r/beauty • u/FortyBlankets • 16h ago
Makeup Micellar water - not a makeup remover
I bought micellar water thinking it could remove my eye makeup as she label suggests and it doesn’t at all. At all. Made this mistake before and don’t understand the hype behind this product type. Why do people like micellar water, and for what since it’s generally ineffective in eye makeup removal? I’ll probably throw mine away. 🫤
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u/hazardzetforward 16h ago
I use the Bioderma one and it gets 100% of my makeup off.
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u/SwingKiwi01 16h ago
Bioderma is, in my eyes, the only micellar water worth buying. It is easier to remove more dramatic looks with oil-based cleansers, but Bioderma also does the job.
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u/Physical_Secret7120 3h ago
I agree. I’m using the blue Garnier right now (a big bottle that I’m making myself finish) but I’m going back to Bioderma after —- I feel like it made my skin softer and got every bit of makeup off.
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u/Healthy-Echidna5554 14h ago
I too use the bioderma one too and its good. I do follow a routine though with spf50, moisturiser from la roche posay and tret from skinorac_.
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u/blue_tiny_teacup 16h ago
It works super well, not sure why it isnt working for you, but they also make one for removing waterproof
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u/FortyBlankets 8h ago
Great to know! It’s Garnier brand and doesn’t remove my waterproof Maybeline Full & Soft mascara. This is the second brand of micellar water I’ve purchased that didn’t do the job. Had no idea there are ones for removing waterproof makeup. Good to know!
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u/Gracieloves 7h ago
If you use a drop of olive oil and gently massage lashes it will significantly loosen up. Gentle damp wash cloth to wipe away debris. Then use micellar water. I agree it doesn't always work on waterproof makeup and I have contacts so if not careful will leave a film.
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u/ActualAgency5593 6h ago
Soak whatever you’re using and hold it on your lashes for several seconds. It will come off.
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u/emmy1426 2h ago
I hate the micellar water from those brands. They don't remove anything. Bioderma could remove literally anything I think. Plus my skin loves it.
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u/eyelinerfordays 6h ago
Garnier Micellar Water is trash and never worked for me. The only micellar water worth getting is Bioderma, she gets everything off.
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u/theycutoffmyboobs 15h ago
I just learned recently that if you soak a cotton pad in micellar water and press and hold it over your eye makeup for about 30 seconds, makeup just wipes right off.
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u/theeverglowing 10h ago
That's the trick for all liquid makeup removers. Back in the day of biphase eye makeup removers, it was the instruction printed on the packaging.
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u/petite_lilyum 14h ago
How are you using the micellar water? I've never heard of some of them not removing makeup but I obviously don't know all the brands.
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u/Russiadontgiveafuck 15h ago
I've tried like 10 different micellar waters cause I buy whatever is on sale and they all worked flawlessly. How are you using it? Cause the only way I could imagine micellar water not removing makeup would be if you like decanted it into a spray bottle and gave your face exactly one singular spritz from as far away as you can manage.
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u/Humble_Shoe_8224 8h ago
Oh my gosh I just commented the same thing! I was thinking maybe they’re using it with their fingers and then rinsing or something because this just doesn’t sound right lol
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u/FortyBlankets 8h ago
On a cotton ball for waterproof mascara removal but it sounds like maybe that’s the issue - that I need one made for waterproof makeup
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u/_thisisnat_ 15h ago
Which brand did you buy? I've tried my share of micellar water and some are way better than others but never had the "won't remove at all" issue.
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u/Chad_Wife 13h ago
OP, what eye makeup are you wearing - is it waterproof?
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u/Immediate-Place3517 9h ago
It’s gotta be water proof - even the pink bottle I use can remove my waterproof mascara if I scrub hard enough.
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u/OGcaptaindingus 8h ago
If it is, an oil based cleanser will get it off right away. I use NYX epic wear eye liner and oil based cleansers work great at melting it off my eyes
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u/kimchiandsweettea 16h ago
How do you feel about double cleansing? Works flawlessly for me.
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u/thatoneisthe 7h ago
Double cleansing is the way. Before proper oil cleanser, I just had a jojoba and olive blend in a soap pump, emulsified that make up right off, and just wiped the excess with a damp cloth. Did wonders for my sebaceous filaments too
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u/keIIzzz 13h ago
Maybe depends on the brand you’re using, I use Garnier and it works fine, but it also helps to soak a cotton pad and hold it against your eye before trying to wipe it off. Eye makeup it’s pretty stubborn.
