What should I do if I notice a mascara smudge after applying my makeup?

Don't panic! You can gently dab the smudge with a clean cotton swab or a tissue. Just be gentle so you don’t mess up the rest of your makeup.

Can I use micellar water to fix a mascara smudge?

Absolutely! Micellar water is great. Just soak a cotton pad with it and lightly tap over the smudge. It'll lift the mascara without disturbing your foundation.

How can I prevent mascara from smudging in the first place?

Good question! Make sure to use a good setting spray and consider using a waterproof mascara. It really helps with smudging throughout the day.

What if my mascara has dried out?

You can fix dry mascara by adding a couple of drops of eye drop solution to it. Then, mix it well to bring it back to life!

Any tips for removing mascara without ruining my makeup?

Try using a tiny bit of coconut oil on a cotton swab. It works wonders to remove mascara and won’t mess with your makeup as long as you’re careful!

makeup ★★★★★

Classic Tips to Help Fix a Mascara Smudge without Ruining the Rest of Your Makeup ...

By Holly • Nov 26, 2025

You don't have to wash off all of your makeup when you smudge your mascara. There's an easy way for you to fix the mess without ruining your foundation, eye shadow, and eye liner. All you have to do is follow this tip from Good Housekeeping.com:
All you need to do is grab a small concealer brush. Dip it in micellar water, and then you'll be able to remove the smudge without ruining the rest of your makeup. That's why you need to rush out and get some micellar water ASAP.

That's really all you need in order to fix your makeup. Have you ever used micellar water before?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

If you just wait until the mascara dries, you can take a dry q-tip to it and it'll wipe right off. It never ruins my makeup by doing that either. Works with every mascara I have tried. High end and drug store.

Does this trick work on 'They're Real' Beyond Brown water proof mascara?

I just wait a few seconds until it dries and blend it out with a makeup brush. @Michael Barker I use They're Real too and it comes right off If by some chance you can't get it all off just dab on concealer and blend blend blend. It usually comes off with out having to use concealer