23 Cool And Affordable Makeup Brush Holder Ideas

So you finally gave your vanity that much-needed spring cleaning. You organized every eyeshadow palette, lipstick, and mascara in your collection to perfection. There’s just something about taking the time to organize your makeup that is oh-so-satisfying. But what about the tools you use to apply your makeup—yup, your makeup brushes! With the right makeup brush organizer, you can tap into your inner-Marie Kondo and take your newfound love of organizing to the next level. Read on to try one of our unique, affordable and DIY-friendly makeup brush holder ideas. Bonus: There’s also something for your beloved makeup blenders, too!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #1: CUPCAKE STAND

Cupcake stands don’t have to be reserved for dessert. In fact, they can be used to showcase your prettiest brushes artfully. Get one with multiple tiers so you can separate your brushes based on type. If you don’t have a big brush or makeup collection, you can also display some of your favorite products this way. Become the master of the shelfie!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA#2: TEA TIN 

Racking up cute square tin from all those tea orders and self-care at-home spa days you indulged in? Make use of those leftover cans and add them to your vanity as a stylish makeup brush holder. The right tin holder can add some much-needed panache to an otherwise bland dresser.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #3: EGG CUP

Makeup blenders need storage, too—and you might be able to find something in your kitchen that will work! Think about it: Makeup blenders are similar in shape and size to eggs. So, it makes sense that a metallic or decorative egg cup would be a cute and functional way to stow blenders like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. 

Editor’s Tip: Want more creative ways to store your makeup blenders? Check out our article, 8 Cute Makeup Sponge Holder Ideas.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #4: CANDLE HOLDER

Whether you’ve used up your favorite candle or found a cute candle holder while shopping, a candle holder is the perfect method for organizing your makeup brushes in a way that’s elegant and trendy. There are so many looks to choose from, so it’ll be easy to find one that reflects your personal style and matches your decor.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #5: OVER-THE-DOOR SHOE ORGANIZER

Those handy over-the-door shoe organizers are one of our favorite items that can be repurposed to store your makeup brushes (and makeup and skin care products too!). With pre-made pouches meant for different pairs of shoes, you can store your brushes based on type or the category of makeup they’re used for (face makeup, eye makeup, and lip makeup).

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #6: VASE

A vase is another classy makeup brush holder idea that requires virtually no effort. Simply choose one that’s the right height to allow your makeup brushes—even your shorter kabuki brush—to peek out at the top! Add some pretty stones, sand or marbles at the bottom for a decorative touch and to allow your brushes to stand up straight in the center of the vase.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #7: PLANT POT

If your days of quarantine horticulture has you with several plant pots and no desire to fill them with new greenery, we’ve got just the solution. Similar to a vase, a plant pot is another easy option for a DIY makeup brush holder. This is especially for you if you love rustic decor! You can even paint the pot with a cute floral pattern or a chic metallic finish—have fun with it!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #8: BRUSH ROLL

Want a makeup brush holder you can take with you on that first post-vaccine vacay? Make transferring your goods from your vanity to your suitcase easy and use a brush roll as a makeup brush holder. A brush roll is a piece of fabric with slots for each of your brushes, from your concealer brush to your stippling brush, that—as you may have guessed—is rolled up for easy storage! Even if you don’t make a brush roll your go-to holder, we highly recommend having one on hand when you’re ready to travel often again.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #9: DESK ORGANIZER

Likewise, if you’ve been mostly home for the past year you might have revamped your home office space with lots of neat gadgets and accessories. A desk organizer isn’t just for work (of course, unless you’re a makeup artist)—it can be used to sort and hold your brushes. If you don’t have time to DIY anything, this is the perfect option for you! They come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, giving you the opportunity to find one that reflects your style without the need for customization.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #10: PENCIL CUP

You’d be surprised how many cute, trendy pencil cups you can find at the store these days—and if we’re honest, we can’t picture a better use for them than as a makeup brush holder cup (because honestly, pencils anyone?). Whether you decide to go with a sleek white one or a fun polka dot cup, it’s all up to you!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #11: CRAYON BOX

