How to Remove Waterproof Mascara – Powerful long-wearing mascaras are a girl’s best friend…but the removal process can be intensely annoying. Our waterproof mascara comes off in painful, smudgy fashion when we want it most- at a pool party or a hot date. Well, today my friends I share with you the best ways to remove waterproof mascara.
Waterproof mascara is the best choice if you’re looking at long-lasting mascara, but is equally challenging to remove. Waterproof mascara offers several notable benefits over traditional mascara including the ability to add volume as well as length to your eyelashes to make them look bigger. Whether you’re at the beach or drenched on a rainy day, waterproof mascara will last for a long period of time owing to its ingredients particularly isododecane, which is responsible for that long-lasting effect.
Table of Contents
Method 1 – Remove Waterproof Mascara easily with Cotton Balls
Things you will need
- Makeup pads, cotton balls or q-tips (baby wipes will also work just fine)
- Makeup remover
Steps to Remove Waterproof Mascara Easily
- Wet the cotton ball with makeup remover
- Next, close your eyes and place the cotton ball below your eyelashes.
- Apply pressure gently on your eyelashes from above so that they are pressed down on the cotton ball.
- Take note that mascara must be removed gently to avoid getting it in your eyes, which may cause an eye infection.
- Leave in place for approximately 20 seconds and the mascara will start dissolving.
- For this step, gently slide the cotton ball while still holding down on your eyelashes in one direction and without any tugging.
- Check your progress in the mirror to ensure all the waterproof mascara has come off. If you still see some stubborn waterproof mascara, gently continue to wipe the undersides of your eyelashes until all the mascara comes off.
- Now dip a q-tip in the makeup remover solution to remove waterproof mascara from the bottom of your eyelashes.
- Now that you’ve removed the mascara, use a gentle face cleanser to remove any residue and last traces of waterproof mascara, and rinse your face with lukewarm water.
- Finally, moisturize your face with a good moisturizer as make up remover tends to dry out skin.
Method 2 – Remove Waterproof Mascara with Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is probably the most cost-effective and easy way to remove waterproof mascara. To do so, simply use your fingers to coat your eyelashes with petroleum jelly. After approximately five minutes, remove the petroleum jelly with a cotton ball or pad dipped in warm water gently without allowing it to get to your eyes.
Method 3 – Remove Waterproof Mascara with Baby Oil
Baby oil proves handy in a wide range of situations including removing waterproof mascara. Although this is an effective way to remove waterproof mascara, you must be careful as it contains petroleum, which may be harmful to your eyes. To get started, take a cotton ball with a little bit of baby oil on it and position it on the bottom of your eyelashes and wipe your eyelashes gently in a single direction without tugging. As an alternative, you can also use baby shampoo to remove waterproof mascara, but make sure you use the no tear formula so that you don’t hurt your eyes.
Method 4 – Remove Waterproof Mascara with Olive Oil
There are several different uses of olive oil, and it is an excellent way to remove waterproof mascara. First, you need to wet your eyelids by simply splashing them gently with water. Next, put a few drops of olive oil on a piece of cotton and gently press it on your eyelashes. Leave it in place for approximately a minute and slowly wipe it away. Now, wash your face with lukewarm water to complete the process. A noteworthy benefit of olive oil is that it can be used to remove other face makeup, and simultaneously keeps your skins look great.
Method 5 – Remove Mascara with Coconut Oil
You can use coconut oil in the same way as olive oil to remove waterproof mascara. Coconut oil has some strong properties so you only need to hold the cotton ball in place for 30 seconds rather than a minute.
Take note that regardless of the method you use to remove waterproof mascara, it is important to wash your face thoroughly preferably with lukewarm water. Also, don’t forget to apply a good moisturizer to combat dry skin, which may result from makeup removers.
Method 6 – Using Commercial Products
- Use an eye makeup remover. There are many products on the market that are specifically designed to remove waterproof mascara. A good waterproof eye makeup remover will remove all vestiges of mascara quickly, safely and effectively. If you wear waterproof mascara a lot, investing in a good remover is definitely worth it.
- Opt for an oil-based eye makeup remover, which will be more effective on waterproof makeup.
- Always use hypoallergenic products, even if your skin is not sensitive. The ingredients in hypoallergenic products tend to be less harmful to your skin.
- Go for a well-known brand such as Lancôme, Clarins, Elizabeth Arden, etc. The quality will be higher, and thus less likely to irritate your eyes.
