Posted by Nancy Sabatelli on Jul.30, 2009

ⓒ iStockPhoto - Zhenikeyev

A bit of blush, a few coats of mascara, a swipe of lipstick — if you wear makeup, you probably have a routine for applying it. But how exactly do you put it on? A bevy of specialized makeup brushes are available. Even if you usually opt for all-natural beauty products, don’t automatically rule out synthetic makeup brushes! Compare natural and synthetic versions, and learn the pros and cons of each.

Different Functions, Sizes and Shapes

When it comes to makeup brushes, one size definitely does not fit all. Specialized brushes are designed for different areas of the face and different types of makeup. So, how can you tell one kind of brush from another? It can be confusing, but here are some quick hints from Julyne Derrick, makeup expert for the Web site, About (1):

• Blush brush: It’s medium-sized with a round tip and soft bristles.
  
• Concealer brush: It’s small with a thin, fine tip for a precise application to a small imperfection.
  
• Eye shadow brush: It has a square-shaped head, as opposed to a round head. It can apply cream and powder eye shadows.
  
• Foundation brush: It’s small with a round head.
  
• Lip brush: It’s firm with a thin, pointed tip, similar to a concealer brush. Some lip brushes are retractable or come with covers.
  
• Powder brush: It’s a large, rounded, fluffy brush, similar to a blush brush.

Natural Brushes

What they’re made of: The bristles of natural makeup brushes are often made with real hair from animals, like squirrels, goats, horses, minks, sables, badgers, mongooses or a combination of multiple animals’ hair (1, 5). So, if you oppose using animal products or are concerned about ethical animal treatment, you might not want to choose this option.

Pros

Softer, more natural finish to your makeup (2, 5).

Easy application of powder cosmetics, like loose powder, powder blush or powder eye shadows (3, 5).

Even distribution of makeup pigments, which prevents streaks, blotchiness or a caked-on look (3).

Cons

“Some people are allergic to certain animal hairs,” warns Derrick. If you have an allergy to some animal hair or fur, you might not want a natural makeup brush.

Natural brushes aren’t good for applying cream-based makeup. This can result in a cakey, sticky finish, cautions professional makeup artist Vicki Granado (5).

Natural brushes are often more expensive than synthetic brushes (5).

Synthetic Brushes

What they’re made of: Typically, synthetic makeup brushes have bristles “made of Taklon or nylon,” writes Granado (5). They don’t use natural hair or fur from animals.

Pros

They’re ideal for deep, rich colors or dramatic makeup looks (2).

They offer precise application in small, defined areas, such as your lips, eyelash line or on specific blemishes (3).

They have a lower price tag than natural brushes (5).

They’re ideal for cream-based concealer, foundation or lipstick (5).

Cons

They can become cakey and goopy with makeup (5).

Their bristles harden with time, which can make your makeup application more difficult and uncomfortable (5).

Buying Tips

Buy brushes individually rather than as a set. According to Woman’s Day magazine, when you buy a set, it may contain brushes you won’t use (3). For example, if you don’t wear eyeliner, and a set comes with an eyeliner brush, then you’re wasting your money. Also, you may not like the way that all the brushes in the set feel. Select the brushes you need that will suit your particular makeup routine.

Make sure the brush fits your hand and is easy to hold, use and control, makeup artist Bobbi Brown tells the Web site, Earth Times (4).

Run the brush over the back of your hand: if bristles become misshapen or fall out, they’re likely lower quality and won’t last long (4).

Caring for Brushes

Wash them often — at least once a week — especially if you use cream rather than powder formulas. In particular, it’s important to wash eye brushes, because you don’t want to get bacteria near your eyes and cause infection. Bacteria can also contribute to acne breakouts. Some makeup companies make special cleaners designed just for makeup brushes. However, you can also use mild soap or baby shampoo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Choose mild cleansers that have no dyes or fragrances to minimize risk of allergic reaction.

Rinse the brushes well using warm water.

Dry them gently with a towel. Don’t rub vigorously, as this may damage the bristles. Gently arrange the bristles back into the correct shape using your fingers (1, 2, 3).

Lay them down to completely air-dry on a sink or countertop (1, 2, 3). Don’t stand brushes vertically to dry: moisture can drip from the bristles into the ferule, the metal part that separates the bristles from the handle. This can weaken the brush (1, 2, 3).

Store clean, dry makeup brushes on your counter top in a glass jar. Recycle an old glass jar: wash it and rinse it well. Then, insert your makeup brushes with the bristles facing up. Traveling? Take your makeup brushes along in a special roll-up pouch with individual slots for each brush.

Sources

1. Derrick, Julyne. Makeup Tools 101: A Beginner’s Guide. (n.d.). About. Retrieved July 21, 2009 from http://beauty.about.com/od/makeupbrushes/a/makeuptools.htm

2. Christensen, Doreen. Pretty Good Idea: Quality Makeup Brushes Give Professional Results. (January 14, 2009). South Florida Sentinel. Retrieved July 21, 2009 from http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/smartliving/health/sfl-fit114prettygoodsbjan14,0,5547955.story

3. Guglielmetti, Petra. Makeup Brushes 101. (July 10, 2009). Woman’s Day. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Beauty/Makeup/Makeup-Brushes-101.html

4. For Makeup Masterpieces, The Right Brushes Are Crucial. (May 21, 2009). Earth Times. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/269759,for-makeup-masterpieces-the-right-brushes-are-crucial.html

5. Granado, Vickie. Natural Vs. Synthetic – “Which Makeup Brushes Are Best for Me?” (2008). Go Articles. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=874634

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