The word "natural" has become a buzz word in the cosmetics industry. Cruise the cosmetics aisle in any drugstore or an online makeup website, and one will undoubtedly come across products, such as natural mineral makeup, or makeup with all-natural ingredients. Natural bristle makeup brushes are also available. However, "natural bristles" implies that the brushes are made from animal hair. Selecting this type of brush means choosing between a desire for products and considering the rights of the animals that supply the hair.
Types of Natural Bristle Brushes
Natural bristle makeup brushes can be composed of squirrel, badger, sable, goat, weasel and pony hair. These brushes are significantly more expensive than synthetic makeup brushes.
Benefits
The elasticity of high-quality badger hair makes it ideal for large, fan shaped bronzer brushes. Smaller versions of the brush are also stiff enough for filling in and shaping eyebrows. Pony hair bristles are strong, which makes them effective for contouring.
Misconceptions
Since natural bristle makeup brushes are far more expensive than their synthetic sisters, it is easy to assume that they are always the better choice. This is not necessarily true. Synthetic brushes are made from taklon and nylon. Since the filaments do not absorb the makeup pigment, they are easier to clean than natural bristle makeup brushes.
Considerations
The animal hair used for the bristles can either come from shearing or from the animal's pelts. Unfortunately, most cosmetic companies do not supply this information.
Warnings
Natural bristle makeup brushes are less effective than synthetic brushes for applying a cream-based foundations. Using them can result in a cakey, uneven finish. Additionally, since natural bristle makeup brushes are difficult to clean, they may result in various skin problems. The Skin FX website warns that anyone with an animal allergy may also be allergic to natural bristle makeup brushes.
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