My Newest Makeup Remover Obsession: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup

Product Sent for Review



I'm one of those girls that loves to use new makeup removers. I have about 4 different eye makeup removers on my counter right now. I'm not even exaggerating. It is one of those things that I just love to try a new one each time, and I very rarely buy these products more than once. They need to really WOW me for a repurchase, and that happens maybe every 3-4 years.

Recently IT Cosmetics sent me their new Bye Bye Makeup, and I have to tell you that I'm not only planning to repurchase, but I'll likely be hoarding large quantities of this cleanser in my bathroom!

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My Favorite Eye Makeup Removers

Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links Bought It Myself



Eye makeup removers tend to be one of those things that I buy a lot of. I want to test all of them, and I know that the perfect one is out there!

I'm pretty picky about eye makeup removers. My ideal eye makeup remover would make everything melt off my eye and be quickly removed with just a quick rinse. No cotton rounds or follow up cleansers needed. I have to be honest, I have not found a cleaner that does all of that, so mostly I settle for quick acting and removing all of my eye makeup.

Today I'm sharing the ones that I've liked in the last year or so, but you can also check out my post on the favorite eye makeup removers of beauty bloggers if you're looking for more ideas!



1. Coco Loco (at Etsy, my Coco Loco review): You can check out my review for the full details, but this is probably the closest remover to that "ideal" eye makeup remover that I mentioned. It is solid in the jar, but melts with the touch of a finger. I don't even need a cotton round to remove all of my mascara and eye liner, just a little rubbing with a fingertip. I do follow this up with a regular facial cleanser to remove the coconut oil that is left behind.

2. Avène Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover (get it at Drugstore.com or Dermstore): This clear gel removes everything immediately upon contact! It rinses off fully and easily.

3. Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (at Nordstrom or Lancôme): This is still my "gold standard" of eye makeup removers, so I compare all other eye makeup removers to this product. I can remove even the most stubborn of waterproof eye makeup without any problems.

4. Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil (at Drugstore.com or ULTA): A new favorite, I think I'm on my 4th or 5th bottle of this cleanser already. It's meant to be used just as a facial cleanser, but I use it with a cotton round to easily remove all of my eye makeup. Like the Coco Loco, it does leave an oil residue behind, which I clean off with a more traditional facial cleanser.

5. H2O+ Aqualibrium Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover (from H2O+ or Beauty.com): This eye makeup remover is very, very similar to the Lancôme Bi-Facil at a lower price tag.

6. Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover (at Target or Drugstore.com): This is really just a normal face wash, but it does a decent job of removing all but the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup, without using a cotton round! It's great for days that I'm feeling a little lazy since it saves me the eye makeup remover step.


Did I miss your favorite? What do you reach for every night to remove your eye makeup?

Don't forget to check out the favorite eye makeup removers of the other Makeup Wars Bloggers!

An InLinkz Link-up

Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links Bought It Myself

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Coco Loco: The Do It All Skincare Product You Should Keep In Your Medicine Cabinet

Product Sent for Review



You know how you keep seeing Coconut Oil on Pinterest? And how it apparently is amazing for everything? It removes makeup, moisturizes, makes your hair grow faster and even cleans your bathroom? Me too. And I admit that I've been a bit skeptical. I didn't really want to just head down to my local Whole Foods and just start slathering it all over my face. Especially since I had limited success with using Coconut Oil as a hair mask.

But, if someone else is willing to formulate said Coconut Oil into an easier to use version and then tell me exactly what to do with it, I will definitely try it!

Coco Loco is just that. It's Coconut Oil with added Vitamins A, C and E (that added Vitamin A makes me declare this isn't pregnancy safe, the only formulation of Vitamin A that docs say is ok to use topically during pregnancy is Beta Carotene). It comes in a 1 ounce or 3 ounce jar, and inside you'll find what just looks like solid white stuff. But it's all kinds of magical.

So, I've been using Coco Loco just as a cleanser/eye makeup remover. I wet my face down with warm water, and then rub my fingers over the solid Coco Loco. It immediately melts from the heat of my fingers and the warm water, and I'll end up with just a little liquid oil on my fingers. Then I rub that over my eyes first, making sure that I've shut them tight and that I'm rubbing gently at the lash line to get my mascara and eye liner. Once I'm done there, I'll rinse my hands briefly (otherwise I get black mascara water all over everything), and get a little more Coco Loco to rub all over my face. I rinse it all off with the help of a washcloth.

It's amazing how quickly Coco Loco removes everything, and I mean everything. Even my most stubborn waterproof liners come right off without a fight! I haven't tried it yet as a moisturizer, I have a feeling it would likely be too much for my combination skin, even in this winter weather.

