July 31, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
credit: TorleyKabuki brushes have gotten very popular in the last few years due to the very successful mineral makeup trend. These brushes are designed to pick up loose powder, blush or bronzer in the perfect amount, to be applied evenly across the face.
There are some big differences between the kabuki brushes offered by different cosmetic brands, and we’ve come up with a list of five types of brushes that are popular choices for makeup wearers.
#1. Brushes with Animal Hair Bristles
Bare Escentuals is probably the leading mineral makeup manufacturer, with growing sales and availability in almost all department stores and specialty beauty stores. They feature the use of a kabuki brush to apply their mineral foundations. The interesting thing to note is that these brushes are not vegan-friendly; most of the Bare Escentuals brushes have bristles made from goat hair. This might be a deal-breaker for those who avoid using animal products. Check before buying a new kabuki brush, because several beauty brands still use animal hair for their bristles.
#2. Brushes with Synthetic Bristles
Several cosmetic companies know that customers need an alternative to animal hair brush bristles. Companies like Too Faced have created very soft synthetic bristles to imitate real animal hair (Too Faced calls their synthetic bristles “Teddy Bear Hair”). Other eco-conscious brands have even designed their brushes to be not only synthetic, but sourced from recycled materials. The Ecotools kabuki brush is one good example.
#3. Brushes with Short Handles
A few different companies (including Bare Escentuals) have come up with palm-sized handles for their kabuki brushes. These handles are usually short and squat, fitting easily in your hand and making it easy to control and blend makeup evenly.
#4. Brushes with Longer Handles
Some kabuki brushes have longer handles than their tinier counterparts. These are often designed to use with blushes and bronzers, often having flatter bristles that are tightly packed together and designed for contouring.
#5. Retractable Brushes
These are the perfect brushes if you’re on the go. Throw one in your purse and you won’t have to be worried about damaging the bristles or getting them dirty. Retractable brushes are designed to be protected during travel.
Hopefully our list of different types of kabuki brushes will give you a better idea of what to look for when you next decide to shop. Find more beauty tips at Beauty and Fashion Guide.
Updated July 31, 2011. Published April 30, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
