The beauty industry has grown consistently through the years but with the recent boom in social media channels like YouTube, makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts make it easy for us to learn tips and tricks, must haves, where to buy, best products, etc.  however; this also brings up the question about our beauty tools…specifically our makeup brushes and what they are made of.

Back in the day, natural hair makeup brushes were first choice for professional makeup artists, but we really have come a long way with creating synthetic hair makeup brushes that provide similar results. Of the two, natural animal hair used to be the all-time favorite of makeup artists around the world because of its ability to pick up pigment resulting in less fall out and waste of our favorite cosmetics. The reason for this is the simple fact that animal hair is much like human hair and is very porous. This helps the MUA’s because it allows for more precision application and placement of product. For those of us who are not quite as savvy with our makeup application, practice makes perfect with natural hair makeup brushes so keep on creating those fabulous looks and you will be a pro before you know it! Keep in mind that these brushes easily pick up product and holds on to it until you place it, meaning less fallout. This also means that you may need to clean your brushes more often to remove any residual product left behind due to porosity. Natural hair makeup brushes work very well with face powders, eyeshadow pigments, eyebrow powders and mineral powder make up, so many find these an essential part of their beauty arsenal.

There are many types of animal hair that may be used but a few of the most common are squirrel, badger, pony, and goat hair.  BJF goat hair is used for top grade makeup brushes by some of the better makeup brush companies including Beau Gâchis Cosmetics in a few of the brushes within their 7-Piece Makeup Brush Set with Leather Case.  With the exception of a few of the brushes included in their 7-piece set, the remainder of their brushes are made with high grade synthetic hair.

Synthetic hair makeup brushes used to be the most affordable makeup brushes and were pretty much the only choice for those on a budget however; recent technology has become advanced enough that synthetic brushes have started to meet and maybe even surpass the quality of natural hair brushes. With high end synthetic brushes like Beau Gâchis Cosmetics’ 4 Piece Highlight and Contour Makeup Brush Set you can’t even tell when a brush is synthetic because the bristles have been crafted to replicate the look, texture and performance of natural hair bristles. Synthetic hair makeup brushes really have come a very long way over the years and in some cases, works even better than natural animal hair which is a plus, especially for those who may have allergic reactions of animal hair. Typically, these brushes are made from either nylon, taklon, or polyester fibers. Taklon was created specifically to sort of mimic natural animal hair thus making it a great alternative for those who prefer vegan makeup brushes.  Even though these brushes still aren’t anywhere near as soft as natural hair brushes, they can be a better choice for the application of liquids and cream makeup products such as foundation, concealer, cream eyeshadows, and lipsticks.

So which brush is right for you? Well it simply comes down to personal preference and trial and error. The good news is that finding a quality makeup brush doesn’t mean it must have a high price tag on it. If you want to try something new, check out the reviews and find out what others are saying about it. And if a company truly stands behind their products, they most likely will have some sort of customer satisfaction guarantee. Keep in mind that the best makeup brush for you is the one that works best for your makeup application.

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For many of us, finding the right tools for our beauty regime is key for flawless application of our makeup creations. And when we find the perfect tool, it suddenly becomes our favorite go to. Whether it be the best makeup brush for foundation or the best beauty blender sponge, there are some beauty tools that we just can’t live without.

So, what exactly goes into the production of our favorite beauty tools? When it comes to makeup brushes, the possibilities are endless however; the most popular makeup brushes typically include the following materials:

Natural hair or synthetic hair for the bristles. Of the two, natural animal hair used to be the all-time favorite of makeup artists around the world because of its ability to pick up pigment resulting in less fall out and waste of our favorite cosmetics. The reason for this is the simple fact that animal hair is much like human hair and is very porous. This helps the MUA’s because it allows for more precision application and placement of product. There are many types of animal hair that may be used but a few of the most common are squirrel, badger, pony, and goat hair.  BJF goat hair is used for top grade makeup brushes by some of the better makeup brush companies including Beau Gâchis Cosmetics in a few of the brushes within their 7-Piece Makeup Brush Set with Leather Case.  With the exception of a few of the brushes included in their 7-piece set, the remainder of their brushes are made with high grade synthetic hair.

Synthetic hair has come a very long way over the years and in some cases, works even better than natural animal hair which is a plus, especially for those who may have allergic reactions of animal hair. Recent technology has become advanced enough that synthetic brushes have started to meet and maybe even surpass the quality of natural hair brushes. With high end synthetic brushes like Beau Gâchis Cosmetics’ 4 Piece Highlight and Contour Makeup Brush Set you can’t even tell when a brush is synthetic because the bristles have been crafted to replicate the look, texture and performance of natural hair bristles.

Typically, the brush heads are attached to the handles with something called a ferrule. Ferrules can be made from a variety of metals but the primary ones used for makeup brushes are copper, aluminum or brass. The brush heads are held in place at the top of the ferrule by pinching or crimping the metal slightly or even flat as well as with glue. The bottom of the ferrule is glued to the handles but not usually crimped as to avoid damaging them.  The makeup brushes by Beau Gâchis Cosmetics use both copper and aluminum ferrules depending on the product.

Many makeup brush companies are getting very creative with the design and materials used for their brush handles. Traditional and professional makeup brushes almost always have natural wood handles that are painted and sealed with their brand or logo. Natural wood makes the brush a bit heavier and provides the makeup artist with more weight for better control during makeup application. The type of wood used can be derived from numerous resources. Mahogany, Schima Superba, Birchwood, Rubberwood, Sandalwood, etc. The most popular is Birchwood which is currently used in all of Beau Gâchis Cosmetics’ brush line. Other options for makeup brush handles include plastic, acrylic, metal and bamboo which are also very good and provide a different style and feel for your preference.

Let’s not forget about those amazing makeup sponges! Beauty sponges have been around for years but really are a staple in every MUA’s arsenal of necessities. Beginning with the small simple wedge makeup sponge that our mothers used to use, these babies are still around and seem to be used for more than just makeup application. They seem to have made their way into nail design, arts and crafts, temporary tattoo placement and who knows where else. But the all-time favorite as of late is the teardrop sponge.  Over the past couple of years, we have all been mastering how to use a teardrop sponge and have found that this unique little tool can truly be our best friend for blending, baking, concealing, priming, etc. Beau Gâchis Cosmetics provides a great tutorial on how to use their Pro Series Applicator Sponge Duo here but really the opportunities are limitless. Another great tutorial on these beauty blenders is demonstrated on ipsy’s YouTube page. Their makeup applicator sponges are hydrophilic, latex-free sponges making them safe for those who are allergic or sensitive to latex and made with the best materials.

Realistically, great beauty tools are the holy grail for creating beautiful masterpieces as well as simply rewarding ourselves with the little things we deserve. You don’t have to spend a fortune for quality makeup brushes and tools, you just have to find the right brand.

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