How to Determine the Quality of a Makeup Brush

It is an oddity that we women will spend countless dollars on our cosmetics, and use any old thing lying around in our drawers to apply them, not really knowing any different. Purchasing a makeup brush is almost as mysterious as buying carpet, in my opinion. Knowing that you can't rely on price to determine quality, how do you know if you're getting your money's worth? One brush (or carpet sample) may feel nicer to the touch, but does that mean it will hold up over time? Does it mean it's of higher quality? Doing some simple searches across the internet did not yield any articles explaining the different types of brushes hairs, and which type ranks higher over which, so I've put together my own primer for those of us who are trying to get the best bang for our buck.

A well constructed brush that is maintained properly can last you over 10 years. Now think about how many cheapo dime-store brushes you buy over the same period of time - you've ended up spending far more on the throwaways! Furthermore, using the correct brush for your application made of quality materials will make your application more even and easier to apply. When purchasing makeup brushes, buy ones that are handmade, as the hair tips can only be preserved when the brushes are made by hand and not machine.

The construction of a makeup brush can be divided into 3 major parts: the hair, handle, and ferrule (the metal part that attaches the hair to the handle). The hair type is the focus of this article, as it is the biggest and most important component, as well as the most "mysterious". Brush hair types are broken down into 3 categories: natural hair, natural bristle, & synthetic hair.