How to remove waterproof mascara without wrecking your lashes
Congratulations! It’s the end of the night and your eye makeup has survived fully intact. But now an even bigger challenge: how to remove waterproof mascara without losing any eyelashes in the process?
Waterproof mascara is designed to last the night and then some. Most formulas offer the same benefits as the best regular mascaras: increasing volume and density, lengthening and separating lashes, etcetera, and deliver results just as effectively. It can also withstand the elements of whatever you throw at it, be it a pool day, 90-degree weather, a sweaty workout or a really good cry session.
“Waterproof mascara is designed to resist water, sweat and tears, so trying to remove it with force is one of the biggest mistakes people make,” says Danuta Mieloch, a master esthetician and the founder of Rescue Spa in NYC and Philadelpha and online skin care retailer Danucera. “The eye area has some of the thinnest, most delicate skin on the face and excessive rubbing can contribute to irritation, premature fine lines and even lash breakage over time.”
Want to know how to remove waterproof mascara without damaging your lashes? Keep scrolling for Mieloch’s advice.
What is waterproof mascara?
The key to most waterproof formulas is the waxes or silicones, which protect the pigment from water and prevents the mascara from breaking down. Another important component of long wear makeup is oil-based ingredients, since these provide a water-resistant shield.
However, these sweatproof, smudgeproof ingredients also mean that removing waterproof mascara requires extra care. It’s worth the effort, though. “Removing every trace of mascara not only protects the delicate eye area but also creates a healthier environment for your lashes and skin to regenerate overnight,” Mieloch says.
How to remove waterproof mascara
With those long-lasting results comes a different removal process. If you have never used a waterproof formula before, you might be accustomed to just washing off your mascara with cleanser and water. This won’t cut it for a waterproof formula, which typically calls for makeup remover and the use of a cotton pad. You can also opt for makeup wipes or reusable makeup wipes.
Mieloch recommends using a proper double-cleansing ritual to dissolve the makeup for the most effective results. “My advice is to let the cleanser do the work,” she says. “Saturate a cotton pad or your fingertips with an oil-based cleanser, gently press it onto the lashes for 20 to 30 seconds, and allow it to dissolve the mascara before softly sweeping it away. Patience is far more effective than friction.”
To remove waterproof eye makeup without the full skincare routine, the process is similar: saturate a cotton pad with makeup remover or use a makeup remover wipe. Hold it against your eye for 10 seconds or longer. Use only gentle pressure and do not rub or tug at your lashes. Remove the cotton pad. At this point you will see the formula has broken down. Gently wipe away any mascara that has transfered to the eyelids and surrounding areas. Remember, the skin around the eyes is the thinnest of the body and should be treated delicately. If there are remaining clumps or residue on lashes, use a micellar-water-soaked cotton swab to gently nudge away the excess.
The best products for removing waterproof mascara
For waterproof mascara removal, Mieloch uses an oil-based cleansing balm. “Oils are naturally effective at dissolving waxes and long-wear pigments without compromising the skin barrier,” she says.
Some people find cleansing oil or balm causes irritation. If you have sensitive eyes, we recommend micellar water or micellar-water makeup wipes as an alternative; this cleanser is even more gentle around the eye area.
“The key is choosing products that remove makeup efficiently without harsh surfactants or excessive rubbing,” says Mieloch. “Healthy skin isn’t created by aggressive cleansing; it’s created by cleansing intelligently.”
Bioderma Sensibio H2O
Caudalie Vinoclean Micellar Cleansing Water
