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leahcate

How Do You Remove Makeup at Night?

15 years ago

I xposted on baths and on discussions here re finding an attractive wipes warmer for removing makeup on chilly nights. Well, after much searching, it looks like there is no such thing. Our MBR bath water takes too long to heat up when I'm sleepy and want to get the job done quickly. I've used creams, but then my face is left with that residue, which surely makes the night cream less effective.(* I'm using retin-a, along with a bleacher for spots). So, how do you all do the job?

* I will report back in 8 weeks to let you know how well it worked

Comments (46)

  • 15 years ago

    I like a very fluid makeup remover, it melts away and leaves no residue, compared to the more creamy ones I've tried. I like a warm facecloth to wash off my foundation, then another one to make sure I got it all.
    I usually don't wait right before I go to bed , I wash my face earlier on in the evening....

  • 15 years ago

    I use the walmart brand of wet facial wipes. I had been having a problem with adult acne on my chin, and my sister told me that these helped her with the same problem. Sure enough, they cleared up my face and are wonderful at taking off makeup (reg mascara- never tried with waterproof).
    Good Luck!

  • 15 years ago

    You're supposed to remove your makeup at night? How will you look beautiful in the morning? LOL

    I am terrible about removing my makeup at night, and probably sleep in it about 2 - 4 nights a week. But when I do wash my face at night I use St. Ives Makeup Remover & Facial Cleanser because it's inexpensive and doesn't sting my eyes. I keep a tube in my vanity and another in the shower to wash my face in the morning.
    I'm with you with wanting to get it done quickly when I am sleepy, which is why I skip so often. Too often the act of washing my face at night wakes me up too much to get to sleep.

  • 15 years ago

    I wash my face with Olay Foaming Wash for Sensitive Skin. Use baby oil to remove eye makeup.

  • 15 years ago

    Ivory bar soap on a washcloth... running, ducking...

    and an oil free eye makep remover.

    I've been using Ivory for decades and it works for me. I know all beauty reviewers say bar soap is the worst.

  • 15 years ago

    With a chisel ;-)

    Olay (or any other brand) lathering cleansing cloth. A regular wash cloth when I don't have lathering cleansing cloths on-hand.

  • 15 years ago

    I buy BJs brand of facial wipes. I am so lazy about washing my face and these make it easy, so I never skip a night. I follow it with Olay moisturizer. Then I floss and brush my teeth with a Sonicare toothbrush and fall into bed.

  • 15 years ago

    Here's a kind of off-the-wall thought. Would you consider having a hot water dispenser in your bathroom? The ideal situation would be one of those Insta-hot installations like they do for kitchens, but that would require a lot of effort and expense. Instead, what about the electric kind? I've linked one below.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Water Dispenser

  • 15 years ago

    fun2bhere...yes! I never thought of that! We have one in the kitchen and I love not having to wait to hand wash dishes.
    I'd need only a small one for under my sink. Don't remember how much the kitchen one was, but can't be terrible. We're remodeling after Christmas, so this should be the perfect solution. I hate cold water or wipes on my face at night.
    Oh! A slather of cleansing lotion followed by a lovely HOT wet wash cloth....divine! A little luxury that would add so much to my nightly routine. Thanks for your great suggestion!
    Interesting to read what others do. I've only recently become good about it every nite, and now I MUST remove makeup. I also try to go up early and get it all done, but often get stuck on here and forget!

  • 15 years ago

    That is the best idea ever! When we change our sink and faucet, I am going to do that, too!!!

  • 15 years ago

    Merle Norman cleansing cream tissued off. Then a washcloth with warm water to remove any residue, and add a layer of moisture to my skin which is sealed in with my night cream. Being doing this for more than 30 years, and it works for me. No tight feeling to my skin, or dry skin, no breakouts anywhere.

