Mascara Week Part 3: Removal

One of my least favorite tasks is removing my mascara at the end of the day.  It's SUPER important that it gets done, though.  You really just don't want to sleep in with those chemicals and products on your eyes!

It's no secret that some mascaras are harder to remove than others.  I've used everything from tubing mascaras that come off with just water and some pressure from your fingers (which are a cinch to remove!) to super duper waterproof (in other words, good luck).

Here are my tips for getting every last speck of whatever mascara you have on, off!

If it's pretty easy to remove...

Water usually does a pretty good job!  Wash your face with your normal soap and water, and if your soap is gentle, carefully rub a little over your lashes (eyes closed!!) to help break down the mascara.  I usually just use whatever is left on my fingers after washing the rest of my face.  This will usually leave a little residue that can easily be cleaned up after with some water based or cream based makeup remover.  My picks are Bioderma (find it on Amazon or Ebay) or Kiehl's Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($16.50).

If it's average...

This is how I remove probably 80% of my mascaras.  First, use either water based or an oil based remover on a cotton pad.  I have yet to find my Holy Grail oil-based remover, but I did enjoy Sonia Kashuk Remove ($10).  Gently press the remover over your eyes for a few seconds to help break down the mascara, then wipe away.  You likely won't get everything off using this alone.  From there...either wash or face as described above, or go in with a makeup remover wipe.  Mac Wipes are my pick, but they aren't technically eye-safe.  For other great wipes, check out my post comparing a bunch of brands.  With your eyes closed, carefully rub the wipe over your lashes.  I also then open my eyes and "pinch" my lashes from the top and bottom with the wipe in my fingertips.  Be very, very gentle...you don't want to pull your lashes out!  This method really lets me get everything off, but you have to be very careful and gentle.  

If it's stubborn or waterproof...

This is the method I would use to remove anything waterproof, or something stubborn like Benefit They're Real.  First, use an oil to get most of it off.  No, not an oil-based remover.  A straight oil.  My favorite is Josie Maran's Argan Cleansing Oil ($12 for 1.9 oz...which will last you forever, or $32 for 6 oz.), but you could even use something as simple as olive oil.  I like Josie Maran's because it is specifically meant for this and it does not irritate my contact lenses at all.  (I plan to do a full review and demo of this product, because I really do love it.)  BE VERY CAREFUL!  With your eyes closed, rub the oil into your lashes and all over your eyelids.  Your eyes will be completely and totally black and you'll look like a freak!  ;)  But the genius part of this is that the oils just wash right away with water.  No soap needed.  And they take about 90% of your stubborn mascara with them.  I clean up any residue with one of the two methods above.

Let me know your favorite products and methods to get your mascara off!  Do any of my tips work for you?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: Tips for Touching Up Your Makeup

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

No matter how hard I try or how many "long-wear" products I use in the morning, it is inevitable that my makeup will begin to wear off by mid-day.  Most days I honestly just don't care...no one besides my little girl sees me, and she really doesn't mind! 

For those days that I can't exactly run around with mascara or eyeliner smudged under my eyes (still trying to figure out which one is doing it to me!), I have a few tricks on standby to help me touch up and look fresh again in only a few minutes.

                                                                      1.  Keep Q-Tips on you.

These are awesome for getting rid of any product that has smudged to a place you don't want it.  Whether it is mascara on your undereyes, gunk in your inner eye corners (we all get it), lipstick that has bled, or product that has settled into creases or fine lines, q-tips can get the smears away quickly.  A quick brush with a dry q-tip should do it, but if your product is being stubborn, I usually use a tiny (tiny!!) bit of water or a little dab of lotion to help it wipe away. 

My Pick: Q-Tips Precision Tips Cotton Swabs ($3.29 for 170).  These are pointed on the ends, not rounded, so they allow you to get into tight spots much more easily.

2.  Be prepared to combat shine.

Even when I use something like a mattifying spray over my makeup in the morning, I still get shiny by about 2pm.  My skin is oily so it can take a little bit of powder without looking cakey.  I don't typically carry this with me, but if I am home and need to run out, I will just take a nice fluffy brush and a little powder foundation (or a sheer tinted powder) and run it over my T-zone.  For on-the-go or if you have dry skin, keep blotting sheets in your purse.  They'll work wonderfully!

My Picks:  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($30) or Cover Girl TruBlend Pressed Powder ($9).  These are so, so similar...I'd go drugstore unless you're looking to spend money at the MAC counter!  For blotting sheets, I love the Boscia Blotting Linens ($10 for 100 sheets) or the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.39 for 50 sheets).

