Halloween makeup is built to last through a long night: heavy face paint, waterproof liner, glitter, brow wax and sometimes a layer of setting spray on top. That staying power is great at the party and much less great at midnight, when it all has to come off around the most delicate hair on your face.
Most lash and brow damage at this time of year happens during removal, not while the makeup is on. A little order and patience keeps your lashes and brows exactly where they belong.
Why removal is the risky part
Lashes and brow hairs are fine, and the skin around your eyes is thinner than almost anywhere else on your face. Long-wear products bind tightly to both. When you rub at them with a dry cloth or a makeup wipe, you create friction that can loosen hairs, tug them out early and leave the skin red and puffy.
The fix is simple: dissolve first, wipe second, and work from the eyes outward.
The right order
1. Glitter first, while it is still loose
Glitter spreads the moment it gets wet. Before you use any liquid, press a piece of tape, sticky side down, lightly over loose glitter on the lids and cheeks, or use a dry cotton pad to lift it. Keep the tape off the lashes themselves.
2. Eyes next, with an oil-based or biphase remover
Waterproof mascara and liner need an oil-based or biphase remover. Soak a cotton pad, close your eye and hold it against the lashes for 20 to 30 seconds. Then sweep down and out, in the direction your lashes grow. Repeat with a fresh pad instead of scrubbing harder with the same one.
If you wear lash extensions, use an oil-free remover made for extensions instead, since oils weaken the bond.
3. Brows, gently
Brow wax, pomade and tinted gel can lock brow hairs into place. Massage a little remover into the brows with your fingertips, moving in the direction of hair growth, then wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid rubbing against the grain, which bends and loosens hairs.
4. Face paint last
Most face paints come off with a cleansing balm or oil, followed by a gentle foaming cleanser. Work it in with your hands, rinse with lukewarm water and repeat if needed. Hot water and rough washcloths make the skin around your eyes more likely to get irritated.
5. Check your lash line
Once your face is clean, look closely at the base of your lashes in good light. Dark specks of liner or glitter often hide there. A cotton swab dipped in remover, rolled along the lash line, clears them without pulling.
What not to do
- Do not sleep in it. Mascara and glitter left on overnight dry out lashes and can irritate the eye.
- Do not rely on a single makeup wipe. Wipes are fine for a quick first pass, but dragging one across heavy eye makeup is a lot of friction.
- Do not pick or peel. Flaking liner or peeling brow product takes hair with it. Soften it first.
- Do not rub your eyes when they sting. Rinse with cool water instead.
If something gets in your eye
Glitter and face paint particles are a common reason for irritated eyes after Halloween. Rinse with clean, lukewarm water and blink gently. If you wear contact lenses, take them out first. If your eye stays red, painful or scratchy, or your vision is affected, see an eye care professional rather than waiting it out.
Before next Halloween: a few smart swaps
- Choose cosmetic-grade glitter made for skin and keep it on the lid, away from the lash line.
- Patch test new face paints on your inner arm a day or two before the event.
- Lay out your removal supplies before you leave, so the gentle routine is the easy one.
- Use one waterproof product, not three. Waterproof mascara under waterproof liner under setting spray is a lot to dissolve at 2 a.m.
The morning after
Give your eyes a rest. Skip mascara and brow gel for a day if you can, use a gentle cleanser, and brush your lashes and brows with a clean spoolie to separate any hairs that stuck together. If you notice more lashes than usual on your pillow or pads, keep removal extra gentle for the next week or two while they settle.
Halloween makeup should be fun from start to finish. Dissolve, sweep, and work outward, and your lashes and brows will be ready for whatever comes next.
Want more lash, brow and skincare tips? Follow us on Instagram at @shigerubeauty for new guides and tips as we publish them.
This article is for general information. If you have ongoing eye irritation or lash or brow loss, please speak with your doctor or an eye care professional.
The Shigeru Beauty Team