This Is What Celeb Makeup Artists Use to Clean Their Brushes
Whether you just replaced your entire collection or have an arsenal of tried-and-true makeup brushes, the unfortunate reality is that beauty tools need to be cleaned on the reg. And the more brushes you have, the more tedious it becomes (particularly those caked-on foundation wands — ugh!). To find out the best (and easiest) ways to clean your tools, we tapped five professional makeup artists to share their go-to products.
1. Clinique Face Soap ($15): It’s easy to forget a classic amid all the hot brands dropping new products every other week. But makeup artist Wayne Goss swears by Clinique’s trusted facial bar. “My brushes are natural hair, so using alcohol isn’t great,” he explains. “But a nice soap works well and doesn’t damage the hair.”
2. beautyblender blendercleanser solid ($16). Makeup artist Lottie, who has worked with Drew Barrymore, Solange, and Halsey, reaches for the beautyblender cleanser to do the trick on her brushes and sponges. For stubborn stains in her beautyblenders, she soaks them in the liquid cleanser. “I rinse all and leave to dry on a dish drying rack,” she says.
3. MAC Brush Cleanser ($16): It’s a no-brainer that MAC Director of Makeup Artistry Romero Jennings sticks to none other than the brand’s brush cleanser. “I usually pre-wipe brushes on a textured white paper towel with the cleaner, then rinse with super-hot water,” he explains. 
4. Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver ($12): Celeb makeup artist Noel Nichols goes old-school when it comes to removing makeup form his tools. “This solid brush cleaner works amazingly! It was originally made for washing paint brushes. I found it randomly in an art store and have been using it for years,” Nicols says. “It gets into all the nooks and crannies, and washes the oil based products away in a snap. Just get your brush wet, rub it into the solid cake, then swirl in your palm to get all the makeup off.”
5. NARS Cosmetics Gentle Cream Cleanser ($29) and Swirl and Sparkle ($19): Jake Broullard, lead makeup artist for NARS Cosmetics, has two go-to products for those tough-to-clean jobs. “NARS Gentle Cream Cleanser breaks down all the makeup and doesn’t leave a greasy feel to the brush,” he explains. For sponges and beautyblenders, he uses Swirl and Sparkle, a natural, solid cleanser.
Related: The Best Contour Palettes and Sticks, According to Makeup Artists
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.