Eyeshadow, colors and safety concerns

Hi all,
I am new to all of this and trying to figure out the dos and don'ts regarding safety etc before I really embark on this adventure. Seeing the safety labels that warn not to put most colours near to the eyes, I am wondering how you all deal with this. I often see yellow-eyed butterflies or neon ones and I hesitate to do this for fear of a reaction.
On the other hand there are amazing coloured and not too expensive eyeshadow kits I've seen at Claires that might do the trick around the eyes and which are specifically formulated for the eye area. Has anyone tried this as an alternative? Or any other work-arounds?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Sara

I have no clue, I've seen some cute, cheap and very colourful eyeshadows before and thought the same thing...but figure there must be some reason pro's don't use that stuff, lol I wonder if its as easy to come off as face paint? I might use it on myself but not kids.

I use black eyeshadow for shadowing, shading and filling in hard to reach bits, sometimes

Blue, green, purple and red eyeshadows can also be used to make nice bruises too as they blend so easily (just make sure they're matt - not shimmery )

Ok the skin around your eyes and lips are different to the other skin on your face and body. Different colours have been given the ok for different areas mainly because blue in never used for lipstick...and red in never used for eyes . but could be fine for all they know - it's just they didn't bother to test those colours in those areas.

Most of us have used those colours in those areas and it's fine.... I am a little cautious about red on the eyes as your eyes can be very sensitive - mine are.. so I make sure I line with black so that is the nearest colour to the eye opening.

The really cheap eye shaddows have to have a primer underneath or they just crumble off... and most cheapies will make my eyes react anyway. I have to use Napoleon or something really good quality so it doesn't get all stingy and puffy.
I use paradise so I wouldn't worry about those colours too much.

Ben Nye has a wonderful set of powder colors that is great for people that are nerves about having face paints around the eyes.

Make-up is make-up is make-up. If it is made from approved cosmetic ingredients I am comfortable using ANY make-up product. Depending on the situation, the model, the purpose I will use a variety of products to get the desired result.

Yes, many brands have "do not use on the lips" on their blue items and "do not use near the eyes or mucuos membranes" on the reds... that is the industry way of covering their a**es.

I've often used eyeshadows... I use purples and brown eyeshadows often when creating highlight and shadows in theatrical make-up depending on the lighting. I've also used blues and purples and pinks for fantasy make-up.

Eye shadows are pressed powders... which is all that the Ben Nye Lumiere are, Mehron Starblends are pancake make-up which is also a pressed powder...

Put 'em in a fancy container with a fancy name... voila! Profit margin jumps 1000%.

Some of the best pink powder colours I have found are dollar store blush!

That's awesome info Shannon. After reading this post I was contemplating heading to the dollar store and buying a bunch of cheap eye shadows to use with princess crowns, etc. Now I'm totally going for it.

Thanks for all the great replies. I haven't used any of the powders like Starblends or the Lumiere and hadn't realized that they might have different or no health warnings on them. Yeah, makes sense if they resemble eyeshadow. Tash and Shannon, that's a good point that cheap eyeshadows almost certainly wouldn't provide any better health guarantee than paints which are likely more rigorously tested.

I'm with Shannon. I have NEVER had any problem with it. In fact, I have often washed my face and experienced the paint getting right into my eyes and it doesn't even sting... not one bit. It makes your vision go a little hazy till your eyes naturally flush it out, but it doesn't sting. I wouldn't worry about putting any "cosmetic grade" makeup around the eyes. Just my opinion. Face paints are made to be safe.