so how can you ladies take it off? It just stays there like forevar?
That was a reply from Fritz, only one of the funniest bloggers in my country, when I Plurked this morning about me trying a product that claims to make my makeup rub-proof, budge-proof and waterproof. Yes, from whatever works of art we create on our faces to either polish our look or add more drama to our eyes, they all have to be washed out and removed by the end of the day because after all, we need our faces bare as they were when our day started, and the day must end that way. Makeup can momentarily cover some flaws, add some definition to our features, but they still need to be removed because they can bind with the dirt on our face, and cause our skin to breakout.
So, how do we exactly remove makeup from our face?
Do We Really Need Separate Products to Remove Makeup?
When I was younger, I used to think that removing makeup was just like washing the face using facial foam. I was wrong. One night, after doing that, and using toner to refresh my skin, my cotton still revealed traces of foundation. When I learned how to tightline, whenever I finish washing my face, I would the area surrounding my eyes really dark, like smeared eyeliner. Those were definitely the signs that I needed to have separate products in removing my makeup.
Products
The ever-reliable Ponds Cold Cream has been tried and tested, well-recommended by our moms to be the makeup remover to use. Lately, there have been new products that function as makeup removers such as other cream-based makeup removers, and deep cleansing oils ( popularized by Shu Uemura, I also love MAC’s and Skin Hour’s ), and these two types work to remove both eye makeup and face makeup. For more intense removing ( for waterproof makeup, specially when applying eyeliner ), there are makeup removers specifically for the eyes ( and the lips ). Their consistency’s sort of liquid, just somewhat like water. They might feel very mild, but I assure you, they work wonders, being mild in consistency so as not for us to tug our eye area that can cause premature wrinkles, but still work like magic. Examples are Lancome’s Effacil Gentle Eye and Lip Makeup Remover and L’Oreal ( and Maybelline ) Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, and so much more. More and more brands are coming up with their own makeup remover line as the quality of makeup improves – progressing to long-lasting, long-wearing, and sometimes waterproof makeup.
How To Remove Makeup – Yep, There’s a Routine!
To remove makeup ( full makeup , rather ), we first start with the eyes. I noticed that using cleansing oil, as I swipe the eye makeup off, goes to the other areas of my face – so it must be disastrous if we remove everything all at the same time. With Cetaphil ( yes, we can use this too! ) , Ponds Cold Cream, or cleansing oil ), massage very very very gently a generous amount on the eyelids, or even the eyebrows, if you have applied eyebrow powder or brow gel there , and swipe away makeup using a cotton pad ( I like them better than cotton per se). Do not go on a wiper motion as you will be rubbing the makeup back and forth and twould be messy! If you are using an eye makeup remover instead of the general makeup removers mentioned above, with the watery consistency of eye makeup removers, put some on the cotton pad and very gently swipe away the eye makeup. I repeat, geeently! Because we have to take care of the skin surrounding the eyes. Can’t stress that enough.
After eye makeup is gone ( do not mind the eyeliner if they’re too stubborn, still ), massage a generous amount of again, deep cleansing oil, cold cream, or Cetaphil ( or any cream-based makeup remover, for that matter ), massage, massage til you see the cream turning cream ( what? sorry, again, until you see the cream turning into your foundation shade! ), as it effectively lifts makeup from your skin. After that, wash your face using your normal facial wash.
After that, let’s go to the remnants. The most stubborn to remove usually are eyeliners ( those waterproof ones ) and eyeliners applied on the inner rims of the eyes. Get a Q-tip, put some eye makeup remover on it, and again, very very very gently swipe on the areas , be it the area near the lashlines, both upper and lower. After I wash my face, I usually see the tightlined area already gone, that transfers on the lower lashline. Swipe very gently until all traces of makeup are gone.
Done! Then tone, hydrate, and treat, and congratulate yourself and get some sleep!
Any suggestions, tips, or brand reco’s? I’m all ears!
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i use Nivea gentle waterproof make up remover for eyes. and i absolutly love it.:)
sometimes i use pure virgin olive oil as well to remove eye make up. then i wash my face with cleanser to remove any oil resedue.
Hi Soph! This is totally irrelevant but could you post somthing bout the how-to’s on false eyelashes application. I cant seem to put mine properly. I use ardell btw
Hi! I just use my ever reliable baby cream (brand: bebe, been using this for 18 years) to remove make-up and then wash my face with Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Wash. Then put on baby cream before going to bed.
Joey, shall do my best!
I’ll work on it 
true! waterproof mascara & gel eyeliners are very hard to remove.. I only use Johnsons lite baby oil to remove it, then Nivea Sensitive Balance Milk Makeup remover.
You answered my question even before I asked! Nice post
Sometimes lang after make up removal and washing my face….my eyes seem blurry. I wonder if it’s because the make up remover traveled to my eyes.
I currently use this Clinique oil-in-water product that doesn’t irritate my eyes even if I scrub away at thick mascara.
I used to make do of petroleum jelly, which works well too, but a little bit difficult to rinse off when I put on too much.
What brand of toner and moisturizer can you recommend? What do you mean by treat? Is this treatment? What treatments can you recommend to maintain a healthy skin for make up users?
If you are using the Shu cleansing oil, can you just use it like you would to wash the face (massaage oil to face, emulsify then rinse), assuming it was just light (not full)make up?
the ever-reliable and very affordable ponds cold cream works for me…i tried shu uemura cleansing oil but sad to say it only made my skin to breakout =(
I’m a Cetaphil fan all the way! It’s my little facial mircale-product!
Mel : I currently use Obagi Clenziderm facial wash and toner. Treat means some anti acne product or anti-aging product
For makeup users, I suggest removing makeup, i mean all of it before going to sleep! You can stick to your chosen skin care products 
Anna : Yep! You can!
Amor : Oh no
At least you get to stick with Ponds!
Emily : Me too!
I think Japan’s Fancl cleansing oil is an affordable alternative to Shu Uemura (which wins hands down in this department). The only difference between them is you need to wait a wee bit longer for Fancl to remove all your makeup and the perk is that this brand prides itself in not using any preservatives in its products. Is that available in PH?
hi sis! I use baby oil, VCO or extra virgin olive oil for the eyes…then facial wet wipes for the face..then wash and treat..
but this regimen doesn’t remove waterproof mascaras..what product can remove that? thanx!
I used Pond’s Cold Cream before. After a few days, I had a major skin breakout. What’s worse, my face was so red and itchy. :/ Then I found my best friends: MAC’s, Shu’s and Neutrogena. The Neutrogena Make Up Remover can really wipe out all of my waterproof mascara using facial pads. And of course who wouldn’t forget our handy petroleum jelly.