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How do you remove your makeup?


How do you remove your makeup? What do you use? Do you use different removers for different type of looks or areas?

If I wear a really bold lip, then I use a cotton pad with remover (usually Lancome Bi-Facil) to remove that first, and then I use a cleansing oil (usually shu uemura’s) for everything else. I will use a Q-tip dipped in remover (again, Bi-Facil) to remove any last bits of eyeliner.

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Liz Avatar

i use a cotton pad with makeup remover and then coconut oil for the more delicate bits (eyelids, lips) and the most stubborn stains/colors.

blueraccoon Avatar

if I haven’t worn much, I’ll use a makeup remover wipe like Neutrogena or Boots if I’m lazy. Otherwise I use shu uemura’s cleansing oil to get everything of and follow with my regular cleanser. For mascara sometimes I’ll use a cotton square dampened with Neutrogena’s oil-free eye makeup remover. (Although I have a sample of the Bi-Facil, and I like it a lot better, so I may switch.)

Meiya Avatar

Ponds Cucumber Cleanser, wiped off with damp tissues, then with a warm face cloth, rinsed, then followed by a gentle creamy cleanser (I’m using Elizabeth Arden Hydra Gentle Skin Cleanser). It removes everything – eye makeup, foundation & lipstick.

xamyx Avatar

For my “everyday” makeup, I slather coconut oil all over, then wipe down with a large cotton square. I then wash with a soap-free cleanser, and continue with my regular skin-care routine. I typically us a TM/BB Cream and/or MPF, so removal is much easier.

On the occasion I wear a traditional liquid or cream foundation, I opt for full-coverage, so removal takes heavier products, as well. I’ll usually use a cold cream, such as Pond’s, then continue as above.

For stubborn eye makeup, nothing beats Lancome Bi-Facil. It’s pricey, but the tiniest bit goes a really long way, so one bottle will last me a very long time.

Christina J. Avatar

When I was little I would watch my grandma use Pond’s Cold Cream every single night. That was the absolute best tip I ever learned to remove makeup. I use it every night and it takes EVERYTHING off so easily. Even the more stubborn makeup (looking at you Benefit They’re Real).

Nekona Avatar

I’ve been experimenting with wipes and with different cotton pads and liquids. So far my favorite remover has been Koh gen doh spa water and it annoys me that it is so dang expensive!

Emma M Avatar

Hey Christine, I’ve heard great things about the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils too but I’m curious how you use it? Do you use a cotton pad with it or just rub it over your face? Do you still use a cleanser after (I’m in love with mine so I’d rather not have to separate from it)? I haven’t gotten the balls to purchase it yet since it doesn’t specify how to use it online. Thanks!

Laura Tinapay Avatar

I love using Shu uemura Cleansing Oil. There is a video on Youtube and on the website on how to use. With dry hands and face, put on 2 pumps of oil on you face. All the makeup comes off. After about a minute, wash off with warm water and follow with you favorite cleanser. I love it but it’s so expensive. Still out for a cheaper alternative.

Sunny Avatar

I use Bioderma first (because it feels good and I don’t always have the energy to do all the proper removing right after I get home), and then a cleansing cream/balm. I prefer those to cleansing oils, most probably because they don’t drip 😉

Eyeshadow AA Avatar

First I take my foundation off with a Ponds face wipe then I use Neutrogena makeup remover (the BEST!!!) on a cotton pad. Sometimes if the skin around my eyes feels dry, I will take my eye makeup off with vaseline instead and a wash cloth. The vaseline does wonders for your eyelashes too!

Wwendalynne Avatar

Over a year ago I bought a truckload of those pre-moistened makeup removing towelettes from Costco.. and yes, I’m still churning my way through them. I follow that up with two pads soaked with la prairie cellular cleansing water which is incredible for taking every last bit of makeup off, particularly anything waterproof around the eyes. I follow that up with a toner and right now I think that is a biotherm product.

I’ve been interested in the clairsonic for what seems like ages, but I’m totally uncertain as to whether or not it is safe to use every day. While my skin is not particularly sensitive to product, it is very sensitive to abrasion. Anyone out there close to *ahem* 50 using one..would love to read your post.

Erica Avatar

Hey Wwendalynne –

I turn 50 in July (yikes!) and received a Clarisonic Mia 2 as a birthday present last year. Love it. I have sensitive skin – allergies, eczema, acne prone. I use it alternate days and its great. I haven’t experienced any abrasion yet. You can customize it by choosing the brush heads that meet your needs. I alternate bet. sensitive skin and the deep pore cleansing brush heads. I use my face wipes/coconut oil to wipe off my makeup, wash with Cetaphil face wash, rinse and liberally add more Cetaphil before using my Clarisonic. That bugger still removes residue. I don’t care how diligent you are, there is residue that sucker picks up on the brush head. Creepy, but awesome. They are usually on HSN and QVC this time of the year (Mothers Day, Fall, December) with bonus stuff.

becca Avatar

I use lancome bi-facil on a cotton pad on my eyes and lips. Then I use my clarisonic brush with philosophy purity to remove the rest of my makeup. Then I massage leftover purity all over my face and rinse.

