Makeup Advice

[aprilsails]

During high school and university I loved makeup and had a pretty good beauty routine set up.  However, 6 years ago I developed a contact dermatitis reaction to pretty well all makeups.  I kept on using hypoallergenic products but I would still have flare-ups and the occasional rash.

In the past two years it became so bad that I stopped using everything other than if I was going to a wedding or something.  8 months ago I finally had proper patch testing done and I am allergic to the most common preservative that is used in water based products: Quaternium-15 (which goes by many other names).  It is in many hypoallergenic products. Go figure.

I have recently discovered that I can use PUR Minerals and STILA products as they have removed this preservative from their formulations.

Anyone have experience with these brands or any recommendations? I preferred the STILA primer over the PUR minerals one. Neither of them seem to have a concealer colour that works for me, but I can always mix the lighter and darker tones.  I'm mostly looking for good face coverage for someone who still gets the occasional breakout.

I've got eyeshadows, eyeliner, mascara, and lips covered already.

[aprilsails]

Just to add: the reason I developed this allergy has nothing to do with makeup. Please no one panic. It is so common because allergies to it are very rare.

I am technically allergic to Thiomersal, which is the preservative agent used in vaccinations. I became sensitized by having a lot of vaccinations as a child since I was part of a testing family. My Mom worked as an immunologist at the Children's Hospital at the time.

[aprilsails]

My skin type is mixed with a somewhat oily T zone. The skin above my eyes is dry a lot of the time, as that is where my eczema breaks out.