Millions of women across the globe start their day with makeup―this ritual is calming, empowering, and beautiful. But so many women feel like a quality makeup brush is for the elite, and even if they did invest in a nice brush, they wouldn’t know what to look for.

Your makeup brush determines your skincare, the makeup coverage, and the level of makeup artistry you achieve. In this article, we’ll cover the features of the best makeup brushes so you can confidently provide yourself with the daily pampering you deserve and feel empowered to take on anything from the conference room to the PTA.

Understanding the Parts of Your Brush

It’s essential to understand the parts of a makeup brush in order to gauge its quality. The bristled top has three sections: the toe, the bristles themselves, and the heel, which are bound to the handle by the metal ferrule. The quality of each part of your brush will determine the overall use and quality, and the best makeup brushes should check all of the boxes.

Bristles Shaped for Performance and Comfort

The top of the makeup brush gets the most scrutiny, and the toe comes in many shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific one. Rounded tops give smooth, even coverage, while angled brushes are for precision lines (like our flat contour brush).

The density or thickness of the bristles also contributes to the utility of the brush - the more hair, the less product you’ll need, and the more evenly it will apply. Not only that, but the quality of the bristle hairs will determine whether you have a soft, pillowy experience or if applying makeup will feel more like rubbing sandpaper on your face.

Ethically Sourced Bristles

Bristles are either made of natural hair or synthetic material, with many luxury brands touting the importance of natural hairs― often squirrel, goat, or sable. Natural hairs have tiny microtextures that look like fish scales under a microscope, allowing the brush to pick up more product and transfer makeup easily when rubbed against the skin.

However, as ethics and technology have evolved, synthetic hairs have become more widespread. While initially deemed too slippery due to their lack of cuticle, they have proved to be more durable than their natural counterparts, and some brushes feature a combination of the two to give clients the best of both.

Our Pro Liquid Foundation Brush is one example of our velvety, vegan, cruelty-free tools.

Quality and Comfort in the Handle

The best makeup brushes will only allow a few stray hairs to fall out, and the ferrule (the metal band that attaches the heel to the handle) won’t wiggle or bend with pressure. Some handles are designed with an ergonomic angle, allowing comfortable use throughout makeup application, and come in various shapes, sizes, and materials - with many luxury brands typically using high-quality wood.

Try our Pro Cream Foundation Brush’s comfortable and stable handle.

Check out Varenti Beauty Luxury Brushes

At Varenti Beauty, we never compromise on the things that matter. Our luxury makeup brushes are not only vegan and hypoallergenic, but our sales contribute to the promotion of women-owned businesses. Ready to explore?

The Top Features of the Best Makeup Brushes