When it comes to long-lasting makeup, many of us have a love-hate relationship with the smudge-proof products that take us from nine to way-beyond-five.

The last time we tried to remove our budge-proof liquid lipstick, we found it impossible to swipe off all the traces of the impressively immovable formula -- even after a significant amount of scrubbing with the best makeup removers and showering!

And it's not just liquid lipsticks that are a total b!*ch to get off. Gel manicures, eyelash extensions, even waterproof mascara all fall into that category. Whether it's removing makeup or a semi-permanent treatment that you love up until that distinct moment when you want it gone, the removal process can be time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes even painful.

That's why we've rounded up these genius hacks to remove even the most stubborn makeup at home. We talked to experts and trolled the Internet for hours to find the best makeup remover tricks and hacks. Here's how to remove waterproof makeup and every other tenacious treatment that lasts longer than we want it to.

Image via Imaxtree

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.

Liquid lipsticks are some of the best long-lasting lipsticks on the market, which also makes them one of the hardest lip products to remove. No matter how much you scrub, many long-wear formulas leave an unattractive stain behind. Rubbing your lips raw with makeup remover can leave lips too chapped to wear lipstick the next day. The fix? Petroleum jelly. Applying a bit of Vaseline helps remove lipstick while moisturizing the skin underneath.

Step 1: Apply Vaseline to your lips, and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 2: Take a warm washcloth and wipe your lips in a gentle, circular motion.
Step 3: Rinse the washcloth and repeat until all of the lip color is gone.
Step 4: Apply a moisturizing balm or another layer of Vaseline on your lips.

Gel manicures can last up to four weeks, but once it's time to switch up your color, you'll have to make another appointment with your salon to get your mani removed. Removing the gel requires soaking your nails in 100 percent acetone, which isn't readily available in stores (tip: you may be able to find it in a hardware store). While it's recommended you remove gel manicures at the salon, if you want to save the $15, Beth Fricke, manicure artist for OPI with ArtistsbyTimothyPriano.com, shares how to remove gel manicures at home.

Step 1: Soak a cotton ball with acetone.
Step 2: Place the cotton on the nail and wrap each finger in aluminum foil, which will soften the gel lacquer. Leave on for 5 minutes. Alternatively, Fricke also loves CND Shellac Remover Wraps, $3.99, which are cotton pads that have adhesive tabs so that all you have to do is soak them in acetone and wrap them around your nails.
Step 3: Remove the cotton and foil, and scrape off softened gel with a birchwood stick.
Step 4: If the surface of your nail is rough, gently buff the nail.
Step 5: Apply a nail strengthener, then generously apply cuticle oil to the nails and cuticles. We recommend CND SolarOil, $7.99.

While Samira Asemanfar, founder of Bellacures, says this process can be drying, it's a far better option then peeling off the gel polish. "For the love of nails, do not peel them off!" she says. "While it seems like an easy way to remove the gel layer, without soaking them in acetone, you'll end up peeling off the first layer of your nail bed as well, which will severely weaken your nails."

Eyelash extensions should fall out naturally after two weeks, but inevitably one or two stubborn lashes hold on. Yanking them out is not only painful, it will also cause you to pull out your natural lashes along with the fake ones. Instead, try loosening the lash glue at home with this trick:

Step 1: Wash your face, avoiding your eye area.
Step 2: Fill a bowl with boiling hot water, place your face over it, and cover your head with a large towel. Keep your face above the steamy water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Dip a cotton pad in olive oil and gently swipe your lashline, which will encourage the extensions to slide right off.