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Rant & Rave: Eye Makeup Remover

This Week’s Topic: EYE MAKEUP REMOVER!

Your Mission: Tell us what you love, hate, or are otherwise indifferent to about eye makeup remover.  Do you use them all the time?  What are your favorites (or least favorites)?

104 Comments

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tracy Avatar

my favourite eye make up remover is the boots botanicals eye make up remover, its half oil so you have to shake it to activate it, but its so gentle, i tried the lancome one bi facil or something like that but it stung so bad. the boots one it dirt cheap too.

Emily Avatar

it took me forever to find one that didn’t cost a fortune that worked, but i’m a big fan of lumene’s sensitive touch (oil-free) eye makeup remover. rimmel’s is pretty great too.

Staci Avatar

I usually use makeup remover wipes because I feel like most eye makeup removers leave oily residue. If it’s right before I was my face though, I love Dermalogica PreCleanse.

Icegirl75 Avatar

I love MAC oily remover only for eyes, because then dont leave it oily. I hate the bobbi brown oily remover, then hurt my eyes…
I would like to find a cheapest eye makeup remover that works great as MAC..

Mary Avatar

Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil is my all time favourite, though it’s not really just an eye makeup remover — it can be used all over the face. Seriously, it’s the best I’ve ever tried. It just ‘melts off’ all the makeup, dirt, and grime off your face.

LOVE it!

Lindsay @ A Walk in the Closet Avatar

I almost exclusively use waterproof mascara as it holds the curl better on my Asian lashes…so makeup remover for waterproof makeup is a must for me.

I’ve tried the Maybelline one (I believe it’s pink?) and it was WAYY too oily. I felt like I was just rubbing pure oil on my face! My favourite used to be Lancome Bifacil but it’s about $35 after tax in Canada. I’ve discovered Neutrogrena’s gentle eye makeup remover and it works just as well for a fraction of the price!

Emily Avatar

Love: How quickly they take off my eye makeup – including longwear eyeliners!

Hate: That some of them sting my eyes, even though they aren’t sensitive and the oily/filmy feeling they leave behind.

Faves: Clinique TTDO for Lids, Lashes, and Lips.

Randelle Avatar

I have to use eye make up remover in lotion form! I can’t stand the oily ones. I feel like the greasy feeling is left on my skin for hours! I change the brand around often but I usually default to neutrogena all-in-one makeup remover

Brittni Avatar

I have yet to find a makeup remover that doesn’t irritate my eyes or leave an oily film and that works! It’s been terrible, so I’ve had to settle for generic remover wipes. I prefer wipes because they are much more convenient, but all of them irritate my eyes.

Ruby Avatar

Eye makeup remover is a must if i’m wearing makeup, my favorite so far is L’Oréal Revitalift, it removes absolutely everything, they also come with the plastic lid that closes real tight so the makeup wipes don’t dry.

The worst is the NIVEA visage gentle cleansing wipes, they used to be good but now even brand new they’re kind of dry and hardly remove makeup, also the stick top thing doesn’t close well so the wipes dry out real fast you end up throwing almost 3/4 of the wipes because you can’t use them anymore so a total waste of money.

Another good product to remove makeup (as well as waterproof mascara) is the Body shop liquid makeup remover, only downside is that you go through it very fast since it’s liquid and you can’t really control the amount and end up wasting a lot of product!

Clau Avatar

Wow!!! i’m in a quest for an eye make up remover!

Loved this R&R!! Based on the comments I’ll try the Neutrogena! But was about to try the “The Body Shop” waterproof eye makeup remover….. anyone tried arleady??? Is it worthy!!???

Audrey Avatar

I’ve tried both, and I like the Neutrogena far better. The Body Shop one (in liquid form, haven’t tried the cream one) doesn’t work on my waterproof mascara. I’ve been using the Neutrogena for a few years, and it works well on my super-sensitive skin!

JoleneAL Avatar

I use Neutragena makeup remover wipes. Even on WP Mascara and Stila Smudge liners, it breaks them up and wipes them away. I use them on my whole face and I do not feel like its leaving anything on my face.

lacey Avatar

i believe it is neutragina, it comes in like a purple bottle.. AWESOME!!!!! i’m a contact wearer, so certain products, like the wet’n’wild one suck and sting!!!!

