Oh my goodness, has anyone found a nice brand of mascara and eyeliner to use ?
I've spent so much money trying virtually all lines of makeup; high-end to drug store varieties, hypo-allergenic, regular stuff, for the sensitive, all- natural, .. I can't wear anything anymore...everything makes my eyes red and more dry than usual.. My eyes looks like pins without liner and mascara... Has anyone found some treasures out there, have I missed something great ?
Last winter my contacts started popping out, so I was forced back to glasses, now my makeup makes my eyes scream in pain.. help.. I always feel better with some makeup on especially my eyes ... but nothing is comfortable anymore...
OK.. while we are on the subject, I have another question .. my face is always red, has been all my life, I was always told that I had 'high color' or my meds, or thyroid... but I got to thinking the other day as I was applying another 'new' moisturizer... Is my face red because its dry ? Or is it red because of the moisturizer... I stopped using soap on my face years ago and use a very light moisturizer durning summer...
Hey seabreeze,
Im not a makeup kinda gal so i can't help you there but im sure someone will be able to.
As for the red face. id like to know too. Mine is also red but im not sure if im developing a lupus rash or if it is cause im constantly hot or what. But i gotta say that glowing red look only looks healthy for five minutes when it becomes neon its a bit over the top
Pud
Sorry, I'm not much help either, never did get into the make-up thing.
I've always had "high colour", in my early teens my nickname was "Rosey"! I had a terrible time getting treatment for anemia because I just didn't look the part...always had blood tests repeated because the doctor couldn't believe that my Hemoglobin was 80 or less, but I still looked so healthy! I figured it was always low because they always had to take it 2 or 3 times before they were convinced it was low!
In my 30's the "healthy glow" evolved into a veiny bumpy mess with purplish tones, radiating out from a Rudolf nose (OK, it didn't look that bad, but I thought it did), and I was diagnosed with rosacea.
The only mascara I am able to use is called "Kiss Me" by Blink. I have to put eye drops in constantly, plus I use gel at night, and this is the only mascara that not only WILL NOT smudge, but comes off really easily with warm water, but not tears. If you google it you will probably find lots of information.
I have been using Sally Hansen Inspired by Carmindy. It is available at drug stores (not nearly as expensive as make-up at department stores) and I am not having any problems with my eyes or skin.
Very seldom use any make-up. Lipstick within about an hour, no matter what brand I have tried, dries my lips so bad they begin to peel. I use a very thin line of Carmex to put some gloss on my lips and to help with the drying problem. Similar issues arise with masscara causing eye irritation and burning. Then I just blink and my eyes water so that ruins the whole effect. That is limited to very rare occassions. I do use Almay hyper allergenic concealer, brow pencil and eye shadow just to help reduce the dark circles and to help the eyes in some fashion.
Better to forgo most of the make-up than to doll it up and be miserable.
Seabreeze, I'm with you. I used to wear make up to go out and for special occasions like Christmas or going 'shopping' with friends, but my eyes are so unbearably sore most of the time that I can't wear anything any more. Every now and again I get a stubborn moment and think oh it won't be bad, but sure enough my eyes burn, go bright red and when I put drops in it seems to draw the make up into the eye more and make it worse. I haven't found anything that works and now just resort to lipstick over moisturiser. Like Linda I have had Rosacea but could not take the low level antibiotics that they put you on to clear it. I used Graphite cream which is homeopathic and seemed to work really well. I haven't had to use it for some time although my face often stings and it would probably sooth that as well.
Mary Kay does a great job of covering up the red cheeks but I do better with Beauty Control mascara, but I can only use mascara about 2 days in a roll. The third my eyes are really itching. I really need to wear eye makeup but I just can't tolerate for more than a day or two so I just wait on special occasions.
I wear eye makeup but my eyes aren't that bad (at this point). I'm lucky so far I can just buy cheap stuff at Walmart but I put the eyeliner under the eyelash, not on the rim of the eye and only at the corners at the bottom but across the top. Have you tried just eyeshadow? Since that just stays on the lid?
My face has always been red on the top part of my cheeks, a dermatologist told me it was roscarea (sp?) or broken blood vessels from being in the sun. I don't wear foundation as it makes my skin itch. Feels like I have a film of plastic over my face. If I feel the need, I use BullFrog sunscreen on my face, it's greasy so it feels good to have it on. But mostly, I wear a ballcap when I do yard work so I don't turn into a lobster. ;D
You might want to forgo the eye makeup if it bothers you a lot. I wear it out of habit but the minute it starts to bother me, it's gone. I don't care how sleepy I look w/out it. ;D
I also don't like to go without makeup, I guess I was beginning to feel really unfeminine with all of the other sjs stuff going on.
So I have found this works for me. I put a base coat of a kind of slightly pearly eyeshadow and then do a darker almost black shadow near my lashes, then I put some liner on the outside, I put some mascara on I have tried many and have found a UK brand (boots No7) which does not irritate quite so much. As soon as I have finished with my make up I put my eye drops in and blink to rinse out any irritants. I then use a tissue to make sure that the newly applied makeup does not just run of my face.
