Makeup brushes can be made of natural or synthetic materials. Natural makeup brushes are made of animal hair, such as sable, squirrel, or goat, and tend to be more expensive than synthetic brushes. The hair on natural brushes contains cuticles that help lift and absorb powdery pigment and blend them seamlessly across the face, creating a natural, non-blotchy look. Natural makeup brushes are best used for applying powder-based makeup products such as eyeshadow, finishing and setting powders, and powder-based blushes and bronzers. Synthetic makeup brushes, on the other hand, are typically made of man-made materials like nylon, taklon, or polyester fibers. Synthetic brushes are often more affordable than natural brushes because they use easily accessible materials. They are unique in that the bristles naturally gravitate toward each other, allowing for a more precise, smooth, and streak-free application. Synthetic brushes are great for liquid products like foundations, cream blush, or gel eyeliner. The synthetic hairs are not as porous as natural hairs, so they don’t soak up too much makeup or get clumpy and gunky.