Ahead of New Year’s celebrations, Syahirah Mokhtazar lists down ways to clean those pestering make-up stains
ONE of the worst things that can happen is when you’re all dolled up and ready to head out, only to realise that you’ve accidentally smudged your clothes with foundation, lipstick or anything in that category.
It’s also annoying when you grab that cute top on the rack in your favourite clothing store only to find make-up stains left by the person who tried on the top before you. Ew... (okay I’m being dramatic) but regardless, make-up stains are annoying with a capital A.
Not only do they seem to pop up at the most inconvenient of times but they also require energy to remove. We’re always focused on ways to get rid of make-up before we go to bed, but knowing how to get rid of make-up stains is just as important.
A tip from Kim Kardashian would be to use shaving cream. She said that this does the trick, every time. “Just apply to the stain and then lightly wet or wash. If the stain still won’t come out, you can use a drop of rubbing alcohol mixed in with the shaving cream. The stain should lift out easily,” she explained in an article I stumbled across.
It’s a pretty cheap hack, which I like. But that’s not the only option. Here are some other genius solutions for bidding adieu to make-up stains.
MAKE-UP WIPES
Did you know that make-up wipes not only works for your face, but it can help to get rid of stains off your clothes too? This trick, according to Glamour, is an old backstage trick used by make-up artists when they accidentally smeared something on themselves while trying to protect the model’s clothes. However, do note that this is most effective on a fresh stain which has not dried out yet.
RUBBING ALCOHOL
Rubbing alcohol is not only a godsend for fixing broken make-up but also helps to remove make-up stains. Soak a cotton ball or the tip of a washcloth and rub it over the stain. This ingredient is particularly effective at removing oily or waxy stains, like lipsticks.
VINEGAR
Vinegar does the trick too if you don’t have any rubbing alcohol. Take one cup of water and mix it with one tablespoon of vinegar. Dip a light coloured cloth into the mixture before wiping off the stain gently. Wash the clothing with regular detergent, but remember not to use vinegar on cotton clothes.
HAIRSPRAY
Say what? Who knew that hairspray can help you clean up the mess too. Apply some hairspray to the stain and let it dry. Then follow up with a wet wipe. Note that this works well with hairsprays that contain alcohol.
BREAD
While I usually enjoy my bread with some peanut butter and jelly, I can also use it to wipe away stains! According to the Indian Spot, it acts as a natural absorber for oil and moisture.
ICE
Ice and cold water can also help to lift a stain, so grab an ice cube and rub away. Avoid hot water at all costs!
SOAP AND WATER
Naturally, this is what I used to do. Dab some cold water on the stain and use the smallest amount of soap and rub the fabric against itself in order to lift the stain. Don’t use a paper product, like tissue paper because it can flake off and leave the fabric smeared with little white bits. It’ll end up looking worse than before.
But what to do when make-up melts in your bag?
We’ve all experienced that episode when you find that your lipstick had melted inside your precious bag or some foundation has leaked from the bottle. Use a cleaner that fights grease to help you lift the stain. You can use dishwashing soaps (but not too much!) and soak it in with some water. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before rubbing it in circular motion with a towel. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied! If this doesn’t work, you can always opt for rubbing alcohol. Good luck!