  • 15 years ago

    Umm, actually - in the shower the next morning with Dove soap bar, and pure jojoba oil to remove mascara and eyeliner. I don't wear a lot of makeup to begin with, so that's part of the reason, and habitually staying up late at night with an early morning alarm is another reason. The main reason, though, is that after having tried a bunch of different facial routines to stave off 'aging', I ended up with facial dermatitis that took several months of antibiotics and prescription topical treatments to clear, so following my dermatologist's advice I now use nothing on my sensitive skin that will cause a relapse.

  • 15 years ago

    Nothing but Ponds Cold Cream for eye make-up, and Dove soap in Rose fragrance on my face. I follow up with several rinses w/warm cloth, and then my evening moistureizer. I sometimes use the Ponds as my moistureizer. It gives my skin a more-than-soft feeling. ;o)

  • 15 years ago

    I like three brands of makeup remover wipes:
    Yes to Blueberries, Neutrogena, and Boots Extreme Sensitive, but I always follow up a towlette with a gel-type cleanser that isn't harsh, but leaves no residue. For that, I like either Revlon's Clean & Clear Sensitive, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, or Clinique's Liquid Soap Mild.

    Never once have I skipped taking off my makeup...no matter how tired I felt. I think it's an important part of our skin care routine! I do agree that bar soap is very hard on the skin, but for those who swear by it, if it's not broken don't fix it!

  • 15 years ago

    Dove soap but I don't use waterproof mascara.

    I feel like makeup removers are a waste. The ones I've tried, I ended up using so many cotton pads/balls and it took more time than I'm willing to spend I guess. There may be better ones out there but I gave up my search.

    I also have been told you're not to use a washcloth to wipe/scrub your face but again, I'm not to be using soap either. :)

  • 15 years ago

    sheesharee, I think most derms advise gently scrubbing the skin with a cloth to exfoliate. Back in the ancient days of my teens, the ads always showed the woman gently patting her skin.
    Fun2Bhere: Again, bless you for the great idea! Cannot wait! What a neat place this is, as we've said many a time!

  • 15 years ago

    Oh, wow, I'm so happy that my idea will work for you. Just be careful and don't burn yourself!

  • 15 years ago

    How funny! fun2b, I confess I read your post, but didn't look at the link. I still give you ALL the credit, though I now realize we're thinking of two different things! Your post instantly made me think of my kitchen under- sink heater!
    There's also a kitchen hot water dispenser with separate faucet for tea and instant coffee, but that's not what I have. I'll look into that, too.

  • 15 years ago

    Neutrogena eye makeup remover and Cetaphil with a washcloth.

  • 15 years ago

    Cetaphil - it also takes off my mascara. I use a cotton pad and then a washcloth to wipe, not scrub my face. I use an exfoliant scrub about once a week. Soap is too harsh for me. I don't like oily eye makeup removers either.

    tina

  • 15 years ago

    I use baby shampoo to remove eye makeup and then Oil of Olay face wash on my face.

  • 15 years ago

    Always!!!!!!

  • 15 years ago

    Maybe I will start keeping my facial wipes on the heated bathroom floor so they are nice and toasty, although they are usually room temperature and never felt that cold to me.

  • 15 years ago

    As long as you find something that works for you, the genesis of the idea is immaterial. (But I'm happy to take the credit. LOL!)

  • 15 years ago

    "Gentle" is the key word when using anything on your face! Gentle products are essential, and so is gentle handling! Never "scrub" your face, even when using a scrub product. Take it easy! When using wipes, never pull or tug, especially in the eye area. Wash cloth users, please use with care, and don't use water that is too hot, ever. It can cause broken capillaries (little veins) to sprout.

    Mechanical exfoliation via AHA products or BHAs is gentle and effective. I do use a scrub product once a week too...making a real effort to be gentle with it.

  • 15 years ago

    Okay, I will admit it here - I guess I am the only one that NEVER washes her face before bed, and yes I wear makeup. I know, it's awful. The only time I do is if I've skipped a shower that day - then I do because I just feel yucky. I'm just so tired at night.

