How to Remove Makeup

Leaving on makeup longer than necessary can clog pores, especially if it is thick makeup or there is a lot on. Removing makeup as soon as you are finished with it is key to keeping gorgeous skin, especially overnight. However, it can be tricky to make sure all of it is gone.

Use a gentle makeup remover just for eye makeup. Regular makeup remover can irritate the eyes. Make sure you get most, if not all, of any eyeliner and mascara you had on, as well as some eyeshadow.


Drape a towel over your head and hold it over a sink of hot, steaming water. This opens your pores and dislodges your makeup easier for cleansing.

Remove your lip color. Apply a small dab of petrolatum jelly to your lips, and gently rub it in with a tissue. Fold in the tissue, and blot the lips.


Use a gentle face wash. Most of your makeup should come off on this stage. Be sure the face wash is gentle and you don't scrub harshly. Your skin has been covered in makeup all day and it needs to breathe!

Remove any eye makeup that ran while you washed your face. It's pretty common to see a bit of mascara or eyeliner under your eyes, and very easy to remove with a dampened cotton swab.

Close your pores with a splash of cool water. Apply some moisturizer to soothe your skin.