One of the distinguishing features of a good quality brush is the standard and type of natural hair used and how that hair is shaped and attached to the handle by the ferrule. Good quality brushes are referred to as hand-tied. This means that hair is hand-molded to the desired shape and cut at the ferrule end (the metal collar between the hair and handle.) This maintains the integrity of the natural hair with its fine tapered end. All hair naturally tapers off to a fine point as it looses its keratin layers. This tapered effect makes the hair feel soft, picks up our mineral powders more efficiently, and disburses and distributes them more evenly on the skin.
The tapered ends also impart a soft, soothing effect on the skin, which only enhances the experience of having mineral makeup applied.
Hair that is cut to shape, however, results in a blunt end on each individual hair, and thus a brush that feels rough and stubbly on the skin as well as causing the minerals to fly off as they are applied. There is no comparison between the two when it comes to results.
The type of natural hair chosen, the shape and the density (amount of hair used) all contribute to the performance of the brush and how it delivers the pigment onto the surface of the skin. For example,
Jane Iredales powder brushes allow the minerals to be applied into crevices on the face as well as larger areas, something a kabuki or large powder brush would not be able to do. They also control the amount of powder picked up resulting in less waste.
Color, such as eye shadows and blush, can be blended so much more effectively with high quality brushes. As someone once said: "There are only three things you need to know about good makeup application - blend, blend, blend."
Recommend, demonstrate and use the appropriate tool designed for use with each of our products, and you will get the best results possible.