Sabine Ammann Avatar

As I take my makeup off before washing my face I use olive oil, the same kind I use in the kitchen. Works great! If I’m too tired to wash my face with cleanser etc. I use Soap and Glory’s Face Off wipes. They get everything off and I don’t feel like I have to wash any residue off:)

Adrienne Avatar

I’ve been using body shop for as long as I can remember and that was fine until I started using gel liners and UD pencils so I had to switch to MAC cleanse off oil which works far better and leaves my skin soft but I stil have to go in with a qtip to get the rest off and it gets in my contacts so I have to rinse my eyeballs out. Maybe I’ll try something else next bottle!

Sarah Avatar

Even with tubing mascaras which can be removed using warm water I still use eye makeup remover. I like to make sure it’s all gone before I use a cleanser to remove my face makeup. Like a few of the other ladies here I love Clinique’s Take The Day Off because it easily slips off even stubborn eye makeup!

Coraline Avatar

Lancome’s eye makeup remover is the bomb. I’d gotten it in my eyes by accident before and it didn’t sting.

They usually give out a small bottle with all their free gift promotions too 🙂

CJ Avatar

Still trying to find something that really works for me! I don’t like the ones that are oily, but on the other hand, if they’re too ‘dry’ my eyes feels sore after. Also, I’m prone to lose eyelashes, so that’s a concern as well. I’m liking makeup wipes at the moment – and luckily got a bunch for free, but I feel like they’re more expensive than regular make-up remover.

Sarah Avatar

I love to use olive oil to take off all of my make up, including my eye makeup. I also like to use make up wipes, like the ones from Neutrogena, then take off the rest of my eye make up with a gentle cleanser when I wash my face. I don’t wear waterproof mascara too often so I don’t need anything too grand.

Salome Avatar

I love using any make up remover that has evening primrose oil in it, like MAC Cleanse Off, but I also use cheaper products and they work just as well.

Jasmine Avatar

I just posted a similar comment to Christine’s formspring, please know that using oil based eye makeup remover disrupts the lipid portion of your tear film, which is important for retarding the evaporation of your tears that keeps your eyes moist and clean. If you are concerned about the health of your eyes, then use a water based remover and I would recommend this for anyone who experiences dry eye or wears contacts (I am in Optometry school and thought I might pass on what I have learnt). If you are using oil and your eyes are not dry then by all means continue 🙂 what works for you, works for you.

XO Avatar

Thank you Jasmine! That makes sense…I have dry eyes and jojoba oil would leave my eyes drier…stung a bit too. Olive oil seems to work just fine on me though and not dry out my eyes.

Amanda Avatar

When I have to use any, I use Lancome Bi-Facil, but honestly I really dislike ALL make up removers. I just avoid them by using tubing mascara and a good powerful facewash.

Lee Avatar

The Sonia Kushak eye make-up remover at Target is a great Bi-Facil dupe. Super gentle and the eye make-up comes off so easily.

I used to use oils and my eyes would be so greasy. This stuff works so much better.

Lindsey D Avatar

I second this, it’s the one I currently use.

It feels a little oily going on, but it works pretty well and only stings a touch if you get it actually in your eye (oops).

condesa Avatar

well, I use a dupe of Lancome Bi facil (Bi Facil is great but at 28 Euros a bittle, that lasts me less than a month, I needed to find a cheaper alternative). My alternative si Yves Rocher Express Eye Makeup remover: effective, mild with your eyes and as good as Lancome’s. And for a fraction of the price. as a side noter. i use eye makeuop remover foe the eyes but also for the face – instead of oil – it cleanses so thoroughly! that’s the reason for a bottle lasts me not more than 3 weeks…..

Nicole Avatar

I’m currently using “Yes to Cucumbers” facial towelettes. I love it because it doesn’t sting. I also have Almay waterproof eye makeup remover and I absolutely hate it. It leaves a layer of oil on my skin.

I prefer towelettes, I think they are much gentler and don’t remove precious eyelashes!

Bonnie Avatar

Those Yes to Cucumbers wipes are great! Most other facial wipes give me a red, bumpy rash all over my face, and the YTC ones don’t. But I usually just use them for when I have a lot of makeup all over, not just on my eyes… it would be nice if they made little ones just for the eyes.

Tiffany H. Avatar

I like the Neutrogena wipes in the blue package and the Clean & Clear calming eye makeup remover (liquid). I despise the Ponds wipes. They are so dry and they don’t remove anything!

