A Scary Easy Guide to Removing Halloween Makeup
Trick or treat?
Treat: dressing up in a spooky Halloween costume and getting TONS of candy. Trick: removing your Halloween makeup when you get back from that midnight Halloween party.
Unfortunately, makeup wipes just won't cut it for waterproof makeup, face paint, glitter, and adhesive. If you want to remove a full face of Halloween makeup before going to bed (like you should), here's the best way to do it.
Step #1: Remove Your Embellishments
Before doing anything, start by tackling anything glued onto your skin. Sequins, rhinestones -- you name it, it needs to come off first.
Makeup remover won't remove them, nor will your regular cleanser. The best way to get them off is by simply flicking them off. If you've used a stronger glue that requires a stronger removal method, try dipping a Q-tip in a special remover like Super Solve. Work around the edges of the embellishments until they come off.
Alternatively, try rubbing baby oil, coconut oil, or Vaseline around the base of the embellishment first, leaving it to sit for a minute, and gently remove.
Avoid ripping them off, which can leave the skin irritated and inflamed.
Step #2: Double Cleanse
When using heavy makeup, it's always a good idea to do a double cleanse to get everything off completely. Double cleansing is multiple rounds of cleansing using different skincare products to deeply cleanse the skin.
If the makeup you're wearing is oil-based, go in with an oil-based cleanser like Truly's Super Matcha Facial Cleanser. This will help melt away all that foundation, concealer, and fake blood.
Then, lather up with a water-based face wash, like Truly's CBD Jelly Anti-Blemish Facial Cleanser, as the second step to remove the rest of your Halloween makeup.
By double cleansing, you remove the surface product and cleanse the skin preventing the pores from becoming congested, and breakouts from potentially surfacing.
Or Try Other Cleansing Methods Like...
If you've got sensitive skin, you may want to consider using a soft washcloth to remove your makeup at the end of the night. This way, you don't end up with too much product on your face at once -- a well-known trigger for sensitive skin types.
Alternatively, massage a small amount all cold cream over your skin, and use a wipe to remove the makeup and cream mixture. Finish with a gentle cleanser. It's like the cleansing oil method minus the oil -- and great for those with easily aggravated skin!
Step #3: Remove the Rest with Micellar Water and a Cotton Pad
While Halloween makeup looks tend to be on the heavy side, that doesn't mean you need to use a ton of harsh, drying skincare products to get it off. You should still be gentle on the skin.
If, after double cleansing your skin, you still see remnants of your makeup, use micellar water on a cotton pad. Gently glide along the skin to touch up any areas that may have a little pigment left to clean things up.
You can also use this method if you still have mascara, eyeliner, or any kind of makeup around the eyes. Simply saturate a cotton pad with waterproof makeup remover and hold it on your eyes for several seconds, before gently wiping it away.
Remember areas like your hairline, too.
Step 4: Remove Any Remaining Bits of Glitter
Glitter might look glam, but it's a nightmare to remove.
If you're still seeing glitter even after all that cleansing, we have two solutions for you. First, use fashion tape to dab it wherever you see sparkle. It's a red carpet secret all the makeup artists use! Or another way to quickly remove glitter: use a lint roller. It's an instant solution for getting rid of the last remnants of face or body glitter. Simply roll it over glittery patches to remove quickly and easily.
Step 5: Gently Exfoliate (Optional)
It's definitely up to you whether or not you want to proceed with this step, but it's highly advised for those prone to breakouts. That's because exfoliation provides a deeper cleanse than regular cleansing, sloughing away surface dead skin cells and breaking down dirt and oil.
We recommend using a glycolic acid-formulated exfoliator like Truly's CBD Jelly Toning Solution to gently dissolve surface dirt and dead cells.
Pay attention to how your skin feels before going in with an exfoliant or acids like glycolic. If your face already feels a bit sensitive, you may want to skip this step and try it the next day instead. Overburdening your skin may cause irritation and inflammation, leaving you with red, dry skin.
Step 6: Moisturize!
Last but not least, it's important to add some hydration back into your skin after all that cleansing. Costume makeup in itself can be extremely drying for the skin, which is why we recommend always ending your makeup removal process with a generous coating of moisturizer.
Some of our favorite nourishing ingredients include jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. These ingredients are all natural and gentle on all skin types. These natural emollients will leave your skin super soft and silky by morning. You'd hardly believe you were covered in face and body paint the night before.
Try hydrating with Truly's Cream Skin Face Moisturizer which blends hyaluronic acid with sea kelp to keep skin dewy and plumped for hours.
The whole process of removing your Halloween makeup may take around 10 minutes, but it's well worth spending a little extra time removing it properly to ensure everything's been completely removed. As you know, falling asleep in makeup is never a good idea. But when it's thick, heavy makeup like Halloween special effects makeup, it's even more damaging to your skin.
All it takes is a little gentle cleansing, hydrating products, and patience to eliminate those thick pigments. Your skin will thank you the next day!
