Removing makeup is easy, right? Well… kind of. While the process itself is an easy task there are still a number of do’s and don’ts when it comes to makeup removal. And it’s importance shouldn’t be overlooked either and no matter how exhausted you are at the end of the day there is no excuse for letting your makeup crust onto your face. We cannot stress this enough! So if you’re serious about skincare, here is how to remove your makeup.
If you ask anyone who knows what’s what about skin they’ll tell you that the cardinal sin of wearing makeup is not taking it off, or not taking it off right. You have to be very particular about how you are removing your makeup especially before you go to bed. Beauty sleep is a real thing - and while we slumber our body recharges and regenerates. If you clog your pores with makeup it makes it harder for your skin to regenerate and it can lead to dry skin, rashes, wrinkles and acne if left unchecked.
The same goes for mascara and eyeliner. If slept in, it can lead to eye irritation, and brow and lash breakage and can even sometimes cause infections. Yikes! I think we can all agree that this was not our intention when we swiped on our favourite mascara in the morning. So to avoid any of the unspeakable mentioned above from happening, here are our top tips and tricks for removing makeup and looking after your skin.
How to remove long-wear waterproof foundation
If you want ‘stay all day’ makeup a lot of us will find ourselves reaching for longwear, waterproof formulas. While these are great and absolutely serve their purpose, they can take a little more time and effort to remove effectively as a result. The key to removing foundation, highlighter and blush (especially when it comes to long-wear formulas or the use of setting spray) is that they must be completely broken down and swept away in order to prevent damage happening to the skin.
The best way to break down these long-wearing formulas is by using an oil-based cleanser as this will work best to thoroughly break the product down, as most makeup is made with oil. A good way to ensure nothing is missed is to start with a makeup wipe (or product on a cotton pad), followed by a cleanser for deep cleaning the pores and taking off the non-visible makeup. Then, if you want to be extra diligent - follow with a toner on a cotton pad and check there is no makeup left on the skin. If there is, you can cleanse again.
When you cleanse, make sure you are taking your time to massage it properly into the skin including around the hairline, ears and folds near the nose, allowing the product to stay on the skin for a few minutes to let it truly work its magic. Then dry the skin with a warm washcloth, rinsing until there’s no makeup left on the skin.
What you’ll need
Oil-based cleanser
Skinsmiths Gentle Cream Cleanser includes Avocado and Hemp Oil which works to gently remove make-up and daily impurities while injecting protective hydration to nourish dry and sensitive skin.
Reusable Cotton Pads
For your toner and initial makeup removal, the Reusable Cotton Pads are the perfect tool for the job. These dual-textured cotton pads are gentle on the skin and the environment. They will remove makeup and impurities, delicately clean around the eyes and reduce the need for disposables.
Cleansing Cloth
The cloth you use to clean your face does matter! This gentle textured cloth is soft to the touch but works to exfoliate your skin when rinsed with water, like magic. Use it with your daily cleanser for a deep, fresh clean. The unique texture supports healthy skin but is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
Toner
Finishing off your makeup removal with a toner on a reusable cotton pad is always a good idea. The Active Clarifying Toner is the clarifying solution you need to prep your skin during your skincare ritual. Working to restore and balance the skin's pH, sebum and moisture after cleansing.
What about makeup wipes?
Makeup wipes are great for an initial wipe-off, or to keep in your gym bag to remove makeup before a workout for example, but beyond that, they are not the most ideal. Yes, you can use them to remove the upper layers of your makeup but they will not get rid of it entirely, especially if you are wearing a long-wearing formula. If you don’t remove your makeup properly you are making yourself more prone to breakouts, and no one wants that.
Also, if you leave the solution of makeup wipes on the skin for too long (i.e. not cleansing after use) this can lead to reactions, especially for sensitive skin.
How to make lipstick disappear
We’ve all been in the mirror frantically rubbing at our red statement lips to little avail. But never fear. If you love pigmented lipstick or liquid lip colour that stays put no matter what, there are ways to ensure removing it at the end of the night doesn’t bring you to tears. Apply a cleansing oil on the lips and massage it in for a couple of minutes. The oil will make lipstick slide off without having to tug or scrub at your lips.
If that still isn’t working, try soaking a cotton pad in micellar water and pressing it against the lips for a minute. Then with a new pad, also soaked, wipe off any excess. Regardless of the product that you go with, using a soft cotton pad and not cotton balls is key for ensuring there is no residue left to irritate the skin.
How to remove all traces of eye makeup
The sensitive eye area always requires a little bit of extra special care. Micellar water works well for removing the initial makeup from sensitive areas such as the eyes, so start with this. Again, make sure you use a flat cotton pad instead of makeup wipes for this.
Once the initial product is swept away it’s time for a good cleanse. We recommend using something that is relatively gentle such as the Skinsmiths Gentle Cream Cleanser and use a cloth to ensure that nothing gets left behind. Once you’re confident that all the makeup is gone it’s time for your skincare ritual.
Now time for skincare
While everyone’s individual skincare routine will look slightly different, here are a few of our non-negotiables once the skin is cleansed and prepped.
Treat and target
The next steps in your routine will largely depend on what your specific skin concerns are. After you have a fresh base, cleansed and ready to go, it's time to apply your nighttime serums and corrective treatments. This is where you look at addressing concerns such as dryness, pigmentation and redness. Two of the most common treatments are retinol and chemical exfoliants or peels.
Spot treatment
If you’re suffering from breakouts, it’s now time to apply any spot treatments. The Blemish Rescue Treatment lives up to its name and will rescue you from blemishes, without damaging your skin further. Incorporating the power of zinc, salicylic acid and tea tree oil, this will have you on the road to clear skin in no time.
Eye cream
While the use of eye creams can be hotly debated, we are firmly team eye creams. The skin around our eyes is thinner than the rest of our face, and therefore it requires it’s own special treatment. Eye creams are a great option for adding extra moisture to dry under the eyes and targeting fine lines. The secret is finding something that is rich, yet sensitive and the PRO Collagen Eye Complex strikes the right balance.
Moisturise
It’s time to lock in all those hard-working ingredients! As your skin begins its repair process at night, it’s important to remember that moisturiser plays an important role in sealing in all those products you’ve just layered on. It will also ensure you wake up feeling plump and refreshed!
And there you have it folks, the fool-proof way to remove makeup.