Shannon Ikerd Avatar

I like Lancome Bi-Facil, but it is so expensive, I’ve only ever had one of those small trial sizes that come in a gift with purchase. But, what I hate about others is the oily residue that they can leave behind.

LSJ92 Avatar

The best I’ve tried is the Bioderma SensiBio H2O! It removes the make up perfectly and especially waterproof mascara. And it also doesn’t irritate the skin or the eyes. Absolutely best buy ever

Futuralon Avatar

Here’s another vote for oil! I used jojoba oil but after running out I use either straight olive oil or a olive/castor oil combo. I only ever remove makeup at the end of the day when I wash my whole face but in that context, it’s great. Let oil soak in while you start your shower and use a wet washcloth to wipe the oil and dirt/makeup away.

romina Avatar

I HAVE VERY SENSITIVE EYES… I HAD USE MAC, NEUTROGENA, LANCOME, CLINIQUE, OLAY.. ETC… ALL OF THEM EXECPT FOR CLINIQUE, WOULD LEAVE MY EYE LIDS ON FIRE… BUT I FINALLY FOUND THE PERFECT ONE… CLINIQUE IS ABOUT 17DLS. (EXPENSIVE FOR ME AND I’LL RATHER BUY AN EYE SHADOW WITH THAT MONEY) SO I AM GLAD TO SAY THE THE EQUATE OIL FREE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER WORKS WONDERS AND IT DOESN’T LEAVE MY EYELIDS BURNING…ALTHOUGH I HAVE TO SAY IT KIND OF LEAVES AN OILY RESIDUE, BUT IT SAYS IN THE DIRECTIONS TO RINSE WITH WARM WATER AFTER USING IT. EQUATE IS A WALMART HOUSE BRAND AND THE PRICE LOL… LESS THAN 5 DLS!!!)

Sara Avatar

MUFE SenEyes is the best for me. I only need a droplet and it never irritates me. The worst ever for me was Neutrogena. My eyelashes were falling out in clumps!

helen Avatar

MUFE Sens’Eyes without question. Creamy texture, no burning, no rubbing just melts the eye make up away. A little pricey but worth it (IMO).

AnGeLwInGz Avatar

I need to use eye makeup remover because my beloved 24/7 pencils are a bitch to remove. My fave is Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover because it doesn’t irritate my eyes, it’s affordable, and works just as well as high-end brands.

Lisa Avatar

My favourite is Lancome Bi-facil but it is costly so I’ve been hunting down for a cheaper alternative. My least favourite is Boots No7 eye make up remover!
I want to try out the Boots Botanicals and Bioderma one since I’ve heard such good things about it 🙂

Amy Avatar

My favorite eye make-up remover of all time is the clean and clear one, it always gets all my waterproof mascara off, and it very gentle on my eyes, love love loveeee this remover!!

Mariella Avatar

ARGH – working on DH’s laptop and accidentally deleted my comment.
Hate ones that I have to rinse off because if I’m just changing my eye makeup, the rinsing afterward messes up my whole makeup (water streaks in my blush and foundation, etc.) Still, I do like Clinique’s Rinse Off Solvent because it works quickly and well and doesn’t sting. I also like their bi-phase Take The Day Off (but you need to wash – not just rinse – after using that if you want to reapply eye makeup) and I really like Clarins’s Gentle Eye Makeup Remover…it works well and is really gentle and NO rinsing required. I didn’t used to use eye makeup remover religiously til a few years ago when I started wearing more eye shadow and more pigmented shadows and also using primers to make them last longer. A lot of those don’t come off with regular cleansers.

JaiLee Avatar

I use the Dior Cleansing water with Lily extract, MAC makeup wipes, Neutrogena makeup wipes (purple package), YES makeup wipes, and L’oreal Makeup remover for waterproof makeup.

Simply Avatar

I love the Neutrogena eyemakeup remover. I actually started off using the Lancome equivalent but the Neutrogena one was much cheaper and worked just as well! The worse one I’ve tried was the Maybelline eye makeup remover. It did remove my waterproof mascara and felt like using water would have worked just the same..

catherine Avatar

for eye mu only – MUFE Sens Eyes is the best!! Takes off stubborn cake el, gel el, wp mascara – no tugging/pulling. Quick quick. Bonus is this blue lotion lasts so much longer than any prior lotion or liquid I’ve used before.