During the rest of the day when applying eye drops I also use a tissue to wipe any residue that rolls out. I found that this was causing problems when it was drying. The at night (and in the morning) I use the great tip from Scottie. after cleansing, I use some baby shampoo ( a tiny amount on a cotton wool pad) to clean my eyelashes.
This has worked for me.
Also another thought that I had was getting my eyelashes tinted, but don't know how safe this would be. Maybe worth checking?
Bonnie
You might want to get your eyelashes tinted, search out some reputable hair salons and ask what ingredients they use. I tnink mine was a natural henna or something. Never bothered my eyes. I then used an eyelash curler and that was it.
Two other natural mascara's ive tried that were good were Lamas Lash Masque, and No-miss natural mascara. I think no-miss also makes other natural makeup products.
good luck.
Gursie
On the rare occasions when I use eyeliner, I use a Revlon Color Stay "crayon" pencil, and I line just outside the lashes, which keeps the actual makeup out of my eyes. Dunno if that will work for you. And then again, I haven't worn any for probably more than a year now. Wow, I should really toss that eye pencil...
The only makeup I use daily is Neutrogena "mineral sheers" powder foundation, which (a) is SPF 20, and (b) covers up the redness on my cheeks.
For my whole life, I was so pale that people made jokes about me being dead (or a witch)... thanks to SjS, now I look almost "healthy." ::)
Ah, contact lenses... haven't been able to wear them since 2003.
Thanks for all responses.. I'm going to continue with my experimenting, but I guess knowing others are having similiar issues helps... I'm hitting the 'mall' tomorrow to capture as many samples as possible and try them out over the next couple of weeks, a couple of them a week... I'm shopping for new eyeglass frames as I know I won't be wearing my contacts anymore, they are popping out after an hour or so... :'( I might try the Sara Palen look... I like her frames...
Hi,
If you find mascara that works for you can you please post it? I've been on the same mission. I've been searching for a mascara that will not irritate my eyes so much and that will not smudge. I've tried water proof mascara but it tends to irritate my eyes. So like you, I've purchased so many different brands and have not yet found one that works. I've even tried false eye lashes but can't seem to get used to them and some times the constant use of eyedrops eventually forces me to remove them mid-day. I guess I will have to keep looking til something works.
Thanks
Val
Hi Ladies
I use Boots No 7 sensitive mascara, foundation and eye shadow. Although I have had problems with others, inclouding Almay, No 7 suit me fine.
Kathyx
MINERAL FOUNDATION.....it is awesome to cover up the redness!!!! I love Avon's. I have used Merle Norman, MaryKAy, Bare Essentials, and a few others. BUT, my favorite is by avon...the price and coverage is awesome!
Vicky
www.sjogrensandme.blogspot.com
The Finnish brand "Lumene" is the only brand of make-up my skin can handle right now. Other than that, I know that opthalmolgists and opticians (sp?) sell make up for sensitive eyes. I bought a mascara there once, but I have forgotten the brand name.
Hey SeaBreeze,
I hear ya on the make-up issue. I myself LOVE eye-make up or really any make-up. It is always fun, but it isn't so much fun when it makes you feel worse. You might want to ask like an eye doc, your rheumy, or even try going to a dermatologist to ask about products that are safe to use with Sjogren's. There might even be specialty products that can be used with people that have these conditions. I know I also LOVE wearing rings and probably have issues with RA so sometimes it is insanely painful to wear them and it makes me want to cry. Lately though, I've been able to wear them. Also, you might want to try say some other Sjogren's resources online. Like I think there is a Sjogren's Association that might have information about products that are safe to use. You might also want to try just applying your mascara to the tips of your eye lashes. Or, you might want to try using a mascara with a moisturizer that you put on first. Also, you might want to try creme eye shadows as opposed to wearing powder ones. It might help in terms of not drying your eyes out.
All Best,
Lady Nova :)
Hi Lady Nova,
Thank you so much... Those are all great ideas, I'm usually quite resourceful. But so many people do not know what SjS is or symptoms that I have a hard time getting info or suggestions LOL, I asked my Rheumy about makeup she just shrugged her shoulders... I'm def heading to the SjS Association... good idea !
Oh, I hear you on the rings, I don't have RA, but I can't stand anything confining on my body, bracelet, necklaces, anklets nothing... I can't stand it !! I'm considering selling my gold... its worth about $850.00 an ounce... these days ;)
Hey SeaBreeze,
I hate docs that are "shoulder shruggers". I have my share of those too. Like one doc I went to told me I didn't have Sjogren's because my blood work said so. Makes me want to laugh! My new and current rheumy told me just by looking at me, as in he did something called "examine me" and then said that I have Sjogren's. He looked at my glands etc... and I had my eyes checked with that test, and sure enough they were dry. Some docs don't really continue to educate themselves. Like they have no clue how this sort of thing effects you. Especially if you "look normal". But I would even check dermatology websites as well to see if they have products that are good for people with gland issues, that say have dry skin, dry eye, things like that. You might even want to check on webpages for stuff with lupus too, because people with lupus have skin issues...just a thought.
All Best,
Lady Nova :)