Brush Anatomy

This is an introduction to a series of discussions on makeup brushes. Let us get to know the parts of a brush. They are divided into 3 components, namely:

1. Hair Bundle
- this can be made of natural hair, natural bristle or synthetic materials. It is further divided into the a.) flower tip and the b.)length-out. The former is the one coming in touch with the skin while the latter is the visible part between the flower tip and the ferrule. The bottom of the hair bundle is dipped into a glue and inserted to the ferrule.

2. Ferrule
- this is the metal tube securing the hair bundle to the handle. They should be double crimped and seamless to avoid unsteady handles. They are often made out of brass, copper or aluminum. Brass is the strongest one. Aluminum mixed with other metal can just be as strong. Brushes like those from Mac are nickel plated for corrosion resistance and aesthetic value.

3. Handle
- a good brush is securely placed in the handle socket and doesn't shed. Handles can be made out of acrylics, woods or metals. Caution during washing your brushes with especially those with wooden handles: do not leave your brushes soaked up to the handle or the coating would come off. If you do have to have your brushes stand in water overnight (an old school method), make sure it is only until the level of the hair bundle and don't leave it for too long or else some brushes' color tend to bleed, contaminating brushes nearby.