The Best and Worst Eye Makeup Removers

We’re always telling you how to bat a lash at the latest makeup trends; so it’s only fair that we divulge how to dispose of eye makeup with just one swipe when the look you love becomes so last season.

And while Dolly Parton may sleep with her makeup on, “in case I have to get up in the middle of the night," you don’t need to be caught in yesterday’s cat eyes the morning after. (Sorry, Dolly.) Here’s our definitive list of the best and the worst eye makeup removers, read it and you won’t be caught with something less than sensational around your eyes… like liners that run and mascaras that flake.

NEW ADDITION!
Love it: Yes to Carrots Eye and Face Makeup Remover

What’s not to love about an 8.45 oz. bottle of paraben-free makeup remover that is packed with carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato and dead sea mud and costs just $9.99 at Drugstore.com?

We couldn’t find fault with this creamy eye makeup remover that effortlessly and gently removes eye makeup and more. And for mommas keepin’ an eye on their babies and tots, we also recommend Yes To Baby Carrots; lotion, bubble bath, diaper cream and more for your bambino.

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Leave it: Cures by Avance

Cheers to Cures for the concept of gentle eye makeup remove but jeers on overlooking the actual effectiveness of the product. This product simply did not remove our eye makeup. We tried the product several times—partially out of disbelief that a $26 eye makeup remover could remove so little actual makeup. Meant to be gentle, in our opinion, this product is simply ineffective.

NEW ADDITION!
Love it: Ahava’s Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

This product was among the best we tried.

Truly gentle and yet oh-so-efficient at removing even the blackest of mascaras and kohl liners, Ahava’s Gentle Eye Make-up Remover is Hypoallergenic,  Opthamologist tested and worth every penny at $22 for 8.5 oz at Ahavaus.com.

Leave it: L’oreal’s Eye Makeup Remover

We found Loreal’s oil-free eye makeup remover to be ineffective and aggravating to the gentle skin around the eyes. The packaging states that this remover is safe for contact wearers and Opthamologist tested but we felt an immediate stinging sensation upon applying the product. While we are generally a fan of the L’oreal brand, this is one product that’s best left at the counter.

Love it: Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads from Neutrogena

We found this product after filling up our cart with drugstore brands one day in search of reasonably priced options in effective eye makeup removers.

The pads themselves are soft and thick, offering up a plush, ready-to-go option for effective eye makeup removal. Promising to removal all traces of makeup, including waterproof mascara, Neutrogena’s Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads actually delivered and they didn’t break the bank doing so; we paid $6.69 for a month’s supply at Drugstore.com.

Leave it: Lash Injection Antidote

Lash Injection Antidote from Too Faced cosmetics aims to remove even that glue-like substance known as waterproof mascara, aka removal-proof mascara, as well as mascaras that contain silicone, most commonly found in mascaras that boast tube technology. 

We were willing to put up with the slight stinging sensation that we felt upon initially applying the remover because we assumed that, to actually remove this most impervious of eye makeup products, some harsh chemicals would be required. But Lash Injection Antidote failed to cure our waterproof mascara woes.

Love it: Purifying Eye Make-Up Remover from Ole Henriksen

Danish Ole Henriksen studied skin care and cosmetic chemistry in London before heading stateside to open his signature spa on Sunset Boulevard.

He’s treated a long list of celebrity clients including Charlize Theron, Mathew McConaughey and Christy Turlington. Thankfully, Henriksen’s star skin care is available to mere mortals; scoop up the ultra-effective Purifying Eye Make-Up Remover.

Priced at $25 for 75 pads at dermadoctor.com or about 33 cents per pad, this A-list favorite is D-list affordable.