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Mascara Movers: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

When it comes to eye makeup removers, I used to be indifferent – one product to whip off eyes, lips and face was the way I saw it – what was the need for them? But ever since making the switch to waterproof mascaras exclusively, now I understand their purpose. I’m talking the real mascara movers here. Something that can swipe away the tar-like lash lacquer of some of the most stubbon formulas out there (L’Oreal Telescopic Waterproof I’m looking at you). And after my mascara edit last week I thought now would be the perfect time to round things off nicely with what I like to use to wipe them away at the end of the day. Now being that eye makeup removers are now a staple for me I’ve tried some awesome ones and some ones that have left me with panda eyes the morning after. So here’s the eye makeup remover roster for saying goodbye to a waterproofed wink: the good, the bad and the ugly…

The Good: Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover rules the roost for me. A bi-phase, shake to awake formula that even gives toughies like the aforementioned L’Oreal mascara the nudge, with just a hold for 10 seconds and wipe away motion. My third bottle of the stuff. If you don’t mind removal taking a few more seconds – then The Body Shop’s Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover* is a good dupe. Another good’un, but one that straddles the good and bad category is NUDE’s Perfect Cleansing Oil for Face and Eyes* – now let me explain. This isn’t billed as a suitable companion for waterproof eye makeup, so takes a little while to mop up all traces of mascara – hence the negative. But its oil texture makes you feel like you’re being kinder to your lashes and though you have to work with it a little, it gets there in the end.

The Bad: It’s unfair to call this one bad, it’s more ‘so-so’. The product in question – Elemis’ White Flower Eye and Lip Makeup Remover*. Another water/oil mix that does feel as though it’s melting the mascara away, but it just takes a little bit too long for my impatient removal expectations. There’s Netflix to watch, come on.

The Ugly: Unfortunately the Bliss Lid + Lash Wash Makeup Remover* hogs this category. It’s probably the nicest ‘in use’ of the bunch; it’s oil-free so there’s no greasy residue and it feels sorta cooling – almost like a mini eye mask when soaked up on a cotton pad. But for me it just didn’t get my mascara off. I left it pressed over my lid for what felt like forever and still only my surrounding foundation was on the pad. Amelia is a huge fan of this, so it could just be me being a little miss fuzzy knickers – mascara mover it is not.

*PR Sample

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