h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey, do any of you know of a good hypoallergenic mascara that doesn't crumble off by the time you've left the house?

I used to use some stuff by Lancome, but they don't seem to have it any more. I don't mind spending a little bit, as long as it won't irritate my eyes or muck up my contacts (I use extnded wear disposables).

Hi PC. Sorry I haven't been around much. I'm just dropping in briefly here and I saw your question. I don't wear mascara very often but I do have a couple bottles that I've liked. One is by Aveda. the other is Mary Kay. Both of them are hypoalleregenic and seem to stay on OK.

Wild Oats Markets carry cruelty free hypoallergenic stuff. Don't know for sure that they have mascara, but worth a shot.

Thanks for the recommendations, JEllen and Hellbound!

(Long time no see, Hellbound... I've missed seeing you around!)

I have a friend who works for Aveda, and will verify that their products are cruelty-free. I'd been using some stuff from Beauty Without Cruelty, but it doesn't have any staying power.

I'm not into wearing lots of makeup (except for fancy occasions like weddings and stuff), but my eyelashes are very fine and light red, and if I don't use mascara it barely looks like I *have* any eyelashes.

Thanks again for the suggestions! Will look into Wild Oats and Aveda this weekend.

'fraid I have no idea

I've had mine for years and I don't even know what brand it is...

Skankyrich's better half recommends 'Clinique'. I hope this helps

Terribly sexist, of course. Why *shouldn't* men wear mascara? (says he, listening to Anthony and the Johnsons )

Aveda products are terribly expensive, though. And Vix...Throw out your old mascara immediately! Do you want to get an eye infection?

Aveda is pretty expensive, but I have a friend who works for one of their spas here, and she can get it for me for half price. I can live with that- the Lancome stuff wasn't exactly cheap, either, but I'll sacrifice a few extra dollars in order to save myself eye irritation.

And yes, please, Vix, toss that stuff out. One should never keep eye makeup for longer than three months. Even if it's not all gone yet.

Clinique is another of the good ones I'd heard of... thank you, Skanky! I'll see if I can procure a sample or two during my shopping travels this weekend.

My apologies for seeming sexist! I'm not, usually. I've loaned male friends my shoes and dresses. (I draw the line at my pantyhose though... they stretch the crotches all out!)

I looked around the Aveda website. There's a lot of eco-friendly, new agey, touchy feely stuff, but I didn't find where they say not tested on animals. I'm pretty sure they don't tho. I don't think Mary Kaye tests on animals either but I bet they did historically. I'd never heard that about not keeping your eye makeup for more than 3 months. I use it so infrequently. I guess I should throw all mine out too. I think it is worth it for non irritating products. I have sensative eyes and skin too.

>I looked around the Aveda website. There's a lot of eco-friendly, new agey, touchy feely stuff, but I didn't find where they say not tested on animals.<

Found them listed here: http://www.allforanimals.com/cruelfree1.htm . Mary Kay products are cruelty-free as well.

Thanks for taking the time to look into it for me!

It was hard for me to get past the new-agey, touchy-feely, hippy-dippy stigma when I first tried "holistic" personal care stuff. I'm more into the eco-friendly and cruelty-free aspects, but the up side to the "holistic" stuff is that a lot of it doesn't bother my allergies. Soaps, most makeup, and anything with SLS give me really bad hives. Hence the mascara question- hives in your eye are a bit uncomfortable.

Allright...I'll throw it out...I don't wear much make-up as you probably guessed..mainly because I'm crap at putting it on, impatient...and I never know when my allergies will kick in and make my eyes water which leaves it smeared and mostly because I'm lazy and can't be bothered and the above are much better excuses than just plain lazy...I suppose I should now I'm past my sell by date..

Did you buy what you were looking for?

I've got some samples coming. Will let you guys know how it pans out. I don't wear much in the way of makeup, have to remindmyself to toss it out regularly, or else just borrow stuff for special occasions. But without mascara, my eyelashes look... nonexistent. It creeps me out. But yeah, between the contacts and the allergies, I have be super selective or I'm going to be in a world of hurt.

Just a thought: Have you ever tried getting your eyelashes dyed?? It works quite well, but you need to check for allergies etc. before plunging in. Then all you need the mascara for is "work" and "going out".

When I wore contacts, I found Clinique mascara quite good.

There's an old herbal thing, but I have no idea if it works. Anyway, here goes: Make a strong olive oil infusion of sage - fill a small jar with fresh or dried sage leaves, cover with olive oil, put on a sunny windowsill and stir daily for about 2 weeks. Then, you strain the oil through muslin (don't use coffee filters), fill the jar with sage again, add the infused oil and do it all again for a fortnight. To be really picky, you should do this 3 times.

THEN you clean out a mascara wand & container (I'm not sure how you'd do this, I would start with trying to dissolve the left over mascara with methylated spirits, then hot water and detergent). Then: each evening, brush the eyelashes with the sage oil. It's supposed to darken them and make them longer and thicker. Over time, of course. Actually, I'd add a bit of castor oil to the olive oil as it is really good for hair, skin and nails in small amounts diluted with another oil. Keep the oil in the fridge, I would anyway, and decant a little into a small bottle for use.

Sounds like a lot of initial messing around to me, but there you go. Just might work, though.

Quel palaver!

Good grief, that's far too much work for me!

As for throwing my old stuff out, nope haven't done it yet...haven't worn any either.

You can get extensions now for eyelashes...that looks very tedious as they have to painstaking glue each lash to each of your own.

Yes, I know. That's why I've never done it. However, once you've made the oil it's probably less of a hassle. Just passing it on in case anyone's interested and REALLY committed to eyelash care.

I tried those eyelash extensions years ago when I was young and vain. They looked FABULOUS but fell off very quickly. Not worth the $$$.