  • 15 years ago

    Yes, Joanie...off with the makeup. If you want to keep the nice complexion you have (at 38?) this is a habit you need to get into. You've been blessed with good genes that allow you to slack off for now! I know it's so hard when you are tired. Think of your cleansing ritual as something you do to pamper yourself & help you relax. Then you will actually get a better night's sleep, which is also great for your skin!

  • 15 years ago

    I always wash my face at night! I just know I will sleep better if I do, so I do. Even Saturday night, out til 1:30am at Halloween Party, took shower before bed. I am pretty OCD about my bedtime routine.

    I use Dove soap to get off makeup, and then use Sonicare with Cetaphil afterwards, all in the tub. I sometimes get lazy and don't use the Sonicare, and probably shouldn't use soap, but I do. Also, follow up with a heavy cream moisturizer, as my skin on on the drier-side, now that I'm older.

  • 15 years ago

    Stinkygardener - I smile because I wish I was 38! My user name is joanie38 because that is the age I was when I joined this forum. Now I'm 46!!! Back to my skin, I just find that when I come upstairs to go to bed, if I wash my face it wakes me up too much, then I have trouble falling asleep. Maybe I should try the wipes. Maybe I could heat them in a babies wipey warmer!! :)

  • 15 years ago

    I've used several during my lifetime - Ponds Cold Cream, cheap wipes, Lancome, Clinique, Merle Norman, etc, followed by their toners, fresheners, and moisturizers and night cream. But I always keep coming back to Mary Kay skin care products. I still use the old original gentle cleanser with a warm wash cloth - it removes eye and face makeup, followed with a swipe of freshener (that's what they call their toner)and one of their moisturizers. Over the years, I have tried their Timewise products, but usually go back to the original products.

    Is it any better than anything else?? Probably not, but it is good stuff, and there has always been someone in my immediate family who is a "consultant" - thus the family gets it at cost. I have sold it, my daughter has sold it, and now DIL is the consultant and we have always maintained the minimum order to qualify for the 50% off price. A $20 cleanser costs me $10 - that's good enough for me.

    I also mix and match some of their other products at cost -lipstick, an occasional foundation, blush, fragrances.

    Tuesday

  • 15 years ago

    Frankly, if I didn't wash my face ( which I always do) I'd be more concerned makeup would stain my expensive pillowcases more than any concern over my skin!

  • 15 years ago

    I always read in women's magazines about the importance of removing make-up and I think, in my naive way, "well, who doesn't remove their make-up before bed?". Obviously, much to my surprise, many of you. Huh, who knew? I never thought about the process being too stimulating and waking you up again but I can understand that. I guess I'm lucky that for me it's part of my routine, since I take out contact lens every night, and it doesn't wake me.

    Unrelated to makeup but related to my naivety about others, at the gym we watched a tv segment about not leaving your house with the dryer going. I said "why do they even have to say that, who would do it?". Sure enough, the lady on the treadmill next to me said she has done that for 30 years and her house hasn't burned down yet.

    I'd go to bed with make-up on before I'd leave the house with the dryer running.

  • 15 years ago

    The best thing you can do for your skin is make sure it is clean when you go to bed.

    And don't forget to floss and brush your teeth. Your skin and teeth will thank you later in life.

    I use unscented Dove soap and vasiline to take off my eye make up.

  • 15 years ago

    I use Clinique Lash Power Mascara because it removes with just warm water. Even better it doesn't smudge and give me raccoon eyes.

  • 15 years ago

    Bumble - you think more of your pillowcases than your skin? Sheets are washable, don't worry about them.

    I totally agree with you Jane. Skin and teeth - take care of them. Really, we should have that attitude about our whole body.

  • 15 years ago

    hhireno, I take my makeup off everynight, but I have left numerous times with my dryer on! Funny, how we all think different-LOL!