Coco Loco at Etsy

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The Best Glitter Makeup Helpers

Bought It Myself Affiliate Links


Today for Top 10 Tuesday we're sharing our favorite Glitter makeup products. In the past Makeup Artist Christy Ann shared her secrets for creating a glitter eye, and today I shared the glitter makeup I crave (since I don't actually own 10 and can't create a "best of" list with 10 items).

Glitter makeup definitely isn't easy to work with, in particular anything loose and powdery. I thought I'd share the products I've found to help me out for when I am dealing with anything that needs help beyond a regular primer.

1. ELF Makeup Mist and Set: This handy spray was one of my picks for the best makeup products from ELF, and my friend Phyrra has a great post on how to use ELF Makeup Mist and Set. I primarily use it to spray on my brush and help pick up product. I then pat the shadow on. Glitter shadows should always be patted, sweeping will just make a mess.

2. ELF Glitter Primer: Another one of my picks for ELF's best beauty products. This primer is used just like any other shadow primer, except that it is a bit sticky, so it grabs onto shadows and especially glitters.

3. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue: I only recently bought this, so I don't have a lot of experience using it yet. The regular Shadow Insurance is one of my favorite products, it's the shadow primer that I reach for when using powdery eye shadows because it already has a bit more "grab" than something like Urban Decay Primer Potion. The Glitter Glue version is similar to the ELF Glitter Primer, but with a little more grab and I think it lasts a little longer (12 or 13 hours easily versus about 11 or 12 hours).

4. Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy: Pixie Epoxy is what you should be reaching for if you want a really foiled finish for your eye look. This one isn't a primer, instead it is a product that goes over your regular primer (which you'll still want to use to prevent creasing and fading), in a super small amount. Really small. I will tap the tip of my finger with the doe foot applicator and then spread that onto my entire lid. Then wait a minute or so, and you can pat shadow on to the sticky surface. This is the stickiest of the 3 and really is meant for creating a foiled look. I learned about it from Phyrra (of course) and she listed when I featured her in Phyrra's Favorite Makeup Products.

5. ELF Makeup Lock and Seal: This isn't a product that I've seen mentioned very often, and while I've owned it for a few months I've only tried it once. It's not easy! Lock and Seal is for any makeup that you want to stay put. The idea is that you dump the makeup into the little dish, add a bit of the product and mix. You apply with the brush. And the makeup that you use really does stay put. It's somewhat amazing actually, and it does a great job of creating a pretty foiled look. I think it's much easier to use with products that are already loose powders, I haven't tried it out with anything cream or pressed yet.

6. Hard Candy Take It Off Remover: Whenever I have anything that I think might be a bit hard to remove, I reach for this remover. It takes off everything really easily. A few months ago I had lunch with a PR rep (this never happens) and she mentioned that one of their mascaras was hard to remove because of the fibers. I had not a clue the mascara was hard to get off! Even she was complaining about it. I'd been using this, which makes everything, even the most difficult to remove waterproof makeup, melt off immediately.

7. e.l.f. Studio Glitter Eyeshadow Applicator and Make Up For Ever 224 Silicone Applicator: I have both of these, but haven't mastered them yet myself. I've heard that many people looooove them. These are silicone brushes, shaped like those little makeup applicators that we all throw away from eye shadows, and they're meant to help you pick up glitter products without making a mess. They work best with patting.


What did I miss? What are your favorite products, primers, tools and removers for working with glitters?

Bought It Myself Affiliate Links

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Cream and Eye Makeup Remover in One Step? Almay Soothing & De-Puffing Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Product Sent for Review

I admit that in the past I haven't had great luck with the Almay eye makeup remover pads that I always hear raves about. I wonder if it has something to do with the way that I apply my eye makeup (I like a lot of liner really smudged into my lash line), it just seems to take about 5 pads to completely clean one eye. But, I saw this new version in a magazine recently (I think it was Redbook, believe it or not. The new Redbook is all kinds of awesome...) and was interested in them. And then the next day CVS sent them to me in a summer mailing.

So, while these are eye makeup removers like other Almay pads, they also do something a little bit different. They leave behind just a little bit of product that is meant to help sooth, de-puff and generally help your eye area. They do a decent job of removing eye makeup. Maybe I've been applying differently lately or they've improved the formula, but this version only takes 1 pad per eye for removing everything, even when using waterproof mascara. It does leave behind a light liquid that quickly sinks into my skin an doesn't leave behind a residue, and they smell a bit like Windex to me.

