Beauty Tips

7 Genius Hacks for Removing the Most Stubborn Makeup

Glitter nail polish. Eyelash extensions. Waterproof mascara. All fun to wear -- all a nightmare to take off. Here's how to remove makeup and other beauty treatments that are notoriously a pain in the you-know-where to remove

by Sharon J. Yi

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How to Remove Waterproof Mascara Since the mascara is waterproof, use the opposite of water: oil. Oil breaks down the waterproof properties in your mascara, helping it slide off your lashes without too much scrubbing. Makeup artist Stella Kae says, "I only use oils on a cotton pad to remove waterproof makeup. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, $36, is my favorite, but in a pinch olive or almond oil will do." She also says to steer clear of baby oil, which is made from petroleum, a gasoline byproduct that you don't want so close to your eyes.

Step 1: Saturate a cotton pad with the oil of your choice.
Step 2: Close your eyes, and place the cotton pad underneath your lashes, then apply gentle pressure so that the underside of your lashes are pressed against the pad.
Step 3: Hold the lashes there for about 10 to 20 seconds, which allows the oil time to dissolve the mascara.
Step 4: Gently swipe the lashes with the pad until the mascara slides off. Finish by rinsing with a gentle face cleanser.

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Older comments

Interesting tips!

by robyne00 Friday, April 12, 2013 at 02:33PM Report as inappropriate

Is there anything vaseline can't remove?

by schien Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 03:11PM Report as inappropriate

Great tips! Waterproof mascara is such a pain! And I hate paying the fee just to get my Shellac removed in the salon. And I'm about to get eyelash extensions, so I'm glad I read this first!

by Erin4 Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 11:20AM Report as inappropriate

cold cream rules

by LittleBunny Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 05:53PM Report as inappropriate

love love love love cold cream!

by rayshaviolet Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 04:31PM Report as inappropriate

cold cream, even from the dollar store, removes all eye makeup including WP, in a flash AND moisturizes. A winner.

by veryvanilla Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 08:56AM Report as inappropriate

Good tips

by EricaC123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 06:32AM Report as inappropriate

I wish there was a tip to remove liquid foundation before cleansing the skin.

by springsblue Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 08:26AM Report as inappropriate

nice tips!

by teema Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 01:29AM Report as inappropriate

Ick, I hate cold cream! After using it, I needed to wash my face multiple times to get all of THAT stuff off. I haven't tried the glitter nail polish trick but I need to.

by LipglossandSpandex Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 09:12PM Report as inappropriate