- Use a cotton swab or pad to apply the makeup remover. Close your eyelids and rest the pad on top of your eyelashes for a few seconds. Then wipe down, towards the lash tips. Repeat, using fresh pads as needed until all products are removed and a fresh pad comes away clean.
- Use baby shampoo. Baby shampoo can be effective in the removal of waterproof mascara. Baby shampoos are usually fairly safe to use around the sensitive eye area, as most brands are color and fragrance free, and are hypoallergenic.
- Use only a very small amount of baby shampoo and apply it onto your eyelashes with a damp cotton ball. Avoid getting any baby shampoo directly in your eyes.
- Never use regular shampoo, as it will irritate your eyes.
- Use wet cloths or pads to wipe away the baby shampoo and mascara, being careful not to leave any shampoo behind.
- Apply cold cream. Use a brand like Pond’s Cold Cream to remove any stubborn makeup, like waterproof mascara. Cold cream is also good for removing an entire face of makeup.
- Wash your face with your regular cleanser, pat it dry and then apply the cold cream as a deep conditioning treatment.
- Let the cream soak into your skin for a few minutes before wiping it clean with a warm washcloth.
- Cold cream should not be applied to eyelids, but should be rubbed carefully into your lashes and wiped away.
- Avoid using petroleum jelly. As petroleum jelly is a gasoline by-product, it is not the ideal substance to use around the eye area.
- Use it only as a last resort and avoid getting it directly in your eyes.
Method 7 – Using Natural Products
- Remove your eye makeup with olive oil. 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 with minimal scrubbing and wiping.[4]
- Pour olive oil on your fingers and rub your eyelashes with your index finger and thumb until your lashes are coated with oil. The mascara should then come off easily.
- If your skin still feels oily afterwards and you cannot easily remove it with a clean, dry cloth, wash your face.
- Use coconut oil. Coconut oil does a great job of breaking down your mascara and leaves the delicate skin around your eyes hydrated, too.
- Put a dab of coconut oil on a cotton ball and gently sweep it over your eyes. Then use a clean dry cloth to wipe away the oil with the mascara.
- Make a solution of water, witch hazel and almond or jojoba oil. This solution has a shelf life of 6 months and will not sting or irritate your eyes.
- Combine 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) witch hazel, 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil or almond oil, and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) water in a clean container or dispenser.
- Shake up the solution to ensure it is properly combined. Wipe the solution on your eyes with clean fingers, or apply it to a cotton ball or makeup pad to remove the makeup.
Method 8 – Removing Waterproof Mascara Properly
- 1Use cotton balls, makeup pads or q-tips to remove the mascara. When removing waterproof mascara, it is important to use the right materials in order to remove all of the product and to prevent the eye area from becoming irritated.
- Disposable makeup remover towelettes are great for gently removing waterproof mascara, as long as the packaging says it’s formulated to remove waterproof or long-wearing makeup.[7]
- You can also use hypoallergenic baby wipes, or a clean, damp face cloth.
2Close your eye and position the cotton ball on the bottom side of your lashes. This should be the side where you’ve applied the 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.
- Always remove the mascara carefully and gently. If you try to rub it off, you will end up pulling out some of your eyelashes and irritating the skin around your eyes. You also risk getting product in your eyes, which could lead to an eye infection.
- 3Hold the cotton ball against your lashes for about 10-20 seconds. Doing this allows the makeup remover to start dissolving the mascara.
4Slowly move the cotton ball along the length of your lashes. Minimize tugging by always “wiping” your lashes in the same direction.
5Check your progress in the mirror. If you still have quite a bit of mascara on your lashes or if your mascara is being stubborn about coming off, continue to gently wipe the undersides of your lashes with the cotton ball.
6Use q-tips to remove mascara from the base of your eyelashes. Dip a Q-Tip into the makeup remover and use it to gently wipe along the roots of your lashes to get out any remaining mascara.
7Wash your face. Now that your eyes are makeup free, 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 your face well with plenty of lukewarm water.
8Moisturize your face to keep your skin hydrated. After washing, make sure to apply an eye-cream or all-over facial moisturizer, as makeup remover can dry out your skin.- Finished.
Conclusion
Mascara is great for making the lashes look much darker and fuller. But it has to be removed before bedtime so you can rest peacefully! Removing mascara requires some supplies, but you probably already have them in your home.