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How to Remove Makeup Stains That Didn’t Come Out in the Wash – A Gentle, Effective Guide

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Makeup can lend you glow and confidence—but when it marks your clothing, it can feel permanent. Foundation, lipstick, mascara, and other cosmetics cling to fabric fibres even after a wash. Don’t worry though—it is possible to lift these stains at home, with patience and the right techniques.

Below, you’ll find a complete guide to removing set-in makeup stains gently, restoring your clothes without damage. Then discover how Tellar.co.uk helps you shop smarter—to avoid these laundry dramas entirely—by ensuring you only buy items that truly fit from over 1,500 brands.

1. Why Makeup Stains Resist the Wash

Makeup includes residues that are makeup-proof by design:

  • Oils and waxes in foundation and balm lipsticks adhere deeply.

  • Pigment dyes from blushes and eyeshadows can colour fabric.

  • Water-resistant polymers from waterproof mascara cling stubbornly.

That’s why ordinary laundering often fails to remove makeup stains.

2. Quick Rules for Success

  • Never heat set a stain: Avoid hot water, dryers, or steam before treating.

  • Be fabric-aware: Delicate fabrics (like silk and wool) need gentler methods; sturdier fabrics (cotton, polyester) tolerate stronger cleaning solutions.

3. Check the Fabric Label First

Identify fabric type:

  • Delicate: silk, wool, cashmere

  • Synthetic: polyester, nylon, rayon

  • Durable natural: cotton, linen

This ensures you use appropriate stain-removal methods without damage.

4. Tailored Pre-Treatment by Makeup Type

Foundation or Concealer

  • Delicate fabrics: Dab with micellar water or baby shampoo using a soft cloth.

  • Durable fabrics: Dish soap mixed with warm water—blot gently; rinse cold.

Lipstick or Lip Stain

  • Apply 70% rubbing alcohol to a cotton pad. Blot from the outside in.

  • Rinse, then wash in cold water with gentle detergent.

Mascara or Waterproof Eyeliner

  • Use waterproof makeup remover wipes to saturate the stain.

  • For whites or light fabrics: try hydrogen peroxide on a hidden corner first.

Powder Products (Eyeshadow, Blush, Bronzer)

  • Gently shake or brush off excess.

  • Dab with a clean makeup wipe or shaving cream. Rinse cold afterward.

5. Home Remedies That Work

Solution

Ideal For

Micellar water

Fine fabrics and light stains

Baby shampoo

Silk, wool, cashmere

Dish soap

Cotton, polyester, oil-based stains

Vinegar + baking soda paste

Tough, set-in pigment stains

Shaving cream (foam)

General pre-treatment for strong makeup

Tip: Always blot—never rub. Rubbing can spread pigment and embed it deeper into fibres.

6. Wash, Air-Dry, Inspect & Repeat

  1. Allow pre-treatment to sit for 15–30 minutes.

  2. Rinse gently in cold or lukewarm water.

  3. Wash on a regular gentle cycle with mild detergent.

  4. Air-dry only—skip the heat.

  5. Inspect in daylight. If the stain persists, repeat steps 2–4 before applying any heat.

7. Extra Care for Delicate Items

  • Test on an inconspicuous seam before treating.

  • Never wring—absorb moisture by rolling the garment in a towel.

  • Flat dry to retain shape.

  • Use a steamer rather than ironing if needed.

8. Prevention: The Best Solution

  • Finish your makeup first, then dress.

  • Slip a scarf or old tee over your head to protect your clothes when dressing.

  • Check garments for makeup marks before laundering.

  • Always wash soiled items separately to avoid cross-contamination.

Why Fit Matters: Introducing Tellar.co.uk

A key reason stains go wrong is ill-fitting clothes—tight collars, sleeve bands that need force to slip over your arms, or garments that scrape across your face while wearing or removing them. These situations not only damage fabric but also increase the risk of makeup stains—and ruined confidence.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

What is Tellar?

Tellar is the UK’s leading free sizing and styling tool. We match your exact body measurements to size charts from over 1,500 brands, ensuring you order the right size every time.

It’s not just sizing—it’s a personalised fit advisor for real bodies.

How It Works

  1. Enter your chest, waist, and hip measurements (in cm or inches).

  2. Tellar analyses size charts across brands.

  3. You receive your perfect size per brand instantly.

  4. Save your profile once and reuse forever—no guessing, no wasted orders or returns.

When your clothes fit properly, they slide on easily, avoid tension and contact with makeup, and stay looking fresh longer.

👉 Start your free Tellar profile here

👉 Lookup your size in your favourite store

Explore More Helpful Tellar Stylist Guides

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Each post is by Tellar’s team—honest, unbiased, and practical—not promotional fluff—just advice you can use today.

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Keep up to date with fit science, fabric care hacks, and new wardrobe tips:

Final Thoughts

Makeup stains may seem disastrous at first, but with the right methods, you can restore your beloved items—even after a wash cycle. And by using Tellar.co.uk to shop for clothes that truly fit, you’ll avoid mishaps from ill fit—reducing the risks of stress, stains, and wardrobe regrets.

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