The Best Way to Remove Your Makeup: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

When it comes to properly removing makeup, the slower you go, the better. A quick wipe with a baby wipe just isn’t going to do it. If you take the time to let the products do their work, your makeup will come off more easily, and you won’t have to use too much pressure to remove it.

You don’t want to rub or scrub as the friction can damage your skin, especially the skin around your eyes. Many people make the mistake of just using wipes and then going to bed, but this doesn’t remove all your makeup.

Break down your eye makeup with the right cleanser

Cleansing oils and micellar water are very effective at removing even stubborn makeup. Oil dissolves oil, so makeup products containing oil are best removed with oil-based removers.

Cleansing oil works very well if you have dry skin or wear heavy eye makeup. Eye makeup can be particularly challenging to remove, and you don’t want to have to scrub as this can damage the sensitive skin around the eyes and cause lashes to fall out.

Micellar water contains tiny oil droplets suspended in soft water, and all you need to use is a few drops on a cotton pad. Close your eyes and hold the pads over your lids and lashes for long enough to give the remover time to dissolve the product.

If you have eyelash extensions, you don’t want your eyelashes to fall out, as the extensions are attached to your natural lashes. There are hacks for eyelash extension removal, such as using steam to break down the glue molecules and loosen the eyelash extension bonds holding them to your natural lashes. You also need to buy only the best eyelash extensions from brands like Lilac St., Sweed, Mac, and Vavalash.

Use flat cotton pads and always be gentle

You don’t want to remove your makeup with anything that breaks down during usage and leaves behind fibers on your lashes or skin, which can lead to irritation. Forget about baby wipes as they don’t contain the ingredients you need to get the job done.

Flat cotton pads are ideal, especially those with a quilted texture. The cotton needs to be woven so that it doesn’t shed.

You must be gentle when you take off your makeup. Lightly massaging a small amount of cleansing oil over your whole face will soften your skin and loosen the makeup, so you don’t have to scrub. Take the flat cotton pad, pour on the cleansing oil, and lightly go over spots where the makeup remains. Lightly skim the surface in one direction to pull it up.

Don’t forget your hairline or eyelid edges

If you did a good job of applying your foundation, it should go up to your hairline. Make sure you push your hair back with a terry headband or tie it into a ponytail so you don’t miss your hairline when taking off your makeup. If you accumulate makeup residue around your hairline, it can lead to blocked pores and breakouts.

The edge of your eyelids is another zone you may tend to neglect when removing makeup. Liner and mascara can build up on the edges of your eyelids over time and lead to eye irritation. Ensure you remove all traces of eye makeup, even on the edges of your eyelids.

Remove long-lasting lipstick

Remember to remove lip color, even if most of it has worn off by the time you go to bed. Soaking a cotton pad in cream or liquid makeup remover will take off most lipsticks. You only need to use an oily formula for intensely pigmented or long-wearing lipsticks.

What you should do after removing your makeup

Once you’ve removed eye makeup, use a dry cotton pad to make sure you remove any excess makeup remover and any last bits of product.

Removing your makeup can dry out your skin, especially the delicate skin around your eyes. To keep it soft and hydrated, you can apply an eye cream. Dab some lip balm on your lips, too, after removing lipstick.

Removing all your makeup at night means you don’t have to start the next day by washing off makeup.

Can you share any tips on how to take off eye makeup without damaging skin?