Don’t have a costume for Halloween? You can get super-creative with your hair and makeup to take your look to the next level (if you need proof, check out some of our favorite transformations here). But just with any beauty look, you want to make sure you’re properly taking it all off at the end of the day. We know it’s tempting to skip cleansing your skin and hair, especially when you’re on a sugar stash from overdosing on too much Halloween candy (guilty). Instead of risking clogged pores and scalp buildup, turn to these tips:
How to Remove: Embellishments
First off, you’re going to want to use skin-friendly glue (like eyelash glue) to apply embellishments like face jewels, rhinestones, pearls, or studs. If you need something a little stronger, try Mehron Makeup AdGem, which is a skin-safe, latex-free adhesive meant for body decoration.
When it comes to removal, you don’t want to go straight to washing your face over the sink — you don’t want little rhinestones falling down the sink drain, after all.
If you used lash glue, it should be easy enough to remove your body decor one by one with your fingers. Careful not to try to take the fast route and rub them all off at once so you don’t irritate or scratch your skin.
If you used a stronger cosmetics glue, a makeup remover and a Q-Tip should do the trick in order to try to get the remover in between your skin and the embellishment. Don’t use your fingernails to dig into your skin.
How to Remove: Glitter
We love Lemonhead SpacePaste Glitter Concentrate, which is a stress- and mess-free way of applying glitter without the need for glue — plus, it can simply be removed with water.
For other face and body glitter, the first measure you want to take is to grab a sticky lint roller or small strips of Scotch tape to gently dab the excess glitter from your skin. After that, cleansing oil and a cotton pad (to give the glitter something to stick to) will be your best bet at picking up the tiny particles. Use small, sweeping motions as opposed to rubbing it back and forth since that would simply move the glitter around your skin.
How to Remove: Temporary Tattoos
The good news about temporary tattoos is that removal usually requires just a quick swipe of a soft cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol (even hand sanitizer). Use circular motions to remove stubborn areas of pigment. Alternatively, an oil-based makeup remover or oil from your kitchen pantry (think: olive oil or coconut oil) should help the tattoo come off.
How to Remove: Costume Makeup
Don’t even think about using a makeup remover wipe and calling it a day. If you’re using theater or costume makeup, it’s specifically designed not to budge with oils, extra pigment, and wax that aren’t normally part of your everyday makeup formulations, so your go-to face wash might not do the trick. Try an oil-based cleanser (Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil works wonders) to break up your long-wear makeup by using your fingertips to massage your cleanser in circular motions onto dry skin. Follow up with your normal face wash and water — it may take a few rounds. Avoid using a face cloth until the water runs clear so you don’t over scrub your skin.
If you still have some stubborn eye makeup leftover, use a cotton pad and waterproof eye makeup remover (we love Make Up For Ever SensEyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser) and let it sit on top of your lid for 10 seconds so that it has time to break down the particles. Be sure not to drag the cotton pad across your eyelid as it’s the most delicate skin on your face. Give your skin another rinse with face wash and for extra measure, use micellar water and a cotton pad on dry skin to make sure there aren’t any traces of makeup left.
For body paint, try coconut oil to help dissolve it — not only does it break down water-based paints before you hop in the shower, but it also moisturizes your skin. Speaking of hydration, once your makeup is completely off, treat your skin to extra TLC with Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream to re-strengthen your natural moisture barrier.
How to Remove: Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Temporary hair color (like Manic Panic Amplified Spray-On Color & Root Touch Up) should be easily removed with a clarifying shampoo (Manic Panic makes their own version) that will strip the color without stripping your hair. For darker, more stubborn dyes, try applying clarifying shampoo to wet hair and place your hair all into a shower cap for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off.
If, for whatever reason, your color isn’t coming out, avoid coming up with at-home DIY concoctions and see a colorist who can safely remove unwanted pigment.
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