The Most Effective Way to Remove Stage Makeup
Of all the many skin-care sins out there, not removing your makeup is probably number one. That’s doubly true after a dance competition or recital, when your face is caked in heavy stage makeup and sweat. But those thick layers of pancake, powder, and eyelash glue aren’t easy to get rid of. Here, we break down the best method for fully removing stage makeup.
Step One: Makeup Wipes
Use your preferred brand of makeup wipes for the initial wipe-down. Make sure not to aggressively rub your eyes, especially if you’re wearing waterproof mascara or eyelash glue—you’ll deal with your eye makeup in a later step, and you want to preserve your eyelashes. Use one to two wipes, until the surface of your skin shows little to no makeup residue.
Step Two: Face or Coconut Oil
Add either a small scoop of coconut oil or four to five drops of face oil onto a cotton pad. Using circular motions, slowly massage the oil into your skin, working gently over your eyes. The oil will break up any leftover clumps of makeup and eyelash glue trapped in crevices and pores, prepping your skin for cleansing.
Step Three: Double-Cleanse
Think of double-cleansing as a clean sweep. For the first round, use your favorite cleanser or micellar water on a cotton pad, making sure to address any curves or deep crevices, like around your nose. Then, take your second cleanser—preferably one with a specific target, like acne or hydration—and massage it into your skin with lukewarm water. Pat your face dry, and apply a light, noncomedogenic moisturizer as a final hydrating barrier.
