Non-greasy (and cheap!) eye makeup remover?

[The Seventh Deadly Finn]

I'm one of those straight guys who's fascinated by makeup. I feel sort of ripped off that guys don't get to wear it, so usually when there's a costume party and sometimes when my band has a show-- basically, whenever I have an excuse-- I wear liner, mascara and shadow and tell myself I'm the spiritual heir of David Bowie. :rolleyes:

For a long time I had this bottle of Clinique eye makeup remover that was awesome. It was water-based and a bit soapy; I think some girl gave it to me. It lasted for a long time, but now it's gone.

I bought some eye makeup remover at Walgreens to replace it, but it's just baby oil, as far as I can tell. It works ok, I just don't like it; it feels yukky to me to put oil around my eyes.

However, I'm too cheap to buy Clinique. Can I just mix baby shampoo with water (carefully so it doesn't suds up) and use that, or will I go blind? Or is there another home recipe that'll work? Or, finally, is there an el cheapo product I can buy ready-made that's not gross?

[Ferret Herder]

I don't know if it fits in your definition of cheap, but it is a big bottle - The Body Shop makes a 8.5 fl oz bottle of Chamomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/makeup-removers/prod4670013). A little bit goes a fairly long way, and it sounds like it's similar to what you had, water-based with a little bit of soapyness (glycerin). I like it a lot, plus the independent makeup reviewer Paula Begoun (http://www.paulaschoice.com/category/books) gave it high marks in her book Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. They have a version for waterproof makeup too.

For cheaper types, among others she recommends Nivea's Visage Eye Makeup Remover (about $6 for 2.5 oz).

[Freudian Slit]

If I haven't put too much on I just wash my face and it comes off in the shower. If I've got the uber amount on, I usually use Maybelline's Expert Eyes. Or if I don't have that in stock, I wipe at my eyes with TP and water (and...yes....it takes a while).

[Sateryn76]

How about just some bar soap? I wrap my fingers in a washcloth, wet it down, and rub it across the bar. A few swipes under my eyes, and the makeup is gone.

Because I don't get it drippy wet, I get no soap in my eyes. And I use an eye moisturizer, so no worries about drying out my skin.

[freckafree]

Neutrogena's Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover is awesome. I don't know where you're located, but CVS has a store-brand version that is identical to the Neutrogena for about $5 a bottle.

[Countrypolitan]

My mom uses Almay. IIRC, it's hypoallergenic and non greasy.

Supposedly, the Olay Daily Facials can remove make-up, I know they can get sunblock off.

[Easy_Easter]

Soap, warm water, washcloth.

[rhubarbarin]

I use coconut or olive oil, or plain bar soap.

[lexi]

I used Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - big bottle ~16oz costs usually under $12.

[The Seventh Deadly Finn]

How about just some bar soap? I wrap my fingers in a washcloth, wet it down, and rub it across the bar. A few swipes under my eyes, and the makeup is gone.

Because I don't get it drippy wet, I get no soap in my eyes. And I use an eye moisturizer, so no worries about drying out my skin.

I've tried this, but I'm a klutz I guess because when I try it I get soap in my eyes every time.

It might have something to do with the fact that, since I'm wearing it as a costume effect, I'm putting on a lot. It might be more work to take off than the smaller amount a normal lady-type person would wear.

[salinqmind]

I think the baby shampoo would do a great job. Use a little on a washcloth in the shower. Why would you 'go blind'? It's baby shampoo! No more tears!

[Brynda]

I like the Wal-mart brand of pop up makeup remover wipes.

[lexi]

Cetaphil worked well on even my ye oldie days punk cat eye style liner & triple coats of black mascara (I'm taking this much make up).

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=116762&l=1601fc60f4&id=686330069

[NajaNivea]

Refined coconut oil is great, I use monoi oil to condition my skin and hair both. What about yer basic cold cream (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cream)?

[Freudian Slit]

Cetaphil worked well on even my ye oldie days punk cat eye style liner & triple coats of black mascara (I'm taking this much make up).

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=116762&l=1601fc60f4&id=686330069

I use cetaphil as my normal cleanser but when I wash around my eyes too much they sting! :(

[lexi]

I use cetaphil as my normal cleanser but when I wash around my eyes too much they sting! :(
I find it the least stingy thing possible for getting rid of eyeliner, but then I use a damp wash cloth after to wipe around my eyes and get my lashes clean too.

[Flutterby]

I like Avon's eye makeup remover and they often have them on sale. I picked up a couple bottles for 99 cents each..

[Chicken Fingers]

Baby wash works great and doesn't sting.

[Savannah]

Cold cream dissolves makeup very, very well. I use pre-moistened wipe-things these days, which work well, too. Baby oil always was a good choice, but not if you don't want "oily".

