For the makeup newbies and the gurus, makeup brushes are considered to be the bloodline of creating a good, flattering look. In other words, the application of makeup cannot be completed without the use of makeup brushes. These brushes will assist you in applying the makeup to your face and will also blend it smoothly so that it seems to be flawless and perfect.
There are many different types of makeup brushes and they all serve different purposes. And, one key difference is what these brushes are made of and how they are made. Let’s understand these below.
What are makeup brushes made of?
The bristles on a makeup brush can be of very different quality. One can get brushes made from synthetic bristles as well as those made from natural materials. The strands that resemble hairs of the brush head are what differentiate natural from synthetic cosmetic brushes. Let’s differentiate the two.
Natural Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes that are referred to as “natural” are often created from sable, squirrel, or goat hair and have a light brown or tan coloration, however they can be colored black or bleached white, depending on the manufacturer’s design. The cuticle on natural hair is what helps it to pick up and absorb things like skin oils and powdered pigments. They have a reputation for lasting a long time and improving in performance with repeated usage. They work wonderfully with powdered cosmetics like eye shadow, bronzer, highlighter, and so on.
Some claim that the natural bristles on their cosmetic brushes make for a more even application than the synthetic bristles on synthetic brushes. The bristles are flexible, can pick up more in a single stroke than synthetic brushes, and provide a stunning finish.
Advantage: You can’t go wrong with a natural makeup brush whether you’re applying powdered cosmetics like eyeshadow, finishing powder, setting powder, or powdered blush or bronzer.
Disadvantage: Because they soak up paint and other cosmetics, natural brushes may be a pain to clean. Furthermore, the natural hairs in brushes may dry up and break, resulting in “shedding,” much as human hair may. They might be more expensive and harder to come by, especially in unusual dimensions.
Synthetic Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes using synthetic fibers, such as nylon, taklon, or polyester, are often composed of artificial materials. In contrast, synthetic brushes are constructed of melted and spun polymers. Synthetic makeup brushes are often less expensive than their natural counterparts since they are made from readily available materials and require less time and effort to produce. They’re one-of-a-kind because the bristles like to cluster together for a clean, even finish. Because of their characteristics, the hairs perform very well in angled, precision-shaped brushes.
Makeup foundations, cream blush, and gel eyeliner are just some of the liquid products that benefit from being applied using a faux-hair brush. Acquiring one of these is essential if you want to apply your cosmetics neatly and precisely. Makeup is less likely to become trapped in the bristles, and the bristles themselves tend to clump together, making for a far simpler cleanup process. Because of their lower porosity, synthetic hairs do not absorb makeup and prevent it from becoming clumpy and gunky as genuine hairs may.
When pressure is applied, synthetic hairs tend to stick together instead of spreading out, and they don’t glide over the skin like real bristles do, making them a poor choice for blending.
Why are natural brushes more expensive than synthetic brushes?
Makeup brushes manufactured from natural materials are typically more expensive than their synthetic counterparts since they are crafted from the hair of real animals (typically sable, squirrel, or goat). The actual hair is extremely comfortable and easy to mix because of its natural texture. Natural hair on the makeup brush, like human hair, has cuticles that assist lift and absorb powdered color, blending it evenly across the face for a smooth, natural finish.
Is there a difference on how they feel and use?
Actually, there is not much difference in the feel and texture of the brushes. Every cosmetic brush manufacturer aims to give that soft touch so that their customers would love their product. However, when we talk about their smoothness on its microscopy and in-depth textures, natural makeup brushes are more soft rather than the faux hairs.
What should I use?
It all depends on your preference. One might like all-natural makeup brushes while others might choose synthetic brushes. For a more flexible makeup journey, you can even choose both. Use natural brushes for the application of powders while use the synthetic makeup brushes in applying and blending liquid makeups.
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