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How to remove waterproof mascara

Remove Waterproof Mascara
PHOTO: ©iStockphoto.com/selensergen

Waterproof mascara can be a challenge to remove. If you’re not careful, you might end up pulling out precious lashes, irritating the skin around your eyes, or even developing an eye infection. To keep your peepers healthy and lashes clean, follow these easy steps to remove even the most stubborn waterproof mascara.

The Easiest Way to Remove Mascara

The easiest (but not necessarily ideal) way to remove waterproof mascara is simply to use a good facial cleanser (try Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleansericon, $7.50 or Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleansericon, $6.59). Gently massage the cleanser in a circular motion over your eyes and lashes and then rinse well.

The problem with this method? If you get even a small amount of cleanser in your eyes, it’s going to sting. Furthermore, these kinds of cleansers tend to dry out both your lashes and the skin around your eyes. In particular, those with very sensitive skin or eyes are likely to find this method of removing mascara to be too harsh.

Whether or not this method works well for you, there is a gentler, yet still effective, way to remove waterproof eye makeup.

Makeup Moxie’s Preferred Method for Removing Waterproof Mascara

What you’ll need:

Once you’ve got everything you need, follow these steps to remove even the most smudge-resistant mascara:

  1. Saturate a cotton ball with eye makeup remover.
  2. Close your eye and position the cotton ball on the bottom side of your lashes (the side where you’ve applied mascara). Once the cotton ball is underneath your lashes, apply gentle pressure so that the underside of your lashes are pressed against the cotton ball.
  3. Continue to hold the cotton ball against your lashes for about 10-20 seconds without moving it. Doing this allows the makeup remover to do its job and start dissolving the mascara.
  4. Begin to slowly move the cotton ball up the length of your lashes. Minimize tugging by always “wiping” your lashes in the same direction.
  5. Continue to gently wipe the undersides of your lashes with the cotton ball and then check your progress in the mirror. If you still have a lot of mascara left on your lashes, you’ll need to repeat the above steps until your lashes are clean. If you find it difficult to remove the last bits of mascara from the base of your eyelashes, dip a Q-Tip into the makeup remover and use it to gently “scrub” the roots of your lashes.
  6. After repeating these steps on your other eye, use a gentle face cleanser to remove any last traces of makeup and any oily residue that may be left behind by your makeup remover. Be sure to rinse well with plenty of lukewarm water.

Though it’s more time-consuming than other methods, the steps above allow you to remove even the most stubborn mascara with minimal tugging or stress on your lashes. Most importantly, properly removing mascara greatly lessens the risk of eye infection while reducing lash breakage and keeping your flirt fringe in tip-top shape.

More: Beauty Secrets | Eyelashes .

DISCUSSION:

  

29 comments so far...

  • 1 Katie // Oct 20, 2008 at 8:23 am

    I will forever be a fan of straight olive oil as a makeup remover. I started using it to remove my actors’ makeup in a haunted house years ago. And now it’s all I use at home as well. Long-wear lipstick, water-proof mascara, etc. all come off without the least bit of scrubbing and there is no drying effect. And it’s cheap!

  • 2 Janina // Nov 5, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    I am a firm believer in Mary Kay’s Eye Make-Up Remover. I have used it for years and no matter what kind of mascara I use (esp. water-proof) and how much…it always works. I use a very similar technique to what is listed above, only I don’t use cotton balls as they seem to soak up too much of the remover. I use cotton squares and fold them in half, then I put the remover on the fold and gently remove the makeup from my eyelashes with that.

  • 3 Karley // Nov 19, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    Katie,

    I do what you do in some respects. I use a handmade blend of natural oils–safflower, argan, evening primrose, castor and rice bran. As a former aesthetician (pre-kids) and skincare business owner, this is indeed very safe and will not harm your eyes. Olive oil is perfectly safe for the eyes and is natural while being free of chemicals.

    I apply to a 100% cotton pad soaked lightly in the oil. I moisten the lids with tepid water and place the pads gently on to my lids.I let the oil draw the makeup from my eyes and lashes. I then take a baby washcloth satured in warm water to gently blot off the residue.

  • 4 Christine // Nov 28, 2008 at 1:31 pm

    Count another fan of natural oils here! But my choice is jojoba. It has unique properties that make it the most compatible oil with skin (and hair). It’s light and smooth – less heavy than other oils, since it’s actually a liquid wax. It’s also non-comodogenic (good for those who are blemish prone just below the eyes or at the sides of the nose, where some oil/remover may reach).
    I’ve used nothing else for eye makeup remover since my teens. Gets off stubborn eye make-up easily. Leaves the eye area soft and moisturised. Doesn’t sting.

  • 5 eye liner // Dec 25, 2008 at 8:50 am

    olive oil is probably the safest way.

