There is always such a fulfilling feeling we get when we have a successful and flawless makeup application. Wearing the look all day can give you a heightened sense of self, but after the day comes to a close, eventually your makeup has to come off. You should always remove your eye makeup before going to bed. Some people can’t seem to do away with their makeup after the day ends, and they go to sleep wearing it.

Other people cleanse in the morning and reapply their makeup right after. Whatever the reason for sleeping in your makeup is, you should avoid going to sleep wearing your makeup. Makeup removal should be a very important part of your daily skin-care regimen. Removing your makeup before going to bed is important to keep your skin clean and healthy-looking. It also allows you to let your skin “breathe” while you sleep. It prevents your mascara from smudging and protects the foundation from creating stains on your pillowcases and sheets.

The skin delicate skin around your eyes is 7x’s thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. It should be cleansed gently with the use of a makeup remover designed to care for your eye area.

How to remove your eye makeup

Your eye makeup should be removed first. If you are wearing eyelashes you should take these off before cleansing. Many people reuse their eyelashes so doing this would give you the chance to save them without rubbing the hairs off the lash line when removing your eye makeup. Remove your eye makeup using a suitable eye makeup remover. Be sure to use a product that is intended to be used as a makeup removal solution.

Clean around the entire eyelids removing all traces of any eye shadow or eyeliner. Choose an eye makeup remover that best suits your overall skin type. I use makeup remover wipes or a makeup remover towel to remove my lip and eye makeup. I have tested a few different types and brands but I love the bolero cleanse and nourish facial wipes with witch hazel and green tea. I use the Skip The spa lavender makeup removing towelettes, or Yardley disposable washcloths enriched with Aloe Vera, Chamomile, and Vitamin E. On the days when I am not wearing any lipstick or heavy makeup, I will use Stridex acne pads to remove my makeup. 

If you are prone to oiliness choose an oil-free makeup remover. If you have sensitive skin look for a makeup remover made for sensitive skin types. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a good product. Many drugstore brands make very good makeup removers. Before your nightly cleansing routine, you should cleanse your eye area first. Make sure to clean your eyelashes to remove any eyelash glue or mascara. 

Moisten your eye area slightly to wet your mascara. This will cause the makeup remover to soak into the mascara more thoroughly. Starting with your eyelids, start at the top with very light pressure and wipe from top to bottom and around the inner and outer corners of your eyelids. This should leave a small amount of remover on lid. Moisten a cotton ball or cotton pad with water following the same motion to remove excess makeup remover. Repeat if necessary with a new cotton pad if any product remains. 

To remove mascara add a small amount of makeup remover to the q-tip. Close your eye and roll the q-tip over your lash line lash in a downward motion to apply remover. After most of the mascara has been removed use another q-tip and roll the q-tip over your lashline in a left-to-right motion. You can then follow up with another q-tip moistened with water or a cotton ball. I would suggest using a cotton ball for this step since it will cover a larger area of your lid and make the process quicker.

Wet your face thoroughly with water and apply the remover to your washcloth, cotton pad, or makeup wipe and gently wipe over your eyes. Remove any traces of brow gels, tints, or eyebrow pencils by cleaning under your brow line. I will be the first to admit that I don’t always remove my eyebrow makeup. It’s the only thing I will leave on my face when I’m removing my makeup.

I typically don’t wear heavy or dramatic brows, so I feel it’s okay for me to keep them. And they don’t tend to cause significant amounts of stains on my bed linens. A Q-tip can be used to remove any traces of makeup you may have missed in some of your crease areas.

Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry. Apply your facial cleanser to your washcloth or directly onto your face and neck. Massage in a circular motion until your entire face and neck areas are covered in a nice, foamy lather. Make sure to avoid the eye area because this can cause itching, redness, and burning. If you do so happen to get cleanser into your eyes keep your eyes closed tightly and proceed to remove the remaining soap from your face.

After cleaning apply a clean cloth or splash water on your face and rub the water around your eyelid. Wipe your eye with a dry cloth and try to open your eyes. If it still burns repeat the same steps and finish by laying the wet cloth over your eye and holding it for a few seconds. Be sure to use cool or cold water to flush the cleanser from your eyes. Apply a facial toner and a light layer of facial moisturizer to your face and neck after cleansing.