This is how we buy our eye makeup- “Waterproof? Yaaay!”, ” Smudge proof? Yaaay!”. Then we go to bed saying “But I washed my face thoroughly!” It’s no wonder that so many of us then wake up with irritable, red-rimmed eyes that water with the slightest breeze or fumes. However wonderful and exotic (read: expensive) our makeup may be, and whatever claims the product makes about its formula or ingredients, we still need the pores of our eyelid glands to be able to breathe and freely release the moisturizing and nourishing fluids that our eyes need to keep healthy. It just takes a tiny bit of preparation and only about 2 minutes of our bedtime ritual.
What you need:
- Eye makeup remover (specific products for sensitive skin/ delicate skin are available). Micellar water works too. Eye makeup remover wipes are also appropriate. Check for specific products for waterproof eye makeup.
- Makeup removal pads or cotton pads or cotton swabs (if you have eye shadow/ foundation on). Not needed if you have makeup wipes
- Cotton buds
- Mirror
What you do:
- Contact lens wearers must remove their contacts and follow the related hygiene for their lenses before removing the make up
- Shake the eye makeup remover if formula is biphasic; this means it has two ingredient liquids that look separate when the bottle is still. Look for the instruction on the bottle.
- If you are wearing eye shadow/ foundation then soak a makeup pad in the eye makeup remover or cotton pad and gently press over the CLOSED eyelid for about 10-15 seconds until the product breaks down. Then gently stroke along the natural lines of your eye- sweep from the crease of the eyelid to the tip of the lashes, from corner to corner along the eyelash roots. Don’t scrub or rub, this will damage the delicate and sensitive skin and eventually make it loose and saggy. Use separate pads for each eye.
- If you are wearing eyeliner/ pencil/ kajal on your inner eyelid rim (waterline) then soak the tip of a cotton bud in the eye makeup remover and use it along the waterline in the same motion you used to apply the product. Similarly you can remove waterproof mascara in the same rolling motion as you applied it. Use separate cotton buds for each eye.
- Stubborn makeup, especially waterproof makeup, may need a second round of gentle cleaning rather than an aggressive first round! The delicate skin around our eyes does not tolerate rough handling or harsh rubbing
All that’s left to do now is marvel at all the black stuff that comes off even after we thought we had washed it clean!
Do replace your eye makeup products every 3-4 months, and throw away any product that is discoloured/ cracking/ smells funny/ feels too thick or thin on application
Skin appropriate moisturizers can be used after removing the makeup and washing the face
Never, ever share makeup even with your bestie or your family members. Makeup artists can encourage clients to provide their own products to avoid cross infections.
Here’s hoping your smile always reaches your eyes!
HI