Kabuki brushes: animal or synthetic hair?
Monday, 3 August 2009
I love using Kabuki brushes to apply my foundation, whether I am using mineral or compact powder. They work better than sponges for me. I have Kabuki brushes using animal as well as synthetic hair. I alternate between the two, loving them for different reasons. Today, I like to make a comparison of the two based on some common properties.
Softness
I don’t know why people say that animal hair is softer but my experience tells me otherwise. I’ve tried Kabuki brushes made with goat, sable and pony hair and all feels a tad scratchy on my face. Perhaps I haven’t come across a superior grade that is really soft on contact. On the other hand, all the Kabuki brushes made with synthetic hair are incredibly soft and feels fabulous on my skin. Because they’re very dense, I have no problem applying powder with them at all.
Application
Kabuki brushes made with animal hair are porous and hence, tend to pick up powder better. Although I’ve heard that animal grade Kabuki brushes don’t need that much powder compared to synthetic ones, I personally don’t see that much of a difference. And actually, I find that I make a bigger mess in terms of leftover powder on the table whenever I use a brush with animal hair.
Coverage
In fact, I feel that synthetic Kabuki brushes offer me smoother coverage and doesn’t make my pores so obvious. Perhaps the softness of the hair makes it easier to blend the powder into my skin.
Maintainence
Generally, I find Kabuki brushes using animal hair easier to wash and quicker to dry though. Their shape also stays more or less intact after drying. Synthetic ones are not that difficult to wash either but they take a longer time to air dry. In addition, when washed over a period of time, their shapes tend to distort and the hair seem to get oilier.
Summary
Overall, I like synthetic grade Kabuki brushes better. I haven’t come across a brush with animal hair that feels totally fabulous on my skin. However, some of you may have tried and if so, do leave a comment here to recommend. But I do like to alternate both types of brushes. Lucky thing also that I am not allergic to certain animal hairs as I know some people are.
So what about you? Do you use Kabuki brushes for powder application? If so, what’s your preference?
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Posted in Makeup, Tools | 28 Comments »
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August 3rd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Have only tried animal hair kabuki brushes (Bobbi Brown), so can’t really make a comparison. But yes, it feels a tad scratchy at times. My synthetic TBS powder brushes all feel much much softer (but blending power isn’t as fab). I understand that you use Lumiere’s brush – any idea if it’s available locally? I avoid online shopping if I can
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
Yes, I was using Lumiere until this year I switched to using those I got from Momo Minerals. The Lumiere one is still around but it got kind of greasy I’ve not been using it for awhile now. I haven’t seen it available locally though. It’s either direct from their online shop or via sprees.
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I just realized after looking at Flym’s comments that the one from The Body Shop is actually quite similar to Lumiere’s. But the price is a lot higher if I remember correctly.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I say “aye” for synthetic kabuki brush being softer! I on the other hand, likes synthetic kabuki brush too!
i guess I am pro for the softness 
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
You like synthetic ones too? I get the impression you use quite a number of brushes so you would have lots of experience to say this too!
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
My experience is varied. My natural kabuki from Red Earth is fab, soft as cotton, while another brand’s natural hair one sucks. The TBS synthetic is good, and lasts well but uses more powder and takes longer to apply MMU with. I’ve other brands of natural and synthetic kabukis that can be heavenly to use or a pain to work with. I can’t really generalize.
I’m curious about using kabuki to apply compact powders though. Is it compact foundation powder, like the 2-way type? Won’t it be too creamy to use with a brush? Or I imagine the wastage might be quite substantial. Would like to know how it’s like to apply powder foundation with brush instead of sponge.
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Yes, the 2-way type. I wrote an entry about the application here http://www.vivawoman.net/2008/11/20/applying-foundation-with-sponge-or-brush/. You’re right that there is a lot of wastage but I found that the brush gave me a more natural finishing. Sponge can sometimes make my foundation look streaky especially if I’m in a hurry.
TBS one is almost similar to Lumiere one when I felt it. Red Earth sounds interesting – must take a look at it next time. Hope the price is also reasonable.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Hi sesame,
I also use the red earth brush. Its really soft. bought from sasa. is there any good synthetic brush other than TBS locally available?
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
My latest buy was from Momo Minerals – a local online store. You can read my review here http://www.vivawoman.net/2009/01/26/synthetic-and-natural-hair-kabuki-brushes/. I like the brushes – very soft and blends well. If I’m not mistaken, it’s the same one as Everyday Minerals – look very identical. The big one cost S$19 now. Not too bad a price.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I started off with using animal hair brush and I thought they are the softest ever. Until I found EDM kabuki brush and flat top brush only I know
that I love synthetics more
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I’ve heard lots of raves on EDM brushes. I believe the ones I’m using could be from the same source.
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
i cant quite remember my experience with the face brush with bobbi brown. but my experience with Micabella’s natural brush was really BAD. i agree with most points that yu’ve covered, but i disagree with dynthetics drying faster than naturals… my EDM brushes always take a super long time to dry.
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:23 pm
No, I agree that synthetic takes longer time to dry. Usually takes me days! It’s those with animal hair that dries quickly.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I actually like animal hair brushes better in general. Synthetic ones picks up too much powder for me.
I don’t like the dense hair feeling. Makes me feel like I’m pushing powder into my pores and filling them up. I dunno…freaks me out. heheh…
sesame Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Animal hair brushes are good except that mine can feel scratchy. The feeling can even linger on for awhile after I’m done with brushing.
August 4th, 2009 at 4:17 am
No matter what brushes I use, I go for synthetic. It just feels much more nice. I have some face brushes that are supposedly made out of squirrel/goat’s hair, and it took quite a few washes until they started to get “less pokey”. Plus, brushes with animal hair smells pretty bad.
sesame Reply:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I’ve never tried squirrel I think. I was under the impression that it might be softer. As for washing, I remembered one which got more pokey after washing a few times.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I am using forever female flat top & I love it.I don’t think I like brushes with animial hair coz I had one powder blush that is animial hair & is scratchy.
sesame Reply:
August 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I must try flat top after hearing all the raves. Forever Female is not a brand I’m familiar with – must google to check it out.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Forever female brush very soft.I brought from Aubrey nicole & Joppa’s minerals also carring this range.Adorned with grace premium brush also very good ,no animial hair.
sesame Reply:
August 4th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Hey thanks for the info Florence! Will take a look at Aubrey Nicole’s site.
August 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Hey sesame, u are most welcome.AN shipping is not cheap, so usually I wait for the free shiiping. As for AWG,they have good stuff & brushes & shipping is ard USD$2-5.
sesame Reply:
August 4th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
$2 to $5 is reasonable!
August 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Thanks for the link on applying compact powder makeup with kabukis.
The Red Earth kabuki is wonderful to use but it’s not cheap. Regularly priced at about $50. I bought it during the GSS at Sasa with a 50% discount. If not for the sale, I wouldn’t have paid so much for a kabuki.
An great synthetic kabuki is a retractable one from Ecotools. Bought it in USA for USD 10 from Target or Walmart. It’s not as dense as the TBS one but I find it softer.
sesame Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
$50! Wow, that’s ex considering I said TBS one is costly. But getting it at 50% discount is really a steal.
Oh yes, I’ve heard of Ecotools and wanted it badly at one point. Then I got those from Momo Minerals and I lost interest in that range.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Hey, I tried using my synthetic kabuki with my powder foundation for 2 days. Works great! Didn’t realised it!
sesame Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Oh that’s great! I like using brush with foundation powder. Only thing is I finish the powder much faster!
August 5th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
thanks for “converting” me!