I do use a cleanse oil, so many times this gets off eye mu well also.

Diane Avatar

I use Lancome Bi-facil every evening. It is extremely gentle as I have sensitive skin. It will remove the most stubborn and impossible waterproof makeup quickly. I use Milaini waterproof eyeliner as it is the only one that stays on me. It isn’t oily and doesn’t blur my eyes after use. I have tried many different brands and have found that a lot of them are oily or don’t do the job. Love this one!

Dionne Avatar

I LOVE IT! It’s a necessity for me & the dramatic eye looks I create. I’m a fan of Lancome’s ‘Bi-Facil’ Double-Action Eye & Estee Lauder’s.

Carolanne Avatar

I love Pond’s Cold Cream. I’ve gone through several tubs of this, and I actually can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve used something else. Removes all my eye makeup, even waterproof mascara. Then I just rinse it off, and no oily feeling nor tight feeling. Cheap, too, and one tub lasts quite a while. Love<3

Bonnie Avatar

I really like Almay’s oil-free eye makeup remover pads. They are very, very gentle on my eyes and don’t leave a residue.
They’re small and thin, so sometimes I have to use two per eye if I have a LOT of eye makeup on, but I don’t see that as a problem.

S.D. Avatar

I’ve tried SO many and I have to say for me CHANEL is the best one. It is quite expensive but it seems to be the only one that completely removes ALL of my eyemakeup and dosen’t sting or burn. I’ve tried other alternatives, but I always end up wasting money and going back to this one. Now that i’ve read about the Boots one, perhaps I will cross my fingers and give that one a go…. 🙂

winni Avatar

Olive oil on cotton pads! Dissolves my waterproof makeup like a dream, moisturizes and feels nice. Then I follow up with Origins Cleansing oil to remove all my face makeup. I have combo/oily skin and this works great!

LM Avatar

use: try to use if I’m wearing anything longwear, liner, face primer, multiple layers or silicones which all resist coming off completely with regular cleanser

brand recs–
clinique is good but oily IMO
EL TIA or GE remove makeup and if you follow with splash away it really cleans completely. favorite non-oily is caudalie cleansing water which never burns my eyes and never oily and saves my facecloths since you toss the cotton. cheap quickie: love the pond’s clean sweep for getting it all off and no burning and doesn’t have to be rinsed to feel really clean.

(if broke, neutrogena bar cleans really well and rinses completely)

Sarah Avatar

I have tried many removers but I just use a CVS brand baby wipe. Takes off everything but traces of gel liner. Also removes mineral sunscreen, easily.

Krisabelle Avatar

I agree! I’ve tried both water-based and oil-based removers, cold cream, etc. and the only thing that works that doesn’t bother my eyes is unscented baby wipes! You can get a refill pack containing a whopping 792 wipes for $13.69 @ Target! I’ve never heard of using olive oil before! I rarely use waterproof make up but if I do, I might give that a try!

Mimi Avatar

I actually don’t mind the oily residue of makeup removers. I don’t like olive oil as much because I find that it doesn’t remove waterproof makeup as easily as it does other things. I’m going to try the jojoba oil that everyone seems to be so fond of!

I really like Lancome’s but I agree it is ridiculously expensive~ I find that the Sephora brand works just as well.

I have a to try list though: Clinique’s Take the Day Off balm and MAC’s Cleanse Off oil

PoetrysTruth Avatar

I use philosophy purity. I simply rub a bit on my eye (no water) let it set for about 30 seconds or so and it works really well to melt the make up away. I’ve been using it for a year now and like it. A little goes a long way.

Krista Avatar

I HATE greasy or oily eye makeup removers! The worst feeling ever is to have some of that get in your eyes & everything looks like it’s underwater. Yuck

Amanda Avatar

I use Avon’s Moisture Effective Hydra efficace, it’s not my favorite but for 99Cents can’t complain. It does it’s job, just keep it away from your eyes, it stings something fierce.

Lauren Avatar

I’ve been using Boots eye make up remover and really like it, you get a LOT of product too. Works well, doesn’t irritate, is all natural, no oily residue. I’ve used Clinique too and that one is nice if you use it sparingly because I feel it can get oily. I think the Almay remover is good as well, used the pads for a long time.

I’m interested in trying the Sonia Kashuk remover and jojoba oil, thanks for the ideas!

