Cosmetics and Allergies

Re: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com website earlier blogged about.

I want to point out a few observations that I made and to give NARS kudos for being so upfront about their ingredients.

Just Sayin':

Estee Lauder owns/manufactures the following brands: 

Aramis, Aveda, Beautiful, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and Bumble, Clinique, Creme de la Mer, Donna Karan,Estée Lauder, Go Bronze, Idealist Daily, Jo Malone, La Mer, MAC, Michael Kors, Origins, Prescriptives, Rodan and Fields, Tommy Hilfiger, Tuscany, White Linen, YOUTH DEW, MACpro

Of all of those brands only 124 products are listed and they have a whopping 714 ingredients spectrum.  Only a measly 2 products have ingredients disclosed for MAC and none are disclosed for MACpro.  Not helpful and makes me curious as to what is being hidden.

NARS Cosmetics is owned by Shiseido. However François Nars is the founder and the ever-present creative director.

Looking at only NARS-specific products there are 187 products listed including the new Velvet Matte lip pencils and together the broad spectrum of NARS skin care and NARS makeup products contain no more than 236 ingredients; fully disclosed.

Cosmetics and Allergies

As earlier blogged I have allergies to a lot of cosmetics.  That's part of the reason all of my makeup is NARS and I am not interested in exploring outside the brand.

Before I continue I would like to preface that by far NARS has been the most hypo-allergenic experience I have had in any makeup line (others tried include: Clinique, MAC, Benefit, Cargo, Lancome, ...).

I have the most difficulty with creamy products and never am able to wear lipstick.  So, I was surprised when I was reaction-free with NARS Velvet Matte Lip pencils and the NARS Multiples.

I do have a strong makeup allergy against NARS lip lacquers (Chelsea Girls is so beautiful but I just can't wear it).
And after some testing I am certain that I am mildly allergic to their lip glosses (Belize is so gorgeous I will probably still wear it and take an anti-histamine [I'm sure only a true broad-spectrum allergy sufferer would understand]).
Putting it all together with some research I have learnt that the NARS lip lacquers and lip glosses contain lanolin oil (sheep) and I am allergic to lanolin :-(

The upside for those with lanolin allergies try:
NARS Multiples, and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils.

Oh. One more thing.  I am allergic to almost all sunscreens, so no products containing SPFs will be in this blog :-)

For more information on ingredients in your makeup check out: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com