Vegan Makeup Brushes
It occurred to me as I was researching and ordering products for my store and website that I would love to offer vegan makeup brushes. It’s a natural (even though they’re synthetic) with mineral makeup.
When I worked in the department stores selling cosmetics, we were trained by the companies to tell customers that no pony, goat, squirrel or badger were ever killed or harmed in any way to acquire the hair used for the makeup brushes. We were told that the animals were shaved or hairs were cut from their tails, end of story. I have to be honest, back then I really didn’t question that information. But now I think that even well-meaning cosmetic companies can’t really be sure about the welfare of the animals and the conditions in which they are kept. Many companies purchase the fur from foreign distributors and are they really checking up on them? I don’t want to have to worry about how the animals are really being treated.
The best alternative is to use cruelty-free, vegan approved makeup brushes. Look for 100% synthetic fibers, nylon or taklon. It’s the only way to be sure that no animal was harmed or used in the making of the brushes.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the performance I was going to get from the vegan brushes. But I can tell you that I like working with them as well as those made from animal hair and in some cases even better.
Here’s other good stuff about vegan brushes:
- safe for sensitive skin
- dye-free
- odor-free
- do not shed even after washing
- soft and gentle on the skin
- do not smell after washing
- considered to be hypoallergenic
- synthetic fibers do not harbor bacteria like fur brushes can
The handles of the brushes that I carry at my store come from managed wood reforestation programs in the US.
Think about making the switch from natural to synthetic which in this case is a good thing.
To your health and beauty!
-Sheila
