Whether you need to replenish your wipes and removers for daily use, or need a few extras to contend with Halloween makeup that is filled with glitter and other tenacious long-wearing formulas, then I've pulled together some of the best drugstore makeup removers and skincare essentials to ensure that your clean-up is effective and fuss-free.
Almay Makeup Remover + Cream Cleanser ($4.99-$5.99 for 4.5 oz. from Harmon, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, Walgreens and Amazon): This highly effective makeup remover is formulated with Rice Milk, an ingredient trending in Korean skin care, that effortlessly removes waterproof & longwearing makeup in one simple step. It is ultra-hydrating and gentle, and it effortlessly removes all traces of makeup, dirt and oil that are often left behind by soap and water.
Directions: Gently massage cream all over damp eyes, face and neck. Wipe with wet wash cloth, and rise with water if desired. Pat dry.
Revlon Brush & Sponge Daily Cleanser ($6.97-$7.99 for 4.4 oz. from Walmart, Drugstores and mass retailers nationwide): If you are seeking a gentle makeup brush and sponge cleaner, then this
cleanser is a great choice. It gently and effectively removes makeup buildup from your tools without stripping or drying them out. You simply spritz the edges of makeup tools and use a clean cloth to dry them, and to remove excess makeup.
Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Remover ($8.99-$10.99 for 6 fl oz. from Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Amazon, Walmart and other mass retailers): This is a wonderful ultra-gentle oil-free bi-phase liquid eye makeup remover that even removes waterproof formulas! Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Remover, which uses silicone instead of oil as its main ingredient, allows you to remove every trace of makeup without a leaving behind a greasy residue. Formulated with Aloe Vera, Ginseng, and Green Tea, this makeup remover is soothing and gentle enough for sensitive eyes like mine.
Cutex Ultra-Powerful Nail Polish Remover ($2.99 for 6.7 oz. from Jet.com, Target and Walmart): This polish remover offers salon-quality results by removing polish quickly and completely. It has a 98% acetone patented oil blend that removes tough polishes like gels, dark vampy colors and glitters while nourishing the nails.
Dickinson’s Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths ($3.99 for 25 cloths from Amazon, Walmart, Walgreens and Target): These cleansing cloths contain botanical extracts, Aloe Vera and 100% all natural witch hazel. They gently cleanse, balance, tone and refresh the skin while lifting oil, dirt and impurities.
Differin Gel ($13.99 for .05 oz. from Ulta, Target, Amazon and Walmart): Whether you are prone to breakouts and need a spot treatment, or if you are going to be wearing lots of heavy Halloween makeup that can cause clogged pores and breakouts, Differin Gel will clear breakouts and prevent new pimples from forming.
Overall Assessment: Great drugstore picks worthy of a place in your medicine cabinet year round, but they are also very capable of dealing with all of your Halloween makeup removal needs as well.
Admittedly, and unsurprisingly, I have accumulated a rather large makeup brush collection. Artis brushes rank among my favorites, and the Artis Oval 10 (Shown below and reviewed HERE) is one of the few brushes that I use every single day. It is a large face and body brush, but I favor using it to blend foundations and blushes for the perfect finish. However, since I began using the Artis Palm Brush, I have been reaching for it even more than the Artis Oval 10.
The Artis Palm Brush($65.00 fromSpace NK): is essentially the Oval 10 Brush without the handle, and while the Oval 10 has been among the holiest of holy grail brushes for me– I must say, without reservation, that I actually prefer the Artis Palm Brush. Both cover the same surface area, both feature the densely packed cruelty-free CosmeFibre bundle brush head, and both are astonishingly soft against the skin. The primary difference is that the Artis Palm Brush offers greater control and efficacy because there is no handle to that diffuses control of the brush. It fits effortlessly, and comfortably, in the palm of your hand and is so easy to use. It blends and buffs effortlessly, and the shape, size and lack of a handle considerably enhance the efficacy of this hard working brush.
According to Artis,
The Artis® Palm Brush was designed to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand without the need for a handle. With its ultra-minimalist design, the Palm Brush is destined to be a universal favorite among women and men alike. This brush applies and blends foundation, blush, highlighters and setting powder over the face and body with a few gentle gliding or circular movements. The Palm Brush can also be used to apply skincare formulas, like moisturizer and sunscreen to your face and body, or to extend your summer glow with your favorite sunless tanner or bronzing product.
Furthermore, Artis asserts,
Encircling the base of the domed chrome finish top is a grip band that allows fingertips to easily maneuver the brush during use. There is also an index finger indent in the dome section to assist with stability. The trademarked CosmeFibre bundle delivers streak-free application of makeup and skincare to all parts of the body.
