@La_chica_gomela: I use on and off – depending on the look or which is ready, Great Lash and Full ‘N Soft. Both by Maybelline. I do not use fresh tubes ever. for the precise reason you mentioned – too gloopy. I buy them a month or so in advance of when I need them, open them up a few times and let the extra moisture evaporate and when I use it, I wipe off the excess on a stack of napkins I have from various fast food places. I keeps the gloop down, and in my experience almost completely removes the issue of flaking.
I have to say, of the two, Full ‘N Soft is my favorite, requires less ‘airing out’, has less gloop to begin with and has a fuller brush, something that I with long lashes and thanks to my Spanish heritage fricking insanely straight lashes helps a lot in picking them up and getting them all to do what I want, damn it. And because of the bristle placement on the wand, they are far easier to wipe off the excess with.
As for removal, while I wear waterproof I have never had the issues with breakage of my lashes or severe flaking so I tend to just fall asleep with it still on. Added bonus, it leaves some on in the morning so I can swipe and they seem even fuller. I recommend some experimentation on days off from being in the public eye to get your own routine down.
When I did remove my eye makeup when I was younger I used Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Pads. But I never remember to do it, and only started because ‘you’re supposed to’. Once I gave up, I discovered I really didn’t need it personally.
For reference, in my avatar I used Great Lash the super black one. It hasn’t reached it’s peak in drying out to how I would like, but it’s getting there.