Product Comparison + Review: Clinique Take the Day Off Eye Makeup Remover and Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

I typically like to use waterproof mascara because I find that it holds a curl all day, when regular mascara can sort of droop, and I think that waterproof mascara gives my eyelashes more volume. The problem with that is that I can't use regular eye makeup remover because my eyelashes fall out in clumps and my eyes sting and grow irritated from all the chafing I have to do. Plus I always get the eyeliner/mascara residue rings around my eyes the next morning anyway.

For awhile, I've been using Clinique's Take the Day Off Eye Makeup Remover. It does the job extremely well. I only need a very, very small amount to completely take off waterproof mascara and eyeliner without leaving residue. It's a half-oil formula, so you have to shake it vigorously to activate it. It has a push-down, twist-up sort of cap, and an open bottle mouth. This feels somewhat greasy. It's not incredibly slick/greasy, but you'll be able to notice its oiliness.

A problem I have with this is that it stings my eyes. Pretty badly, actually. I have very sensitive skin and eyes, and this usually makes my eyes dry, burn, and overall just sting. I don't see it visually change the appearance of my eyes like redness or anything, but I can definitely feel some irritation. Since this works so well and I need so little of it, I didn't mind using it anyway.

Just a week or two ago, I saw a promotional display in the cosmetics section of my local Rite-Aid for the Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, which is something I've been hearing good things about for some time. The fact that the display also stated that this was the "#1 makeup remover brand in America" convinced me to try it out.

This is a half-oil formula as well. What I notice about this one is that after you shake it, it very quickly goes back to its half-oil state. I didn't have to shake it again as constantly with the Clinique one. One thing that surprised me about this Almay one is that it doesn't feel greasy in the least. It feels just as cooling, clean, and refreshing as the oil-free makeup remover I use to take of my foundation and other face makeup.

As for taking off my waterproof eye makeup, this did the job I'd say, 96.8%? as good as the Clinique Take the Day Off. This took literally the slightest bit more amount to get it all off, but it still got my eye makeup easily slid off without any struggle, and there was zero residue in the morning. This also did not irritate  my eyes. Since my eyes are way sensitive, of course my eyes felt a little off for a little bit, but this was a great improvement.

I think Almay's makeup remover exceeded my expectations by a lot. It feels less greasy and irritating than Clinique's. This also reverses back to its whole half-oil state a lot sooner than Clinique's, and I found that Clinique does a slightly better job at removing makeup quicker/easier than Almay, but to me the quality is nearly identical. Not to mention, Almay's makeup remover is less than half the price of Clinique's.

Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover and Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover