The Makeup Removers 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Keep in Their Beauty Bags

In the fun world of drag, the extravagant costumes and and "shantay you stay"-worthy lip syncs are just part of what keeps fans coming back for more. Makeup plays a huge part in a queen's performance, whether she prefers campy, kitschy glam or a softer, elegant look. But when your face is packed with hours' worth of contour, glitter, highlighter, foundation, concealer and every other product found in the beauty aisle, investing in a quality makeup remover is as important as the products themselves.

As we see it, there are few people more qualified to weigh in on the best, most powerful and effective makeup removers — that are also gentle on the skin — than drag queens. So, we asked six "RuPaul's Drag Race" alums to share their recommendations, as well as the face-cleansing tips that have yet to let them down. Read on for their insight.

Salina EsTitties

"One Size Makeup Removing spray is THAT GIRL! With some Neutrogena Makeup wipes after a spritz of One Size, I'm good to go to hit the boulevard!!! I'm also making sure I stick to my Kiehl's skincare regime every night — it keeps my skin moisturized and glowing."

One/Size by Patrick Starrr Go Off Makeup Dissolving Mist, $25, available here

Rock M. Sakura

"I've tried many, many, many different methods that drag queens have suggested to take off my makeup: dish soap, Albolene, coconut oil — you name it! My favorite one, by far, is the one I'm using right now: the Juno cleansing balm, to dissolve most of my makeup and then take off with a wet microfiber cloth. It's water-soluble, so unlike the other methods I mentioned earlier, it will easily come off after a rinse. Also, the microfiber cloth is an important part of the process since the microfibres are usually more gentle than a normal towel, AND it acts like a magic eraser. Always keep one in your bag, because it can take off your makeup without remover (in an emergency)."

Juno Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover, $15, available here

Yuhua Hamasaki

"I looooove the Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover! Spray, spray, spray.... and wipe!!!!!! We drag entertainers wear so much makeup — we owe it to our skin to have it all come off when we're about to rest. I've used makeup removers before where they just don't completely take the makeup off, and my face has to pay the price for it. It needs to be gentle too; otherwise, we'll be making our faces work overtime by constantly taking the makeup off. Honestly, any makeup remover that can remove a queen's makeup that fiercely is a keeper!"

Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Dissolving Spray, $26, available here

Brita Filter

"I swear by Albolene Face Moisturizer and Makeup Remover, Facial Cleanser and Cleansing Balm, Beta Carotene Fragrance-Free Cream — it's affordable and gets the job done! I love and prefer Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Remover Balm, but mother is on a budget, and that shit is too expensive. I start by applying a generous amount of Albolene all over my face, neck, shoulders and chest, turning myself into a bit of a mud pie. Then, I use Clean Skin Club's Clean Towel XL to wipe it off. If there's still some makeup left, I reach for Equate Makeup Wipes, a more budget-friendly alternative to Neutrogena. Finally, I give one last cleanse with Neutrogena's Ultra Gentle Face Wash using a damp Clean Skin Club's Clean Towel XL. After that, I pamper my skin with a spritz of rose water mist, a mix of vitamin C and niacinamide serums, and finish off with my moisturizing cream and under-eye cream."

Albolene Face Moisturizer and Makeup Remover, $10, available here

Starlet

"My absolute favorite makeup remover is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. I think it's the most effective, fast-working cleansing balm I've ever used, and it leaves my skin clean but also glowy and hydrated! A second favorite when I'm all out of Elemis and haven't been able to get some more is literally just any coconut oil from the grocery store — it's affordable and also really great at removing heavy makeup. It's also antibacterial, which is a huge plus."

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $69, available here

Kandy Muse

"My best makeup remover trick is the Garnier Micellar cleansing water (waterproof makeup remover) and a Neutrogena makeup wipe — it removes the makeup very fast and easily. You don't have to tug or pull on your skin. With the amount of makeup I wear, it would usually take me around 30 minutes to fully remove everything, but with this combo, it only takes me a full 10 minutes."

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, $12, available here

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