Unpacking The Differences Between Natural & Synthetic Makeup Brushes

For many women, makeup brushes are a confusing set of tools. There are so many different brushes that are only slightly different from each other, and each one is supposed to perform a unique function.

Learning and understanding what different types of brushes are meant to do and be used for can be highly overwhelming and lead us back to simply grabbing our old faithful small, medium, and large beauty blenders.

We will clear up some of the confusion by explaining the difference between natural and synthetic brushes and their functions.

Synthetic Brushes

Synthetic makeup brushes are made from fake hairs that are manufactured especially for the brushes. While they are custom-made for makeup brushes, they tend to be a little rougher on the skin than a natural makeup brush.

However, if you find the right brand, you can find some extremely gentle synthetic makeup brushes. Because of the advances that have been made in the way that synthetic brushes are manufactured, there is very little difference in how they apply makeup.

It is essential to note that synthetic brushes do not have a cuticle the way that natural brushes do. No cuticle means that liquids will not get trapped in the brush, so if you have both synthetic and natural brushes in your kit, use your synthetic brushes for things like your foundation and concealer.

Using synthetic brushes is beneficial as they might last longer than natural brushes because they do not get damaged as easily over time after washing. They can be sprayed down with sanitizing spray without drying out the bristles.

Natural Brushes

Natural makeup brushes are made from animal hair that farmyard animals have shed. These hairs can be from animals such as horses, cows, and goats. The best thing about these brushes is that they are made from hair that the animals have already shed, so no animals are hurt in the process.

Because these brushes are made from natural hairs, they tend to be softer and feel more luxurious on the face. However, if you are allergic or sensitive to animal hair, you should steer clear of natural brushes.

Natural brushes have a cuticle, which means that the product can get stuck in the brush more easily. For this reason, it is a good idea to use your natural brushes for powders and eyeshadows.

Using natural brushes can feel more luxurious, but it is essential to remember that they will get damaged more easily by frequent washing, and if you spray them with a sanitizing spray, it will dry the bristles out.