Waterproof makeup can be a tricky beast to tackle, especially if you’re looking to remove it from your eyes and not just from your face. While waterproof mascara is a godsend for anyone who struggles with raccoon eyes on a daily basis, it can feel like an eternity in hell when it comes time to wash it off. If you’re part of the unlucky majority who have had a bad experience with waterproof eye makeup, you might be wondering if any brands make non-waterproof versions of their eyeliners. The good news is that there are some great options out there, the bad news is that they aren’t all labeled as such. If you’re struggling to find the right product that will come off easily, read on for some helpful tips on how to remove waterproof eyeliner without fail!
What Is Waterproof Eyeliner?
Waterproof eyeliners are the same as regular eyeliners with the exception of the fact that they are waterproof. This means that they do not smudge or run when you wear them in water. Waterproof eyeliner is a bit more expensive than normal eyeliner and is a bit more difficult to remove. However, it is still possible to remove it, even after a day at the beach or an afternoon of swimming.
How To Remove Waterproof Eyeliner With Makeup Cleansing Wipes
- Gently massage the makeup remover into your eyes and eyelids for 30 seconds. Let it rest for several minutes before rinsing it off with water or a damp washcloth. Be sure to avoid the delicate eye area when massaging, as this may cause irritation or redness of the skin around your eyes. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid using makeup removers that contain harsh chemicals as they can irritate your skin even more.
- Open the package of makeup wipes and use one to gently wipe the eyeliner from your eyes in a circular motion, starting from the inner to the outer corner.
- Repeat until all the waterproof eyeliner has been removed from the skin around your eyes.
- Gently pat your face dry with a clean cotton towel or tissue paper to help close pores and lock in moisture to prevent dryness and irritation.
- Use a moisturizer on your face after removing waterproof eyeliner as it may make you look like a raccoon if you don’t use any moisturizer after cleansing off waterproof makeup. You can also use a natural facial oil on top of that fresh moisturizer for added benefits (extra hydration, glow, etc). If you have oily skin, skip this step as too much oil can make your skin look more oily than usual and defeat the purpose of removing waterproof makeup in order to have less oily skin! FYI: I did not include this step because I do not have oily skin! So if you wish to skip it, go ahead! 🙂
- If you have eye makeup remover pads, put one pad on the palm of your hand, dip it into the makeup remover, and gently swipe it around your eyes (the waterproof eyeliner will come off easily with eye makeup remover pads). This is my favorite method to remove waterproof eyeliner!
- If you don’t have eye makeup remover pads, use a cotton ball dipped in makeup remover to gently wipe the waterproof eyeliner from around your eyes.
- Rinse off any residue with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply an eye cream on top of a fresh layer of moisturizer to help reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes (if you have them).
- You can also use a facial scrub to get rid of dead skin cells that may cling onto the waterproof liner or mascara before cleansing it off with a makeup wipe or cotton ball/pad soaked in makeup remover (this is optional but I would recommend it if your skin is extra sensitive).
How To Remove Waterproof Eyeliner With Oil
This is a very simple and easy method that can be used to remove waterproof eyeliner. It is a very handy method if you are wearing waterproof eyeliner and you want to remove it quickly. This method works well for all kinds of makeup, including foundation and mascara.
Method:
- Take 1-2 drops of almond oil on your fingertips. This can be replaced by any other vegetable oil or baby oil as well. For this purpose, you can also use a cotton swab dipped in oil or the tip of the swab dipped in the oil itself.
- Now rub the eyes with the oil using your fingertips until the eyeliner is removed completely. The easiest way to do this is to rub in small circles, starting from the inner corners of your eyes and moving outward toward your temples. Keep rubbing until all traces of eyeliner are gone, then wipe off any excess with a tissue or cotton ball soaked in some water or face wash.
- If the oil is not getting absorbed into the skin, you can wipe it off with a tissue or cotton ball soaked in some face wash.
- If you are removing waterproof eyeliner for the first time, this may be a little difficult since it will not come off easily. You will need to rub it with more force and patience to remove it completely.
- If you are using a cotton swab, you can wipe off the oil with a tissue or cotton ball soaked in some water or face wash.
- Repeat the above steps if you are removing waterproof eyeliner for the second time.
- If you are removing waterproof eyeliner for the third time, hold a hot, wet cotton ball against the eyeliner for a few seconds. This will help it come off more easily.
- If you are wearing waterproof eyeliner for the fourth time, use a cotton swab dipped in oil to remove it.
- If you are removing waterproof eyeliner for the fifth time, you can use a cotton swab dipped in baby oil to remove it.
- If you are removing waterproof eyeliner for the sixth time, use a baby wipe to remove it.
How To Remove Waterproof Eyeliner With Cream
Creams are a great way to remove waterproof makeup. They are easy to apply, and they work very well on waterproof eyeliner.
Step 1: Apply the cream to your face and rub it in. Make sure you get all over your eye area, including the lids, brow bone, and under-eye area.
Step 2: Wait until the cream is dry! This will take about 5 minutes depending on how much you used. This is very important because if you don’t wait until it’s dry, then you won’t be able to remove your makeup properly. The cream will dissolve the makeup as soon as it dries and that’s when it will come off easily. If you try to rub it off before it dries, then you risk rubbing off your foundation and other makeup that isn’t waterproof!
Step 3: Gently wipe off with a cotton ball or pad soaked in some hot water or mild soap like Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castille Soap (which we love). You want to use something that won’t irritate your skin too much (like rubbing alcohol) because if you irritate your skin too much, then you’ll cause more breakouts and damage.
Step 4: When you wipe it off, you will probably see a little bit of eye makeup on the cotton ball. This is normal, and that’s just a tiny bit of the waterproof eyeliner that you haven’t gotten off yet. Keep wiping until it doesn’t come off on the cotton ball anymore!
Step 5: Lastly, wash your face with some mild soap (like Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castille Soap) and water to remove any residue left over from the makeup remover. You can also use a gentle cleanser if you prefer.
Conclusion
There are a few things to keep in mind when removing waterproof eyeliner. You’ll want to make sure that your skin is clean and free of makeup or oil before you apply the remover. If you’re applying the remover to your eye area, make sure to use a very gentle touch to avoid irritation. You’ll also want to be sure that the remover you’re using is actually meant for your eyes! If the remover you’re using doesn’t specifically say that it is safe for use around the eyes, you run the risk of damaging them. Waterproof eyeliner can be a real pain to remove, but there are plenty of products that can help make your job a little easier. From makeup wipes to creams, there are lots of non-irritating ways to remove waterproof eyeliner.
