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?
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. 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 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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