Valerie Brower Avatar

I love the clinique eye make up remover in the purple bottle I think it’s called take off the day but it’s to expensive to buy all the time so I usually buy the neutrogena one.

Leiris Avatar

I don’t like make up removers that make you work too hard to get it off. I don’t like rubbing my eyes raw. I like a remover that glides the make up off. There is a Target version of a name brand that comes in a clear bottle and is blue, and it hardly removes anything. I do use the Pond’s wipes, but they aren’t that great either, just convenient.
Ones I really like:
Oil of Olay Regenerist make up remover – it is a cream formula and makes it very easy to remove while leaving your skin feeling moisturized
Urban Decay Clean and Sober – it is a gel formula and very gentle and refreshing – it removes their 24/7 liners quite well along with other waterproof makeup
The Body Shop camomile eye make up remover – it is a liquid, and I was very surprised at how well it works. You can remove waterproof make up with great ease, and you don’t have to tug at your eyes so much.

Britt Avatar

I’m a big fan of Estee Lauder’s ‘take it away’ make up remover. Best stuff I’ve never used, doesn’t dry out my skin or make it oily. It doesn’t irritate my skin either, which is obviously one of the most important parts.

nikki c. Avatar

the only remover I’ve tried that doesn’t irritate my eyes is the Mac pro eye makeup remover in the purple bottle. it’s kind of expensive but I only ever use a weensy bit because cetaphil usually takes off pretty much all of my makeup. the half oil ones like bifacil irritate my eyes so
badly it looks like I cried for a good deal of time

Micah Avatar

I use sunflower oil to remove eye makeup. It’s natural, doesnt sting the eyes and dirt cheap! if it leaves an oily residue its ok, it doubles as an eye cream/balm. it works great with dark circles too 🙂

Meghann Avatar

Eye makeup remover is a MUST to ensure that all your makeup from your eye is off and so that you don’t have to wash over and over with soap or cleanser which may lead to staining your washcloth of makeup. I tried a few oils, origins and MAC. Although those are good at getting makeup off over all, it fails at getting everything off your eyes. What I recently discovered got my eye makeup off totally and effortlessly is Make Up Forever Sens Eyes. I got a mini when I bought their mascara online @ Sephora. Their mascara is good but dries out in one month. So the best part of buying that combo was the Sens’ Eyes. Now, I don’t see any makeup from my eyes on my washcloth because Sens’ removes everything.

Jolie Avatar

My HG eye make up remover …Almay’s Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Liquid!!!
Very gentle on eyes, but strong enough to remove waterproof mascara for only $7!

joanne w Avatar

I hate it when it smells horrible and if it easily gets onto my contacts, making me have to take them out and rinse them before putting them back on, to be able to see again. I also hate when it takes too long to remove my make-up cause generally this means that I’ll rub my eyelid pretty raw, Sephora’s blue eye make-up remover is an example of this. My fave of all times is Lancome’s Bi-Facil eye make-up remover! It’s gentle, doesn’t smell bad, conditions my eyelashes, doesn’t get onto my contacts, and removes my waterproof mascara generally quickly. The only problem is with its price -_-‘

Niki Avatar

I use 100% Sweet Almond Oil and I like it better than Jojoba Oil because SAO has natural skin lightening qualities so it works on lightening my hereditary dark under eye circles.

Dimplez Avatar

1st Lancome Bi facil – very gentle on eyes.
2nd Clinique take the day off makeup remover – also removes all those stubborn waterproof mascaras.
3rd Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil is my all time fav. I can also use this for my face. L <3 ve it!

Athena Avatar

So far I really like the MAC Gently Off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover – I’ve tried Bi-Facil as well and although it smells better and leaves less of an oily residue, I feel like it’s too costly (£20 vs £13.50) to justify repurchase… feel like the MAC one does the job just as well as long as i let it soak in a little longer. Trouble is I’m using a lancome hypnose waterproof mascara which is nearly impossible to remove!

What kind of jojoba oil removers do you use – are there any available in Boots?

Also, my mom went for an eye operation a while back and they used this solution to cleanse her eyes of all the makeup before they started – she told me afterwards that all the nurses swore by it as a make up remover, since it’s gentle, and since it’s used for operations it removes every trace of makeup, plus it’s cheap! Can’t remember what it’s called though, anyone have any idea?

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