Allergy Eyes? It Could Be Age-Related

In my 30's, I developed a sensitivity to latex. No more self-stick bandages, tampons or anything else that had a little latex in it somehow that had to be worn for extended periods of time.

At about age 45, not only did my vision change - again - but I noticed that my eyes grew itchy and teary with every passing hour of the day. I had a difficult time figuring it out as I wore the same makeup day after day for years. The only time I got relief from the itching and watering, burning and swelling is when I didn't wear eye makeup even though I would take an antihistamine pretty frequently to combat pollen and other air-borne substances.

Going a few days without my regular eye makeup - so I could rub my eyes - then putting it on again just to have my eye lids swell up and itch was just the thing to figuring out the problem: It was my makeup. It didn't matter that it was fresh or that it was the same brand and color I'd worn for ages, I'd developed a sensitivity to it. I blamed that on age.

Out with the mauves and dark blues. Out with the eye liner and mascara. I had to find a whole new look as well as totally new brands. I wish I had all the money back I spent on trial and error, trying to find a whole new eye "ensemble" that looked good on me, wore well without flaking off or slipping into the creases and didn't cost a fortune or make my eyes itch, weep and swell. The winner?

Almay. My eyes are blue-green so I selected the shadow and liner for blue eyes. Yes, a whole new look for me but it was an easy transition without the allergic reaction to fight. How do I feel about the transition from black eye liner to brown? I love it! Nature was giving me a nudge to make a change I wouldn't otherwise have made. It was time to ditch the black eye liner and turn to different shades of eye color to "brighten" that area of my face as well as enhance the color of my eyes.

Gravity tugs at our eyelids and foreheads and older eyes look even older and more tired under dark shadows and black eyeliner. Face it, you're not going to look younger by wearing the same makeup, the same look at 45 that you did at 35. Start experimenting. Buy a color palette and "test drive" it for a few days. Get opinions from your best and your worst critics.

But I recommend that, if you're suffering from allergy eyes and you believe it might be your makeup, try products by Almay first. You may not have to experiment with any other brand.