer than  1 week.

    c.   Consider your hands.  If you apply anything with your fingers be sure they are washed. 

 3. Isolate what exactly is causing the problem.  Sometimes it is even difficult to tell what is causing you to have a reaction if you have applied more than one product.  This is especially important if you have severe allergic reactions.

    a.  Make yourself a makeup journal.  Take notes on what you apply daily, where, and what kind of reactions you have.

    b.  Isolate products.  Apply one product a day to see what products are actually causing the problems.  Journal the products that cause reactions,  make notes of colors and ingredients if necessary. Some allergic reactions are related to color pigments and things like added sunscreens.

    c.   Anaylyze your notes to see if you can find common ground on what does bother you.

    d.  Dump the products that are bothering you, no matter how much you like them.  Beauty is not worth it.

4.  Consider upgrading your brands.  Often skin sensitivities can be fixed with higher grade products.  I have had many a client fix problems with a simple switch.  Just because something is expensive does not necessarily mean it is better, but if you have problems, it is definitely worth the investment of trying higher grade product lines.

5.  Try samples before making an investment.  Remember the isolation theory and try on only one new product at a time.  Most makeup counters and independent brands offer take home samples.  I would not, however, recommend trying on their "communal" samples unless you are confident in their hygenic techinques.  Don’t let anybody apply product to your face if they have not cleaned their hands, provided disinfected brushes and applicators etc.

6.  Get creative.  If you’ve found a certain type of product bothers you try something else to fullfill the same purpose.  

    a.  For example if eyeliner pencils bother you, try using eye shadow applied with a wet brush.  If you can’t use your favorite bronzer, find a blush that can give you that same glow. If you normally use powder foundations and they seem to dry you out, try switching to a liquid formula.  If your mascara tends to run into and burn your eyes, try a water proof formula.

    b.  Consider the area the product is applied to.  The eye area is often more sensitive than the rest of your face.  Your foundation may only bother your eyes.  Find an "eye foundation" or "eye base" to use specifically around your eyes and keep your normal foundation for the rest of your face.  Eye foundations can also help set eye shadows so that they don’t run into and irritate your eyes.

7.   Consider good skin care.  Be sure to properly prepare your skin in the mornings before applying your makeup and properly remove it all before going to bed. Use products for your specific skin needs including moisturizers, sun screens, and eye make up removers. Built up product can cause problems including irritation, broken lashes and dry patches.

Hope all of this helps those of you with these kinds of issues! 

– Lori