FAN MAIL FRIDAYS: The Difference Between Animal and Synthetic Brushes

Happy Friday to everybody! Our compelling question for today's Fan Mail Fridays segment is from one of my new readers, Sam. She asks:

Hi Martha!

 First of all, I love your blog. I just found out about it last month because I was searching for reviews of Charm's Kabuki Brush. And I'm already hooked!

I'm just a makeup newbie, and I'm trying my best to learn about makeup one step at a time. (I have a loooot of catching up to do!) Currently, I'm into makeup brushes. I just want to ask: What's the difference between animal hair and synthetic hair brushes? Which brush type is better? Thanks in advance and more power!

 Sam

Left: Charm Essentials Vegan Retractable Blush Brush

Right: Charm Powder Brush from the Limited Edition Sonia Travel V3 Pro Collection (Animal Hair)

Hi Sam!

Wee! So glad to know that you like my blog. And welcome to The Beauty Junkee! :)

Not a lot of people know that beyond the actual texture, feel, and look, there is a scientific difference between animal and synthetic brushes and this is what I'm going to break down for everyone today.

Click READ MORE and start learning!

Left: Charm Pencil Point Brush made from Synthetic Hair

Right: Charm Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush made from Animal Hair

Let's get to know first the different types of animal and synthetic bristles:

ANIMAL:

Badger, Squirrel, Pony, Goat, Sable

SYNTHETIC (SOMETIMES CALLED VEGAN):

Taklon, Nylon, Polyester

And here are their differences:

THE ABILITY TO PICK UP PIGMENTS

Just like human hair, Animal hair strands have microscopic, pervious holes that can hold water and store pigment. Needless to say, animal bristles can pick up a better amount of pigment. 

Synthetic bristles, on the other hand, are not naturally created so that means they don't have tiny openings in them, ergo they don't have the ability to pick up pigments as much as animal hair does-this also explains why almost all synthetic brushes are dense in form, to make up for its inability to hold pigments.

HYGIENE

Animal hair strands are more susceptible to bacteria invasion, whereas Synthetic ones resist bacteria-in fact, there are even anti-bacterial synthetic bristles, those that do not permit bacteria from human skin to thrive and multiply in the brush.

QUALITY

Animal hair can get scratchy overtime, whereas Synthetic bristles, especially the high grade ones, are manufactured to stay soft. If you have sensitive skin, the best option for you would be Synthetic brushes.

PERFORMANCE

When it comes to performance, animal hair works best than synthetic hair because the former can distribute and blend makeup evenly onto the skin. How does that happen? The tiny holes in it serve as a   compartment for the excess pigments and as you move the brush, the pigments get distributed gradually onto your skin, whereas synthetic bristles have the tendency to pile on makeup onto your skin since it accumulates all the pigments on its strands. Another known issue with Synthetic hair is its streakiness when it comes to makeup application.

LIFE

Animal hair deteriorate eventually just like how natural things do, whereas synthetic ones can last you for a long, long time--it can even last you forever!

The kind of brush you're going to use depends on your preference and principles: If you abhor animal cruelty, then opt for synthetic bristles, although recent advancements in the beauty industry have allowed manufacturers to extract hair from animals without actually killing and torturing them, and some synthetic bristles, especially the mass- produced ones, are not at all ethically- made and sourced.

So which is the better brush type? None. At the end of the day, it all boils down to TECHNIQUE. You may have the best brush in the world but if you don't know how to use it, then it won't work. Personally, I like both types because they serve their own purpose: For the eyes, I prefer animal hair because they're great for blending while for the face, I'm good with synthetic bristles because they're gentler than the former.

I hope you guys have learned something useful today! Have a pleasant weekend! :D

**Got a burning question about makeups, skin care products, beauty, dieting, and health tips, relationships, and whatever? Just send them to martha.stabarbara@yahoo.com or shoot 'em up at The Beauty Junkee's FB Fan Page via the MESSAGE button and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. (Please, do not send me Math- related queries. :D)