You Could Need This Advice Tomorrow!

This is advice that you ARE going to need…someday!

If you enjoy wearing makeup and nail varnish then this blog post might just save a favourite top and beloved carpet one day!

I don’t know about you but I’ve had that sharp intake of breath moment many times when you realise I’ve got a makeup stain, worse still nail varnish has spilt!

Being a makeup artist I’ve had to learn fast what to use for removing makeup stains!

Here’s what I’ve found to work…

Different fabrics require different levels of care and some are best left to the experts at the dry cleaners, like wool and silk.

Here are 7 products that have caused me ‘stain pains’ and my successful removal tips.

{Please note that these tips are based on machine washable (or hand wash) fabrics. It’s also worth noting that it’s better to ‘dab’ and ‘blot’ a stain rather than to ‘rub’ a stain. Rubbing a stain can tear the fibres in your garment.}

Lip gloss

First, the stickiness needs to be scraped to avoid wiping the gloss deeper into the fibres of the fabric, try a credit card or a butter knife to remove the product from the surface.
Next, use a clean cloth soaked with a little (clear) alcohol to dab at the stain, then rinse with warm water and liquid soap until there is no trace.
Alternatively, spray a little hairspray onto the area, leave for a few minutes and then rinse and rub out with cold water. The alcohol in the hairspray will get to work.

Lipstick

As most lipsticks are oil-based, washing up liquid is best to cut through the oil, they will also lift out the colour pigment too.

Apply the washing up liquid to the stain and leave it for a few minutes, then rinse out. (mix one teaspoon of washing up liquid with a cup of cool water.)
It might be necessary to keep repeating this process until there is no trace.
Believe it or not, a regular, plain white toothpaste will also work at getting lipstick out! Apply and use a gentle circular motion to penetrate the fabric, then rinse thoroughly – repeat if required.

Mascara

Use a makeup remover wipe or a fresh cotton pad and some clear micellar makeup remover solution (Garnier do a great one) to gently dab at the mascara, it should lift the stain.
If there is still some residue left, try using some hairspray; leave for a few minutes, then rinse off with cold water whilst ‘dabbing’ the fabric with a clean cloth.

Eyeliner

First off, try a makeup remover wipe or cotton pad and clear eye makeup remover (not one with colour or oil in).
Dab gently at the stain so it doesn’t spread.
Then use some liquid soap and warm water to gently rub out the rest of the stain.
If there is still some residue left, try using some hairspray; leave for a few minutes, then rinse off with cold water whilst ‘dabbing’ the fabric with a clean cloth.

Liquid foundation

Oil-free foundation

Remove oil-free liquid foundation by wetting the area, then applying a blob of shaving foam.
Using a clean face flannel, gently dab the stain, then wash as normal straight away.
Don’t let any products dry out on the fabric, this could lead to other stains or coloured watermarks occurring.

Oil-based foundation

Treat oil-based liquid foundation with washing up liquid as this will cut through the oil. Mix one teaspoon of washing up liquid with a cup of cool water.
Using a clean face flannel, gently dab the stain, then wash as normal straight away.

Powder

This tip will work for any foundation, blush or eyeshadow powders.

Take the garment off and shake it vigorously, do not at any point try to pat or flick off the powder, as it will only pat it into the fibres.
Next, mix one teaspoon of washing up liquid with a cup of cool water.
Using a clean white cloth, apply the soap solution to the stain.
Blot with a dry cloth, until all the liquid is absorbed. Repeat until the stain has gone, then put it straight through a wash cycle.

Nail Polish

This is the most evil stain, especially with darker colours, but a little bit of perseverance and patience can make it all go away.

First off, spot-check your fabric where it won’t be seen, just in case the fabric reacts to the chemicals, as some synthetics can be melted by acetone nail polish removers.
Use some paper towels either side of the fabric to make sure the polish doesn’t leak any further. Gently blot the paper towels to remove any excess liquid.
Next, keep dabbing at it with a cloth or cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover, use a fresh piece of the cloth or cotton wool each time, so the pigment isn’t transferred back.

Extra Tips

Before attempting any of these cleaning methods, ALWAYS read the care instructions on the label to determine proper washing instructions for your particular fabric.
If the make-up stain is on a delicate fabric such as silk or wool, consider taking the item to a professional cleaner.

Keep this blog post SAFE you may just need it someday (but I hope not!).

Love