How to keep your makeup brushes in shape?

When you wash them, pat them dry into shape and smooth the brush hairs from base to tip. Then dry them laying down on a rolled up towel with the brush ends of the brush on the downward slant, the other end higher up. This will allow better drying and for water to not collect where the brush hairs are secured. Also prevents mould. I found these two techniques really helped in making my brushes last.

Kabukis are the hardest because they’re so short, so really pat it dry per above and then blue tack the base of the brush to the underside of a cupboard where there is plenty of circulation. Yes, it will look super weird having a brush hanging in some random place (I use the kitchen), but again, it will allow the brush hair to dry from the base to the tip.

Let me know how you go!

Sorry for such a late reply, but I have given the blue tack idea a go and it does work really well. I’ve noticed that my brushes dry much faster this way too. Thank you for the idea! 🙂

I wash my brushes in baby shampoo. It’s gentle and gets everything off really well. While still damp, large round brushes (blush, powder, kabuki, etc) get something similar to the brush guard mentioned above. They’ll dry in perfect shape every time.
For small bushes like shadow or liner brushes I lay the bristles on a paper towel, fold it over so they’re covered, and then put something with a bit of weight on them. Leave them over night and they’ll be like brand new in the morning.

Oh thanks everyone for your positive feedback! My man thinks I’m a weirdo for having brushes slanted or stuck around the kitchen on the weekend! Glad to have some validation for my tack!

As for fine eyeliner brushes, I find the best way to go with those is, once you’ve applied, wipe the excess off straight away with a tissue. That stops things from “firming up” in the brush. If you’re using an angled eyeliner brush, wash the same way you brush on (in a sweeping motion) and then pat dry the same way. If you’re using a fine liner brush, I find a little bit of cleanser and water in a cupped hand with small circular motions helps. I find I have better control with an angle. If all else fails, Sigma has a sale on at the moment…

Haha! I do a similar thing, wash gently with a natural soap, pat dry with a towel. However, I sit mine on my bookshelf, with the bristles hanging off the edge. I use something solid to keep it from rolling away, but it seems to do a good job! With the bristles hanging off the edge of the shelf, it seems to get enough circulation through it to dry in a few hours.

wow! never thought of the blu tack idea!!! SO SMART!

The ones I have the most trouble with are the fine eyeliner brushes.

Google a product called the brush guard, I use them and they are seriously awesome, not very expensive either!

When you wash them, pat them dry into shape and smooth the brush hairs from base to tip. Then dry them laying down on a rolled up towel with the brush ends of the brush on the downward slant, the other end higher up. This will allow better drying and for water to not collect where the brush hairs are secured. Also prevents mould. I found these two techniques really helped in making my brushes last.

Kabukis are the hardest because they’re so short, so really pat it dry per above and then blue tack the base of the brush to the underside of a cupboard where there is plenty of circulation. Yes, it will look super weird having a brush hanging in some random place (I use the kitchen), but again, it will allow the brush hair to dry from the base to the tip.

Let me know how you go!

I’ve never heard of the blu-tack thing! That’s such a great idea, I usually just leave my brushes on their side, but I’ll start drying them this way now.

I was wondering how to keep my brushes in shape as well, should have figured it was similar to cleaning paint brushes haha

I love the blue tack idea! TheUglyDuckling that is so clever and definitely something I am going to start doing 🙂