Hi Everyone!
I thought I’d share the pros and cons of different makeup removing methods. I will provide an example of each, rate its effectiveness and portability. For the purposes of this post, the following terms will be used:
‘Face makeup’– primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, highlighter, etc.
‘Eye makeup’– eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, etc.
‘Effectiveness’– how well the makeup remover works on eye makeup
‘Portability’– how easily you can carry around in your bag every day or when travelling
Always remove your makeup before bed!
Always be gentle when removing eye makeup. Don’t rub at your eyes, it can cause irritation or wrinkles!
Micellar Water
Garnier All in 1 Cleansing Micellar Water
Pros: gentle, easily removes face makeup and eyeshadow, doesn’t need water to rinse
Cons: sometimes it doesn’t remove all of the eyeliner and mascara
Portability: unless you have a travel-sized bottle, it’s bulky and can be messy if it leaks
Effectiveness: 4/5
Tip: get the Garnier All in 1 Cleansing Waterproof Micellar Water (blue cap) if you’re wearing waterproof makeup.
Makeup Removing Cloth
The Original Makeup Eraser
Pros: easily removes face makeup, just need to add water, no chemicals
Cons: doesn’t always remove all eye makeup, can cause wrinkles from rubbing the cloth on your face
Portability: pop it in your bag
Effectiveness: 4/5
Tip: Clean your cloth with soap or shampoo and wring it out before throwing in the wash.
Makeup Wipes
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
Pros: easy to use, doesn’t need water
Cons: doesn’t always remove waterproof makeup (eyeliner and mascara), doesn’t completely remove your face makeup, can cause wrinkles from rubbing at your eyes, will dry out if package is left open
Portability: easy to pop into your purse and use on the go
Effectiveness: 4/5
Tip: Be very gentle around your eye area, don’t rub or pull at your eyes! To remove mascara, I wrap the wipe around my index finger and wiggle back and forth under my lashes (like when you apply mascara). It removes the mascara without having to rub my eyes. It also helps to prevent the mascara from smudging onto my under eye area.
Eye Makeup Remover
Bobbi Brown Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover
Pros: easily removes face and eye makeup
Cons: if it contains oil, it can get into your eye if you don’t rinse well and cause cloudy vision for a few hours
Portability: need a travel-sized bottle, can be messy if it leaks in your bag
Effectiveness: 5/5
Cleansing Balm
Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Pros: easily removes face and eye makeup
Cons: need water to rinse it off, can be messy
Portability: unless you have a sample or travel-sized pot, it’s a bit big to lug around
Effectiveness: 5/5
Baby Shampoo
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
Pros: easily removes face and eye makeup, gentle on the eyes (no tears!), can use for other purposes
Cons: needs water, messy
Portability: need a travel-sized bottle, can be messy if it leaks in your bag
Effectiveness: 5/5
Tip: Use it to clean your makeup brushes and sponges!
Coconut Oil/Melt
Kopari Coconut Melt
Pros: easily removes face and eye makeup, can use for other purposes
Cons: need water to rinse off, messy
Portability: unless you have a sample or travel-sized pot, it’s a bit big to lug around
Effectiveness: 5/5
Vaseline
This is a good DIY makeup remover if you aren’t at home and need to remove your makeup. Most people probably have Vaseline to help with chapped lips and using regular soap and water isn’t very effective at removing all of your eye makeup especially if you use waterproof makeup…hello ‘raccoon eyes.’
Original Petroleum Jelly
Pros: easily removes eye makeup, can use for other purposes
Cons: greasy
Portability: easy to pop into your purse
Effectiveness: 5/5
Tip: Use a dry cotton pad to wipe off the Vaseline before washing your face.
Additional Tips & Tricks
Use a circular motion if you’re using a cleansing balm, coconut melt/oil, shampoo, Vaseline.
Use a swiping motion (from inner towards outer eye) if you’re using a wet cotton pad, makeup wipe or makeup removing cloth. Don’t rub back and forth.
If you don’t wear eye makeup, micellar water, a makeup cloth or makeup wipes are effective at removing face makeup.
If you wear eye makeup, invest in a cleansing balm or eye makeup remover because they are specially formulated to remove waterproof makeup.
If you’re not in the bathroom, micellar water, eye makeup remover and makeup wipes are good because they don’t require water, but make sure to pack some cotton pads in your bag.
If you’re in the shower, cleansing balm, baby shampoo and coconut oil/melts are great to use.
Double Cleanse! Follow up each method with your regular facial cleanser and then toner and your moisturizer/serum! All of these makeup removing methods may remove your makeup, but it doesn’t fully remove your makeup and the dirt on your face. You should always double cleanse: use a makeup remover and then use your regular facial cleanser.
I’m a night owl, so I shower at night. I take off my makeup when I get home, and quickly wash my face with spectro gel to get rid of any ‘raccoon eyes’ from removing my eye makeup and the makeup remover residue. Then, once I’m in the shower, I use my daily cleanser to fully wash my face of the dirt and makeup that I hadn’t removed earlier.
If you shower in the morning, you’re probably more likely to use makeup wipes to take your makeup off, put on your moisturizer/nightly skincare routine and then go to bed. Have you ever used a makeup wipe and then wiped your face with a tissue or towel and some makeup still came off? With the exception of micellar water, all of the other methods are meant to be step one in your cleansing routine. Step two is following up with your facial cleanser before you do your skincare routine.
Sometimes I use two of the methods. I’ll use the micellar water to take off my face makeup and then use an eye makeup remover on just my eyes. This is a good way to save your more expensive products (especially since eye makeup removers and balms are more expensive).
Micellar water is affordable and there are so many drugstore brands to choose from. The makeup removing cloth is easy to use and you can just throw it in the laundry. Eye makeup removers and cleansing balms are a little more expensive, but you can save by just using them for your eyes. Baby shampoo, makeup wipes, coconut oil and Vaseline have multiple purposes. Baby shampoo can be used to clean your makeup brushes. Makeup wipes can be used to wipe the sweat off your face after a workout. Coconut Oil can be used for oil pulling for your teeth, as a hair mask or body moisturizer. Vaseline can be used as lip balm, help with dry patches, or add a glossy look to your lipsticks.
What’s your go-to makeup remover?
Love,
