READY, SET, CLEAN

Smokey, smudged or cat eyes add the oomph to your eyes, but they can create nightmares for your skin, if not removed properly.

Hitting the bed is the first thing you want to do after a late night out. But that is no excuse to skimp on the makeup removal process especially when you have dark eye shadows and thick coats of mascara to deal with. The skin around our eyes is thinner and delicate than the rest of the face, and thus requires a bit of an extra TLC. Also remember removing every last streak of makeup will avoid premature ageing of the skin. Here’re 5 simple tips that can help you take off the eye makeup in a gentle way.

Oil Spill: When it is waterproof mascara that you’re dealing with then your regular face washes are of little help. In fact the regular face wash might dry out and damage the fragile skin around the eyes. An oil-based makeup remover can break down the colour pigments and remove them easily. Check out Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, M.A.C Gently Off Eye And Lip Makeup Remover or Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover to help you with the task. Do follow up with your regular face wash for complete cleansing.

Let It Stay: Perfecting the cat eye can be a master stroke to achieve; removing it the right way requires equal precision. Don’t scrub or rub the cotton pads back and forth over your eyes to take off the liner. Instead soak the cotton pads with an eye makeup remover and keep them on eyes for a minute and then wipe it off. Leaving the remover on for that extra time helps break down the colour and eases the process of cleansing.

Nourishing Cleanse: Coconut oil is not just a skin salve or a mane tamer. It works extremely well as an eye makeup remover. It gently breaks down the waterproof formulas to remove stubborn makeup and leaves the skin around your eye feeling softer, smoother and nourished. Just take half a teaspoon in your hand and apply it on the eyelids gently massaging with your finger pads. Remove the excess oil and the residue with a damp cotton pad. Repeat if you see more makeup.

Blend It: Just like coconut oil the mix of almond and olive oils with a drop of lavender essential oil (this is optional and should be used only if you’re sure of its purity) can also help in wiping off the waterproof mascara from the lashes. Just dip an ear bud in this blend and gently apply it on the lashes the way you would wear your mascara. Place a tissue over the lashes and after 10-20 seconds swipe it off the lashes.

Fold & Wipe: Whether you use a natural remover or an over-the-counter product you can’t be using the same side of the cotton pad over and over again. Or you’ll end up slathering the makeup you just removed. So once you have used the full pad to wipe, fold it into half and then to quarter if you still see makeup.