At Artis, the goal is to create brushes and tools that deliver the highest-quality application and are beautifully designed to complement the lifestyle of the customers and fans they serve. By paring down the extraneous, the Palm Brush becomes an expression of ultra-minimalism in a makeup brush, perfect for those who appreciate pure simplicity of lifestyle. The result: a beautifully-sculpted brush that fits in the palm of your hand, is easy to use and highly efficient, and delivers the high standard of application for which Artis is known.
Artis Palm Brush Uses:
Foundation on face and body
Concealer on face and body
Setting powder on face
Contour on face
Highlight on face and body
Bronzer on face and body
Self-tanner on face and body
Moisturizer on face and body
Sunscreen/sunblock on face and body
Note the index finger indent in the dome section to assist with stability.
The size of the Artis Oval 10 and the Artis Palm Brush compared
The size of both the Artis Palm and Oval 10 brushes are absolute perfection for blending foundations and finishing powders on the face. Not only are they ultra effective, but they also feel utterly divine against the skin.
Artis Brush Cleaning Pad ($55.00 from Space NK): is an ingenious tabletop cleaning unit that is very easy to use. It features an ultra-plush antimicrobial microfiber cloth that effectively and gently removes makeup from the brush without damaging or drying out the Cosmefibres themselves.
According to Artis,
The Artis Brush Cleaning Pad is the modern approach to cleaning makeup brushes. The special plush Antimicrobial Microfibre Cloth has approximately one million fibres per square inch, which help gently grab and remove makeup product residue from the brush fibres without causing damage to the brush fibre itself. The cloth fibres are also treated to create an antimicrobial barrier to help keep your brushes fresh. The base of the unit is a rigid slip-resistant frame which helps hold the cloth in place so that the user can simply stroke/wipe the brushes across the surface of the cloth to clean and freshen.
Directions:
'Clearing' or nominal cleaning use: When using mostly powder products, the Artis brushes can be 'cleared' from one powder to another by simply wiping the brush tips several times across the dry surface of the microfiber cloth. This action pulls the powder residue from the tips, making the brush ready to accept another powder product for application. This method is particular useful when applying eye shadows and switching from one colour to another without the need to completely wash the brush. “Full” cleansing use: apply a small amount of Artis® Brush Cleansing Foam to the surface of the cloth or to the brush fibres. Then stroke/wipe the brush across the antimicrobial microfiber cloth until the makeup residue is transferred to the cloth, leaving the brush clean and sanitized. Reshape the brush and allow to dry. To replace the cloth: pull apart the top and bottom sections of the Brush Cleaning Pad. The cloth is held onto the top section by an elasticized band. Pull/stretch the cloth away from the top section and discard appropriately. Place a new cloth over the top section by adjusting the elastic until it fits snugly. The loop/pile side of the cloth should face up. Align the top and bottom sections of the pad and push together until the top is snug against the bottom. You should consider cleaning your brushes daily or weekly, and replace the microfiber cloth with an appropriate frequency.
ARTIS Brush Cleansing Foam ($25.00 for 7.1 oz. from Space NK): This foaming cleanser effectively and gently cleans all makeup brushes, and can be used on its own for deep cleaning, or in conjunction with the Artis Brush Cleaning Pad.
According to Artis,
This superior cleanser dispenses as a foam to help the cleansing ingredients work around each fibre of the brush without over soaking the fibre bundle. The bubble action cleans and helps the brushes dry within minutes. The foam not only cleanses, but also sanitizes while it works. This unique formula leaves your brushes cleansed, sanitized and fresh smelling.
Directions: Unlock the cap by rotating the neck. Press the cap down to dispense foam onto the fibre bundle of the brush or onto a moist paper towel or microfibre cloth. Wipe the fibre bundle back and forth across the paper towel or cloth until the cosmetic residue is released from the fibres. Re-shape the fibre bundle into the desired shape and let dry.
Overall Assessment: The Artis Palm Brush is such a welcome addition to my brush collection, and it is very nice to have a second brush that it is the same size as the Artis Oval 10. Thus, while one brush is being cleaned the other can be used. Of the two, I prefer the added control that the Palm Brush affords, but you really can't go wrong with either, and once you begin using either one of them, you will be hooked. The cleaning pad and cleansing foam are really nice to have, and are both more convenient and more effective that my normal method of using an ultra gentle shampoo diluted with water clean my brushes, and I definitely plan to replace the cleansing foam once I finish up this bottle.
