How best to completely and quickly remove make-up

[Alexia]

Recently I bought lipstick for the first time.
Yet one more thing I had absolutely no experience with before.
It smells nice!
I don't see why it would, but it does!
Even when I don't put it on, I just open it and smell it.
However, I found afterwards that removing it was a bit trickier than I had expected.
I didn't have any supplies for that at all, so I just used some paper hankies and some toilet paper and lots of water, but it took more effort than I would like.

Since I am a CD solely while safely indoors and then only mostly in my bedroom, I absolutely, positively and unequivocally do not want there to remain any lingering trace of something like that any longer than needed.
Say, someone arrives at my door, I basically want to be able to not just change my clothes, but take off any trace of any make-up in an instant.
If I ever decide to show myself with any make-up, it will be my decision, not because I accidentally used a product better used to paint cars.

So, before I start experimenting with lipstick any further, can someone please explain to me how best to quickly and completely remove any traces of make-up?
Are there different products to remove different kinds of make-up?
Is there perhaps a useful visual guide on youtube or something?

Any product to remove make-up should also leave no traces itself.
Since I basically have a permanent cold and since you get used to any smell after a while and then no longer detect it, I don't trust my sense of smell to inform me if I smell any different, so no lingering fragrances is also really important.
Any recommendations, like a brand or type of cleaning agent?
Are those cotton pads useful?

Furthermore, are there any types of make-up to avoid, because they may linger, however subtly, even after a shower?
Like, mascara or blush or whatchamacallit?
Are there any water soluble products that rinse off easily?

Any real make-up tips will have to wait until I can be reasonably certain that I can safely remove the results of any experimentation.
I can't exactly call in 'make-up stuck to my visible skin' at work, it is not a valid reason for missing work and would raise unwanted questions.

[Davita]

Alexia, there are several threads about makeup removal in this forum somewhere. Personally, I'm a soap and water girl. If you want to smell like a man after you take off your makeup, then use stuff that takes of machine shop grease and dirt. ICK!

Makeup removers can simply be removed with makeup remover remover -- soap and water, but some makeup removers are nice to your skin so why would you want to get rid of them? Have you ever heard the term metro man? They have learned what so many women have learned -- take care of your skin. They use similar products to what women use and will possible show like being a little shiny maybe. Nowadays you don't need to worry about taking care of your skin and people knowing it. Now if you think you're leaving a fem smell behind after taking off your makeup? I can't help you there; I wear perfume or a fem body spray no matter if I am in a dress or pants.

[CharLee]

An inexpensive product to remove lipstick and mascara is Vaseline

[Anthony Simon]

Washing my face a few times generally works. Then you look in the mirror and check. Oil-based solvents are generally more effective than soap and water and work quicker. Moisturiser is one (and cheap) and you can use it to get rid of difficult spots. If your face is oily after that, soap and water deals with it. You can get rid of makeup in a few minutes.

[Alexia]

Thanks for the tips!

I really want to do this on my own terms and not get caught off guard by something that I missed.
I might buy a make-up kit or something, to try out various things, on a weekend, just to be sure..

[DonnaT]

Simply avoid red lipstick, since it is the color most likely will stain your lips.
Avoid long lasting lipstick. Avoid waterproof mascara and/or eye liner.

Noxzema works really well, for removing makeup and moisturizing the skin.

There are a number of good quality facial makeup removers and eye makeup removers.
Almay, Ulta, Neutrogena, Baby Oil, Crisco Shortening, Ponds and the one I use most Albolene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVu_IVByraw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnU_CL09P6s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Robyn]

Alexia, awhile back I asked the same question on this forum. What I've discovered that works well for me is that I start the cleanup process with a "Facial Towelette". We purchase them at Costco, and they're actually good for your complexion as they contain cucumber, chamomile flower extract, and aloe. All my makeup is essentially removed with that including the Maybelline 24 hour lipstick that goes on like paint. Following the towlette I use use "Ponds" to remove my eye mascara and liquid eyeliner. There are many products and techniques... start experimenting and you'll find your preferred application.

[Alexia]

Everyone, thanks for all the tips so far!

This is one of the areas that I want to tackle next, but I just want to be very safe and not risk putting something on that is hard to take off.
Better overly careful the first few times, than not careful enough and feel uncomfortable.

I think I'll just buy some cleaning products together with a make up set or something and watch some tutorials on youtube or so.

Robyn, lipstick that goes on like paint? Why am I imagining a team of professionals spray painting me like I am a car?
Thanks for that image and I'll avoid that stuff!

Donna, what do you mean by stain?
Like, permanently somehow?
Is that even possible?
I really want to wear this lipstick though, I really picked a colour that I like and it smells so good..
I actually thought about what I would do if I ever wanted to be open about this, thought about maybe just putting lipstick on in front of other people in like a, there, and now you know, kind of fashion..
Such a scenario is still a long way off though.
But if any of my friends visit me sometime soon, I may have to decide beforehand if I want them to find out, I have so much stuff there, they won't need to look very hard..

[Robyn]

I've never experienced stains, but after discovering the Maybelline 24 hour lipstick, it's the only one I use. As a CD it takes an effort to transform from my male to female presentation. GGs don't have to always bother with makeup, but when going out I certainly do. Without makeup I would stand out like a sore thumb, and most lipstick requires reapplying on a regular basis throughout your outing. The 24 hour holds true after meals, drinks, or simply the duration of a long day/evening event. It works wonderfully (for me).

[DonnaT]

Donna, what do you mean by stain?
Like, permanently somehow?
Is that even possible?

No, not a permanent stain, just one that takes more effort to get rid of the tell-tale signs that you've been wearing it.

[Robyn]

Thanks for the update Donna, you had me a bit scared about that, lol.

[Alexia]

Yeah, thanks for clarifying, that one had me scared too..

It is probably pretty easy to get caught if you're not careful.
One of my co-workers noticed I was wearing lipbalm today.
I've never used it before, but while taking off my lipstick a while back, I noticed my lips were a bit cracked.
A few days ago, I bought some hairclips and a brush and got some lipbalm as I was waiting in line to pay and now I regularly use it.

Next up, make-up.

[Michelle Diane]

HI Alexia,

Easy way to remove makeup in particular waterproof mascara or deep dark lipsticks is to use facial wipes. Most although not marketed as such are great makeup removers and even care for you skin afterwards. Also If you want a good "guy" scent get some Pine Tar soap. I bought an NYC lipstick called purple crush, a nice dark purple with a touch of shimmer. Well I put it on and wore it for about an hour I went to wipe it off and to my dismay I still had purple lips and I was out of facial wipes. Panicking as my wife was due home any minute I grabbed my Pine Tar soap and used that on my lips. It worked it took every trace of the lipstick off.

Just don't get it in your mouth as it tastes like a campfire

[Alexia]

I actually bought some wipes intended to remove even the most hardy make-up, together with my first make-up set.
Well, they are not quite that good, it takes a bit of effort, but so far, they seem to do the job.
Shower afterwards and no one is the wiser.
I wouldn't want to try answering the door after using them, but I doubt anyone would wait long enough for me to change clothes, wipe my face and everything anyway.

[Michelle Diane]

I've tried all sorts of wipes on the market from high cost branded wipes to own brand store wipes. I found the best for me was CVS own brand wipes. They took off my waterproof mascara without leaving me with raccoon eyes.