What's in that liquid? Well, things that will help your skin look better.
• Butylene glycol: Works as a "slip" agent, also a humectant (aka- moisturizer). It is derived from petroleum, but has been found to be safe in many studies and by many agencies (like the FDA).
• Caffeine: Great for temporary tightening, I think it would make these pads a great option if you're removing some makeup as you're transitioning from day to night makeup
• Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract: A yeast that has been found to help with soothing skin, improving hydration and a lot of other great things.
• Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract: Recognize some of those names? Definitely soothing! Note that there are some people that are allergic to aloe (it's more common than you think, though most often is an issue with sap directly from the plant), so if that's you it might be a good idea to do a patch test.

I still prefer the feeling of really removing everything and rinsing well with water, but I think these pads will be a great option for using for day to night makeup changes, and I'll be leaving them in my nightstand. For the super lazy nights that I don't want to remove everything (I fully admit I do this about once every 2 weeks), grabbing a wipe to get things off while sitting in bed is a good idea.


Almay Soothing & De-Puffing Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads at CVS
Product Sent for Review

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Hard Candy Take It Off Eye Makeup Remover

For some reason, it seems to be a bit difficult to find a good eye makeup remover. I want it to work fast, take everything off, and I don't want to still be finding black eye liner streaks on my wash cloth afterwards. I seem to have problems finding a product that doesn't leave residual eye liner or mascara behind.

For years I've wished for the impossible, which is an eye makeup remover that doesn't need a cotton round or wash cloth. I would be so happy if I could just use my fingers and have everything come off of my eyes. Yeah, soooo not going to happen. I really tried to make it work with this remover. Instead I ended up with smudges of left over liner each morning.

So, when you actually follow the directions and use this remover with a cotton round, it does work really well. It's a white creamy lotion and doesn't feel at all greasy. It removes everything I've thrown at it so far (yes, including 30 coats of mascara), really it only takes 1 cotton round per eye. I like that it only takes a light rinsing with water, rather than needing to be washed off like with an oil based eye makeup remover.

What eye makeup remover are you using right now? I'm mostly using this one, but I'm sometimes grabbing an oil based remover from Boots.

Hard Candy

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Neutrogena Naturals: Eye Makeup Removal With Your Fingertips

I've been on a never ending quest for a great eye makeup remover. While I'm not likely to ever stop looking (it's an addiction, hence I have this blog), I've been remiss in not sharing a great one that I've discovered! I've already repurchased it twice, so you know it's got to be great.

This cleanser is thick and creamy, so I can use it with my fingertips. A light herbal scent, a little bit of foaming, though not too much and easy to rinse. Those are all good points. But, the best part is that it removes my eye makeup without a problem. Only the most stubborn of waterproof eye liners have caused an issue, and with a second application I can removed anything.

Neutrogena Naturals Makeup Remover and Cleanser

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Wet n Wild Eye Makeup Remover: A Fruit Scented Find?

I spotted this bottle of Wet n Wild's Eye Makeup Remover on an end cap during a recent grocery shopping trip, and I was really hopeful for this product. I'm not quite sure why I expected so much out of a product that cost me all of $1.89, though I was likely hoping for a cheap diamond in the rough that should be a cult product. Is that what I got?

Well, a little bit. This remover does take off most eye makeup pretty easily. The last 25% or so takes a few more swipes. Once all the eye makeup is off, there is a light residue left behind that easily rinses off. The product smells a bit like Hawaiian Punch to me, which I kinda love.

The only thing preventing this from becoming an amazing find is the stinging. Unless my eyes are clamped shut, I get stinging with this product. Which means with every use as I can't get all of my eye liner off without simply having my eyes gently closed at some point. So, despite the amazing price, great smell and removal capabilities, I won't be repurchasing.

Wet n Wild

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Sensai Gentle Make-up Remover for Eye and Lip: The Eye Makeup Remover to Rule Them All

I mentioned it briefly in my hospital bag post, and shortly thereafter a full sized version of the Sensai Gentle Make-up Remover showed up on my door step to try out. It arrived pretty early in the morning, and let me tell you that I was gleeful. Really.

I skipped up to my vanity (well, as much as a 9 month pregnant person can skip, this was a month ago) and started plotting. I was going to trip up this eye makeup remover. I proceeded to put on everything that other removers (even Lancome's Bi-Facil) had struggled to removed. Stila's Stay all Day Waterproof Liquid Liner and MAC's Splashproof Lash and that was just for starters. For days I tried different combinations of products that had caused issues in the past, requiring me to scrub my eyes. Nothing stopped the Sensai. Literally, I would swipe my eye with the cotton round... and nothing would be left on my skin or on my lashes. One swipe.

