How to dry your makeup brushes real fast the next time you wash them

Heaven knows we all don't clean our makeup brushes enough, which is only made less frequent by the fact it sometimes takes a day or two for the suckers to dry. And unless you're happy to go makeup-free for as long, giving your kabuki brush a shampoo just makes it further down your to-do list.
If you've been tempted to use a hair dryer, or throw them in on 'gentle' in the tumble dryer to speed up the dry time—let us stop you right there. Makeup brushes are delicate tools, and if you want them to last you'll need to stay away from heat (so it doesn't melt the binding ) and friction as much as possible.
But all is not lost, as the good people of the Internet have revealed some genius hacks for making your makeup brushes dry a hell of a lot faster...
#1 Secure them upside down with hair ties
The most popular answer involves a bar of some sort (think: towel rack) and plenty of hair ties. After giving brushes a gentle pat down with a towel, they're then secured upside down along the bar (with said hair ties), allowing any moisture to escape from the tip of the brush hairs. This hack is both hygenic and clever, as the makeup brush handles will stay dry, keeping the glue intact and avoiding any bacteria from getting trapped at the root of your brush hairs.
Source: Reddit user SuzyWatson
#2 Prop them on an angle
If finding enough hair ties for your makeup brushes is anything like finding just one bobby pin when you need it, then you may prefer Reddit user, Kay_Money's option. Simply lay out a towel, folding a section of one end under once or twice, until there is a noticeable incline. Then, place your brushes side by side on the towel, ensuring the bristle end is pointing downwards to encourage the moisture to esacape in this direction.
#3 Get crafty with magnets
If you're a talent with a glue gun, another Reddit user suggests attaching small magnets to the handles of your brushes, and using this rather than hair ties to secure them upside down to your (presumably metal) towel rack.
#4 Use a pool noodle
Yes, a pool noodle. That piece of pliable foam can bend to your makeup-drying will with just a few clever slits cut here and there. Gail, you're a god damn genius.
Source: Facebook
#5 Get yourself a Styl Pro
If you're after a true time-saver and don't mind spending some cash to get it, the Styl Pro ($69.99, styltom.com.au) has earned its dry-time stripes. It's high-speed spinning function literally whips out the water before it has a chance to stick, meaning you can use your brushes again the very same day. Invaluable for makeup artists and addicts alike.
Do you have any hacks for cleaning or drying makeup brushes?
80 Member Comments
I would have never thought of the pool noodle.
Thanks for the tips, gonna try them :)
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I don't use so many brushes so just putting them upside down in a mug works
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Whaaaaat that pool noodle idea is geniuuuuus and so handy and cheap. Got to do it now. Im going to Kmart straight away
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The pool noodle is such a wicked idea. I'm going to have to head to kmart to get one haha!
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Love the pool noodle idea, genius!!
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This is an excellent article! Thanks so much, the tips are brilliant!!
Just a wee note of warning, the wonderful beauty brush entrepreneur, Sonia G, advises to very rarely wash natural hair brushes, e.g. squirrel and goat. When you do so, be very, very gentle with them. She has some more excellent advice on her blog, sweetmakeuptemptations.com
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this is so much effort, I own two brushes and I should probably clean them
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Any advice on the style pro and if this damages brushes?
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I have it and love it, cleans and dries really quickly and hasn’t damaged my brushes at all.
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I've been using the hair tie idea but on a hanger instead of a towel rail so that I can move them closer to an open window.
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How long does it take for them to dry using that technique?
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Hi isabella.m16, I try to absorb as much water as I can using a clean towel, then hang them near a window and leave them for 24 hours. They feel dry by then. Often I'll leave them for longer and use other brushes instead.
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this is a good idea
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I love the pool noodle! That is a great beauty hack!
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Lol these are some creative ideas. I purchased a brush tree from ebay for less than $10 close to 5 years ago and it is still going great today. It fits 26 brushes of different sizes and I use it every time I wash my brushes. Couldn't be happier with it. No need for all these hacks, just get a brush tree y'all!
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I did the same but from wish and it’s been great
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I read a comment on someone's thread yesterday that Kmart now has these for $5. What a bargain!
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Some great tips! I have noticed you can get making drying racks from Kmart. Couple months back, I got an Aldi version of the Styl Pro. Works like a charm!
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How many brushes do you fit into the rack?
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About 20 or so. Here is a link : https://www.kmart.com.au/product/oxx-brush-drying-rack/1951812
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I have waaaay too many brushes for these to help me haha :(
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