Best Way to Dry Makeup Brushes: Flat, Angled Down and Never Upright

Why Drying Position Matters

A makeup brush is made of three parts: the bristles, the ferrule (the metal or plastic band) and the handle. The bristles are glued into the ferrule. When a brush dries standing upright, water runs down the bristles into the ferrule and sits against the glue.

Over time, trapped water can loosen the glue, causing bristles to shed or the head to wobble and detach from the handle. Water in wooden handles can also make them swell or crack. Damp, dark spaces inside the ferrule are also where mould and bacteria can grow, which may explain a musty smell from brushes that never seem to dry.

• Upright drying: water runs into the ferrule and weakens the glue.
• Flat drying: water stays mostly in the bristles and evaporates.
• Angled down drying: gravity pulls water away from the ferrule.
• Drying in a closed case or drawer: moisture is trapped and can smell or grow mould.

So the goal is simple: keep water out of the ferrule and let air reach the bristles. The AAD advice on how to clean your makeup brushes recommends exactly this: lay them flat on a towel with the tips hanging off the counter edge.

Drying Methods Compared

There are several ways to dry brushes. Some are free and effective, others save space, and a few are best avoided entirely.

For most people, laying brushes flat at the edge of a counter or bathroom shelf works perfectly well. A drying rack is useful if you clean many brushes at once or have limited space.

How to Dry Makeup Brushes Step by Step

Start drying straight after rinsing, while the bristles are still easy to shape.

1. Rinse with bristles pointing down

   Keep the ferrule above the water flow so water does not run into it while rinsing.

2. Squeeze out excess water

   Gently press the bristles in a clean towel or microfibre cloth; do not twist or pull.

3. Reshape the brush head

   Use your fingers to smooth the bristles back to their original shape.

4. Add a brush guard if you like

   Slide a mesh guard over fluffy or domed brushes to hold their shape.

5. Lay flat or tilt down

   Place brushes on a towel with the heads hanging over the counter edge, or on a rack angled down.

6. Leave space between brushes

   Air needs to reach all sides, so avoid piling brushes together.

7. Wait until fully dry

   Check the base of the bristles near the ferrule before storing or using.

How Long Do Makeup Brushes Take to Dry?

Drying time depends on the brush size, bristle density, fibre type and how humid your room is. As a rough guide:

If a brush still feels cool or damp at the base of the bristles, it is not dry. Using or storing it early can lead to smells and bacteria growth. A small fan in the room or an open window can speed things up safely.

Natural vs Synthetic Bristles: Does Drying Differ?

Most modern brushes use synthetic fibres, but some powder and eyeshadow brushes still use natural hair. The basic drying method is the same for both, yet each type reacts a little differently to water and heat.

• Synthetic bristles absorb little water, so they usually dry faster and keep their shape well.
• Synthetic fibres can kink or frizz permanently if exposed to high heat, so hairdryers are especially risky.
• Natural hair absorbs more water and can take longer to dry, particularly in dense brushes.
• Natural bristles can become dry and brittle if washed with harsh soaps, so a gentle cleanser helps.
• Both types need the ferrule kept dry to protect the glue.

If you are not sure what your brushes are made of, treat them all gently: use lukewarm rather than hot water, squeeze instead of wringing, and let them dry at room temperature. Brushes used with cream and liquid products generally need washing and drying more often than powder brushes, so it helps to keep a spare foundation brush for days when your usual one is still drying.

Do Brush Guards and Drying Racks Help?

Neither is essential, but both can be useful, especially if you own many brushes or have soft, fluffy ones that lose their shape.

• Brush guards are mesh or elastic sleeves that hold bristles in shape while they dry.
• They are most useful for domed powder, blush and eyeshadow blending brushes.
• Choose a guard that fits snugly without squashing the bristles.
• Drying racks hold brushes at an angle or upside down to keep water out of the ferrule.
• Racks save counter space and help air circulate around each brush.

Cleaning Products and Their Effect on Drying

What you wash your brushes with affects how quickly and cleanly they dry. Heavy conditioners and oily cleansers can leave residue that makes bristles feel limp and slow down drying.

• A gentle, fragrance-free shampoo or dedicated brush cleaner works for most brushes.
• Rinse until the water runs clear; leftover soap can make bristles stiff.
• Quick-dry spray cleaners are useful between deep cleans but do not replace washing.
• Silicone cleaning mats help remove product from dense brushes without over-wetting them.
• Avoid soaking whole brushes in a cup of water or cleanser.

Our guide on how often makeup brushes need to be cleaned explains a realistic washing schedule for each type of brush.

Common Drying Mistakes

Most brush damage comes from habits that seem harmless. Watch out for these:

• Standing wet brushes upright in a cup or holder.
• Using a hairdryer, radiator or oven to speed things up.
• Leaving brushes to dry inside a closed case, bag or drawer.
• Drying brushes on a dirty towel that transfers lint or bacteria.
• Storing or using brushes while the base of the bristles is still damp.
• Twisting or wringing bristles to squeeze out water.
• Placing brushes in direct strong sunlight for long periods.

Drying Makeup Sponges and Other Tools

Makeup sponges hold far more water than brushes, so they need extra care. Squeeze them firmly in a clean towel, then leave them in an open space where air can reach all sides, such as on a clean drying rack or open stand. Do not leave a damp sponge in a closed container, where it can grow mould.

Powder puffs, eyelash curler pads and silicone tools also need to dry fully after washing. Our guide on how to sanitise makeup tools covers cleaning and disinfecting the rest of your kit.

Dos and Don’ts

Honest Limits

Good drying habits will make brushes last much longer, but they cannot fix a brush that is already shedding heavily or has a loose head. Cheaper brushes with weaker glue may still shed over time, even with careful drying.

There is also no need to buy special gadgets. Racks, guards and spinning dryers are conveniences, not necessities. A clean towel and the edge of a counter are enough for most people, and many brush-drying devices make claims about speed that depend heavily on the size and density of your brushes.

When to See a Dermatologist

• You get breakouts or irritation that seem linked to your makeup tools.
• A rash, itching or swelling appears after using a brush or a new cleaner.
• You have an eye infection; stop using eye brushes and makeup until it clears.
• Skin problems persist even after cleaning or replacing your brushes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

The best way to dry makeup brushes is to squeeze out water gently, reshape the bristles and lay the brushes flat or angled down so water stays out of the ferrule and air can reach every side.

Avoid upright drying and heat, give dense brushes enough time, and only use or store brushes once they are completely dry to keep them hygienic and in good shape.