Next I decided to try a comparison with the Lancome Bi-Facil. I continued my obsession with all things waterproof, and started removing with Bi-Facil on one eye before the Sensai. As before, I needed only one swipe to remove everything with the Sensai (though I admit I do 2-3 just to be sure). However, the Bi-Facil was struggling. I would need many swipes and more than one cotton round on occasion. I would then follow up by switching eyes and recleaning each. So, a cotton round of Sensai to the eye jut cleaned with Lancome, and vice versa. Nothing ever appeared on the cotton round as being left behind by Sensai, but the Lancome definitely seemed to have issues with some of the waterproof formulas, and I was able to easily remove the extra with Sensai.

Finally, I had to put the lippie removal to the test. When I swatch products on my arm for posts, I have big issues removing most of them from my arm despite trying many different makeup removers, soaps, etc. Scrubbing at all turns my arm red, and with my super pale skin my time swatching is very limited. So, having something that easily removes lippies from my arm (and hence minimizes scrubbing and redness) means I can swatch more!

Anyways, I found that Sensai is not quite as good at removing lippies. Which means it needs a few extra swipes to take care of the most stubborn lip sticks or sticky lip glosses. My arm definitely loved the Sensai, since I was able to swatch a huge number of lippies in one day (a quantity that should have taken several days) and never needed to scrub!

So, I would say that the Sensai is definitely the best product I've ever used at removing both eye and lip makeup. It has a light orange scent (OMG, so amazing) and it leaves only an extremely faint oily residue behind. It easily washes away with just a splash of water.

All of this means that I have a new Holy Grail Eye Make-Up Remover. Yes, it is even harder to get a hold of than the Lancome (and more expensive), but it seriously out performs everything else out there. I'll be keeping a bottle of this on-hand at all times!

Sensai Gentle Make-up Remover for Eye and Lip

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Make Up For Ever's Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

Recently I was complaining about my eye makeup removal options, and lamenting that I wanted a different remover, one that would instantly melt away all makeup. One that can be used in the shower (hence, sans cotton round) is an added bonus.

So, now I'm trying out the MUFE Sens'Eyes Eye Cleanser. This product is a light blue lotion that can be used with a cotton round or with your fingers (score!). It has a light scent and I swear even my waterproof mascara and eye liner melt away as soon as the lotion touches it. It rinses off easily and there is no residue left behind.

In the hunt for the perfect eye makeup remover, this one is a pretty big contender.

Make Up For Ever's Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

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Exploring Alternative Methods of Eye Makeup Removal: Neutrogena

For years now I've been a loyal user of Lancome's Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover. While I have tried others in the past, in a vain attempt to find something that worked as well (see Lumene, Clean & Clear, Boots #7, and Almay), I keep coming back to the Lancome. It's the only one that removes 100% of my mascara and eye liner easily the first time, no matter what I'm wearing. But... it's expensive. I try to stock up on it at the outlet mall (love those CCO stores), but I still feel guilty every time I use it.

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Shu Uemura's Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O

Cleansing oil sounds like a bit of an oxymoron, but mostly like something that is really scary and would not work. But, really it does! Run back to my cleanser post and read about cleansers and how they work. Really, it won't take long.

So, remember that part about surfactants and their long tails that love dirt, oil, etc? Well, those ends are basically the same as oil. Like goes with like, so they are attracted to water and oil, but don't mix well with water.

When you are cleansing with oil you basically are emulsifying the oil and dirt on your face. Take a peak at the directions below, you'll note that Shu wants you to put it on your dry skin, this will really help the oil to penetrate into any makeup, dirt or oil on your face. You'll get better results with massaging the oil around your face a bit.

You then need to get it all off of your face. While that can be pretty easy with a regular cleanser due to the water-loving ionic end of the surfactant, you don't have the luxury with an oil cleanser. Once again, massaging the water into the cleansing oil a bit will be very helpful, and then lots of rinsing!

Step 1. Place 4-6 pumps of cleansing oil onto dry hands.
Step 2. Gently massage oil onto a dry face and neck with dry hands.
Step 3. Dampen hands, and emulsify oil by massaging a small amount of warm water on top of the oil.
Step 4. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
Step 5. Follow with a shu uemura toning water and moisturizer.

Overall, how did I like this cleanser? Shu says that this cleanser is both a cleanser and makeup remover, and that it can even remove waterproof makeup. It did remove pretty much everything on my face, though it wasn't too great with mascara (I had to use my normal eye makeup remover still). It does take a bit longer to rinse off than a "normal" cleanser, but I had no oily residue and even if I skipped my moisturizer my dry cheeks had no afterwash dryness. None! My oily t-zone? No worse than usual. As for my drier "winter" skin, it did help fight off some of the usual winter dryness, restoring to a level of moisture I usually have in the summer.