    Bumble, don't worry, I could tell your last post was more "tongue-in-cheek" about the pillow cases. But, I would feel the same way, in that, I wouldn't want my pillow cases stained either.

    I'm curious, do those of you who go to bed with makeup, change you pillow case each night? I realize, I am a germaphobe-ha!

  • 15 years ago

    Olliesmom - I think (I hope) Bumble knows I'm teasing her!

  • 15 years ago

    Jane, I think proper cleansing/makeup removal is one of the top five best things we can do for our skin, but I'd put #1 as: Wearing sunscreen/limiting sun exposure. Also think sleep, eating well, and staying hydrated (via drinking water & using moisturizer) are important, especially as we get older!

  • 15 years ago

    Indeed Stinky!

  • 15 years ago

    Quick thought: there are warmers for baby wipes. Would they work with any of the wipes you could use on your face?
    Lynn

  • 15 years ago

    Hi lynn....yes, but they are not exactly spa-like in appearance...too large also.
    hhireno...I really think they were referring to leaving the dryer plugged in. I have heard of a pet causing the dryer to flip over, turn on and cause a fire.

  • 15 years ago

    leahcate, the news feature I saw was about leaving the clothes dryer running when you're not there. The danger is lint catching on fire. If you're not home to act the fire could spread quickly.

    My friend always left her HAIR dryer plugged in and on the bathroom counter. Due to a fault in the hair dryer, at 11 pm after it hadn't been used since 7 am, it caught on fire. They could tell the way the fire went from the unit to the outlet that the dryer was the source and not the outlet.

    The fire dept told her that you shouldn't leave anything with a heating element (hair appliances, toasters, coffee makers) plugged in. I think about that when I read on the bathroom forum about people having outlets put inside drawers so that they can leave their hair dryer plugged in and in a drawer.

    Maybe it only happened once but since I know the person it happened to I don't leave those things plugged in. Luckily she caught it early & the fire dept responded quickly. She did get a new vanity, paint, and, then of course, new towels out of it!

    My father was a master worrier so I have some inherited worry traits. I don't think about the big appliances that go berserk and burn the house down. I limit myself to easy to manage things like unplugging my hair dryer and not leaving the house with the clothes dryer running.

  • 15 years ago

    since i brush and floss my teeth every night before bed, i also wash my face!(might not wash it EVERY night otherwise!) i use my hands, very warm water, and whatever cleanser i currently am using---usually something that can be used for more oily skin, since i am prone (still!!) to breakouts. i don't use waterproof mascara, so i don't use a separate eye makeup remover...

  • 15 years ago

    hhireno, Ohhhh... Clothes dryer! This pushed my worry button too. I never would leave it on when we had a gas dryer, based on nothing but seeing the actual flames! I unplug the toaster and hairdryer when we go out of town, but that's all. We're re-doing the MBR this winter and I'd planed on a hairdryer drawer. Don't think I'll do it if it cannot be unplugged easily. I also wonder a little about all the new, insubstantial looking lamps, made in China, that are all that HomeGoods, TJ Maxx seem to offer these days. A recent local fire was caused by lamp.
    However! It would still be nice to pop up a toasty, warm, tiny towelette. Imagine a MAGIC one! You could fall into bed, reach over and pull one out and get'er done in bed! But then there's the teeth thing. Ah well. :>)

  • 15 years ago

    I leave my hairdryer, straightening iron, and curling iron plugged into a power strip all the time. I do turn the power strip off when I am done using them. I also plugged a small night light into the power strip so that I can tell at a glance if it is off.

  • 15 years ago

    Okay, count me in as one who heedlessly leaves the house with the dryer running and leaves her hair dryer plugged in. Who knew?

    Back on the makeup question... I just wash my face with Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser. I never liked creams or oils to remove stuff, and I discovered years ago that this soap removed my foundation and mascara very effectively.