How to (Safely) Remove Waterproof Mascara, According to Experts

Katharine McEntee
·7 min read
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Reviewed by Jaleesa JaikaranFact checked by Anna Harris

After spending so much time perfecting and setting our makeup, the last thing we want is for our look to be ruined by runny mascara. There are many budge-proof products out there, but arguably the most popular is waterproof mascara. With a formula comprised of waxes and silicones, this kind of mascara coats the lashes and keeps them put through tearjerker weddings, a summer thunderstorm, and uncontrollable laughter. Basically anything that can cause your eyes to water, your mascara will stay put. The caveat? Removing it is no easy feat.

We asked dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy Rose and celebrity makeup artists Suzy Gerstein and Nydia Figueroa to share the best way to remove waterproof mascara. Read on for their tried-and-true tricks for removing the most stubborn eye makeup—without scrubbing, rubbing, or pulling out lashes.



Meet the Expert



Keep reading for 12 expert-approved ways to remove waterproof mascara.

Condition Lashes

Prepping the lashes is essential for keeping them healthy no matter what type of mascara you're wearing. "A lash primer applied before waterproof mascara can help make removal easier while not compromising the waterproofing effect," says dermatologist Blair Murphy Rose, MD, FAAD.

Celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa recommends a lash primer/conditioner. Her favorite is the Jane Iredale PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner ($26) with lash-loving ingredients like beeswax, algae extract, and hydrolyzed wheat protein. "It works like double-sided tape to lock on the mascara while protecting the lashes from breakage."

Apply a Base Coat

Celebrity makeup artist Suzy Gerstein's go-to trick for easy mascara removal starts with the application. Before applying waterproof mascara, Gerstein says to protect your lashes with a base coat of regular mascara. Once applied, she says to go over your base coat with waterproof mascara for longer, smudge-proof wear.

Choose the Right Formula

Great mascara application also starts with, well, a great mascara. Figueroa loves Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara ($13), which is both effective and gentle. "This mascara is amazing for extending the lashes and creating super volume. It is waterproof, great for sensitive eyes, and suitable for people who wear contacts."

Brush With a Dry Spoolie

Removing makeup is easier when there's less of it to take off—it's as simple as that. So when applying waterproof mascara, use a clean, dry spoolie and wiggle it a bit along your lashes to maximize thickness. Not only will this technique remove gunky mascara, making for easier cleanup, but it will also ensure even coats and distribution (read: no spider lashes here).

Use a Good Remover

The key to taking off eye makeup is a good remover. If you are removing your makeup as a means to change beauty looks, Gerstein recommends NARS Gentle Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($24), as it doesn't leave behind a residue of any kind. Simply apply the solution to a cotton round, hold for a few seconds over your lashes, and voilà! You'll wipe away to an ink-free flutter.

Another gentle option, endorsed by Figueroa, is Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water ($12). The version with the blue cap is specifically meant for waterproof makeup and "is amazing in removing makeup without any oily residue. It is a no-rinse formula, and it cleanses the skin," says Figueroa.

For her favorite skin-safe pick, Murphy Rose recommends Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover ($6), a gentle option that features aloe and cucumber to soothe skin.

Take Your Time

A drop of makeup remover will not do the trick. Gerstein recommends soaking two cotton pads with your makeup remover of choice and gently pressing the pads onto your lashes. Hold there for at least 30 seconds, and if need be, lightly massage the area for no more than 15 seconds. Wipe off the excess remover with a clean pad and/or water, and your waterproof mascara should no longer be visible.



Byrdie Tip

Do not continue to use the same side of a cotton pad once it's been sullied; doing so will only redeposit the makeup you just removed. To get the most use out of your cotton pad—and not go through an entire stack—fold the unused section over with each dab.



Clean Up With Q-Tips

If your mascara tends to settle along your lash line, use a Q-tip to gently clean up the area. If going from a day to nighttime look, remember to let the mascara dry before you go in with the cotton swab to prevent it from smearing and messing up your eyeshadow.

Cleanse With Olive Oil

Olive oil is lauded to be a natural makeup remover that will cleanse your eye area without the use of harsh chemicals or ingredients, but Murphy Rose said it should not be a primary method of makeup removal.

"In a pinch, olive oil can be used to remove makeup including waterproof mascara. I recommend washing with gentle face soap afterwards to remove the oily residue," she says.

To use, saturate a reusable makeup remover pad with oil and gently press, hold, and wipe against your lashes.

Try a Cold Cream

While it may not be as fancy as, say, Sisley Paris Eye and Lip Gel Make-Up Remover ($110), Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser ($6) is an iconic drugstore product that makes removing waterproof mascara a breeze. Simply apply a thin layer onto eyelids and gently wipe away with a soft washcloth.

Wash Your Face

Murphy Rose emphasizes the importance of using a product that "efficiently removes waterproof makeup to reduce trauma to lashes" Once you have succeeded in removing mascara with a solution, wash your face with a gentle face soap (a derm-approved pick is Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, ($13), an iconic formula that suits all skin types). Sometimes, a double cleanse is needed to make sure that you get rid of all of the dirt and grime that not only clings to lashes, but trickles down your face as well.

Treat With Coconut Oil

Lash care doesn't end after you've washed your face. "A great way to take care of your lashes when you are not wearing makeup is by applying coconut oil," says Figueroa. "It reduces the protein loss in your hair, which can help your lashes become stronger and more full." Massage a small amount of coconut oil, or brush a spoolie dipped in the oil, through the lashes once you've removed your makeup.



Byrdie Tip

Coconut oil may clog pores, so those with acne-prone skin who are interested in using it to remove mascara or treat lashes should exercise caution. Don't overdo it and only use coconut oil that is organic, unrefined, and cold-pressed to try to avoid a breakout.



Use A Lash Serum

A lash serum not only aids in the growth of new fluffy lashes, it also helps protect your current ones. Applying a lash serum after removing your makeup can help to minimize lash loss and strengthen your eyelashes. Some lash serums even more so well that you might be able to do without mascara altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is waterproof mascara bad for your lashes?

"While waterproof makeup usually will not directly affect your lash health, leaving it on while sleeping or removing it too aggressively can affect the growth and strength of your lashes," says Murphy Rose. "It is recommended to use waterproof makeup only when needed and ideally not every day."

Can I wear waterproof mascara every day?

While waterproof mascara is convenient, wearing it every day is not encouraged since it may dry out, irritate lashes, and increases eyelash loss.

Why do I lose eyelashes when removing mascara?

If you're losing eyelashes when removing mascara, you'll need to re-evaluate your eye makeup removal technique. You should not be aggressively rubbing mascara off, but instead, gently press, dab, and wipe lashes with a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover.

Up Next: The 12 Best Mascaras of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Read the original article on Byrdie.