  • 6 Angie // Dec 30, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    I like to use jojoba oil, it works really well, and it moisturizes your skin and lashes, which is also a nice plus!

  • 7 Pooky // Feb 24, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    I have never tried olive oil – what a great idea especially since I have olive oil face wash and night cream. I have been using a remover made by Marcelle, it is the same as the Lancome Bi-facil, but 1/3 the price.

  • 8 miss // Mar 14, 2009 at 11:01 am

    i’ve heard that sonia kashuk is a great makeup remover and it doesn’t test on animals which is a bonus for me

  • 9 Jennifer // Mar 24, 2009 at 12:28 am

    Has anyone tried sesame oil? Does it make your skin around your eyes puff?

  • 10 Lynne // Apr 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    I started using baby shampoo……….gentle, no sting and very cheap. I also use a light olive oil to cleanse my face!

  • 11 OrganizedMommy // Jun 7, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    As someone who wears contacts, I can’t do cotton balls…. they seem to always leave cotton fibers near my eyes that wreak havoc later. I’m a kleenex girl – with Cover Girl’s eye makeup remover. But I may have to try the olive oil!

  • 12 zimri // Jun 9, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    i dont use anything jaja

  • 13 workinghardatit // Nov 23, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    vaseline a dab takes of eye make up. as well as serves as a great hint of pizaaz when applying eye make up for night wear. Also, vaseline a dot; keeps the eyeshadow from going other places, like beneath the eye upon shadow application. bye to eyeshadow falling on cheeks bones .

  • 14 Spicy // Dec 18, 2010 at 10:01 am

    I use baby oil to remove my mascara, it works well, it’s cheap, and it conditions my eyelashes at the same time.

  • 15 Heidi // Mar 4, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Do not use baby oil. Baby oil is comprised of mineral oil and furthers our dependence on foreign oil and finite resources.

  • 16 Jen // Apr 4, 2011 at 9:30 am

    Thanks for the tips. My 2 year old decided to get into my mascara. Wipes don’t work. I’m going to try the olive oil!

  • 17 Amanda // Apr 12, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    I heard that baby oil can be harmful to kids as well… I’ll try jojoba…seems like a good option.

  • 18 Jessica // Apr 29, 2011 at 9:29 am

    My three year old played in mine as well and put it on his baby brother, so were in the same boat and all of this help as well! Im going to try olive oil and baby shampoo.

    Baby oil can be harmful for kids???? Thats who its made for!

  • 19 shirley // May 24, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    Vaseline and baby oil come from petroleum by product. Olive oil sounds great its been used for years in european countries. Hey now…lets talk what is waterproof or any type of mascara made from LOL!

  • 20 Adriana // Jun 27, 2011 at 9:15 am

    Are eye make up removers bad for the eyes? Should I always rinse my eyes after using one?

  • 21 Diane // Aug 4, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I have been using petroleum jelly (Vaseline) for years. This works really great on regular mascara. The waterproof variety is a little harder to remove but petroleum jelly still works, is cheap, and easy with some good quality facial tissue or toilet paper. (I don’t like cotton balls for the fibres that inevidibly end up on your eyeballs)

  • 22 dianna // Dec 14, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    I would advise against using any paper products around the eye or on the face at all. Paper fibers are wood and not good for the skin. The little 100% cotton pads are the best and I too agree with olive oil or jojoba

  • 23 Cindy // Dec 27, 2011 at 6:54 am

    Was just checking different websites for removing stubborn waterproof mascara and found all these wonderful tips. I will try olive oil for sure!

  • 24 eyes // Dec 28, 2011 at 10:30 am

    Where does one get jojoba oil?

  • 25 April // Feb 1, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    I have some mascara that is SO difficult to remove! Not even waterproof eye makeup remover works! Does anyone know how I can get this stuff off my eyes? I also have sensitive eyes too. Certain types of makeup and removers make my eyes puffy and watery.

  • 26 Elena // Feb 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I hope this works for eyeliner as well.
    I am for sure trying the olive oil.
    Thanks anyways!

  • 27 Shruti // Feb 14, 2012 at 9:14 am

    thanks for all your inputs…will definitely try to use olive oil next time I use the waterproof mascara. Thanks again.

  • 28 Mary // Apr 6, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Thanks for the olive oil tip. It totally worked when my Clinique Eye Makeup Remover didn’t work… And Cetaphil cleanser didn’t work either, but olive oil on a tiny cotton square worked! Thanks again!!

  • 29 Audrey // Apr 12, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    I just use olive oil that I cook with and it really works, very fast. I take a few drops on my finger and gently rub it on my eye lid and then use a cotton ball to remove it, and it is gone!!!!!!

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