Episode #11 - Eye Makeup Removers

Listen right now to episode #11 of Lip Gloss and Laptops at our podcast shownotes page, or download the MP3 file (52 min 05 sec) directly. Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post, or email us at podcast {at} lipglossandlaptops {dot} com—or visit the listener forum at lipglossandlaptops.com/forum.

About Makeup Removers

The skin around the eyes is some of the most delicate on the body, so it needs to be treated with care. That includes not having to tug at it to take your makeup off at the end of the day. With so many removers on the market, how do you know which product will best suit your needs?

First, consider what type of makeup you most often wear. If you love long-wearing or waterproof formulas, you're in the market for a remover that is probably oil-based, as that will get rid of those products with the least resistance. If, on the other hand, you are more of a natural girl who likes to go easy on the eye makeup, and wear regular formula mascaras, you are good to go with a non-oily, or even a gel-based remover.

There are some eye makeup removers that you pretty much can't go wrong with. Lancôme is renowned for their contributions in this category, particularly with Bi-Facil. It is a dual phase remover that has to be shaken to be activated. Think of a bottle of salad dressing, with the oily formulation sitting at the bottom of the bottle, and a watery mixture on top. This remover is consistently at the top of various magazine "Best of" lists, and us well reviewed on makeup sites. If you don't like the oily formulation, the Effacil is a great alternative for taking off non-waterproof makeup.

Formulation is key. If you wear minimal eye makeup, a gentle remover will do. Almay's Non-Oily Makeup Remover Pads are a reliable product. It is also great for women who don't want to add any additional oil to their complexion. For waterproof, long-wearing and heavy duty removals, you're going to want a product that's got some strength.

Kerry Anne's Picks

Klorane Wild Cornflower Eye Makeup Remover ($13.95, 6.7 fl oz, 200 ml) This is a staple in my bathroom cupboard. It's a product from France that comes in a lovely cobalt blue bottle. It is extremely gentle on the eyes, and effective on all types of makeup without being oily. Even without the oil, you don't have to tug at your lashes to get the product off. It is safe for contact lens wearers and is hypo-allergenic. Many contact wearers and women with sensitive skin swear by it. It is supposed to smell like flowers, but I detect a very slight "beery" smell to it. Call me crazy, I still like it.

Almay Dual-Phase Eye Makeup Remover ($10CA, $5.75US, 4oz) Like Lancome's Bi-Facil, this one has to be shaken before you use it. Unlike Lancome, it is in the $10 range. This remover took off all my long-wearing eyeliner in a snap, but did leave a slightly greasy feel over my eye area. This eventually dries up to leave your eye area feeling super soft. If you are planning to reapply makeup after you remove it with this product, you are going to have to rinse it well to get all the oily residue off, or your makeup will not stay put. I do recommend it, but ladies who have a tendency to break out might want to use it sparingly, or on nights when they need to do some hardcore makeup removal. Hypoallergenic, non-irritating, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, clinically and allergy tested. This one is not listed on the website, and I think that it may have been replaced by the new Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Liquid, which is also a dual-phase product with the same description.

Airdrie's Picks

My favourite make-up remover is the classic Ponds Cold Cream. I've been using it since highschool. I use this product at bedtime, and it provides overnight moisturizing for my sleeping face. Read more about this history of this amazing product at homebasics. To use this product I first wash my face with soap or soap-free cleanser or exfoliating cleanser. I then rub a thin layer of the cold cream on my lids and lashes (and lips if necessary). It can also be used all over the face. I then tissue-off the cream and I'm done. It is non-irritating and at under $10 it is an economical choice.

I also review three products by Clinique in this episode. I encourage you to listen to the podcast for all the details. I'm too burnt-out from being on Second Life this week to write the review. Visit me on Second Life where my name is Anna Mandelbrot.

Links From the Show

• Alice Marie's podcast Let's Get Metaphysical (we played her song "Lipstick Diaries" last week)
• “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley
• “Man of La Mancha” by Ronan Tynan
• “Reproduction” from the Grease 2 Soundtrack

"In the factory we make cosmetics; in the drugstore we sell hope." - Charles Revson, creator of Revlon Cosmetics