Part five of my six part series on makeup brush hair is about squirrel hair. This type of hair is durable, fine, thin and has a thick belly with a fine tip — that's where it gets its conical shape. Also, it's the softest natural hair used in makeup brushes.
The type of hair that coveted for these highly sought after brushes is from the long-haired squirrel, not the typical garden variety that you see running around in your backyard, so don't worry about your chubby lil' nut-stealing friends.
Squirrel hair is ideal for blending heavy pigment, which is why it is commonly found in eye shadow crease brushes like this Professional Platinum Natural Crease Brush from Sephora ($24). Squirrel hair is also often mixed with other types of hair to bring down the cost, so if you are buying something expensive, it is important to inquire about the origin of the hairs.
Irregular Choice
Francesco Biasia
Paul Smith
Maybe it just me, but isn't a bit weird that we have been using animal hair to coat our faces with make-up? I'm not sure what we could use as an alternative, I wonder if there is one out there.
1I agree with Leprecana, were using animal hair to coat our faces with makeup, that is a little strnage to think about. Now when I do my makeup thats probably all I'll be able to think of lol.
2Im actually really glad bellasugar posted these articles, b/c I really had no clue there were so many different types and which ones are best for what make-ups. Now I will really look at what I am buying.
3The Manager of Sephora told me that products must be Cruelty free to be sold in the Sephora stores. The Mac girls told me that they just 'clip the tails' of the animals for the hair.
Too Faced has a teddy bear Kabuki that will make your head spin and it's synthetic but feels like animal hair. I don't recall if they offer other brushes, but I'd move in that direction if they did.
Synthetic bristles are courser generally so they are good for foundations etc. I just saw Smashboxes new Holiday brush collection and I don't know for sure, but I think they are synthectic but very soft. Smash box is cruelty free.
http://www.smashbox.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/productId/b...
I feel a little sad about using about animal hair brushes too. I don't like using animal products.
4The Manager of Sephora told me that products must be Cruelty free to be sold in the Sephora stores. The Mac girls told me that they just 'clip the tails' of the animals for the hair.
Too Faced has a teddy bear Kabuki that will make your head spin and it's synthetic but feels like animal hair. I don't recall if they offer other brushes, but I'd move in that direction if they did.
Synthetic bristles are courser generally so they are good for foundations etc. I just saw Smashboxes new Holiday brush collection and I don't know for sure, but I think they are synthectic but very soft. Smash box is cruelty free.
http://www.smashbox.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/productId/b...
I feel a little sad about using about animal hair brushes too. I don't like using animal products.
5
thanks bella! i've learned alot
6I'm loving these blogs on makeup brushes. Thanks so much!
7yea, they're great info!
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