Thursday, May 15, 2008

Yummy411: Makeup and Allergies!

(Check this article from which I got the image!)

Lucky for you if you haven't had your allergies attack yet or even have allergies at all! There are a lot of us beauty addicts that have allergies and seem to not make it through these seasons very well. My good friend Slvrlips (Nikkia) covered this topic already (excellent read by the way), but being the chronic allergy sufferer that I am, I would be remissed if I didn't dedicate a post to this also.

Here is my list of allergy and beauty survival must haves/tips:

1. Zyrtec D- like Nikkia, this medicine is all that and then some, especially for someone that has gone through Allegra, Claritin and the likes. This is my all time knock out! Stops the itchy and runny eyes, nose and throat, relieves congestion. Works quickly for a little pill too!


2. Veramyst nasal spray- in conjunction with the Zyrtec, the clouds open and I hear angels singing. Much better than Flonase which has a floral scent... what type of devil trickery is that?*


3. Lip conditioner- blowing and sneezing get my lips very dry, so I like to soothe them with MAC's lip conditioner. I know this stuff is expensive, but it works like a charm. I love the thick, menthol formula of Carmex, Blistex and other varieties, but none has had a longer effect on soothing chapped lips like this lip conditioner. Others give a temporary cover-up until next application.


4. Waterproof mascara (L'Oreal Voluminous)- I know we don't like putting anything on our eyes when we are feeling bad like this, but if it is a must, it must be waterproof! Get it in my favorite mascara, L'Oreal Voluminous.


5. Mint tea- just plain soothing


6. Lotion/anti-bacterial Kleenex- soothes while doing the job. I haven't found any pocket packs, but I know they MUST exist!


7. Hand sanitizer- Purell


8. Ben Nye's Final Seal- I know we will be wiping, etc, but give your face a good spray of this and chances are if you are delicate and conscious of your makeup, you won't totally wipe it all away.


9. Waterproof liners and basing eye makeup with a great primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion or even a mixing medium.


10. WATER! try not to get too full and it becomes a problem in conjunction with the sneezing..oops!


[ETA] 11. Patinol eye drops- Delphine reminded me of the itchy eye problem. Zyrtec will clear this up, but if you don't use Zyrtec, Patinol the prescription eye drops are THEBOMB.COM! Regular Visine will work, but it takes a few minutes to work and then I'm still walking around with somewhat of red and crusty, slightly irritated eyes. A drop or two of Patinol clears up the worst of itchy eyes and will have you saying "what about itchy eyes?" in less than 3 minutes or less! Second best to Patinol, Zatidor (OTC eye drops).


(For prescriptions and over the counter medicines be sure to look online for coupons and discounts!)



* So I couldn't sing the praises of any nasal spray until I learned how to use one properly. Sounds like a no brainer? Gee thanks! LOL I just couldn't get the hang of it. My ENT specialist would use his office tool to spray in my nose and then let me blow after. I thought that's how it should work at home with my handheld prescription dispenser...no ma'am!

Steps for using a pump bottle:
-Gently blow your nose to clear it of mucus before using the medication.
-Remove the cap. Shake the bottle. The first time you use the pump spray each day, you may have to "prime" it by squirting a few times into the air until a fine mist comes out.
-Tilt your head forward slightly. Breathe out slowly.
-Hold the pump bottle with your thumb at the bottom and your index and middle fingers on top.
-Use a finger on your other hand to close your nostril on the side not receiving the medication (see the drawing on the right).
-Squeeze the pump as you begin to breathe in slowly through your nose. Repeat these steps for the other nostril. If you are using more than one spray in each nostril, follow all these steps again.
-Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray.

I got the above information from FamilyDoctor.org. Check the article out to get more information and helpful hints.



How are you surviving your allergies with makeup?

21 comments:

Nikkia Chanel said...

Hey Kia,
Great post:) You are so right about the water and sneezing thing (lol) I also learned something today regarding the nasal spray.
Thanks for sharing!

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

I am having a difficult time with allergies this season. I love the tips about spraying...I was always afraid to do it. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true!

yummy411 said...