As far as easy makeup brush holders go, this blast from the past is high up there. Take a trip down memory lane (and the school supplies aisle) and pick up a crayon box to store your brushes. You can leave the box as-is (we’ll admit they’re cuter than they were back in the day) or decorate to suit your style. Bring on the nostalgia!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #12: MASON JAR

What can’t you use a mason jar for? Not only are they totally adorable, with their shabby chic vibes, but they’re also a great makeup brush holder option. You can use them as-is or personalize them with a touch of ribbon or twine!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #13: SILVERWARE TRAY

Believe it or not, you can use a silverware tray to organize your makeup brushes. This gives you the option of sticking your brushes inside your dresser drawer or keeping them on display. Since a silverware tray is already divided into different sections, you can easily separate your brushes based on their use. Think eye makeup, face makeup, and lip makeup.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #14: TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER

Love the look of marble accessories? You can easily get your hands on a marble makeup brush holder if you just look in the bathroom decor aisle. Yes, that’s right, a marble toothbrush holder (or any toothbrush holder for that matter) can totally be used to stash your brushes!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #15: EMPTY CAN

Believe it or not, you can use an empty can as a DIY makeup brush holder. Yes—even an old soup can! Simply wash it out and then choose your method of decorating. You can cover it in wrapping paper or spray paint it for a modern industrial look.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #16: COFFEE MUG

You absolutely love your friends and they absolutely love giving you coffee mugs. Now you can finally stop re-gifting them and put them to better use! Whether it’s got photo of you and your bestie, a cute saying, or a fun pattern, pretty much any mug will work as a makeup brush cup. This is also the perfect option if you’ve ended up with a handwash-only mug but don’t want to deal with the hassle of washing it all the time.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #17: STEMLESS WINE GLASS

Say cheers to this makeup brush holder idea! Grab a wine glass—without a stem—and pop your brushes in for a luxurious look.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #18: SHOPPING BAG

How many times do you get a cute shopping bag from your favorite store that you just don’t want to part with? Well, you can use it as a DIY makeup brush holder! Grab some cardboard and glue it to the border of the inside of your shopping bag of choice. Then, use more cardboard to create sections for your brushes within the bag. It’s that simple!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #19: GIFT BOX

Similar to how you would repurpose a shopping bag, you can use a gift box as a makeup brush organizer by following the same steps. If you have a small gift box, you may even be able to use it as a brush holder without creating separate sections. So, don’t forget to save your Mother’s Day, birthday, and other holiday gift boxes and start decorating!

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #20: FISH BOWL

Maybe you originally planned to become a pet parent to an underwater creature but then made that puppy adoption permanent. You can still get use out of that bowl you bought. A fish bowl is a super cute brush holder option that will showcase your stylish brushes. Fill it with sand, beads, or pebbles to add your own personal touch.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #21: COSMETICS BAG

Of course, you can always go the traditional route of using a cosmetics bag to hold your brushes. This is a convenient option because, like a brush roll, it’s easily transportable.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #22: JEWELRY BOX

Who said your makeup brush organizer has to put your brushes on display? If you want a place to store your brushes, but don’t necessarily care if they’re out in the open, you can use a jewelry box to hold them! Look for an empty one that doesn’t have compartments that may prevent all your brushes from fitting properly. You can also remove the inside padding if needed.

MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER IDEA #23: MAGNETIC BRUSHES

You may be familiar with this storage technique as a way to stylishly stow your makeup products, but you can totally use the method as a makeup brush holder, too! All you need to do is securely fix a magnetic board to the wall, then add magnets to the back of your fan brush, oval brush, and other makeup brushes! Not only is this makeup holder idea aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also super convenient since you can easily grab and replace your brushes as you need them.

Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn

Next: How to Clean and Organize Your Makeup Bag