How To Take Off Waterproof Eyeliner [5 Ways to Do it Safely]

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to take off your waterproof eyeliner, only to end up with raccoon eyes. But with a few simple tricks, you can remove that liner without any trouble.

Just follow these steps and you’ll be good to go!

Using Make up Remover

First, make sure you have a good eye makeup remover. My favorite is Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.

1. Apply the remover to a cotton ball and gently rub it over your eyelids.
2. Wait a few seconds for the makeup to break down, then use a fresh cotton ball to wipe it all away.
3. If any residue remains, repeat until all of the liner is gone. Voila! You’re now ready to start your day (or night) without raccoon eyes.
4. You can also use a cleansing oil, such as Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil.
5. Apply a drop to a cotton ball and gently swipe across your eyelids.

I find it doesn’t break down the formula as well as other cleansers do, but it’s definitely effective at removing waterproof mascara.

Use Baby Wipes

Another go-to trick is to use baby wipes to get the job done. They’re gentle and effective at removing makeup, which means they’ll work to remove waterproof mascara.

You can buy an inexpensive pack of baby wipes from your local supermarket, or use a reusable makeup remover wipe.

If you don’t want to use a brand new wipe, make sure your current wipes are clean and fresh out of the package. If not, you can give it a toss and open a new one – the packaging should have instructions on how to do this correctly.

Then follow these simple steps:

• Open up the wipe and rub it over your closed eyelid for a couple seconds,
• then you can open your eye and
• gently swipe the wipe away in the direction of your nose.
• The makeup should come right off!

If any residue remains, repeat until all of the eyeliner is gone.

You can also use oil-free makeup remover wipes to remove waterproof eyeliner, but the ones with oil might be more effective because they break down the product better.

Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is full of moisturizing properties and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin

The great news is that this all-natural ingredient will easily take off your waterproof mascara after a long day!

Here’s how you do it step by step

• Grab a clean cotton swab, dampen it in some warm water, then wipe away any debris to ensure your eyes are clean before starting this process.
• Dip the tip of the cotton swab into coconut oil until it’s fully covered, then wipe away your waterproof eyeliner.
• Wipe until all of the makeup is gone and then you’re good to go (and ready for bed)!

If you still have trouble removing your waterproof liner, I suggest using a few cotton swabs.

Then follow these simple steps

1. Grab two or three clean cotton swabs and dampen them in some warm water, then wipe away any debris to ensure your eyes are clean before starting this process
2. Dip the tips of the cotton swabs into coconut oil until they’re fully covered, then lightly dab it on top of your waterproof eyeliner – just enough to break through the pigment

Keep going back and forth and applying coconut oil and wiping it away until the liner is completely gone

You’ll end up with fresh, clean skin.

Olive oil

Another great option to use will be olive oil. Oil-based products break down waterproof formulas easier than wipes or cleansers do, but they may not always give you the results you want. This is why I’d recommend using them as a last resort – because they aren’t always effective.

Be careful not to get the oil in your eyes, since this can sting like crazy!

To take off your waterproof eyeliner, put some drops of olive oil in your hand or on a cotton pad. You then need to sit in front of a mirror and wipe off the makeup with the oil.

Olive oil is a great option to take off waterproof eyeliner because it won’t irritate your eyes or skin, and will completely break down the makeup with just one wipe.

You can go ahead and have another swipe if you still see some black shadow, but it’s good to be careful not to scrub too much.

Baby oil

Another option you can use is baby oil, but it has the same risks of potentially staining your clothes as olive oil does, so use it carefully.

Both coconut and olive oils are great to use around your eye area because they don’t sting or irritate sensitive skin. Another reason why these options work great is that they’re usually cheap and easy to come by.

The good thing is baby oil is easily accessible and it won’t irritate your skin. So if you don’t mind potentially getting some on your clothes, then this is the safer option for you!

Can you use Vaseline to take off mascara?

Vaseline is a type of petroleum jelly that takes off makeup fast. However, I’d recommend using it only as a last resort, since it’s a bit greasy and can be messy.

To use Vaseline to take off waterproof eyeliner, dip a cotton ball in the jelly and sweep away your makeup! It’ll take off your makeup with no mess.

Petroleum jelly can remove even the waterproof formulas, but it works a bit differently.

It doesn’t break down the formula as coconut oil does; instead, it absorbs the formula into itself and makes it easy for you to wipe off with a cotton pad or soft cloth.

The big risk of using Vaseline is that you may need to use an eye cream at night before bed so you can restore some moisture during your beauty rest.

Does waterproof mascara ruin your eyelashes?

The big risk of using cheap mascara might clump and dry out your lashes. Waxes and silicones make waterproof mascara more resilient against sweat, tears, and water.

So you need to make sure you’re removing your waterproof makeup every day! When it starts building up, it takes moisture away from your eyes, making it harder for them to stay hydrated.

Moisturized lashes can fall out easily, so it’s important to take off your waterproof mascara every day.

A great way to do this is by using coconut oil, olive oil, or Vaseline – but if you want an easier option, use a makeup remover designed for this purpose. Makeup removers are specifically designed to break down waterproof formulas and remove them without damaging the delicate skin around your eyes.

If it’s built up and you’re wondering how to remove waterproof eyeliner without damaging it, then you definitely need a makeup remover.

Final Thoughts

Before I let you go, here are a few final helpful tips:

• Don’t rub your eyes.

It’s an intense motion that can irritate skin and cause wrinkles. If you’re in a hurry, invest in a good makeup remover wipe so you don’t have to tug at the delicate skin around your eyes.

• Don’t bother using cucumbers or peppermint oil to remove eyeliner.

While these remedies might sound great, they won’t get the job done when it comes to removing waterproof mascara. The best thing you can do is invest in a good makeup remover that won’t irritate your skin or eyes.

No matter what kind of product you’re using, always remember to take it off every single day.

Skin and eye damage is irreversible – so don’t wait until the morning before an important event to remove your makeup. When you do this, the makeup will settle into your skin, causing clogs and irritation.

Keep these tips in mind so you can protect your skin against makeup damage.

So there you have it! Next time you’re in a rush to take off your waterproof eyeliner, use these techniques to get the job done hassle-free. And remember: if at first, you don’t succeed, try again.