There are tons of reviews and articles online about makeup application. What products to use, what brushes to buy, how to apply it. But what are you to do when you have come home, exhausted and need to take that makeup off? What do we use? Makeup removal should be your first step of your skincare routine. That leftover foundation will block or affect the efficacy of any serum, hydrator, antioxidant that you use. Nowadays, in the US, folks are using more and more long wearing, richly pigmented, heavy duty or waterproof makeup and sometimes your regular cleanser just doesn’t cut it. I like to get rid of that first layer of product so that my cleansers would be more effective and deep cleaning. So in this post, I will be discussing 4 different types of makeup removers. I even include an extra makeup removal tip! So that is really 5 ways to remove your makeup.

So this post and video will only cover removal methods for regular consumer makeup products. Special effects, theatrical and other alcohol/silicone based makeup are excluded.

Check out my video on makeup removers

Details mentioned in the Makeup Removers video
  1. Balms/Cleansing Oils Makeup Removers

These do a great job in breaking down pigments, long wearing makeup and even sunscreen. Does this without drying the skin and can be used on all skin types.

Examples

2. Micellar Water Makeup Removers

Makeup Removers Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution

Image via Bioderma – Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

 

Made famous in the US by French brands. Water like consistency and actually contain mild surfactants/cleansers. Good to use if looking for a one step process

Examples

* Not a makeup remover but a clarifying cleanser for hair! –My DevaCurl Buildup Buster Micellar Cleansing Serum

3. Makeup Wipes

Makeup Removers MAC Wipes

Image via MAC Cosmetics – MAC Wipes

My go to method of makeup removal. I have being using these for years and they are very travel friendly. Tip: when you buy your new pack of wipes, usually the top wipes feel very dry. Store the wipes upside down (i.e. the opening facing downwards). The fluid that the wipes are soaking in will travel down to top wipes because of gravity

Examples

4. Dual Phase/Bi Phase Makeup Removers

Makeup Removers Lancome Bi Facil

Image via Lancome – Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover

These are slightly different from cleansing oils as these are strictly makeup removers. Appears as two separate liquids – water-based remover and oil-based remover. Since oil and water are immiscible, they don’t mix so one layer floats on top of the other. The goal is to shake the bottle vigorously to break up the oil particles to a small enough size so that when you pour the remover out, you will get both the water remover and the oil remover on your cotton pad.

Examples

Makeup Remover Bonus Tip!

Here are some of the tools needed to effectively remove stubborn makeup

Cotton Balls

Swisspers Organic Biologique Cotton Balls

Cotton Swabs

Bamboo Stick Swabs

Facial Cotton Squares/Pads

Shiseido Facial Cotton *these are a best-seller!

What is your favourite makeup removal method?

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An island girl living in the Big Apple. She hails from the twin island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago but currently reside in the beauty/fashion capital of the world, New York City (Harlem to be exact!). She is passionate - well, obsessed - about beauty and in addition to blogging, she is also a corporate beauty professional and a budding web designer/developer. She loves combining her in-depth, practical knowledge with her chemist/scientific training to make your cosmetic choices fun and easy. She likes to take the guesswork out of beauty, separate the hype from what really works, to help you bring out the most beautiful you! She loves colour, and makeup, and she has been natural for years! She also loves great food, culture, sports and laid back vibes! Check out some more about me here and if you like this post, sign up to my newsletter to get updates on what I am craving right now.