ISO: Eye Make-up Remover Suggestions

Anonymous

I've been tight-lining since Angie mentioned it and really love the results. However, it's also revealed the inadequacies of my eye make-up remover. I use it with a cotton ball AND a Q-tip before AND after washing my face because one application isn't enough. Face washing brings new smudges of eyeliner and mascara. Sometimes new smudges appear in the morning after my shower. So annoying. On the upside, I think I've found the lazy person's way to achieve a "smokey eye."

I'm very thorough in my application, so I suspect it's the remover - Maybelline from the drugstore.

So tell me, what eye make-up removers do you all love and recommend?

9 years ago

General

28 replies

Latest reply was from JessicaLaflare

Anonymous

I'm loyal to Lancome Bifacil (duo phase) and when I can't stomach that cost (I think my DD drinks the stuff by the way we go through it) , Neutrogena's duo phase remover is just as good. I know what you mean about extra eyeliner remaining afterwards, it still happens from time to time with a good remover. I think it's just par for the course.

9 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I second Lisap's suggestion of Lancome Bifacil. I have to wear very heavy and dark eye make-up for ballroom competitions and Bifacil gets it all off in couple of swipes.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Thank you! Sounds like what I'm looking for. There's a NAS deal on Lancome Bifacil, too.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I use and love Clinique's Take the Day Off remover for eyes and lips. Works like magic!

9 years ago

Anonymous

I use ponds cold cream to take off eye makeup.

9 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I use Cetaphil on a cotton ball. I also use the Neutrogena.

9 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I use Cover Girl professional remarkable mascara because it says you can get it off with soap and water. Regular mascara runs on me and if my eyes water, it stings. Waterproof mascara always seems to end up smudgy (smokey eye). I find my mascara pretty tough to remove. I won't use an oily remover. I've tried Simple micellar water and it gets a lot off but not all. I do pretty much what Staysfit does. Cetaphil (or Cerave) and sometimes just plain neutragena, which does the most thorough job but I'm using the clear soap bar and not a remover.

ETA: though I've used the Simple with a cotton pad, I use any of the other stuff directly and just massage it in, the way you might washing your face.

9 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Lush 9 to 5 or Ultrabland. Very gentle, moisturizing, and removes makeup well.

9 years ago

Susie

Veteran

I have used Bliss lid and lash wash for years; I've never found one I like better. It's a gel that works great but rinses clean.

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I don't have any great recs for remover, but I would suggest using a cotton round (I dampen mine first so it's not so abrasive) for the remover and then holding it on your eye for quite a while, maybe a minute. Then lightly pat into the round to massage the lashes around to break up the mascara. Then pull down gently to remove the makeup.

(I prefer the cotton round if I'm going to be holding the pad in place for a while, because you cover more surface area.)

I got this idea from watching Lisa Eldridge's tutorial on removing makeup, and it really helps with the labor-intensive end of things. I still have to go back in with a cotton bud to get the tightlining, but I find the way I described above to do a really good first pass.

9 years ago

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Another vote for Lancome Bifacil!

9 years ago

AndiB

Veteran

I swear by Boscia make up break up cleansing oil. Smooth and lovely, does not leave residual oil. I rub it onto all my face skin, and rub gently over my eyes massaging in. Cotton ball with warm water removes eye make up almost completely (like lisap said might find a tiny bit the next morning). A splash of warm water takes the rest off your face. Does not leave face oily. I can't tell you how much I love this stuff. Highly recommended

9 years ago

Anonymous

Oh, thank you for all the suggestions! This is great. I can't wait to try some of these.

Gigi - I love Lisa Eldridge but hadn't seen that particular video. It's brilliant! Whatever removers I try, I'm going to use her (and your) application method.

Again, thank you all!

9 years ago

Anonymous

The Cover Girl Remarkable mascara is great and easy to remove. The mascara I now use, Almay Waterproof, also comes off with little effort (no special cleanser). Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is really good.

9 years ago

retailgirl

Veteran

Another vote for Lancôme: but the Neutrogena is good too. You have to saturate your cotton ball and let it sit before you wipe...kind of like removing nail polish. I don't like the cotton pads; I prefer the cotton balls.

9 years ago

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Back to add that I don't use cotton pads or balls anymore...always end up with fibers on the eyelashes, so I went to Etsy and bought a bag of cotton flannel rounds made for facial purposes. They come with a little mesh bag (in some shops) and you just throw them in the load with other clothes.
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=flannel%20facial

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9 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

I like Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover. It's gentle for sensitive skin and removes everything without mess. Apply, pat around your face with fingers for a minute, and rinse it off. Your skin will like it.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Maybe it's my mascara (Neutrogena) too, because I use Cetaphil and it hardly makes a dent in removing it. Several of you have mentioned using Cetaphil, which is what got me thinking. Perhaps it's just not a good combo with my mascara. Good news is I'm more loyal to Cetaphil than my mascara brand, so switching to another brand mascara is worth a shot, too.

9 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I could really recommend the Bifacil and used it for probably 15 years. It takes everything off with zero fuss or effort and for a long time didn't irritate. Unfortunately for me I had a steadily increasing dermatitis problem over the course of a year that escalated sharply and patch testing revealed two major allergies. One of them is in the Bifacil. Another is in the Simple Micellar that I see someone else rec'd. But, if no allergies, I think they would be great.

Major searching and tons of trial and error later, right now I am using Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make-up Remover. No problems so far, and it is less expensive than the Bifacil. Also, I think it is easier to use less of it because it is a gel instead of a liquid.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Cetaphil will easily remove the Cover Girl Remarkable mascara. I have allergies, and can attest that this mascara won't run.

9 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Lancome Bifacil is the only one that ever really worked for me. I've tried others and they don't even come close as far as removing it quickly and completely. I use mascara and regular eyeliner, can't comment on how effective it would be for removing tightlining

9 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I use Kiehl's Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. I like the lotion formula. It does the best job of any I've tried, leaving the last mascara residue the next morning. There's still a tiny bit sometimes, but not noticeable (I can tell when I use a cotton pad with toner right up to the under-edge of my eye, after washing my face).
I use cotton rounds with it, but I like Ann's suggestion of the flannel ones! Earth-friendly re-use option!

9 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I either use my Norwex makeup remover cloths or olive oil.

9 years ago

Anna

Active Member

My niece is in the fashion industry in Chicago. She said many of the makeup artists use Rimmel London Just Let It Go Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. It is inexpensive and they swear by it. Takes waterproof eye makeup off easily and completely. I personally haven't tried it.

9 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I've been using Sonya Dakar's Eye Wash, which is a little expensive at $42, but is gloriously effective and gentle. I've also heard that the chamomile eye makeup remover from the Body Shop is fantastic--Sali Hughes and Caroline Hirons both love it and rave about what a great bargain and how effective it is

9 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I also use the Lisa Eldridge method. I use Bioderma Sensibio H2O remover. I don't tightline as my ophthalmologist doesn't want me to and she also prefers that I start off removing eye make up with a warm washcloth held over eye area for two minutes before using the cleanser.

9 years ago

lisaflex

Veteran

almay pads do a great job

simple milecular water gets off any left over traces

9 years ago

JessicaLaflare

Member

I will say over the years I have used many different products for best practices of removing eye make up. At this point I would say I have settled with Albolene and I'm happy. I remember seeing my and aunts and my mothers' friend have it in the vanities and bathroom sink areas growing up and I won't lie I thought it may have been a little outdated. I could not have been any more wrong. This product removes eye makeup like a charm and it could be just me but I even feels like it leaves me with a glow. https://www.albolene.com/eye-makeup-remover/

7 years ago

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