3.  Have those products that wear away quickly with you and ready for you to reapply them.  

On me, this is stuff like concealer, bronzer, blush, and lipgloss.  It's super easy to keep a tiny stick or pot of concealer, a compact with both powders and a little brush in your bag, and you'll be glad you did!  (I will say, though...the only thing I actually keep in my purse in this regard is lipgloss.  I must have 30 of them in my diaper bag!)  Keep in mind, too...these are just your travel products...they don't need to be your favorites.  Inexpensive products are great, too, because if they crack while in your purse, you aren't losing your $30 blush.  

My Picks:  For concealer, I love my Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick ($24).  Pricey, but it works so well, is very compact, and has sturdy packaging.  For re-covering your undereye circles, I love a thinner concealer like the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller ($10.59).  You can easily blend it with your fingers.   For blush and bronzer, I would go with the E.L.F. Blush/Bronzer Duo in St. Lucia ($3).  While I'm normally not a huge E.L.F. fan, for $3 I think this is a great purse item.  It's supposedly a dupe for NARS' Orgasm/Laguna duo, which is $41!!  I would also keep a retractable kabuki brush on hand to apply the powders.  Eco Tools makes a $9 drugstore version; Sephora's comes in at $18 and in 5 colors.  And finally, my must-have purse lipgloss...Victoria's Secret Shiny Kiss Flavored Gloss in Slice of Heaven ($9).  VS renames or repackages this scent/flavor all the time, but through the years I've always been able to find the cake batter flavored gloss.  It smells divine and leaves the prettiest shine on your lips.  It's slightly sticky, but it's worth the tradeoff for its staying power.

What are your go-to tricks for touching up your eye makeup?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: The e.l.f. Makeup Remover Pen

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

Happy Monday!

Today I want to share a tool that I use all. the. time for quick touch ups and to get those pesky mascara smudges off my face.  I featured this product in my November Favorites, but decided it needed its own post!

The e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Pen ($3) is one of the best little items I own!  I grabbed mine at Target after hearing about it on Josh Collier's YouTube channel.  Until I found this gem, I have to be honest, I had never used an e.l.f product that I actually liked, so I was a bit skeptical.  The makeup remover pen, however, is an awesome find!

Image Source: Drugstore.com

The pen is the perfect size for getting into the corners of your eye or below your lower lashes.  It is filled with an oil-based makeup remover that works wonderfully for taking off excess or smudged makeup.  It does leave a slight residue behind, but I have found that it quickly absorbs into my skin once it dries, or I can just rub it in if I'm in a rush.  

The applicator is a cross between a sponge tip and a felt tip, but it is hard enough that you get complete control over it.  Another plus...when the tip starts to get dirty and filled with makeup, pull it out and flip it over for a perfectly clean side! 

I've used this pen at least a few times a week either to fix blotched mascara application or to touch up in the afternoon when my makeup is all smudged...and it's lasted me a good 6 months, and is still going strong. 

Overall, this is an all-time favorite product of mine!  I will definitely continue to purchase it, and I love that it's a great steal at only $3!

Have you tried this pen?  Do you love it as much as I do?

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Organization Week Part 3: My Everyday Products

On Monday, my post focused on how I keep the products that I use day in and day out right where I need them...on my vanity.  Today, I wanted to give you a more detailed view of my everyday products.  I've included in the video the things I use literally every single day.  I often change up things like foundations and eyeshadows, so those aren't in there, but everything from mascara to eye cream is!

These are the things I keep in the drawer in my purple makeup tower and out on my vanity for easy use!

Links Mentioned in the Video:
Monday's post on organizing for everyday ease here
Temptalia's post on Mac's Haute & Naughty Mascara here
My post on the Julep Top Coat here

Products Mentioned:
Clarins Bright+ Brightening Hydrating Day Lotion ($62...this was a gift from my sister)
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden ($20)
Mac Paint Pot in Nubile (limited edition shade)
Mac Mineralize Concealer ($20)
Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack ($16)
Mac's Haute & Naughty Too Black Mascara ($21)
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara (used as a brow gel) ($5.50)
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel ($21)
NARS Laguna Bronzer ($36)
Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Peppermint Lip Balm ($10)
Bioderma (try Amazon or Ebay.  It's about $20 for 250 ml, $35-$35 for 500 ml)
Sheseido Facial Cotton ($9.50)
Mac Lip Conditioner (now sold in a tube, here, for $15)
Avon AnewGenics Eye Cream ($36)
Clarins Lotus Oil Face Treatment ($50...also a gift from my sister)
Gelous Base Coat ($6)
Seche Vite Top Coat ($10)

I hope you enjoyed :)

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.

Mommy Makeup Monday: Fastest Makeup Removal Method

On Mondays, I share a tip, product or tutorial that will help you look polished and put-together quickly and with minimal effort.  You definitely don't have to be a rushed mom to benefit from these posts...anyone who needs to be out-the-door fast (and who doesn't?!) can appreciate Mommy Makeup Mondays!

