How to dry makeup brushes properly
3 min read · Beauty House HQ
After you wash a makeup brush, how it dries matters. Water that runs down can collect at the base of the bristles.
Drying head down avoids that.
Why head down
When a brush sits upright, water can run down into the base of the bristles. With the head down, it drips away.
It also helps the brush keep its shape.
Use a rack
Our Makeup Brush Drying Rack stands brushes in silicone slots so air reaches them and nothing sits on a damp counter. It is about 21 cm (8.3 in) long, with several slots. It holds brushes upright, so lay them head down on a towel for the first hour, then move them to the rack to finish drying.
Check the slot size against your brush handle.
Give it air
Stand the rack somewhere with air flow, away from direct heat. Leave the brushes until fully dry.
Wipe the rack with a damp cloth afterwards.
Setting up the rack
Place the rack on a flat, dry surface. Slide each brush handle into a slot with the bristles facing up, and leave a little space between brushes.
If a handle is thick, try a different slot. Check the slot size against your brush, since not every handle will fit every slot.
Leave them overnight. In the morning, check that the bristles are dry at the base, then put them away. A weekly routine pairs well with the Silicone Body Scrubber, 2 Pack on your shelf, since both rinse and air dry. Browse travel and brush care.
Shop the tools in this guide
Questions and answers
How long do brushes take to dry?
It depends on the brush and the room. Leave them until they feel fully dry.
Will it fit every brush?
It fits most brush handles. Check the slot size.
