Q&A for How to Remove Mascara

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  • Question
    How do you get mascara off without damaging your eyelashes?
    Alicia D'Angelo
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Eye makeup remover will target mascara more efficiently than a facial cleanser, micellar water, or makeup wipe can, and you don't have to rub your eyes as much, which can damage your lashes. Just dampen a cotton round with the remover and hold it to your closed eye for a few seconds, then lightly wipe the area.
  • Question
    Is it bad if you sleep with mascara on?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, it can irritate the eyes and skin, so you should always remove your makeup before bed.
  • Question
    Can you use coconut oil to remove mascara?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can. Any food-grade oil such as coconut or olive oil will work to remove mascara.
  • Question
    Can wearing mascara ruin your eyelashes?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, especially waterproof mascara which can clog your hair follicles and make eyelashes brittles. Try to avoid mascaras that contain silicones.
  • Question
    How do you get mascara off?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Apply makeup remover to a cotton pad, hold it on your lashes for a few seconds, and gently wipe it away. Continue wiping, using fresh cotton pads as needed until the pad comes away clean.
  • Question
    How do you get mascara off without makeup remover?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can try soap and water, just be careful not to get the soap in your eyes. If that doesn't work, you can use facial cleaner or olive or coconut oil. Just apply it gently with your fingers or a cotton pad.
  • Question
    What if it's not getting off because of a lot of coats?
    Community Answer
    Makeup remover should work, regardless of the amount of makeup. It will just take longer if you have a lot of coats. If you didn't get it all off with one cotton ball, get another, put some makeup remover on it, and keep going until it's all off. Make sure your makeup remover is oil-based if your mascara is waterproof.
  • Question
    I have tried a lot of these options and my mascara is just being very stubborn and it is hard to thoroughly remove it. I hate sleeping with any mascara on what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Micellar water! You can pick it up in the skin care section of drug stores and grocery stores. Just put a little on a cotton ball or pad and hold it on your eye for a few seconds. Even stubborn mascara will wipe right off.
  • Question
    I've put makeup on and forgotten to take it off for two weeks now. It won't come off and my eye is going red. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Go to your doctor immediately and get a referral to a dermatologist. Leaving makeup on for such a long time can be very bad for your skin and, by the sound of it, your eye as well.
  • Question
    How do I remove eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    Use eye makeup remover and follow the same steps as removing mascara. Be careful not to get anything in your eye.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have to remove it after a performance? I have dance, then straight after I have got band, and I have to remove red lipstick as well.
    Annastacia S.
    Community Answer
    Wet a piece of a paper towel, in a bathroom, etc. Fold it, and place eyelashes inside the fold and pull softly away from your face. I use this method every week. Keep doing that until all the mascara is off. It should not take more than a minute. As for lipstick, just wipe with a towel, not too hard, and make sure you only wipe the lips, not your whole face. Then wet your lips with water and move your finger across your lips. That's it!
  • Question
    I don't have any of the stuff on the list. What should I do?
    Luxuryx
    Community Answer
    Use soap and water, but keep your eye closed. You can also use olive oil, Vaseline, or lotion.
  • Question
    What should I do if I get makeup remover in my eye?
    Community Answer
    Quickly rinse your eye out with water until you have completely flushed out the makeup remover. Your eye might be irritated but you shouldn't suffer any long-term damage. If the irritation doesn't go away within a day or two, or gets worse at any point, see your doctor.
  • Question
    My mascara stains on my skin, how do I get that off?
    Community Answer
    First, cleanse your face, gently rubbing the stained area. Then, use makeup remover.
  • Question
    What if I've got eyeliner all over my face, but I don't have the right materials to remove it?
    Community Answer
    You can try good old-fashioned soap and water. Dampen a towel with warm water and apply a little bit of soap. Then scrub your eyes gently.
  • Question
    How can I prevent my eyes from getting irritated when I remove mascara?
    Community Answer
    Start by not rubbing your eyes as much - use a gentle touch. I would then head to the store and buy some makeup remover, which can remove the mascara with ease so you don't have to rub your eyes so much. This should help reduce the irritation you feel. If not, you may need to try a new brand of mascara as that could be contributing to the problem.
  • Question
    I keep getting little flecks in my eye when I remove my mascara. How do I avoid this?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    First of all, don't use waterproof mascara unless it's completely necessary (beach, pool, rain, crying). Another tip is to only apply mascara to the top lashes and not the bottom lashes. Take your makeup-removing product of choice, close your eyes, and place your removing product on your eyelashes firmly for around 10 seconds. Then, keeping your eye shut, gently drag it down. Do this as many times as you need to completely remove the mascara. Avoid back and forth rubbing, tugging, or picking out the clumps of mascara.
  • Question
    What do I do if I get clumps of mascara in my eye?
    Community Answer
    Wash your hands, and in front of a mirror, use your fingers to fish out the clumps. You can also use an eye wash or eye drops.
  • Question
    How do I know if I have all the mascara off my eye?
    Community Answer
    While taking a shower, put your pointer finger under your eyelashes and gently blink (think of your finger as a mascara wand). You should be able to do this without seeing any mascara on your fingers.
  • Question
    I always leave my mascara on; is that bad?
    Community Answer
    It could make your eyelashes fall out faster which could lead to thing eyelashes.
  • Question
    How can I prevent mascara from running into my eyes when I wash my face?
    Buggylu25
    Top Answerer
    Use a small cotton circle or swab with a gentle makeup remover (i.e. micellar water) to remove it before washing your face. Concentrating the makeup remover on your eyelashes first will remove a lot of the product, keeping it out of your eyes.
  • Question
    I got mascara under one of my eyes, and it makes it look like I have darker bags under one eye than the other. I want to get rid of it but I don't have the things for it in my home. What do I do?
    Lia Hamilton
    Community Answer
    Wash the area with some face wash or cover it with concealer if you don't want to rub off any makeup. The only way to take off mascara is to wash it off.
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