[Spacegirl]

Neutrogena's Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover is awesome. I don't know where you're located, but CVS has a store-brand version that is identical to the Neutrogena for about $5 a bottle.

Seconded! It's good stuff, and the bottle lasts a long time.

[Hockey Monkey]

I use Pond's Cold Cream. Inexpensive, and a little goes a long way in my opinion.

[Sigmagirl]

My mom uses Almay. IIRC, it's hypoallergenic and non greasy.
I use this, and I am superallergic. It works great and it's not expensive at all.

[Claire Beauchamp]

The Body Shop, Neutrogena, and Almay recs are all good ones given the OP's critera.

P.S. Why are people recommending lotions and oils and cold cream when the OP said "non greasy?"

[NajaNivea]

I guess it depends on your definition of "greasy". Monoi (refined coconut) oil is an oil, but it definitely doesn't leave your skin feeling "greasy". I've only ever used cold cream on a few occasions. I simply don't remember it feeling greasy, and I'm really pretty sensitive to anything that leaves a residue on my skin (which is why I rarely wear makeup, I just don't like the way it feels). Maybe they're different brand-by-brand? There's a definite difference in the way good oils feel on (and affect) your skin versus "grease".

[kathmandu]

I think the baby shampoo would do a great job. Use a little on a washcloth in the shower. Why would you 'go blind'? It's baby shampoo! No more tears!

I use Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash as a face wash in a pinch (it's in the tub because I use it on the kids). It's tearless and soapy, and is great at removing eye makeup. It costs about 4 bucks for 16 ounces.

[Green Bean]

I finished my bottle of Clinique blue stuff, and I also decided it was too expensive. I tried a bunch of others, including the Neutrogena and Almay, and wasted more money than I would have spent on a bottle of the Clinique blue stuff.

Then I went and bought another bottle of the Clinique blue stuff.

ETA--make sure to compare the # of ounces of product when comparing prices. I think the other brands come in smaller bottles. But you might not wear makeup often enough for that to be a consideration.

[I Am The Lorax]

I'm not surprised the first post endorsed the Body Shop Chamomile. That's what I came in to say; it's fantastic stuff. Very gentle, not greasy, not as expensive as Clinique. And it gets pot resin off of fingers really easily (don't ask how I know).

[Bridget Burke]

AlMay makes two kinds of eye makeup remover--I like the "Non Oily"variety.

[TruCelt]

I go to the CVS and get a bottle of glycerin (4 oz. = $2-3) Then I fill the old Almay bottle about 1/4 glycerin and 3/4 water. Put the squirty top back on and shake well before using.

The one thing to be careful of is if you don't use it very often. Glycerin is a good food for bacteria, so in your case you may want to keep it in the fridge between uses, and wash the bottle well before refilling.

A bottle of glycerin will make about 756 bottles of makeup remover. (well, approximately) But it usually gets used up before that because I also combine it with sesame oil and bergamot for a skin lotion.

[Lo-Slung Denim]

Vaseline. I don't find the grease stays. Smear it on, wipe it off with a tissue and all the grease goes with it - no residue.

Cheap, and I find it softens the skin in the eye area in a pleasant way.

[Hockey Monkey]

The Body Shop, Neutrogena, and Almay recs are all good ones given the OP's critera.

P.S. Why are people recommending lotions and oils and cold cream when the OP said "non greasy?"


Cold Cream leaves my skin feeling soft and clean, not greasy. That's why I recommended it. I've used eye makeup removers that were greasy feeling and hated them.

[MissGypsy]

Baby wipes do a great job. Even waterproof mascara comes right off, and they're gentle and non-irritating. Plus, easily portable and cheap. (I wear contact lenses, so I'm cautious about what I use around my eyes, but even the cheap baby wipes work great for me.)

[Aw Hamburgers!]

If you have a Target near you, their Sonia Kashuk brand is THE BEST. And it's only $10!! I've converted dozens of friends onto it.

[lindsaybluth]

You know those Olay makeup remover cloths, that are wet? Get those generic - walmart, target, cvs, whatever. If you like 'em (probably $4 for a 30 pack or so), get a bigger box, or at Costco, Sam's, etc.

They combine the best of both worlds - they have stuff in them that takes makeup (even big eye makeup) off easily, but they're not super saturated (like a washcloth or wetted cotton ball is) so it won't get in your eyes.

Based on what you said about being a litle klutzy (nothing to be ashamed of, I am!) and wanting something cheap but effective, this is probably your best bet.

Definitely don't do what Lo-Slung Denim suggests. It works well, but Vaseline is very greasy, and doing this can give you milia, those little white pseudo-zits around your eyes.