Here's How to Remove All that Halloween Makeup
Despite all the fun that comes along with dressing up for Halloween, wearing a full face of thick makeup can be a really big hassle, particularly for those unaccustomed to effectively removing makeup each night. And while you might be tempted to stumble home and pass out in last night's makeup, there's literally nothing worse for your skin (or for your linens). With the right products, removing a full face of makeup — even stage makeup — is a breeze. Your skin will thank you, and you'll wake up so glad that you put in the extra effort. The best method for moving makeup doesn't involve scalding water on a rough washcloth, so be sure to treat your face like the delicate canvas it is.
Your best bet will be to perform a true double or triple cleanse, depending on the severity of your makeup situation. First, you'll go in with a good oil cleanser, which goes on dry skin and will begin the process of breaking down that makeup, which can often be oil-based and waterproof. After emulsifying the oil cleanser and rinsing it off your face, pat your skin dry and then go in with some micellar water on a cotton round to take a second pass at that stubborn makeup. The great thing about oil cleansers and micellar water is that they're perfectly safe for use around the eyes, and this is what you'll use to remove nearly all your eye makeup.
If you've got a ton of stubborn makeup on, it's okay to repeat these first two steps. On the other hand, if you don't have a grotesque amount of makeup on, you'll probably be just fine using either an oil cleanser or micellar water rather than both. Finally, you'll want to use a good quality cleanser that will remove absolutely everything left on your face. Here are the hero products we recommend.
The Oil Cleansers
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser
Formulated with camellia oil to break down even waterproof makeup, this silky smooth, moisturizing cleanser earns high marks for being as gentle as it is effective. If your skin is on the drier side, this Tatcha classic is the way to go. It also includes a proprietary complex of rice, green tea, and algae, which work together to gently resurface the skin while plumping and softening. $50, tatcha.com.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
One of the bestselling oil cleansers on the market, this is one of the best cleansers we've ever used. Formulated with 100% organic olive oil, this will literally melt the makeup off your face. It emulsifies beautifully and it rinses clean every time. $29, dhccare.com.
Votary Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil
We have long been fans of Votary, a UK-based brand committed to natural, cruelty free, vegan plant-powered products. As counterintuitive as it may seem, this oil cleanser is ideal for oilier complexions, as it tackles excess oil while cleansing the skin. $58.50, spacenk.com.
Marie Veronique Pure + E.O. Free Oil Cleanser
If essential oils — commonly found in oil cleansers — irritate your skin, then look no further than this star product from Marie Veronique. It uses Omega-6 rich oils to penetrate deep within the follicle and effectively cleanse the skin without robbing it of its surface protective oils. It also contains a pre- and probiotic complex, which help the skin maintain its microfloral balance. $45, credo.com.
Jordan Samuel Skin The After Show Treatment Cleanser
Oil cleansers are great, but some prefer more of a balm-like texture, which also tends to travel better than leaky pumps. This Jordan Samuel Skin cleanser — which also comes in a sensitive skin formulation — has long been one of our favorites. And given Jordan's background as a ballet dancer, he knows a thing or two about removing a full face of makeup before hitting the sack. $22, jordansamuelskin.com.
The Micellar Waters
Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water
You don't need to overthink your micellar water choice too much, and even dirt-cheap drug store products will get the job done. But this Caudalie product is lovely and ultra-effective, and uses organic grape water and glycerin to moisturize the skin and organic chamomile extract to soothe and reduce redness. $28, lovelyskin.com.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water Makeup Remover
Beloved the world over, this French pharmacy staple is always a sure bet. And given that Bioderma is the brand that developed micellar technology to begin with, it's no surprise that this is a favorite among celebrities, dermatologists, and makeup artists. $20.49, target.com.
The Cleansers
SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser
Harnessing the power of glycolic acid and glycerin, this incredibly effective cleanser will remove everything from your skin while maintaining moisture. It foams generously and rinses clean, which is why this is currently our favorite cleanser. If you have extremely dry skin, however, you may find that this a bit too strong. $36, lovelyskin.com.
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
The marvel of this cleanser is that it effectively cleanses and retexturizes the skin without ever leaving it dry, even if you've overdone it on the retinol the night before. In addition to cleansing, an antioxidant complex helps to heal the skin and prevent free radicals from wreaking havoc on your complexion. $45, lovelyskin.com.
Alastin Gentle Cleanser
A relatively new discovery for us, this dermatologist-loved cleanser instantly became one of our all-time favorites. Of the three cleansers listed here, this is by far the most gentle, and it's also the one that will leave your skin the softest. That's probably due to D-Panthenol, a vitamin B5 derivative that helps to soften and moisturize the skin. But we also love this for its other ingredients, oat beta glucan, bisabolol, and oat kernel extract, which all work together to calm the skin and cut back on irritation. It will be love at first rinse. $45, alastin.com.