Cosmetics and Care for Sensitive Eyes
About a year ago I started wearing eye makeup every day. I suffer from puffiness and red circles under my eyes, and now that I’m in my 40s I need the extra boost makeup provides to look and feel my best. In the years leading up to this I have used eye care products for depuffing, wrinkles, and the circles under my eyes, but nothing ever seemed to work that well.
I developed some sensitivity (blepharitis) on my eyelids last year after regular makeup use (and accidentally using toner to remove my eye makeup) which has made me very picky about the products I use. I also seek out products which are as all-natural and non-toxic as possible. After trying number of different products in the eye care and makeup category, I’m really pleased with the products I’m using on my eyes lately, so let me tell you about them!
Klorane eye makeup remover. This is the gentlest, most effective eye makeup remover I could find and I really like it. I bought mine from Blue Mercury. I tried using just straight jojoba oil but it didn’t really work out for me.
Benefit roller lash mascara. I’m listing this next because I needed to find a mascara that works well and is easy to remove. Even using a gentle eye makeup remover, I need to minimize how much I rub and annoy my eyelids and I haven’t had any trouble in that area with this mascara. Plus, it is easy to apply and looks great without traveling or smudging like other brands I tried. I bought mine at Sephora for $24. Pro mascara tip: did you know mascara is only good for about 3 months? If you don’t use a regular size tube in that amount of time, consider purchasing a mini. I’m happy to see my favorite mascara comes in a mini size and may switch to that depending on how long the regular size lasts me.
OK, back to the basics. I start and end my day with two eye care products by Ren which I bought at Sephora: Keep Young And Beautiful™ Instant Brightening Beauty Shot Eye Lift ($45) and Anti-Ageing Eye Cream ($42). Since I have been using these I have noticed less puffiness and redness, and overall just better appearance and feeling around my eyes. The Sephora rep who recommended these to me taught me to squeeze the product onto the “web” of skin between my thumb and 1st finger and to pat at it to activate the molecules. I apply the products to my eye area with the soft pad of my ring finger.
I use Gabriel eye primer which was recommended to me several years ago by the professional esthetician at Fox and Doll during a makeup class I took with her. I don’t recall where I bought mine but you can find it many places online. This product is non-toxic and vegan.
I use tarte brand eye shadows which were recommended by a makeup artist at Sephora as the most natural, non-toxic shadows they carry. I use their Pro to Go palette ($23). I wish they sold a couple of the shades in this palette as singles because I mostly use just 2 shades regularly.
For eye liner I use tarte’s clay pot liner ($21). I use the matte chocolate brown but they have some other amazing colors I’d love to try.
Lastly, I use IT cosmetics’ Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination™ Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer ($24). I’ve tried several other popular concealers (including Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ECLAT Radiance Perfecting Pen) but this one works best for me currently.