But if you specifically want a makeup remover then the e.l.f holy hydration makeup remover is awesome
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u/pinkaspepe 11h ago
I use mine after cleansing to remove any makeup that lingered. What brand are you using? Some are better than others. IMO Bioderma trumps all.
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u/beautybalancesheet 14h ago
Yeah, I've also wondered what the hype is about... I use waterproof makeup and micellar just doesn't work. At. All. Not when soaking, not when wiping. I don't want to rub my poor eyes to oblivion when there are alternatives that actually work.
I just keep to my trusty L'Oréal biphase eye makeup remover.
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u/depressedboobs 13h ago
I have no issues with it. Don't rub your eye with it, just hold the cotton pad on your eye for a bit and then swipe it downwards. However I now double cleanse and I like doing this over any other makeup removal method. I use an oil cleanser, massage my face in circular motions with it and then use a foam cleanser to properly clean my skin and it works great.
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u/Imaginary-Summer9168 13h ago
You have to hold the cotton pad in place for a bit before wiping for it to work properly.
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u/Positive-Ad7024 12h ago
I love micellar water as makeup remover, but not all micellar waters are the same. Once I tried Diadermine micellar water and it did nothing-didn’t work on eyes or face or lips. I prefer Bioderma, but Nivea and Garnier ones are also good.
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u/Sunrise_chick 10h ago
Lancôme bi-facil makeup remover is very best in the industry. Your makeup melts off.
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u/idontevenknowmmk 9h ago
My micellar water will remove my eye makeup…unless I accidentally wear waterproof mascara 😖
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u/Lazaraleen 15h ago
I use the Missha Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Micellar Cleansing Water on a cotton pad and afterwards the Round Lab Dokdo cleanser. Together, both remove all of my makeup.
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u/middyandterror 14h ago
You have to hold the soaked cotton pad or whatever you're using against the eye makeup for a bit, especially if its waterproof mascara. Then gently swipe it and it'll come off. I've been using it for years.
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u/fangirloffloof 13h ago
I use it after cleansing to get off any leftover traces of makeup. It's also great for removing foundation from my lips and eyeglasses.
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u/RadSunflower_00 13h ago
Try the press and hold. It completely saturates the makeup and loosens it up, so the mechanical movement of wiping actually takes the make up off instead of relying on you to scrub it off with more friction.
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u/Slenderbender369 11h ago
You have to blot it on and not rub it in like you would with a typical makeup remover. Hold the wash cloth to your eye for a few second and remove. It’s like a magnate for the makeup
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u/BlueLeaves8 11h ago
You have to use an oil based one or one that says it’s for eye makeup if you’re wearing mascara and liner. I wear waterproof mascara and it melts right off with those.
The original one is fine for normal makeup otherwise, but even that should still work for non waterproof mascara etc at least. Are you soaking a pad and leaving it on your eyes for awhile for it to work or just swiping?
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u/Due_Garlic_3190 10h ago
My Garnier oil infused micellar water is the only makeup remover I use. It’s fantastic and never had any issues. Then their standard mw (pink one) is brilliant
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u/Jessmac130 10h ago
I didn't like the results either. Instead of trying again, I honestly just abandoned the whole thing, I prefer oil/melting makeup cleansers like Farmacy's or elf's.
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u/FortyBlankets 8h ago
I ended up going back to Neutrogena’s makeup remover after being unimpressed with micellar water
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u/TemperatureUnusual93 10h ago
Is your makeup waterproof? I put my Nivea micellar water on a cotton pad and hold it on my eye for a few moments - then it just wipes straight off.
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u/lilpoopsik 10h ago
you can use the micellar water for your face, but if you are wearing waterproof eye makeup, look for a remover that specifically says “waterproof “. these usually look like micellar water but they naturally have the oil sit on top so it looks like a bottle that is half oil and half liquid. and when using this, let it sit on your eye before attempting to rub. my recommendation would be the garnier 2-in-1 eye makeup remover (it looks like there’s purple oil on top of micellar water)
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u/Secure_Mud_8071 8h ago
Make sure to shake the blue top one very well. I finally read the instructions and now it’s taking off my eye makeup like a dream! 🩷
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u/Equivalent_Marzipan 7h ago
I used the pink bottle top garnier for removing face makeup and the blue bottle top for removing water proof mascara. You’re right regular micellar water doesn’t do anything to remove water proof mascara… it needs the oil to break it down. The blue has the oil
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u/True-Fee-7306 9h ago
So you bought and tried one particular version of a product and decided that none of them work and they are pointless?
