You know that moment, when you do something really clumsy and you just wish you could rewind time 30 seconds and be more careful? Sometimes when this happens to me it’s because I tried to open something with a knife like a savage and wound up cutting my hand. I really need to learn some patience. But MOST of the time it’s because I applied most of my eyeshadow and then mushed mascara right onto my lid. So let’s chat about how to get mascara off your face.

It’s a problem that happens a lot, even for seasoned makeup veterans. Like, have you ever sneezed while applying mascara? That sh*t is not something that can be avoided with skill. Luckily I have a tip that will help you fix it quickly and fairly easily, no time machine required.

Ok so here is the scenario, you have applied your primer and some shadow to your lid (in my case it was a very neutral tone this time) Then you went to apply mascara and blobbed it on your lid seemingly ruining your makeup and maybe even your entire face forever . . .but don’t worry! You can fix it.

Quickly grab a cosmetic Q-Tip, you know the pointy ones? And place it on the area where you have mushed the mascara. If you don’t have these handy, you should get some. They help with a lot of things. Here is the catch though, DO NOT try to wipe it off in a windshield wiper motion! Instead, use your fingers to twist the Q-Tip in a circular motion on the skin. This will pick up the product without spreading it further, or messing up the surrounding makeup.

If you happen to wait too long and the mascara dries, simply dip the Q-tip into some oil free makeup remover and then do the same maneuver.

Next take whatever brush and whatever color you used on that area, and carefully reapply the makeup and blend it in. The lighter the makeup the easier this will be, but if you are careful you can do this with any color. If the mascara happens to have been blobbed under your eye, simply use your brush or sponge to apply and blend whatever foundation or concealer you had on that area. The pointy end of the beauty blender is perfect for this.

And that’s how to get mascara off you skin. Super simple! Now just finish your makeup as usual and you should be good to go!