Happy Monday!  Sorry for the radio silence these past few days...my Macbook decided it needed to spend some quality time at the Apple store, but it's back and in a much better mood now :)

So let's discuss face cleansing and makeup removing wipes.  They are my go-to method of cleaning my face before bed on those nights that I'm just about too exhausted to even care.  But because I know how bad it is to sleep in your makeup, and because I'm sick of throwing my mascara-smudged pillowcases in the wash every morning, I keep a stash of wipes in my vanity for quick and super easy makeup removal.  It will take about 2 minutes to get all your makeup off, and you'll be in bed before you know it!  It's SO worth the tiny bit of effort...your skin will thank you in the morning!

A quick roundup of my favorite and not-so-favorite wipes:

Image Source: maccosmetics.com

1.  Mac Wipes.  You cannot beat them for makeup removal.  They take everything off; the end.  Mac does indicate that they aren't eye-safe, so those with sensitive eyes may want to try another type of wipe.  Personally I've always used them on my eyes with no problem.  The one downside is the price - $20 for 45 wipes, or $29 for 100.  (Personally, I would be afraid of the 100-pack drying up by the end.  Mac's packaging is by far the best with this issue, but the ends of my 45-packs are usually pretty dry.) 

Image Source: simpleskincare.com

2. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes.  These are a good buy for the money (around $5 for 25 wipes), and they're readily available at Target.  They smell nice, do a solid job of makeup removal, and I like that there are no harsh chemicals in them.  I would rate these on the better side of average, although they still don't compare to Mac's wipes. 

Image Source: target.com

 3.  Up & Up Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes.  Sold only at Target stores, these wipes are actually really great!  For 30 wipes, you'll pay less than $4, and they will do a great job of removing makeup.  These were my go-to wipes for years, until my eye area grew sensitive to them.  I've taken a break from them, but I will definitely repurchase them in the future.  Unless you have super-sensitive skin, I would definitely recommend trying these out.

Image Source: target.com

4.  Pond's Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes.  These are another favorite of mine.  They smell so nice, like chamomile and white tea.  It's a gentle scent, and doesn't linger, but is so nice when you're using them.  They also do a great job taking off makeup, although these are better for face makeup than eye makeup.  They run about $5 for 30 wipes.

Image Source: olay.com

5.  Olay Wet Cleansing Towelettes for Sensitive Skin.  I have to be honest, I didn't love these wipes.  They were good for cleansing, and never irritated my skin at all, but only did a fair job at makeup removal.  Plus, every time I purchased a pack, the last 4 or 5 wipes was almost entirely dried out by the time I got to it.  (I typically go through a pack per month.)  These are also a little pricey...between $6 and $7 for 30 wipes.

Image Source: ponds.com

6.  Pond's Luminous Clean Wet Cleansing Towelettes.   I am currently using these wipes after finding them available on Amazon's Subscribe & Save program.  (Amazon's normal price is less than $5 for 30 wipes.  Plus I get 20% off with Subscribe & Save!)  I haven't formed many opinions yet, but the fact that they contain kaolin clay (known for drawing crap out of your pores) intrigued me.  I will say that I won't use them on my eyes...I didn't find that they got off all my liner/mascara, but I'm excited to see if they end up improving the appearance of my skin!  I will update as I use them.

Image Source: yestocarrots.com

And the one I would skip over:  Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Towelettes.  They're about $6 for 25 wipes, but in my opinion they smell awful and don't remove makeup well at all.  I found myself scrubbing to get it all off.  Skip these - you won't regret picking up something, anything, else.

I have yet to try either Neutrogena's wipes (I am all about the grapefruit scented ones!) or Garnier's wipes, but I have heard good things about both.  Neutrogena may be my next purchase if I decide to switch from the Pond's Luminous Clean wipes.  We'll see.

Overall, I think wipes are just the best way to get rid of your makeup and give your face a quick clean before bed when you're about to fall asleep sitting up.  I wouldn't use them every night, though, especially if you have acne-prone skin.  They aren't a foolproof substitute for good old soap and water, but they do a damn good job!  (And besides, if you need that extra layer of clean, it's easy enough to run over your face with some toner on a cotton round to get all the grime off.)

Do you use face wipes?  Have I missed a must-try brand?  Share what you love about them!

Do you have an idea for a Mommy Monday post?  I'd love to hear it!  Leave it in the comments below or email me at abeautylush@gmail.com.

As always, everything in this post is my honest personal opinion.  No affiliate links were used.  I have not accepted any consideration for sharing these items with you.  Unless indicated otherwise, all products were purchased by me with my own money.