Anyone who wears makeup will know that it’s never a good idea to go to bed with any cosmetic residue on your face.
Halloween makeup is hard to remove, damages skin, clogs pores and exacerbates acne breakouts. You use heavy makeup items like body paint, glue, silicone, etc., to create your desired look.
This article contains tips for safely removing Halloween makeup before hitting the hay.
How To Remove Halloween Makeup
Halloween costumes can be exciting, but taking off all that makeup at the end of the day is the problem. Paints and prosthetics will always stain your face, regardless of how hard you scrub your face.
However, to prevent looking like a monster the next morning, follow these procedures to remove your Halloween makeup.
Know the Halloween makeup you are wearing:
You need to read the instructions before entering any Halloween makeup store and buying whatever product or kit you feel like buying.
You don’t assume products or purchase a product because you feel like it. Some even mix the products with their makeup, which they know nothing about.
Know the product you are buying, and it is important to know if the product is cream-based, greasy, or rubber, so you know and prepare for the removal process.
Instead of using grease or cream-based makeup, mostly used by pros, use water-based makeup specifically developed for use on the skin.
You can easily remove water-based makeup with warm water. Avoid using paint like watercolors, acrylic, Tempera, and Sharpies.
Read the Instructions on the Product Pack
Most costume makeup items come with thorough removal instructions on the back.
Since different products’ contents vary, you must employ several methods and remedies to remove them.
The safest way to do this is to adhere to the directions. Identify if the costume makeup is oil- or water-based by reading the ingredients list if there are no instructions.
Remove Eyelashes first
First, remove your thick eyelashes if they are part of your style. Soak two cotton wipes with micellar water, and place them on your eyes.
Using micellar water softens the eyelashes glue and makes it easy to come off. You will harm the sensitive flesh around your eye if you pull the lash off haphazardly.
Apply the remover straight on the band using cotton buds. Pull the lashes off once the adhesive has loosened, then use the remaining remover to clean the eye makeup thoroughly.
Get The Right Makeup Removers
Before shopping for your Halloween costume, research the type of makeup you will be wearing so you know how to take it off.
Most body colors, like green, red, and dark blue, are highly pigmented and stained. You wash it off, but your skin still has a yellowish tint.
Stock up on facial wipes, foamy cleansers, gauze pads, Q-tips, cotton balls, and cold creams.
Most importantly, remember to get an adhesive remover if you intend to wear a prosthesis like a bald cap, fake nose, mole, or ears, typically attached with Spirit Gum glue.
It takes several attempts at the Spirit Gum to remove it from your skin, so the process is quite laborious.
Don’t start cleaning your face with baby oil; it’s the wrong step. The first step should always be shampoo, soap, water, and shaving cream.
Using baby oil or any oil-based remover works best for removing residue. You can’t use oil-based remover for water-based makeup; oil and water don’t mix, so doing so will completely mess things up.
You can use Mac Cleanse Off Oil to get rid of heavy makeup; it’s a good choice.
I recommend using a barrier cream like Derma Shield for fake blood removal.
To remove fake facial hair or prosthesis, use oil-based products like almond oil, olive oil, and coconut oil.
You can begin by rubbing a Q-tip soaked in oil along the underside of a loose edge on your prosthetic.
Work the oil gently between the skin and the prosthetic until completely removed.
Don’t just rip off fake body parts or facial hair — it can be painful and damage your skin.
To remove cream-based products, Cold-Cream is one of the best options. In this case, I will recommend Albolene; though it’s old, it is highly effective.
Take a scoop and massage it into your skin. Use a warm washcloth and wipe the residue away; you can also use a foaming cleanser to remove all the residue.
Remove Liquid Latex
Liquid latex creates unique effects like scars, open wounds, and distinguishing features. Fortunately, removing this product is simple.
To rinse it off, use a solution of soap and water. Just take a shower to remove all the liquid latex from your body.
Removing Stain
Some pigments and hues will leave an unpleasant stain on the skin; even after vigorous washing or scrubbing, these stains won’t go.
Use baking soda and water paste, although this can cause skin dryness. I advise using toothpaste for the best benefits if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Tea tree oil and shaving cream are also good options for stain removal. Tea tree oil is essential; using it on the entire face is not advised. This method works well for minor stains.
Removing Body Paint
Removing body painting is time-consuming, especially if you don’t use water-based products. Water-based products can easily be removed with soap and water. Use this method to get rid of anything that reacts to water.
Use oil-based removers to remove oil-based paints. Although there are various oil-based removers, you can also produce yours at home.
Oil-based removers can provide the extra boost required to remove the paint, and coconut oil or olive oil can serve as carrier bases.
Keep your skin moisturized after removal to prevent irritation.
The best way to do this is to prep your face and body before applying the paint; it decreases your chances of skin irritability, breakout, or redness.
Avoid applying makeup over any cuts or rashes, and apply it to clean dry skin.
Apply a mild moisturizer like Olay or Burt’s bee after removal to avoid skin dryness. If you have irritated skin, consider using products like Lucas Papaw.
Conclusion
A Halloween look would take some time to get all set up; the same goes for taking it off. After imitating your favorite characters, you no longer have to fear how to take off all the makeup.
Simply following my highlighted steps is a sure way to avoid harming your skin.
For more tips on removing makeup, read: