Review: MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover vs. Alcone 244 Fluid

I have long been a fan of using the Alcone 244 fluid as a makeup remover, ever since my makeup artist friend, Mann Nance [HERE] and [HERE] introduced me to it. One of the makeup removers that I see a lot of other makeup artists using on set is the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover, so naturally my curiosity was piqued! I recently had a chance to cash-in some editorial gratis that I had accumulated from MAC, and decided to try out the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover to see how it compares to the Alcone 244 Fluid.

For the removing, I used three things:

[ ] Cotton buds
[ ] MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover
[ ] Alcone 244 Fluid

I really wanted to put the removers to the test by using makeup that is notoriously difficult to remove. Here are the items I decided to use:

[ ] NYX Super Skinny Marker – Carbon Black
[ ] MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes – Mat Black (waterproof)
[ ] MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil – Feline
[ ] Urban Decay 24-7 Glide On Eye Pencil – Lust
[ ] MAC Pigment – Dark Soul

I started by wiping all of the oils and residue off my hand with alcohol. Just to create an even playing-field.

Then I placed the products on in heavy swatches.

To provide a control in the experiment, my method was to dip the tip of the cotton bud in the remover for two seconds, then pass the bud across each swatch only one time. Let’s see how the experiment went!

THE CONCLUSION:

Overall, the Alcone 244 Fluid is the better eye makeup remover in terms of removing power. It removed 80% of the makeup in the first swipe, as opposed to the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover, which took several more swipes to remove the swatches. But it has a weakness. Where the Alcone 244 Fluid fell flat, was in removing the liquid liner. It is important to note that BOTH cleaners had trouble removing the liquid liner pen (which is why I love it so much), but the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover was able to completely remove it in three swipes, while the Alcone 244 Fluid struggled, and ultimately, still left behind a great deal of the swatch. It ultimately took me using the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover to take off the remaining swatch of liquid liner. The 244 Fluid just could not do it (even after 7 swipes). This is a tough call. I can’t say which is better. I guess you all will just have to try them both for yourself!