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Alice Avatar

For water proof, I use Abolene..it’s cheap and moisturizing and takes EVERYTHING off and for regular makeup I use Estee Lauder Gentle Eye make up remover and Ponds Evening Soothe wipes for everything that isn’t eyemakeup

CarrieL2 Avatar

I second this. I’ve used Sens’Eyes for years. It’s smooth and creamy, completely removes waterproof products, and doesn’t leave your eyes greasy or filmy. Love it!

Mariella Avatar

Tough one to answer because I have several that I like for different reasons but (not counting things like MAC Cleanse Off oil, since it’s multi-purpose), I’d have to vote for Clarins or Clinique’s Take the Day Off (both bi-phase) for when I’m wearing mascara or waterproof products and Clarins’s other one for when I’m not wearing waterproof (I love the “no oily residue” quality of it). When I was in France a few weeks ago, I needed a bi-phase eye makeup remover as what I’d brought wasn’t cutting it and ended up getting a really great one from Gemey/Maybelline. I bought it in a grocery store, of all places, and it was cheap and it does the job really well – every bit as good as my Lancome Bi-Facil and other bi-phase removers.

Eileen Avatar

Chanel bi-phase. I know Lancôme’s has many loyal fans as does Neutrogena’s, but I think the Chanel is gentler on the delicate eye area while being far more efficient at removing makeup.

Ghost Avatar

Recently I’ve been hopping on the Bioderma bandwagon and it works quite well buuuuuuut I do still like to use baby oil to get rid of my eye makeup it’s so cheap and it works really well for my skin. *shrugs*

xamyx Avatar

I’ve been using it for over 20 years, and I have yet to actually *buy* one, LOL! Even the mini sample sizes that come with GWPs/PWPs last *forever*! When I moved 2 1/2 years ago, I found 3-4 that were never touched, and I still have 2 left…

Fran Avatar

I can take off the most (waterproof) eye makeup using the least product with Make Up For Ever Sens’Eyes, but it does sting my eyes if it gets in them. Coconut oil does a fantastic job removing waterproof eye makeup, but leaves my eyes filmy. So now I’m using Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, which does an excellent, although not perfect, job of removing my very tough eye makeup (I apply it so that I can hike through a thunderstorm or help someone take a shower — my eye makeup is *very* tough).

Meghan Avatar

I usually don’t use a separate eye makeup remover but if do it’s the Bioderma Sébium H20 Micellar Solution, for regular mascara. I like the Clarins Melt oil-based cleanser, and the Clinique Take Off The Day balm regularly though 🙂

Chris Avatar

La Roche Posay Respectissime eye make-up cleanser. I am wearing waterproof Mascara on a daily Basis and this cleanser is so effective and very gentle at the same time.

Katherine T. Avatar

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup remover – cheap, gentle, and gets waterproof makeup off fast. And it looks very similar to the much more expensive one from NARS.

Regina Avatar

The best eye makeup remover i’ve found is Clinique’s Take the day off cleansing balm but a specific eye makeup remover is The Body Shop’s Chamomile Eye Makeup Remover, a bi-phase formula that is also gentle on my skin which is important because I have eczema around my eyes.

Ashleigh Avatar

Can I cheat and say using Blinc mascara? It takes the pain and suffering out of taking my eye makeup off at night! Love it. An oil cleanser like the Josie Maran one takes off waterproof eye liner for me.

GG Avatar

Most stuff comes off with my routine oil cleansing. For mascara and hardcore waterproof stuff I find that the inexpensive Neutrogena oil free eye makeup remover generally gets the job done.

Nancy T Avatar

No joke; baby oil with added Aloe Vera. Never bothers my eyes and requires no crazy rubbing because it dissolves even the most waterproof mascara rather quickly. Sometimes I use coconut oil, but it’s not as fast, but IS more moisturizing.

Kitty Avatar

I have had allergic reactions to so many eye makeup removers that I’m currently making my own. I’m tweaking the recipe to get the right mix but it contains distilled water, a tiny bit of face cleanser, and some extra virgin olive oil.

Rachel R. Avatar

Bhcosmetics Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. It gets everything off, takes out stains, is paraben free, doesn’t irritate my eyes, and is inexpensive and goes on sale often.

Lee Avatar

I really like the Sonia Kashuk eye make-up remover at Target. Melts off all my eye makeup without tugging and feels like water – no stinging and isn’t greasy. Plus it’s relatively inexpensive. It seems like it’s out of stock a lot so I always stock up when I see it.

Anne Avatar

My go-to is The Body Shop’s Chamomile Waterproof Eye (and Lip) Makeup Remover. It’s quite affordable and takes EVERYTHING off. I usually use The Body Shop’s Chamomile Silky Cleansing Oil first on my face (and a bit on my eyes) and then whatever’s left comes off with the makeup remover.

Patsy Avatar

Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil for Dry Skin. I don’t have dry skin, but this takes off EVERYthing and my skin feels awesome afterwards. Follow up with Witch Hazel to make sure, but seriously there’s no makeup residue left after the Oil.

Erin Ortiz Avatar

I love the liquid remover in the periwinkle colored bottle from Estee Lauder, it’s amazing, non-irritating, removes everything completely, and isn’t greasy! I always end up using it after my makeup wipes don’t remove all of my eyeliner and mascara.

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

I usually double wash and eye makeup comes off with Clinique’s oil based makeup remover. If I’m not use my Clinique, I use Sephora brand of eye makeup remover, the regular type. I rarely use waterproof mascara, weddings and funerals only.

