Natural vs Synthetic Makeup Brushes
If you are new to the world of makeup brushes there can be an overwhelming amount of information and choices, or at least that is how I felt when I was new! With about 100,000 different versions of brushes for the same makeup application, foundation brushes anyone?, even a makeup lover can quickly become confused. This quick blog post will hopefully provide clarity on one of those key questions –
Do you want Natural Brushes or Synthetic Brushes?
Brushes get broken down into these two categories and believe it or not they tend to make a difference on the application process.
Natural Brushes
Natural brushes have bristles that are made of various furs, some popular options are squirrels, goats, and foxes. Therefore, if you have allergies to certain animals you may want to test using this type of brush in a small area of your skin to make sure you do not have any reactions.
Generally natural brushes are best for powdered products because they contain cuticles to assist with picking up the product. Due to the way the powdered products adhere to the bristles your makeup products may stain the brushes, but it will help blend the products with the oils of your skin for a more flawless look.
Natural brushes also tend to cost more because of the processes needed to collect the hair (hopefully this is done in an animal friendly way :/ ). Also, the brushes sometimes need to be put together by hand which will inflate the cost further. Plus, these brushes shed more frequently!
If you are using SeneGence cream based products I wouldn’t suggest a ton of natural bristle brushes, though I do have a couple I enjoy using!
Synthetic Brushes
Synthetic brushes are just that, synthetic! They are made from taklon, nylon, polyester fibers, and other plastics and are usually cheaper than natural brushes. The bristles are more rigid and can be angled into more precise lines for a tighter cut line and allow for a smooth application.
With synthetic brush bristles they do not have a cuticle so they generally absorb less product and work best with cream and liquids (Hello SeneGence products!). Since these bristles lack a cuticle they can be more hygienic. Please note that synthetic brushes may be harsher on your skin if you have sensitive skin. Again, I recommend testing it in a small area first.
Another thing I prefer with synthetic brushes, especially during makeovers, are that they can be sanitized with alcohol and you won’t dry out the bristles (you can find good cleansers that are safe for both brush types though). This is a big advantage over natural brushes for anyone who is applying makeup on others.
Overall, I find that makeup brushes are a personal preference! Do you have a favorite? Tell me in the comments below.
