OK, here we run into differences between countries, because what is allowed in one country can often have a different formulation in another.
My mother in law and sis-in-law have sensitive skin that can rfeact to a lot of cosmetics. Years ago I tried to introduce sis-in-law especially to my herbal preparations as a safe and inexpensive alternative, but I suspect she prefers the cachet of having skin so sensitive and delicate that she just HAS to buy the really expensive name brands for sensitive skin.
(Aggrieved tone: "darling, my skin is so sensitive, I have no choice but to use this ultra-exclusive imported French brand made exclusively from mountain spring water fed by the purest glaciers from the Matterhorn. I really wish my skin wouldn't be so reactive, but there it is...")
And then about two years ago, both of them (on opposite sides of the country) developed skin reactions to their favourite cosmetics. mother in law is convinced the problem is Vitamin E - convinced because it was a Vitamin E preparation that she first reacted to, so therefore it must be the Vitamin.
I tried to tell her that it was almost certainly another ingredient (or many) that was the culprit since the Vitamin E cream would have had otherv things in it besides Vitamin E.
Finally we worked out the problem (we're fairly sure) - about the time they developed the reactions, Aussie cosmetics were forced to add preservatives. Since then I've searched for sources of creams that don't have preservatives - the only ones really are the minimal technology ones that cut back as much as they can legally but who warn that their cosmetics have to be kept in the fridge and need to be thrown out after a few months even so. mother in law doesn't react to those as much as to her other cosmetics. I've also tested her with natural vegetable oils which are high natural sources of Vitamin E - and no reaction to those.
so back to budget cosmetics (as distinct from those expensive options) - it depends on your skin and on what you value in terms of your 'look'. But I've had to 'slim down' in the cosmetics department not only for stuff that doesn't cause a reaction, but also for stuff I can carry easily (including going away on holidays while carrying a minimum of make-up for maximum visual impact). I've also learned what to carry when doing makeup touch-ups for the girls' dance school performances.
So here's the summary -
1) moisturiser - depends on your skin. You can get sorbolene and use that instead of soap. A small amount only. You can water it down (in your hand) or mix it with liquid foundation to make a tinted moisturiser.
I use good vegetable oil as moisturiser especially in the eye area. Use it the night before, don't use it immediately before wearing makeup. Vegetable oil and sorbolene also make good make-up remover. So does soap and water. Vegetable oil is also great for oiling crevices on your body that are prone to rashes, chafing, heat rash etc. If the smell of vegetbale oil bothers you, hunt around for one that smells OK. Only get a small bottle and keep it in the dark because the oils go rancid and smell bad (no preservatives!). Or you can add a few drops of essential oil (such as lavender) to make it smell good.
2) Soap - home-made oatmeal soap is good for sensitive skin prone to breakouts, but better if your skin tends to be oily.
3) My favourite body scrub, I've checked the ingredients and it really is very similar to stuff that comes with a $50 price tag. Put some table salt into a jar, pour over some vegetable oil (such as olive oil or sweet almond oil). Add a little essential oil for perfume. make sure the oil covers the salt.
To use - put a small amount into your hand and scrub your body with it. I often use it to clean my hands after gardening or heavy dirty work. I have also used it on my face. You scrub yourself with a small amount then rinse it off. Initially even after rinsing your skin will feel really gluggy and oily, then you dry yourself on a soft cloth. Pat dry and excess oil will be gone. What is left gets rapidly absorbed by your skin and feels wonderful. Remember, boutiques sell this for $50 or more. You can make it for a hundredth of this.
If you make some, be careful how you transport it because the oil will leak. Also, jars with metal lids will eventually rust the lid away.
4) Skin toner - if you have really sensitive skin, make a strong cup of chamomile tea then chill it in the fridge. Use it cold form the fridge to tone your skin and tighten the pores. If you have oily or combination skin, buy a bottle of witchhazel from the pharmacy and add some to your chamomile tea. The amount you add varies depending on your own assessment of what works best for your skin (trial and error).
Cosmetics - remember that the original kohl was made from soot mixed with lard. Not that I recommend you do this - these days the soot has been carefully graded to make sure there are no sharp bits.
I carry a kohl pencil for my eyes, a small eyeshadow and an old lipstick. Use a lip brush to get the last bit out of the tube, it also helps get a really good line and replaces the need for a lip pencil. A clear gloss can change the look of a lipstick too; if you put a lipstick on very thinly then cover it with gloss, it adds a hint of colour and can look very different to the look of the lipstick put on more heavily.
easy child 2/difficult child 2 carries a very small chisel paint brush to put on eyeshadow as an eyeliner. It's cheaper to buy the paint brush as a paint brush, make up brushes are generally more expensive. Get a teflon brush.
Another cute trick - get a bronzer and use it for a blush, for eyeshadow and for lipstick (especially with clear gloss). It also coordinates your look, colour-wise. If you find the bronzer not quite dark enough for eyeshadow, use it with a darker eyeshadow to keep the look coordinated.
You can also use a bronzer on your nails and then give them a clear coat.
I've also used lipstick as blush (much to my kids' disgust) but it's an old trick I was taught by make-up artists.
I don't wear mascara - if you have pale eyelashes it's cheaper and looks better to get your lashes tinted. If you have dark lashes you only need to colour the ends and sometimes not even then - kohl eyeliner makes your lashes look longer without having to worry about how to get the stuff off later on. I sometimes wear contact lenses and mascara is not good for them, bits get under the lenses and hurt.
With brands, you use what works for you but recognise that most expensive lines have the same ingredients as cheaper ones. The difference in price is usually the perfumes. Cheaper perfumes use more chemicals and cheaper essential oils, such as geraniol instead of pure rose essential oil. Cheap essential oils include lavender, geraniol, lemon. Rose is one of the world's most expensive essential oils which is why you won't get a bottle of the pure stuff.
Eucalyptus oil is really good for antibacterial or antifungal treatments but it smells very strong. Ti-tree oil (aka melaleuca oil) doesn't smell as strong but works even better. They are both relatively cheap. Lavender oil is also very good as antifungal/antibacterial. Use them sparingly, preferably broken down.
I buy cheap brands which I know I don't react to, as and when they are on special. I currently get a lot of Avon stuff especially the propelling pencils and the mineral make-up, but only when on special.
As for chucking out makeup when it's old - I know they say you should, but if it looks OK and still smells OK, I still use it. My favourite eyeshadow is an old one of my sister's that she used when she was 15. I would have been 8 years old.
Not recommended but it works for me...
Marg
