Why is it so bloody hard to remove mascara?

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

Sorry, I’m disproportionately grumpy about this because EVERYTHING WAS FINE until THEY discontinued the Olay Daily Facials I’d used for 20+ years and I still can’t find an alternative which works. (Perhaps I need to be mn fuming!).

I use Max Factor mascara, not waterproof.

I have tried cotton wool pads and washable reusable cotton pads and I find both painful and scratchy.

I have used Garnier Micellar something or other, Nivea cleanser stated to move mascara, Boots basic eye make up remover, Nivea eye make up remover and none of them bloody work. The Nivea even says “no rub” which is a joke. I’m having to rub so hard I’m probably creating extra wrinkles and I’m still left with smudges.

Where am I going wrong? I’m even starting to wonder if I’ve ended up with some fake mascara that’s secretly semi-perm make up!

Use oil on a pad. I use sweet almond to remove stubborn eye makeup because I use it as body oil anyway. Try olive oil if you don't have anything else in.

Loreal waterproof make-up remover. Soak two cotton woolnpads, one on each eye for 30 seconds then should wipe off with minimal scrubbing. I use max factor waterproof and this works!

Yes, I agree - use an oil cleanser. The Superfacialists Vitamin C oil cleanser is a good one and a bottle lasts for ages.

Rub the oil on your dry face for a minute, gently rubbing your eyes to get the mascara off, then wet your hands and rub onto your face to emulsify the oil and lift off the make up. Finally wipe your face clean with a damp muslin cloth.

My skin never feels properly clean unless I wash it with an oil cleanser and cloth.

Nivea Eye Makeup Remover

Bodyshop camomile balm is amazing. I think home bargains do a dupe which I will be buying when mine runs out as am on a low/no spend year!

Oily cleanser and washable pads here (not cotton, something soft and synthetic I'm afraid!). Or just hot water on the pad if I can't be arsed then deal with it in the shower in the morning 😂😂

Just buy tubing mascara. Totally comes off in warm water. Game changer. I recommend the Tarte one, or L’Oreal tubing mascara on a budget.

Maybe you've bought tubing mascara by mistake, it's a bugger to get off, even with the recommended hot water and flannels, and it isn't always obvious from the description, I've made that mistake before. I use the Body Shop cleansing balm.

I just use soap and water, but I have Neutrogena eye make-up remover which works well.

I use micellar water on cotton buds to remove my mascara. I don’t use pads as I don’t like rubbing my eyes too much.

I always use a specific eye make up remover and cotton wool pads.
Lancome Bifacil is the best but expensive. Avene did a great remover but now discontinued. I've found Nivea extra gentle eye make up remover works very well especially if you hold the pads on for a short while.

I've struggled since they discontinued Boots Botanics All Bright Soothing Eye Make up Remover.

After buying one thing after another, including all the ones mentioned by the OP, I've finally found my replacement. La Roche Posay.

Here

The only cotton wool pads that don't scratch are Boots own brand double sided oval ones.

You’re so right. Most products are absolutely dire. I’ve tried micellar water, eye removal creams and concoctions and I’ve only found one thing that’s completely foolproof.

Thats a Lidl collagen cleanser balm. Cost £3 and is amazing. Never have a scrap of mascara left.

Sadly, I haven’t seen it since I bought it so I’m trying to eek it out until I have none left…

Absolutely this, 100% ….a game changer honestly x

https://www.boots.com/epaderm-ointment-125g-10128339?traffic=paid.shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19965642474&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwQgmqSWG746SYT8HI0jj-Ub2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7u-KudK5kwMVh5VQBh2j_ihNEAQYBCABEgIY5fD_BwE

It takes me at least 6months to get through a tub this big. I smear some on my eye lids then wipe off with a bamboo face cloth and warm water. Easy and no pulling of skin etc.

I use Elf tubing mascara and wash it off with water or a some micellar. It comes right off.

I use a ph neutral foaming wash, lather it on my hands and then wash my face, and lashes - takes about a minute, all traces of make up gone, then chuck on moisturiser. This way you don't tug at your eyelashes/lids, they don't get sore, and it's quick. I find wiping off eye make up with product on cotton pads makes the skin around my eyes sore, and it just takes aaaages. I also lose more lashes that way.

I just hot cloth cleanse with the rose version of the aldi dupe of clinique's take the day off cleansing balm. Removes everything, skin feels all plump and moisturised. I used the clinique one for years, but I love the rose smell of the aldi one.

Vaseline works very well with a cotton wood pad. Just rub it in gently to lift the the makeup. It doesn’t sting my eyes like many makeup removers. And it’s way more effective than other removal products

I just wash my face with water and a facial wash then use the nivea oily make up remover very lightly that removes anything left over very easy.

Pond’s Cold Cream. Super cheap and ridiculously good at removing every scrap of waterproof mascara! Smells like nostalgia :)

That’s exactly what I do. Press and hold to give it time to break the mascara down and always work inwards not out so you aren’t dragging your eyelids

This because it works wonders on your face and neck too.

I always use Clinique Take the day off for LidsLashes & lips.This removes waterproof mascara so will work easily for you.

Baby lotion is my go to. It doesn’t sting my eyes, gets the mascara right off and is cheap and cheerful.