How to remove heavy makeup in less than two minutes

Having to remove heavy makeup at the end of a long day – or after night out – is often the last thing we feel like doing. But it’s no secret that sleeping in your makeup, especially heavy makeup, can cause breakouts, irritation and leave your skin looking worse for wear. Which is why finding the quickest way to remove your makeup before bed is the best guarantee to waking up fresh faced.

As beauty editors, we’ve tried and tested most methods of makeup removal and learnt that when it comes to removing stubborn, waterproof makeup, micellar water is your best option. But not all micellar waters are created equally…

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Keep reading to discover our fast and foolproof way to removing heavy makeup in less than two minutes.

1. Choose the right product

If you’re wearing full coverage foundation, a bright lipstick, waterproof eyeliner or mascara, and want to remove it FAST, you’ll need a product that’s designed for effective removal of long-wearing makeup. To remove heavy makeup in less than two minutes, I used the NIVEA MicellAIR Expert Make-up Remover because of its bi-phase formula combined with MicellAIR Complex Technology and black tea extract, which works like a magnet to erase makeup in a flash.

2. Remove long-wear foundation

For effective makeup removal, you’ll need cotton rounds and cotton buds (FYI: micellar technology only works in conjunction with cotton, so if you’re trying to use it with a tissue you’ll get no joy) . If you’re using the NIVEA MicellAIR Expert Make-up Remover like I am, you will need to shake the bottle first to mix the formula together. Pour the micellar water onto the cotton round until it is soaked, then gently wipe the cotton round over your complexion to remove makeup. Once the cotton round is completely covered in foundation, grab another one and keep repeating until there is no more foundation coming off.

3. Remove waterproof eye makeup

To remove eyeliner I recommend using a cotton bud because you can specifically target the area where the liner sits. Simply wet the end of the bud with micellar water and swipe it over the eyeliner until it vanishes. To remove waterproof mascara, soak a cotton round in the micellar water and hold it over your lashes for 30 seconds and then gently wipe it away. Repeat if needed – but you shouldn’t have to if you’re using a heavy-duty makeup remover like the NIVEA MicellAIR Expert Make-up Remover.

4. Remove long-lasting lipstick

Long-lasting lipstick can be a nightmare to remove, especially if it’s in a bright or dark hue. To take your lippie off without it ending up all over your face, soak a cotton round with micellar water and glide it across your lips until all of the colour has disappeared.

5. Fresh faced and ready for bed

And that is how you remove your makeup in less than two minutes. As you can see, there is no makeup coming off on my cotton round, which is what you want after you’ve removed all of your makeup. The NIVEA MicellAIR Expert Make-up Remover leaves zero greasy residue on the skin and the addition of black tea extract in the formula makes it extra soothing and suitable for all skin types.

In case of emergency: Despite your best intentions, what if you happen to crawl into bed before you can make it to your micellar water? Keep some NIVEA MicellAIR Expert Make-up Remover Wipes on your bedside table so you can still remove your makeup, even when you’re horizontal.

What’s your favourite way to remove heavy makeup?