Why I use Synthetic Brushes

The tools you apply your make up with are equally as important as the quality of product you use. We all have that favourite brush that never fails to blend or create the perfect flick for your eyeliner. Makeup brushes typically come in two different types of bristles, natural bristle haired brushes and synthetic brushes. So what is the difference between natural bristle brushes to synthetic bristle brushes?

Natural bristles are made with animal hair typically from squirrels, minks and horses. Natural haired brushes have their pros, there usually very soft and great for application of powders and blending. There are quite a few cruelty free company’s such as bare minerals and too faced that have natural bristle brushes in their collection. So, is using animal brushes from cruelty free company’s okay?  Over the past few years mink lashes have risen in popularity and many brands have claimed no minks are hurt in the process. Minks are naturally not tame animals and the same can be said for squirrels. The amount of demand for these mink lashes and animal brushes is massive therefor trying to get the fur of millions of naturally un tame animals is not going to be an easy job and we can probably rule out that no cruelty is involved.  So even if the brand themselves don’t test and do try to get the fur from a good source it’s a massive probability that cruelty to the mink/squirrel was involved. No matter how soft a brush is I don’t think the risk of harming animals is worth it. I view animal hair in brushes the exact same way I view using it for clothes. Its just unnecessary. There are other cons for natural bristle brushes, they are usually more expensive and if they are cheaper their probably not going to be the best quality. Over time natural bristles can lose their shape from washing etc which is not great if its for a specific use like contouring etc.

 

Synthetic brushes are made from man made materials. There are many pros of using synthetic brushes. Makeup is everywhere right now and everyone is a makeup artist, youtube and Instagram have opened the door to millions of brands, products and tips and tricks for applying everything, meaning lots of brands have had to up their game to deal with all the competition.  This has resulted in lots of great brands coming out with quality synthetic brushes, spectrum, real techniques and Zoeva to name a few. All my synthetic brushes work just as well any natural bristle brushes I have owned. All the brushes I have owned from these brands are super soft and great with powders and liquids. Real technique brushes are all synthetic and the easiest to access in the UK being sold in pretty much all boots and superdrugs. Synthetic brushes are usually more affordable as well being a student this is a massive plus for me! I also find that when I wash my synthetic brushes they stay in great shape. I am always going to buy synthetic brushes now over natural bristles as the quality of them now is so great and the price is usually better.

 

My Sythenic makeup brush recommendations –

For professionals – Zoeva are fantastic quality and were recommended to my fashion makeup class at the start of the year as the brushes to buy for the quality and price. Zoeva is what I use in my kit and you can get great core collections at a reasonable price. They also come in nice plain colours which I like to use in my kit as I think it looks more professional.

 

For personal use – Specturm brushes are fantastic quality you can get great core collections as well for a great price but they also come in crazy and beautiful colours. I have the original mermaid brushes and they look gorgeous on the top of my drawers!

 

For beginners – Nanshy brushes have an amazing set for around £50 it comes with pretty much most brushes you will need and I find them really easy to use there maybe not as soft as zoeva and spectrum but the shape of all their brushes are great making them easy to apply product with.