This formulation does contain green tea derivatives (giving the cleanser a nice green tea scent that I enjoyed), and it is likely that some of the antioxidants are left behind on the skin in an oil cleanser.

I think if you have dry skin, definitely check out this cleanser. If you have oily or combination skin, don't cross this product off of your list, as I had good luck with it and I have combination skin. Especially during the winter, changing over to an oil cleanser may help with your dryness! Overall this was a great, gentle cleanser.

Shu Uemura's Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O

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Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover

Have you noticed that I'm starting to obsess over eye makeup removers? I read somewhere about the amount of eye makeup that dermatologists can see under a woman's eyes that we didn't even know was there, and they said something about the buildup contributing to dark circles. That was enough for me to start testing them like crazy!

A long time ago, I had a Lancome eye makeup remover. It came in a little white tube, I believe it was a gift with purchase item. Lancome discontinued that product long ago for a good reason, it really only smeared stuff around. Because of my experience with that product I had been resistant to trying Lancome eye makeup removers. I should have tried this product years ago, truly. There is a good reason it is one of their best sellers and has won so many awards from Allure and Glam.com.

This is an amazing eye makeup remover. It is the only one I've tested that completely (and easily at that) removes the incredibly difficult to remove Revlon 3D Mascara. This product has 2 phases, and needs to be well shaken before use. A little bit on a cotton pad, rub it across your lid and voila! All makeup is easily on the pad and no longer on your eye. No residue is left behind either.

In case you're wondering, this does work better than the much cheaper Boots Eye Makeup Remover. Is it worth the extra $16? That depends on your eye makeup routine. If you wear a lot of eye shadow, eye liner or any waterproof mascara, I would say that the upgrade is well worth the money.

Look for it on-line or at a Lancome counter near you!

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Boots No7 Cleanse & Care Eye Make-up Remover

In my quest for the perfect eye makeup remover, I took the advice of Tina, who left a comment on my review of Revlon's 3-D Mascara. Boy, was she right! This is a much better eye makeup remover than Almay's Eye Makeup Remover.

The Boots remover has several different liquid densities, and needs to be very well shaken before applying. It is applied with a cotton pad, and it removes pretty much every bit of makeup easily with only 1 or 2 swipes! I've tried this remover with mascaras from Revlon, L'Oreal, Almay and Cover Girl. I've used regular and waterproof formulas. It's removed all of them easily (though admittedly the Revlon 3-D Mascara needs twice as much remover as all of the others). It leaves no greasy residue, and only needs a splash of water to rinse it all away.

My favorite part about this remover? The directions. They tell you to use a "cotton wool" to apply, this just cracks me up!

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Almay Eye Makeup Remover

As a contact lens wearer (and admitedly, a gal obsessed with mascara), getting off my eye makeup each night can be a bit difficult, especially with waterproof formulas. As well, I tend to be lazy about my night time beauty product usage, so if it isn't fast and easy, chances are I'd rather just wake up with mascara on my pillow than spend the time.

My usual daily face wash is currently Neutrogena's Liquid Formulation (review coming soon). What I love about this cleanser is that it is gentle and doesn't strip off all oil on my skin, but is heavy duty enough to get off all of my makeup. This usually includes my mascara and eye liner as well. However, if I'm wearing waterproof mascara, the Neutrogena can't touch it. The result is eyelashes that are slightly gooey and stuck together. That's when I need to "call in the big guns," so to speak. I have two different formulations of eye makeup remover, both by Almay. In the past I have tried removers by Cover Girl, Revlon, L'Oreal, Lancome, Clinique and Maybelline, but I always return to my trusted Almay. All of the other formulations have left behind traces of the makeup, which with a few days use can build up into a sticky mess. In addition, I find that the eye area can become easily over cleansed, resulting in tight, dry skin a few minutes after rinsing.

Both of the Almay formulations are real standouts.

The gel remover is my heavy duty remover. I usually will use this one when I have a LOT of waterproof mascara on my lashes. I put a small squirt (about the size of a large pea) into my hands, close my eyes tightly, and rub the remover all over my already wet lids and lashes. I rinse quickly with just a few splashes of water. No traces of remover, or my mascara, remain. In addition, the area is not over-cleansed.

The pads are best used for clean up around the eye area with makeup application, or for days that I have on very minimal waterproof makeup. The pads are simply not tough enough to remove a larger amount of mascara, often 2-3 pads are required for that job (and there may still be residual mascara).

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads
Almay Eye Makeup Remover Gel

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