@ slvrlips: i'm glad! your post was on point too!

@ BGG: allergies are horrible for everyone it seems! i'm glad you can use the info! i learned something when doing this post! doctors assume that it's self explanatory... oh well.

Alice @Ogni cosa bella รจ viola said...

During spring i usually have my eyes dropping, so worst thing for the make up!

AskMeWhats said...

oooh thanks for this, i've always been allergic to something, but I'm glad it wasn't make up yet..but this post opened my eyes and I need to be careful :) thanks dear

Twinkle Twinkle said...

I REALLY want to try this Ben Nye product now. Beauty blogs are always introducing you to new products to spend your money on! Urgh, but I love it.

(g)ezebel said...

LOL at #10..!

*knocks on wood* i am soooo glad that i don't have any allergies.

SuzieC said...

Thanks for this! I have allergies all year round and it ain't cute. lol

Distinque said...

I too pop a zyrtec a day! Thank God I found the generic, 300 tablets for $40+ lol beats a dollar per pill of zyrtec:)

Anonymous said...

My allergies didn't hit 'til yesterday and then SLAM! Pffft....

I just become close friends with the mirror so I can see how badly my eyeliner is sliding and fix it before it's on my jawline. :)

Anonymous said...

I don't normally have allergies but since in LA my eyes are watery and itchy/scratchy! I'm sure this info is going to help someone out there!!

microbrother said...

Yummy, I was reading the Washington Post, today-18MAY08 and I was inspired to comment on the death of a young sister of 31 years. My piece is titled, "I can not remain silent" at http://microbrother.blogspot.com

yummy411 said...

@ jen: i hope you hang in there with these allergies!

@ delphine: omg, you just made me remember that i forgot something! a solution for itchy eyes if you don't take zyrtec.. some wonderful eyedrops!

@ microbrother: thanks tio! i'll go and check it out!

Anonymous said...

I recently received a prescription for nasonex and it worked, for me anyway. But I dont need to use it if I crack my window at night before I go to bed. I hate taking any type of medicine.

Great Post

Mutha

MakeupByRenRen said...

wow great post! i am a chronic allergy sufferer as well...i've been plagued by not being able to wear my contacts and makeup because of it! i really was suprised by how well zyrtec worked b/c i was like oh nooo i need prescription grade stuff...but i just went to the atlanta botanical gardens this weekend and used it beforehand and it worked, woo hoo! i also really like astelin nose spray :)

ilurvemakeup said...

Yah I've always used a secondary base with UDPP, but the thing that annoys me is I shouldn't have to you know what I mean? Like MAC Paint Pots I don't even need UDPP underneath and it does such a good job as base/blending. Bleh UDPP is such a disappointment to me now and I still have a new unopened bottle of it! ARGH! I got the 2'fer lol xD

yummy411 said...

@ mutha (anon): cool! if you ever need a recommendation for some good meds, you know where to look! (... or ask Dr. Morning LOL)

@ makeupbyrenren: isn't zyrtec the bomb? i've heard about astelin nasal spray.. if the veramyst ever fails me, i know the next spray to look out for!

@ ilurvemakeup: (responded on your blog;))

Anonymous said...

I've had allergy problems *bad* this season. I have been waking up with goopey eyes and all. Nasty. My doc gave me a prescription for ALlegra, but it was going to be too pricey. I have kind of been afraid to take Zyrtec b/c of possible side effects, but I might have to give it a try. There's only so much sneezing and itchy eyes I can take!

yummy411 said...

hey dee! zyrtec is super pricey too.. another commenter said that she likes the generic version.. maybe that's an option? good luck and i hope you feel better with your allergies!

www.Cosmetic-Candy.com said...

Hey!

I have the worst Hayfever! I've noticed that even with loads of primer the eyeshadow fades from the corner of my eye (they must be watering through the day)within a hour or so. Boo Hoo!

I use Benadryl - it doesn't do anything but if people see me taking it they feel sorry for me :)

yummy411 said...

wow row! sorry to hear... LOL@"it doesn't do anything but if people see me taking it they feel sorry for me". girl get on some zyrtec and stop those runny eyes! LOL