Makeup

Are You Really Removing All of Your Makeup?

If you're waking up with raccoon eyes or lipstick smear, discover the best ways to keep your makeup from crawling into bed with you

by Erica Smith | COMMENT

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Yes, You Need to Wash Twice There's no way around it -- to successfully remove makeup, you need to physically wash it off in the sink. Makeup remover wipes work well in a pinch, but they'll only get you halfway there. According to King, they should, at the most, be seen as the first step of a two-step nightly ritual (aka, the "double cleanse"). The first step in a double cleanse is a "pre cleanser" oil. "Many people shy away from using oil on their skin, but with the right product, it can make tremendous improvements," King says. Namely, it's the best ingredient to gently and thoroughly remove dirt, pollution, makeup and sunscreen that's been building up on your skin.

When picking a cleansing oil, steer clear of lanolin, mineral oil and heavy fragrances. Instead, look for products that contain olive oil, like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, $28, and apricot kernel oil and kukui nut oil, like Urban Decay Melt Down Makeup Remover, $24, and Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil, $44. Use the pads of your fingers to apply the oil over your entire face in circular motions. Let it sit for 30 seconds, then add warm water to emulsify -- the product should turn silky and easily whisk away.

If the thought of using oil to remove makeup freaks you out (here are 9 reasons why it shouldn't) dip a toe in with Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, $29, a solid balm that transforms into an oil once emulsified with water.

For part two of your double cleanse, cleanse as usual with a cleanser that caters to your skin type, whether that's dryness, sensitivity, hyperpigmentation or acne. The second cleanse allows for a deeper cleaning and gets rid of any leftover dirt and makeup remover.

SEE NEXT PAGE: How to Remove Makeup Naturally

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