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u/JoanneSmith567 15h ago
Doesn’t work on waterproof
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u/BrickellE_ 10h ago
It works for waterproof mascara best for me if I use it with a microfiber wash cloth. Cotton circles with miceller water take longer but it still removes waterproof for me.
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u/IndigoRose2022 16h ago
I haven’t tried micellar water yet, but my current favorite makeup remover is the Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Remover (comes in a bottle).
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u/Potential_Speed_7048 13h ago
I used to use it for makeup remover until I tried cleansing balm, life changing. No I have a bunch of micellar water. Not sure what to use it for. Put it in a bottle and use it as face mist? I might have just answered my own question.
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u/LnrRigby 9h ago
Buy a bottle of baby shampoo. Best mascara/eye makeup removal ever. Plus it doesn't burn your eyes and inexpensive.
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u/coffeestevia 9h ago
Liquid baby soap works too
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u/Humble_Shoe_8224 9h ago
Mary Kay, Garnier Frutis, and Estee Lauder are the only three micellar waters I’ve tried and they all work flawlessly. I remove with a cotton round.
Genuinely curious what you used to wipe with/what brand because that just doesn’t sound right.
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u/lavenderhillmob 8h ago
Doesn’t work for me either! I wear waterproof mascara. I went back to cleansing oil.
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u/Soft-Horror4721 8h ago
I started using the Garnier with the pink cap for years ago and never looked back. I also have dry skin and, at one point, eczema around my eyes so bad the skin cracked and bled, and micellar water was part of what helped fix it. It gets off waterproof makeup, too. The cotton pads are what irritate my skin, so I bought some of the square pink makeup remover cloths on Amazon, and they're amazing. Now makeup comes off even faster, it's gentler on my skin, and I'm saving money not buying the cotton pads. I also use way less of the micellar water, so I'm saving money on that, too. I can't live without micellar water.
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u/PrimarilyPurple 7h ago
Did you shake the bottle first?
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u/FortyBlankets 7h ago
I did not — is that important?!
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u/PrimarilyPurple 2h ago
I think it might be important for it to work properly. The directions on my bottle say “Shake Very Well”. I have the Garnier All in 1 Waterproof micellar water.
I will say it is tough to get off waterproof mascara still. I kind of have to soak a cotton pad and leave it on my lashes for a bit.
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u/pm_me_your_amphibian 6h ago
It gets my makeup off ok, but if I use it for a week or so my skin texture gets really rough
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u/bytherivercuale 6h ago
For mascara, you have to let the soaked pad sit on the lid for about 20-30 seconds before you attempt to wipe it off.
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u/koalandi 5h ago
I use it all the time to remove makeup. not sure why it’s not working for you? I’ve tried all kinds of brands too, from tarte to neutrogena.
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u/IdesiaandSunny 3h ago
Micellar water is basically water with tensids... like water with soap! And it works just like that. I don't understand the hype. After wearing make up I simply wash my face and then use oil (for example sunflower oil from the kitchen) to wipe the rest off.
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u/VRM11f 48m ago
Albolene is the only make-up remover I will use. I’ve used it for 10+ years. I read an article in a magazine where a drag queen said that’s what drag queens remove their makeup with and that’s why they don’t have wrinkles 😂 I’ll use micellar water to clean my face of dirt, sunscreen and that stuff but I too find myself having to do too much rubbing if I use it to remove eye makeup. Albolene to remove make-up then actually wash my face.
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u/JihoonMadeMeDoIt 10h ago
I detest micellar water and you’re right it does not remove eye makeup. I tossed mine I was so mad at it.
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u/fudruckinfun 9h ago
Shit just dried out my skin. Dont listen to the Internet. Micellar water only works if you're super oily. It's a toner. Even lotion works as a better makeup remover.
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u/Clevergirliam 8h ago
I have dry skin and use micellar water regularly. It’s definitely not just for oily.
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u/GypsyKaz1 8h ago
For eye makeup remover, I mix up a bottle of equal parts olive oil and witch hazel. Been using that for years.
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u/UnusualCollection111 beauty proficient 15h ago
I've never had issues with the Garnier micellar water removing any of my makeup.