Awwrite! Avatar

Koh gen do spa cleansing water and a Bounty paper towel. Works amazingly well, and I don’t even need to rinse or use an additional cleanser afterwards. My normally oily, acne-prone skin is very happy with it!

Danielle Avatar

I use my cleanser & Clarisonic. And I use a cotton pad with baby oil for my eye makeup. It’s the only thing I’ve found that doesn’t burn my eyes lol. Although the NARS eye makeup remover is pretty good.

Natalie Avatar

Biore, this Japanese brand, produces the most amazing makeup removers. I use their makeup wipes all the time, and they aren’t oily, so they’re great for cleaning someone’s face before applying makeup if I don’t have a cleanser or toner with me. One sheet is usually enough for me to remove all my makeup. Their makeup remover for the eye and lip is also fantastic, because the stuff doesn’t sting when it gets into the eye, which makes it great for getting mascara and eyeliner off.

Gena Avatar

I’ve heard so many good things about Shu Umera cleansing oil! I’m kind of nervous about using it though…I’m prone to the occasional zit, so I use Retin-A every night. Do you blot your face afterward, or rinse off the oil cleanser?

Az sunshine Avatar

I rub a makeup remover all over my face, then wipe wi off with a makeup remover wipe. After that I cleanse with Purity and my clarisonic.

Cat G Avatar

I like to use coconut oil to remove my eyemakeup. I also use Clinique’s makeup remover products. I haven’t really found my HG product for removing foundation/blush etc :/

JessOneMore Avatar

OMG! SO DO I! I have oily skin and wear waterproof eye make-up daily. In the past, I have used Neutrogena Oil-free waterproof make-up remover for many years (did the job-but it felt like a lot of residue was lefy on my skin. Starting January 2012, I’d follow up with Clarisonic with Philosophy Purity and the Philosophy exfoliator daily for a year. My face was clean, but my skin wasn’t getting much clearer.

On Valentine’s day this year, I walked into a Lush store and asked for help! They sold me on the Ultrbland, the Ocean Salt scrub (which I use every few days), Breath of Fresh Air as my toner (this is amazing and sooo refreshing! I use it to freshen up during the day too sometimes), and Shangrila as a moisturizer (2 months later, still not sure if this moisturizer is for me. Butbis smells like vanilla/almonds (yum!) and feels soft on my skin). This was my twice daily regimen for a little over 2 months. All the yuck-stuff under my skin was finally coming out. I have been breaking out a lot because of this, but that’s the products’ job–clean out my skin from deep down. My clarisonic and philosophy regimen didn’t do this for me, not in an entire year! Lush Ultrabland and Ocean Salt are my must haves. And their small containers lasted 10 weeks for me (granted, in the beginning I used too much!)

All this talk about coconut oil and cetaphil…I’d like to try these ou someday.

Julia B Avatar

I use MUFE Sens’eyes for eye makeup. I put a pump on a cotton pad then let it sit on my eye for about 30seconds. I wipe off some face makeup with a washcloth. Then I place a pump of Neutrogena foaming face wash on my clarisonic.

Ellen Avatar

First, I take off eye makeup with a Shiseido cotton pad and either Talika lash conditioning eye makeup remover or The Body Shop camomile gentle eye makeup remover.
Using the other side of the cotton pad, I use La Roche-Posay micellar cleansing water to get off the rest of my makeup, including lips and whatever eyeliner/mascara I missed
Then I wash with a cleanser, which varies – sometimes Guerlain cleansing cream, sometimes Bobbi Brown cleansing oil, and also sometimes REN ultra moisture cleansing milk (depending on the weather and how my skin is feeling that day!)

Aida Avatar

For eye makeup, I will soak a cotton round (I prefer the organic ones by The Body Shop) in my (all time favorite) Origins Well-Off makeup remover. If I’m wearing eyeliner, I’ll use the same remover on a cotton bud. Then I wash my face with my (again, all time favorite) Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream to remove any face makeup.

Patsyann Avatar

First off, I remove any eye make-up with Lancome Bi-Facil and then I lightly massage the DHC oil cleanser over my face and neck. I remove that gently with a soft cloth and follow up with a wash in warm water with my Shu Uemura pure:nu gentle cleansing gel. I have sensitive, reactive skin with mild rosacea so I have to be careful with what I put on my face. After too much trial and error (and beet-red face) I have narrowed it all down to this routine. I don’t wear full make-up every day so I give my face a rest from all the products on a regular basis.

