Next, you'll need to take note of the bristle material. If you want something cruelty-free, you shouldchoose a set that uses synthetic hairs, such as nylon. Synthetic brushes can be used for creams, liquids, and powders making them the most versatile. Think about which formula of products you mainly use to determine which type of bristles to buy. Natural’ bristle makeup brushes are made from animal hair. The type of animals used vary and can consist of goat, pony, squirrel, badger, and horsehair. Multipurpose brushes are an underrated make-up essential: they save clutter, are great for travelling and can do it all. The ultimate one-and-done tool, Saie’s brush boasts luxuriously soft and well-tapered bristles – perfect for diffusing creams and powders onto the skin for a seamless, natural finish. How do I know if my make-up brushes are good quality? The Body Shop now has a collection of vegan makeup brushes made with bamboo & aluminum and super soft, dense nylon bristles that are completely cruelty-free. You can find The Body Shop’s Vegan Brushes on thebodyshop.com. Westman Atelier Eyebrow spoolies are an often overlooked essential that makes styling your brows and separating out clumpy mascara a thousand times easier. While you’ll sometimes find them in a complete makeup brush set, you can also buy spoolies super cheaply online, so this isn’t an essential part of a set.

Prolong the life of your makeup brushes by regularly and gently washing them to avoid product and bacteria buildup. Do not submerge the entire brush in water as the glue may come off. And ensure you dry them flat or hang them upside down to dry. Only Buy What You Need There is an easy, cruelty-free alternative, however. Synthetic fibers are an affordable option, and one that’s actually better for your skin, according to Tai Young, a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist. “They’re easier to clean and sanitize, and will last longer than animal hair brushes,” she says. “They’re naturally more hygienic than animal hair brushes, which are more porous and therefore more likely to collect bacterial and microbial growth.” Powder/blusher brush - combines luxuriously soft bristles which glide effortlessly over your skin with an ergonomically designed handle to ensure a comfortable grip. Suitable for loose or pressed powder or to apply your favourite blusher. Makeup brushes aren’t just about the bristles. The handles can have an environmental impact, too, and vegan doesn’t necessarily mean environmentally friendly, as it often relies on plastic materials that are byproducts of the fossil fuel industry.Note: Aveda is cruelty-free but the brand is owned by Estee Lauder, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free. delilah

What can we do instead?Opt for makeup brushes that are made with synthetic bristles instead. Try to filter out the term “cruelty-free” makeup brushes. It means very little when it comes to makeup brushes. Look for the “vegan” label instead. This means the bristles are made from non-animal materials. Tips on Keeping Your Makeup Brushes as Environmentally-Friendly as Possible Make Your Makeup Brushes Last Diffusing brush - also known as a pencil brush or smudge brush, the carefully structured bristles are firm enough for precision eye work yet soft enough to diffuse our colours around the eye area Small flat brush - a versatile brush, designed for a variety of uses. It presses and blends all shadow formations onto lids and is perfect for building up colour. Its firm, flattened shape allows for easy application of darker shades in the crease of the eyelid. Additionally, use the flattened bristles to cover and conceal blemishes. for detailed contouring, highlighting brow bones or to add a pop of colour to lids.

Angled, or flat brushes are perfect for those of you who apply eyebrow pomades, or tend to use eyeshadow as eyeliner. Flat and angled eye makeup brushes allow you to get the product right into the lash line, or to draw on precise brow-like hairs.

Don’t discount the Expert Face Brush because of its bargain price. Designed to build a custom coverage, this buffing brush works with your foundation to leave a natural, fresh and streak-free finish. The ultra-plush synthetic bristles are dome-shaped to make easy work of blending liquid and cream foundations into the skin, as well as cream contour and highlight. While a long, lightweight aluminum handle helps to precisely target specific areas. Eyeliner brushes are thin brushes that can be used to apply gel or liquid eyeliner. They’re thin enough to get close to the lash line and versatile enough to apply winged and graphic styles with relative ease. You'll also find brush sets dedicated to certain areas of the face, which will appeal to those who have a favourite area they usually focus on, such as the eyes. These will be a little more limiting, of course, but are probably a better buy if you don't think you'll end up using more than a few from a complete set.Brow/liner brush - create perfect brows or wing your liner to perfection with this versatile brush, crafted with stiff angled bristles. The handle has been specifically crafted to be shorter in length, enabling you to get closer to your mirror for precision work. Aluminum can also be used in the ferrules on the brushes (the metal that joins the bristles with the handle); aluminum is easily recycled, and so can be reused again and again and again, making this one of the most sustainable choices of metal. Each of delilah’s eco-friendly brushes is hand-cut to shape and made with FSC-certified wood handles. The soft synthetic fibers are also made with Taklon Fibers. Available at delilahcosmetics.com. Hurtig Lane