Makeup brushes are the armors that we need for a flawless finish. A few impeccable strokes, and you can don a completely new look. But all the cosmetic products that even come close to our face demand certain scrutiny. We owe this to our skin. The choice between vegan and natural makeup brushes becomes a matter of ethics for a lot of people. Makeup lovers curious about the production of these cosmetic brushes are in for a treat.
What is the difference?
The difference between a natural and a vegan makeup brush boils down to the fibers. These fibers get employed in the production of its brush head. Natural makeup brushes have fibers procured from animal fur and hair. Vegan makeup brushes have synthetic materials like nylon and other plastic.
A difference in application
Animal hairs have cuticles. This makes them the ideal choice for natural makeup brushes. The cuticles make the porous and are perfect for absorbing powder and natural skin oils. This can help you create a seamless look without any streak marks. They will blend your makeup well and give it an even, smooth finish. This is why they are in use for powdery cosmetics, including eye shadow, bronzer, and blush. But, a vegan brush is ideal for liquid and cream-based products. This includes foundation and concealer. This is because their fiber does not have cuticles, which makes them non-porous. This is why the hairs can’t absorb powdery products well. But, they work well when it comes to a precise application, like in the case of eyeliner or lipstick.
Natural brushes were what people used for their makeup. Now vegan makeup brushes are pretty common in the cosmetic industry.
The manufacturing process of Natural Makeup Brushes
Crafting a natural brush is a meticulous process. Here is how it goes:
Step 1:The production of a natural makeup brush demands huge quantities of natural hair. While making them, one needs to make sure that the ends of the hair are consistent. This is to maintain the perfect shape and neat look so that the brush head does not look uneven or pointy.
Step 2: The filtration process uses a centrifuge. It is a device that spins at high speed to separate materials inside it. The device facilitates the removal of fragile and defective bristles inside the brush. This ensures all the bristles are healthy and firm.
Step 3: Superglue paper checks the brush head for defective bristles. This step eliminates the broken hairs.
Step 4: Now, the shape of the brush is set in a certain shape using the solution of water chestnut powder. This makes sure that the brush head retains its shape for a long period of time.
Step 5: In this final step, we place the brush in the oven. This disinfects and dries it at a low temperature.
All these steps are significant to the production of natural makeup brushes. Vegan brushes are not produced like this. This is why natural makeup brushes are more expensive than vegan makeup brushes.
Natural Makeup Brushes and the concern of Animal Cruelty
Animal activists have voiced their objection against natural makeup brushes. A lot of people say that extracting fur from animals is equal to inflicting torture on them. But many companies have claimed how they extract hair in a gentle manner. For instance, procuring the hair from a goat is by combing or shaving it. Many companies do give the option of synthetic and natural makeup brushes.
What are synthetic makeup brushes made of?
Usually, manufacturers use Taklon to make synthetic fibers. Nylon is a blend of these two materials. When manufacturers need to give a soft texture to the brush, they use Taklon. This is for a blush brush or a powder brush. At the same time, for a firm texture, manufacturers use Nylon. But the ideal brush is the blend of these two materials. The final product is firm and porous enough to absorb the powder. and also soft to ensure seamless blending of makeup.
Why are natural brushes more expensive than synthetic brushes?
There is a disparity between the prices because of the difference in the material used. As their hair is from animals, natural brushes are more expensive. Procuring high quality and uniform fibers demands money and time. This is why this is an expensive alternative. Synthetic brushes get produced with machines. While natural brushes demand a lot of physical labor. Restrictions on fur harvesting are also responsible for the exclusivity of natural brushes.
Prices of natural makeup brushes are not only based on animal hair. It depends on production technology and other accessories too. This includes the material and processing method of the ferrule and other parts of the brush.
Hypoallergenic by nature
Some animal hair makeup brushes can cause allergic reactions or make skin irritable. This is a rare case, but people with sensitive skin should be more careful while using a natural makeup brush. Synthetic bristles are naturally Hypoallergenic because they do not have any animal product. This significantly reduces the risk of getting an allergic reaction from a makeup brush.
Takeaway
Vegan brushes offer a sustainable approach towards makeup artistry. Natural hair has its own benefits to offer. A blend of natural and Vegan brushes will make for an ideal makeup kit. As one will work for powdery cosmetics, while the other will go well with a liquid cosmetic.
Companies manufacture vegan brushes with great precision. It emulates all the properties of a natural brush. But the brush that you want to buy depends on the application, usage, and money you want to invest in it.
You will always have plenty of options to choose from. In fact, it might even get confusing. Researching is essential to choose the best fit of the brush for oneself. It will help you create an immaculate look and will last you for years.