There’s just something about the tactile nature of applying makeup with your fingers — it feels intrinsic, even foolproof. Meanwhile, grabbing a makeup brush to accomplish the same tasks can feel like more of an undertaking. But just ask almost any professional makeup artist how they feel about makeup brushes and you’re likely to hear a ballad of love.
“As a makeup artist, brushes really are my most treasured tools,” says professional makeup artist and founder of Westman Atelier, Gucci Westman. “They are extensions of my hands; they elevate everything I do for my clients.
Simply put, the best makeup brushes achieve things mere fingers cannot. “The right brush can disperse product more evenly and smoothly across the skin,” says Westman. “A great brush can also make certain makeup applications that might feel intimidating super easy.”
The Different Types of Makeup Brushes
The general brush types are made with synthetic hair, natural hair (made of animal hair — often from goats, boars, and squirrels), as well as a combination of the two. Other brushes come with silicone tips and sponges.
“These days, most makeup brushes are synthetic hair,” says Jenn Streicher, professional makeup artist, founder of the new curiosities shop Scout and co-founder of LA

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