Professional makeup brushes are very different to lower quality brands. Granted, there will be a noticeable price difference, but cheaper brushes, which usually have synthetic bristles, will break easily and are more likely to cause irritation to a sensitive skin. Anyone looking for a long lasting and all-round better quality brush will be more inclined to buy a professional make up brush, which will mostly have goat, squirrel or sable hair. The variation in brushes is much greater when buying higher quality brushes as there are a number of different sizes and shapes targeted to the makeup artist.

There are several types of makeup brushes available, and a professional brush set should always have at least the following:

1. Foundation Brush- The foundation brush is a soft haired U-shaped brush which is usually quite large, allowing for quick and easy coverage. Some makeup artists prefer to use wedge sponges for application but this choice is entirely up to the individual.

2. Powder Brush- This brush is best used in makeup brush factory bristles and sets the foundation. The powder brush is a large soft brush which sweeps across the whole face. It will have a rounded end making it easier to cover the curves of the face.

3. Blusher Brush- Similar to the powder brush, soft natural bristles will achieve best results. The blusher
brush is a fraction smaller than the powder brush allowing the artist to sweep controlled amounts of colour across the cheeks.

4. Concealer Brush- The concealer brush is mostly made from synthetic hair making it a slightly harder brush. It is a small rounded brush which is used to apply concealer to any blemishes or red areas of the face. Because it is a smaller brush, it is easy to reach any areas that need covering e.g., corner of nose.

5. Applicator Brush- The applicator brush is available in synthetic or natural hair and can be found in a number of sizes. Used for applying eye shadow, the size of the brush used is dependent on the makeup being done. It is recommended to have a smaller and a larger applicator brush.