Nicole Avatar

I usually use a cleanse off oil (currently the orange Shu Uemura) to remove everything. Sometime I cleanse with a gel or the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish afterwards.

Hollie H Avatar

I use sensitive skin baby wipes to take off my eye makeup and give my face a few wipes. Then, I use my Olay Cleansing brush with some Shiseido cleanser to finish scrubbing everything off.

Heather B Avatar

Lancome’s Bi-Facil is my go-to for everything from stubborn mascara, eye liner, shadow, etc. to highly pigmented lip liners and lipsticks. A great facial makeup remover is liquid cetaphil. But I only feel clean once I use my bar of Basis for sensitive skin – something my dermatologist put me onto ages ago.

Jaye Brown Avatar

I use a cotton ball to take off my eye makeup with Bi Facil, then a Nutrogena make up remover wipe on the rest of my face. After that, I wash with Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and my Clarisonic. I follow that with witch hazel on a cotton ball to tone/make sure I got everything off.

When I run out of makeup wipes and Bi Facil, I think I’m going to try olive oil, or possibly Shu Umera cleansing oil for remover.

Heather Avatar

I dont wear any make-up besides eyeshadow and lip gloss. I currently use Urban Decay meltdown to remove eye makeup. It does wonders removing eyeshadow and leaving my skin moisturized and not oily. My only issue is that it takes forever to remove all of my mascarra and its an Urban Decay mascarra(Big Fatty).

Laura Avatar

I use a rinseable cleansing oil from Etsy (Thehomebody) on my face only. For eyes/lips I use Vichy Calming Cleansing Solution (it’s a micellar water). They both get everything off without irritating. I then follow up with cleanser.

Lorrie Avatar

I use Mary Kay eye make-up remover (I think it’s one of the best I’ve tried without being too expensive)on a cotton pad. I hold it on my eye for a few seconds then wipe. I end up using one per eye if I’m wearing a lot of makeup. I think it’s one of the best I’ve tried without being too expensive. For the rest of my face I use the wipes from Costco.

Nikki Avatar

I use a baby wipe first, then I use cotton rounds and Sea Breeze astringent to remove any other traces leftover on my face. I follow this procedure by washing with my regular face wash (Olay Foaming Face Wash Sensitive). I don’t really need to use the face wash as well. I just do so out of habit.

Patsy Dseautel Avatar

I’ve been using Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads, but they burn my eyes if I get too close so I’m definitely switching when it runs out. Then I use Cetaphil Daily Cleanser just massaged with my hands, rinse that, and follow up with a pump of Cetaphil on my Clarisonic. My skin has really cleared up since I started using the Clarasonic twice a day 🙂

Liz Avatar

I’m not overly loyal to makeup remover. I like Almay moisturizing pads. However, I buy whatever is on sale. I also like to use cold cream.

Jennie Avatar

DCL Makeup Remover on a cotton round to get off all the eye makeup, then Aveeno cleanser to remove the foundation, then a round of Aveeno scrub to exfoliate and get any last bits of makeup that haven’t come off. I have sensitive skin, so I have to watch what products I use.

Em Avatar

I hate how expensive it is, but MAC’s Cleanse Off Oil takes off EVERYTHING–longwearing foundation, mascara, lip stains, etc. I’d love to know if there is a cheaper alternative makeup remover that will take off face and eye makeup?

Mavis Avatar

I get some of the neutrogena eye makeup remover on my clean fingers (usually I’m in the shower when I do this) and brush my lashes gently to remove the mascara and other eye makeup. Then I use the Clarins cleansing milk for oily/combo skin to remove my face makeup. After I get out of the shower, I usually have to take a qtip soaked in remover and get rid of any leftover mascara/eyeliner/lash glue.

Marilou Avatar

I massage olive oil all over my face to remove all makeup ( even blackheads comes out ) then wipe it off with a warm muslin cloth. Then wash my face using Boscia Cleanser.

Ms.Laura Avatar

I use either Mary Kay eye makeup remover or the Clinique one on a cotton pad. I then use a Neutrogena wipe for the rest of the face. Once I wipe everything off, I use Estée Lauder foaming cleanser and water.

AngieButterfly Avatar

I’m not really consistent, to be honest. I like for my eyes to use Lancome’s Bi-Facial, Almay’s eye makeup remover wipes (the ones that are oily), or Vichy’s Calming Cleansing Solution. For my face I like Pond’s Cold Cream, baby wipes, or Vichy’s Calming Cleansing Solution. Then after all of that I use my Clarisonic Mia 2 with my cleanser to get the rest off.

Lola Avatar

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Cleansing Oil to remove the makeup/sunscreen and then Cetaphil Oily Skin/Gentle Cleanser to remove the excess dirt! I’m so tired of using Cetaphil though, might try to venture 🙂

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