How do you remove Halloween face paint and latex from your skin?

Work from big to small: the loose pieces first, then the face paint, then the adhesive residue. That way you never have to rub hard anywhere, and it is exactly that rubbing that causes most of the red faces the next day.

• Prosthetics and latex first. Never pull them off. Dab a remover onto the edge with a cotton pad or a cotton bud, let it do the work for a minute and slowly work your way underneath the piece until it comes away on its own. My favourite removers are Ben Nye Remove-It All (if you only have to take your own make-up off) and the Life Wipes by Mouldlife (handy remover wipes that you can easily hand out to scare actors or models when you are no longer there once the make-up comes off). Liquid latex peels off: roll the dried latex up carefully from an edge. A greasy cream makes that easier. Do not pull hard at your skin and take your time around your eyes and eyebrows. It is normal for the skin to look a little red for 20 to 30 minutes afterwards.
• Then the face paint. Water-based face paint simply comes off with lukewarm water and a mild soap or baby shampoo on a flannel. A microfibre cloth such as the Wonder Towel is gentler still: the fine fibres release the paint with far less rubbing. Cream make-up and alcohol-activated make-up do not simply wash off with soap and water; take those off first with a remover such as the Remove-It All or the Life Wipes, then wash afterwards.
• Then the adhesive residue. Every skin adhesive has its own remover: spirit gum and mastix with a spirit gum or mastix remover, Pros-Aide with a cleansing oil or special wipes. Apply, let it soak in for a moment, wipe gently and then wash off with soap and water.
• FX wax you scrape off the skin with a spatula first. Whatever is left comes off with a remover and then soap and water.
• Washing and aftercare. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a nourishing cream. Fake blood and dark colours sometimes leave a slight colour shadow behind. That is normal and usually disappears after a wash or two, so simply wash that spot again later rather than scrubbing harder.

What you are better off not doing: scrubbing in the shower, using baby wipes or face wipes, or pulling at a prosthetic that is still stuck. That is what turns skin red, and redness after face painting comes more often from the removal than from the make-up itself. You can read more about that in 10 tips over reacties op schmink (in Dutch).