Essential Brushes, Immaculate Results: Pro Makeup Artist Kit Secrets

This cult-loved makeup brush cleaner is one of Childs's top picks. It's a longtime industry favorite because it lets makeup artists clean brushes quickly, easily, and without water. As such, it's often used backstage at fashion shows and photo shoots. Childs says it's perfect for everyday or on-the-go cleaning.

To use it, pour some of the cleanser into the tin container. You need just enough to dip the brush a quarter of the way up the bristles. Dip the brush and remove it quickly to avoid oversaturation. The bristles will draw the liquid up the brush and dissolve makeup residue and debris. Wipe the brush clean on an absorbent cloth or paper towel, and shape the bristles with your hand. Allow it to air-dry, and repeat as necessary. That's it. There's no water needed, but you'll be shocked at what you'll see come off the bristles. As one reviewer put it, "This brush cleaner cleaned off more than a year's worth of buildup on my foundation brush."

Next, Childs recommends this cleanser, which works on both makeup brushes and sponges, like the cult-classic Beautyblender Makeup Sponge ($20). The solid cleanser removes the need for a scrub pad thanks to a natural exfoliating ingredient, cellulose, that physically lifts makeup residue and other debris from bristles. Aloe and lavender condition the bristles to keep them soft, strong, and smooth (and the latter lends it a soothing scent).

Childs recommends using it in instances when you haven't cleaned your brushes in a hot minute and there's a lot of heavy lifting to do as far as removing built-up dirt and debris. To use it, wet your makeup sponge or brush, and swirl it directly onto the solid cleanser, working it into a lather. Rinse, blot the tool, and allow it to dry in a clean, well-ventilated area. Your tools will look and feel like new.

Who knew a makeup brush cleaner could be so chic? Childs also recommends Kraum's Brush Cleaner because it "yields a like-new feeling," leaving the bristles soft and fluffy, and, like the Beautyblender pick, does a good job of removing built-up makeup residue.

The proprietary formula deeply cleans makeup brushes with saponified tallow and tiny exfoliating grains, which break down waxes, creams, powders, and pigments embedded in the bristles. Additionally, conditioning ingredients protect expensive brushes and keep the bristles soft, strong, and shiny.

To use, wet the bristles with warm water, which will help soften stubborn, dried residue. Then, swirl the bristles on the surface of the soap to create a lather. If the brush is really dirty, let the soap soak on the bristles for a few minutes before rinsing. Then, rinse with running water and gently squeeze excess water from the bristles before molding it back into its original shape. Lay the brush down horizontally to dry. Meanwhile, rinse makeup residue and excess lather from the soap surface and container, and let it dry before replacing the lid. It comes with a handy instruction sheet (photos included) so you don't have to memorize each step.

Here's another solid cleanser worth investing in. Its gentle formula includes grapefruit essential oil to break down buildup, glycerin to soften bristles, and natural soap to cleanse without stripping. Simply swirl a damp makeup brush directly onto the surface of the soap, and it will rinse away foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, and powders in a gross (but satisfying) way.

The MAC Cosmetics Makeup Brush Cleanser is another highly rated, no-rinse option. It fully disinfects bristles and is designed to extend the life of high-quality brushes—preserving your tools and your bank account as a result. Simply apply the cleanser directly to the brush, run it along a towel until it no longer distributes makeup debris, and let it dry.

While cleaning mats aren't totally necessary, they can come in handy if it's been a minute since you washed your makeup brushes and they're really stiff and gunked up with product. Wet the brush, apply your cleaner of choice—I'd be remiss not to mention Sigma's ultra-foamy Simagic Brushampoo ($17)—and gently massage the bristles into the mat. The key word is "gently." Scrubbing too hard or applying too much pressure will damage the brush. Work slowly and evenly, and the mat's different textures will help remove buildup for squeaky-clean bristles.