How to Take Off Waterproof Eyeliner

The perfect waterproof cat eye is one flick away, so you go for it. You grab that waterproof eyeliner and draw the biggest, baddest cat eye ever. You wear it and wear it well! It lasts all day and into the night. Now what? The party is over, and you’re ready to throw in the towel. 

Waterproof eyeliner works overtime to make your eyes look well defined, plus it sticks around throughout the day (and night!) without budging. It’s awesome until it isn’t. 

Waterproof eyeliner is a bother to remove if you aren’t using the right makeup removers. Want to know how to remove your fave waterproof eyeliner without losing your lashes in the process? We’ll show you how.

Types of Makeup Remover for Waterproof Eye Makeup

When it comes to eye makeup removers, you have a few choices. The following types of makeup removers will take off even the most stubborn of waterproof eye makeup.

Oil-Based Makeup Remover

Water won’t remove waterproof makeup (obvi), so you need something different to dissolve it. That something different is oil. There are plenty of oil-based makeup removers that will loosen even the strongest waterproof eyeliner.

Did you know that baby oil also removes waterproof eye makeup? The oil breaks down the elements in your waterproof eyeliner, helping it to slide off without scrubbing too much. Just don’t use this method if you have lash extensions and keep oils away from your falsies.

Micellar Water

Micellar water is great for all skin types because it’s gentle. It works like a magnet to attract dirt, oil, and makeup and lift it away. It leaves your skin smooth and radiant without having to scrub excessively.

Micellar water is great for cleaning out your pores, and it doesn’t contain alcohol, which is harsh on your skin. Micellar water contains micelles which increase your skin’s ability to absorb products. This absorption allows the skin to snag a deeper clean.

Steps to Remove Waterproof Eyeliner

So, your night has ended, and your eyeliner hasn’t moved since you put it on. Now it’s time to wipe it away and clean your face.

Choose Your Makeup Remover

Choose a makeup remover suitable for waterproof makeup. Also, make sure that it’s compatible with your skin type if you choose to use it for cleansing your face. An oil-based makeup remover will remove both your waterproof eyeliner and your other cosmetics. 

If you have oily skin or acne-prone skin, though, do not use an oil-based remover for your face. It will cause breakouts. Opt instead for micellar water because it is gentle on your skin and provides a thorough cleansing.

Grab a Cotton Candy Cloth or Cotton Candy Pad to Remove Eyeliner

Glamnetic Cotton Candy Wipes and Pads are perfect for removing makeup from your skin. Cotton balls tend to leave fibers behind that could get into your eyes, and they’re not reusable, so we prefer not to use those. To remove waterproof eyeliner, follow these steps.

  1. Saturate a cotton pad with micellar water or oil-based makeup remover and place the pad on top of your closed eyelid.
  2. Hold the saturated pad on top of your eyelid for about 20 seconds. Do not scrub. Carefully wiggle the pad around a little to loosen the makeup.
  3. Finally, remove the eyeliner with the pad by wiping it in a downward motion. Be careful not to tug on your eyelid or scrub too harshly. Continue wiping, and flip the pad over to the other side. Repeat the process until all of the eyeliner is removed.

Remove Your Remaining Makeup

Removing your makeup is not the same thing as cleansing your skin. Remove your makeup with the same makeup remover you used for your waterproof eyeliner or a different one if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

Never use a makeup remover that contains alcohol, especially if you have dry skin. Alcohol is harsh on your skin and will cause irritation. To remove your makeup with a Glamnetic Cotton Candy Cloth, follow these steps: 

  1. Rinse the Cotton Candy Cloth under warm water or soak it in micellar water. 
  2. Use the “CLEANSE” side to remove your makeup in circular motions gently.
  3. Flip the cloth over to the “EXFOLIATE” side and use a circular motion to remove dead skin cells. Repeat until all traces of your makeup have been removed.

Choosing a Cleanser

Your skin type should determine which cleanser you use. Different skin types require different cleansing ingredients to achieve healthy, glowing skin. There are water-based and oil-based makeup removers.

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

Oily and acne-prone skin types should look for non-comedogenic, water-based gel cleansers. Non-comedogenic means that the cleanser won’t clog your pores. There are specific cleansers made for acne-prone skin, so check the labels.

Micellar water is always a good choice too. Never use cleansers containing alcohol or that are highly fragranced. These types of cleansers will irritate your sensitive skin.

Combination Skin

Combination skin types should look for non-comedogenic water-based gel and foaming cleansers.  Avoid alcohol-based and highly-fragranced cleansers, as these can irritate your skin. Micellar water is also an excellent option for combination skin types.

Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, look for a creamy cleanser that contains glycerine. Glycerine draws water to the surface of the skin, creating a soothing hydrated effect. Hyaluronic acid is another fantastic ingredient for dry skin. 

Foam-based cleansers can be too drying, so try to avoid those types of cleansers if you have dry skin.

Cleanse Your Skin

After removing your makeup, it’s time to cleanse your skin. Cleansing your skin is crucial because it prevents breakouts, clogged pores, and ugly blackheads. It’s easy to cleanse your skin after removing your makeup.

  1. Apply your cleanser to a cloth or your hands and work into a lather.
  2. Massage the cleanser into your skin in circular motions.
  3. Rinse well until all traces of cleanser are removed. Pat dry.

Apply Your Skin-Specific Treatments

Once your makeup has been removed, and your face is clean, treat your skin with nourishing ingredients. Apply your serums, special treatments, and a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. A proper cleansing at the end of each day will prevent premature aging and breakouts and promote healthy, glowing skin.

To Sum It Up

Waterproof eyeliner is easily removed with an oil-based makeup remover and a cotton pad. Oil-based remover helps to break down the waterproof makeup so that you can avoid scrubbing around the delicate eye area.

Glamnetic Cotton Candy wipes and pads make removing your makeup a breeze. Each set comes with a laundry bag so you can toss them into the washer after each use. The best thing about these cloths is that they work for any skin type because they do not contain harsh chemicals, astringents, parabens, or fragrances. 

The cloth’s microfibers are 100 times thinner than a human hair. This fine texture makes them ideal for cleansing pores and removing dead skin cells.

By keeping your skin clean and healthy, you create a clean, smooth canvas for your makeup. And who doesn’t want that?

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Sources:

5 Benefits and Uses of Micellar Water | Healthline

The No BS Guide to Discovering Your Real Skin Type | Healthline 

How to Remove Makeup: 7 Tips to Get Every Last Bit Off | Glamour
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