How to remove Halloween makeup

Step 1: Remove facial accessories

Whether it’s some funky face gems, chunky glitter, or a pair of fluttery falsies, you’ll need to gently remove these before you can tackle the rest of your face. While you can easily peel off fake lashes, you’ll want to avoid picking off any face embellishments like jewels and gems. Instead, you’ll want to rub around the edges of the embellishment with a baby-oil-soaked cotton bud. This technique will help to loosen the adhesive, allowing you to pull it off without tugging on the skin. If you’re grappling with a lot of glitter, we recommend using a lint roller – this is also useful in collecting any stray bits of glitter on your clothes or carpet, too.

Step 2: Cleanse the skin

Hands down, the best way to remove makeup is by thoroughly cleansing the skin. For heavy-duty Halloween makeup, you’ll want to grab an oil-based cleanser and apply a couple of pumps to your face. Next, you’ll want to thoroughly massage it into dry skin to help to break up the oils in your face paint and makeup. Once you’ve massaged for a couple of minutes, you can then go ahead and rinse with water. As Halloween face paint is highly pigmented and designed to last all day (and night!), chances are you’ll need to double cleanse.

Once you’re happy that your base makeup is fully removed, we recommend doing one final cleanse with a foaming cleanser. This step is crucial in removing any oils from the makeup/oil-based cleanser and helps to refresh your skin ready for the next stage of the makeup removal routine.

Step 3: Use micellar water for eye makeup

If there’s any lingering eye makeup (waterproof mascara, we’re looking at you), you can call on the help of makeup removal must-have – micellar water. Soak one or two cotton pads in this magical elixir and hold it onto your eye for a few seconds, giving it time to dissolve the product. Once that time is up, swipe the cotton pad away and admire your fully refreshed face!

Step 4: Apply a face mask

After multiple rounds of cleansing, your skin is likely to be extra thirsty – so why not seize the opportunity for a bit of pampering? We recommend treating your skin to a bit of TLC in the form of a hydrating sheet mask, as this will help to bring life back to dry and dull skin. Once you’ve removed the mask, make sure to massage in the excess serum for an extra surge of moisture.

Step 5: Moisturise the skin

And last but certainly not least, it’s time to lock in one final bit of hydration with a moisturiser. Whether you opt for a rich or lightweight formulation, this step will help to provide hydration that lasts well into the morning, helping you wake up with smooth, soft, and supple skin.