Easy Tips & Tricks for Removing Pesky Makeup Stains

Make-up stainsThe makeup we buy today (even the budget, everyday stuff from the drugstore) is better and more brilliant than ever before. New technology means we now have the options of buying water-resistant eyeliners, all-day foundations, lasting colour lipsticks, and even mascaras that claim to persevere for 3 (yes THREE) days! That’s great news for us ladies, but not so good for our clothes. You see, the ingredients in these makeup products that make them stay on the face (things like seed oil, shea butter, and jojoba wax) are also the things that help them cling to your clothing. So how do you get rid of these unsightly smudges? Easy! All you need is a bit of know-how, a few unexpected products, and a good washing machine

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Eyeshadow: In the past, eyeshadow stains were pretty easy to remove from just about anything. As a fine powder, it was very easy to simply brush the eyeshadow off the fabrics. Today, of course, many of us use cream and gel shadows for a more even coverage and long-lasting effect, but sadly these products are a little more tricky to remove. Not THAT tricky, though! Pop into your bathroom and pick up a can of shaving foam – it doesn’t matter if it’s a heavy duty one designed for deforesting your legs before bikini season or a more gentle type for the underarms – the only thing that matters is that it’s colorless. You’re probably wondering how shaving foam is supposed to work on stains, but consider this – shaving foam is essentially a creamy soap that doesn’t produce a lather, so it’s great for massaging into fabrics and softening any stubborn marks. Machine wash afterwards for best results.

Foundation: Foundations and BB creams work wonders for the skin – both on the surface and deeper down – and they do this through the use of oils and other lubricants that moisturize the face and neck, helping to maintain a youthful, vibrant appearance. Unfortunately, it’s these oils that make foundations, creams, and tinted moisturizers a nuisance to get out of clothes. However, with the right technique, it’s not actually too difficult. The trick with oily foundations is to find a product that is designed to cut through grease. Water simply won’t do the job here, as water and oil don’t mix, so you’ll need something a little stronger – preferably something with sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS. Now, SLS has a bit of a bad reputation in the press due to possible carcinogenic effects, but the tiny amount used to remove stains is nowhere near enough to cause harm. SLS can be found in many dishwashing detergents and shampoos as it’s great for removing oily residues.

Lipstick: As with foundations and BB creams, lipsticks are chock full of oils, butters, and waxes to help keep the lips smooth and luscious, but lipsticks also have one other very big problem – they’re typically very bright, strong colors which are a real eyesore on clothing! For delicate fabrics, such as wools and silks, you can stick with the trusted method of a dishwashing or laundry detergent (or use a dedicated stain removal product), but for more hardy fabrics there is a quicker, more effective technique – hairspray! Believe it or not, that little can of hairspray you keep in your purse to combat bad hair days can really help banish stains. Simply spray on, leave to dry (it should take around 10 minutes to dry completely, depending on how much you’ve put on), and scrub at the lipstick mark with a hard-bristled brush. Keep going until the colour has faded significantly, then pop in the wash for the machine to do the rest.

Don’t be scared of makeup stains! Yes, they’re a drag, but show them who’s boss! The next time you find lipstick on your favorite shirt or mascara on your sleeve, just relax knowing that you’ll be able to remove all signs of that nasty stain as soon as you get home.

3 Responses
  • Payal Pandya
    January 18, 2014

    Thank you 🙂

  • sjha69
    January 17, 2014

    handy tips