Gillian Avatar

I haven’t tried lots of different eye makeup removers but of the ones I have tried I always go back to Clinique’s Take the Day Off for Lids, Lashes and Lips. I put some on a cotton pad, hold it over my eye for about 45 seconds to a minute and then in one swipe most of the makeup is gone and in two or three it is fully removed. 🙂

Josephine Avatar

Baby oil has become my holy grail makeup remover/ oil cleanser/ body moisturizer. It can do anything. Add some gentle baby wipes (ten times better than cosmetic wipes) is a winning combination.

xamyx Avatar

ITA with baby wipes. They’re better *and* cheaper than makeup wipes, plus you can find fragrance-free/sensitive ones that are truly hypoallergenic, especially in health food stores.

Kim Avatar

Without question Bioderma (always have back-ups!). I LOVE this stuff! Never irritates, never takes my lashes with it, and can be used for the entire face. Second choice is Aveda’s eye MU Remover but it doesn’t last long. Lancome’s (and any of the oil-based products) always irritate my eyes. I do love DHC’s oil cleanser for the face as well as EL’s. Clinique’s Take Off THe Day, is OK but I can’t use on my eye area due to irritation.

xamyx Avatar

I use J&J Purpose cleanser during the hotter months (or the CVS equivalent), which is when I tend to use my more tenacious eye makeup, and I just use it all over. It’s soap- and fragrance-free, so it doesn’t irritate or sting the eyes, and it’s a great “one & done” cleanser. I also go over it with coconut oil, which serves as a moisturizer, as well! If I’m just retouching my makeup, or for little mistakes/sharpening lines, I like Lancome Bi-Facil.

Carolyn Avatar

I’m going to have to try some of these now after all the suggestions…especially Cliniques! And will need to re-visit the body shop’s chamomile eye make up remover. I used that many moons ago when I worked part time there …memories….☺️

I’m using philosophy which works well, but I always end up with mascara on my towels and under my eyes. Just tried Fresh’s eye make up remover sample and a YSL sample but didn’t care for either.

Bonnie Avatar

First Aid Beauty Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser. It’s the most effective, yet non-irritating formula I’ve found. Not harsh or drying to the delicate skin around the eyes. No oily residue left behind. I had been rotating between MUFE Sensi Eyes, Kiehls, and assorted minis (Lancome, Clinique, Bobbi Brown). FAB trumped them all.

Codename Duchess Avatar

2nd the Abolene rec. My mom’s used it since the 70s and I used to steal some from her all the time! It’s an incredibly gentle and extremely effective MU remover.

El Avatar

If I’m wearing waterproof mascara and/or a lot of glitter, La Roche-Posay micellar water or Bliss lids & lashes gel as step one. If it’s just normal eye makeup, then I’ll skip right to step two, which is Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm or L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Oil. (And then step three is actually washing my face once the makeup’s off, which is usually with a gentle cream cleanser.)

I’ve tried a bunch more and had allergic reactions to the Lancome, Clarins, and the Clinique TTDO eye one. Apparently I just do not get along with bi-phase removers! Also the MUFE cream one, worst reaction I’ve had in ages to an eye product, boo. Glad it was a sample. Bioderma works, but stings, as do most other micellar waters. Coconut oil also works but takes a lot more rubbing than the Clinique balm so I don’t like using it.

Laura_Lou Avatar

Lancome Bi-Facil for my eye makeup and Garnier Micellular for the rest of my face. I don’t like using the Lancome all over my face because I find it leaves a residue, but it removes my gel eyeliner and waterproof mascara amazingly!

Tova J Avatar

The Body Shop Camomille something, it’s the oil based one. Tried many different oil based bi-phase removers, some of them are animal tested, some are just bad, some burns my eyes, so this is the one I go for!

Scout Avatar

Used to be Chanel Bi Face that I’m still find to be the most effective and still softest rub free remover for the delicate eye area around. But since I began using eyelash extensions the remover needs to be oil free. And it has been tricky to say the least to find one that still is effective enough to remove waterproof makeup… (Oily products dissolve the glue used for the extensions). I tried first the Bioderma micellar remover until I realised Micellar waters actually contain quite a lot of fatty or oily particles that resulted in lashes coming loose…
The best one I have found so far is Laura Mercier Eye make up remover that is oil free but still has a bi face texture that feels soft on the skin. No loose lashes but you need to use more remover to get stubborn make up off…

Natalia Avatar

I really-really like Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil from The Body Shop, it takes off any makeup easily, even my MUFE Aqua Liner (which sets like a film on your lids and I don’t really like it:) ) and does not irritate my eyes at all. Also like Ultrabland from Lush for colder months, but this one runs out very quickly, so turns out a bit expensive. I think, with my dry skin oil makeup removers are god sent.

helen Avatar

Shu Uemera’s classic cleansing oil takes EVERYTHING off. I put it all over my face (including eyes) and then remove the eye mu first (using a Shiseido cotton square), rinse my face with water and then cleanse with Origins Checks & Balances.

Jeanne Avatar

I have super sensitive eyes and found most eye makeup removers (even ones made for sensitive eyes from Almay, Clinique, Neutrogena, and the Body Shop) to be irritating. I started using sweet almond oil and even though it is oily, it removes my stubborn waterproof mascaras and doesn’t sting my eyes.

miekogirlie99 Avatar

lancome bi-facial – doesn’t sting my eyes. i’ve even tried shiseido & clinique but they all sting my eyes 🙁 i love the free samples of Bi-facial because it lasts me so long i never need to buy LOL

Ellen Avatar

I’ve been using Cliniuqe’s Comforting Cream Cleanser for all make up removal. It even removes waterproof mascara. It is the only cream make up remover that doesn’t irritate my eyes, and I prefer creams, much less rubbing. It has been discontinued!!!!! If anyone knows of a similar product, please share!! Thanks

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