Natural makeup brushes

Natural brushes are made from a variety of natural hair such as sable, squirrel, pony hair, goat and badger. Due to their “scaled” hairs, they hold powders and pigments best. They are usually more costly, but looked after well, will last for a long time whilst being pleasing to use and on the skin.

Badger hair brushes

Badger brushes appear bushy as the hair is conic shaped with a thick belly near the tip and thin near the root. Actual badger hair is light grey with a dark brown-black stripe through the centre and is primarily used in making blenders. Badger brushes come from various parts of the world and are more readily available than most animal hair, although the quality varies greatly. Badger hair is thickest at the point, and relatively thin at the root, so it has a distinctive "bushy" appearance. Badger hair is rather stiff and is taken from the back of the animal and can be as long as four inches. Commonly, badger-hair brushes are found in a fan shape or a bushy round shape with a flat top called a "badger blender."

Camel brushes

A "camel" brush is not made of camel hair but is a trade name for soft-haired brushes made for a mix of hair types such as pony, squirrel, goat and/or pony. Camel hair mixes most commonly used in less expensive makeup brush and received their name from "Mr. Camel", who invented them. Actual camel hair is too woolly for brushes and they range greatly in softness, quality and cost.

Pony hair brushes

Pony hair comes from the mane of young horses and is very fine and soft. These are the typical hair used in the traditionalmakeup brush. Natural tips are used in better brushes and the rest of the hair is cut into lengths and used in cheaper brushes. It is strong, slightly coarse, and resilient and with the exception of sheep hair, is the most absorbent. Pony hair doesnt hold its shape well, nor does it point. It is used as a filler to reduce the price of a brush. Horse or pony hair is most commonly used in inexpensive school grade brushes or makeup brushes.

Red sable brushes

Often called red sable because of its reddish-brown colour. This soft brush hair comes from the tail of the Asiatic weasel, a type of marten. Golden red in colour, the hairs are not as fine or springy as Kolinsky sable and are only half as expensive. It is generally conceded to be the best material for precise layering of color, especially for creation of specific gradations due to its strength, spring and ability to retain its shape ("snap"). It holds a very fine point or edge for precise application that is favored by professional makeup artists around the world. This is considered a professional grade of hair, and if properly cared for, Kolinsky sable brushes will last for many years.

Goat hair brushes

Goat hair is one of the coarsest hair used in makeup brushes and is the probably the most common as they tend to be light and fluffy. Because the hair picks up powder and pigments wells and deposits smoothly, it is idea buffing and blending, since goat hair naturally brings luster to the skin. Goat hair is often mixed with other types of bristles in makeup and cosmetic brushes because of its all round performance.

Squirrel hair brushes

Most squirrel hair for makeup brushes comes from Canada and Russia and is the softest natural hair type with the hair tips coming to a fine point. Squirrel hair brushes have has good elasticity and is ideal blending to a very smooth finish.