I was quite confused when I first began on my mineral makeup journey. There are just so many brushes to choose from, right? Well, here is your easy breezy cheat sheet!
It’s important to understand that different brushes will yield a different type of coverage. You also need to keep in mind your budget as well as how important a brush’s feel on your skin is.
Natural vs. Synthetic
This is definitely something to consider. Natural brushes are generally made from goat, badger, pony, sable or squirrel hair, to name a few. On top of being all natural, these hairs do not have a blunt end which makes for a super soft brush that will feel divine on your face when you are buffing in the minerals. These brushes tend to last long and hold on to the minerals (the cuticles help grab on to the minerals). If you are interested in a natural brush but are also an animal rights advocate, you may want to research whether the company employs cruelty free practices.
If the thought of having a natural brush is not appealing to you, your next best option will be a synthetic brush. These are generally made of nylon or polyester and sit at a lower price point (awesome for those on a tighter budget) and can be made to feel quite soft as well. Now synthetic brushes may not last as long as a natural brush, however some might debate that. The other thing to keep in mind is that there are no cuticles that sit on top of each other in what is usually a jagged formation. Now listen up, if you are using a liquid mineral makeup, you may want to look at a synthetic brush. Generally synthetic brushes work hand in hand with liquid makeup as they tend to yield better blending power. Not only that, but washing liquid makeup off a synthetic brush makes for an easier and faster clean, than that off a natural brush. Synthetic brushes are also perfect for those with allergies to animals.
I like ‘em dense
An important element of brush shopping is using your sense of touch. On top of softness (which most individuals shoot for), the other crucial element is how dense the brush is. You generally want a dense brush – one that is chock block full of hairs. This will ensure that your brush picks up enough powder. Feel the brush before you buy it to make sure you’re getting a nice thick brush.
Your top half matters – round top vs. flat top
For mineral makeup, you will generally need either a brush with a round or a flat top. These are your best options for buffing mineral makeup in to your skin. You will need to find yourself a dense brush too – that way it can pick up a good amount of powder. I tend to go back and forth with my brushes. I have both a flat and a round top and it generally depends on what I’m feeling like that day. My round top isn’t as soft as my flat top so sometimes that factors in to the equation. I will say that if you also use liquid mineral make-up, your flat top will come in handy. Most folks generally use a round top for powders and many rave about one of two brands – Kabuki or Sigma. Your pick will essentially come down to trial/error and personal preference!