More than 90% of makeup brushes are made of synthetic bristles, but there are various synthetic fibers with different performance for different makeup applications. So during communication with makeup brush manufacturers, customers’ should clarify the exact synthetic fiber type they need, so that the makeup brush factory can produce makeup brushes accordingly.
This article introduces the mainstream synthetic bristles of makeup brushes on the market and their performance comparisons, covering material characteristics, process differences and applications.
►Mainstream synthetic hair types and characteristics
1. Nylon
Material structureMonofilament/composite filament (multiple strands of filaments twisted together)
Cross-sectional shape: round (basic), trilobal (to improve powder grip)
Performance parameters
Denier: 3D (ultra-fine soft hair) ~ 15D (highly elastic hard hair)
Elastic recovery rate: ≥85% (better than polyester)
Representative technology
Japanese Taklon® (Toray patented rounding process, hair tip roundness error <5μm)
German Koltolon® (low-temperature plasma treatment, reducing electrostatic adsorption)
Applications
Foundation brush (high-density 15D hard hair)
Eyeliner brush (3D ultra-fine tip)
2. PET/PBT
Material variantsOrdinary PET: Lowest cost, easy to generate static electricity
Modified PBT: Improve heat resistance through copolymerization (softening point 220℃)
Ultra-fine PET: 0.05-0.1 denier (imitation of animal hair touch)
Core technology
Tip rounding: laser cutting + ceramic wheel polishing (reduce skin irritation)
Gradient hair transplantation: thick hair root (10D) → fine hair tip (3D) to achieve layered powder grabbing
Applications
Loose powder brush (fluffy PBT hair)
Blush brush (gradient PET hair)
3. Bionic synthetic hair
Bio-based materialsPlant protein fiber (soybean/corn extracted, biodegradability ≥ 60%)
Alginate fiber (antibacterial rate＞99%, suitable for sensitive skin)
Structural bionics
Goat hair imitation: hollow microporous structure (30% increase in thermal insulation)
Sable hair imitation: scaly surface treatment (powder holding capacity close to 90% of natural hair)
Applications
High-end powder brush (imitation sable hair)
Children's makeup brush (antibacterial seaweed fiber)
4. Functional modified fiber
AntistaticCarbon nanotube coating (surface resistance <10⁶Ω)
Ionic liquid modification (lasting antistatic >6 months)
Antibacterial
Nanosilver embedded fiber (antibacterial rate >99.9%, meet AATCC 100 standard)
►Key performance comparison
| Index | Nylon | PET | PBT | Bionic synthetic hair |
| Softness | ★★☆ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Powder holding | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Antistatic | ★★☆ | ★☆ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★☆ |
| Environmental protection | ★☆ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cost（USD/g） | $0.1～0.16 | $0.04～0.08 | $0.13～0.2 | $0.33～0.66 |
►Process innovation
Special-shaped cross-section technologyStar-shaped cross-section: 30% increase in surface area (improves the ductility of liquid products)
Grooved fibers: longitudinal micro-grooves store powder (reduces flying powder by 50%)
Tip treatment solution
Ultra-fine grinding: nano-aluminum oxide polishing (skin contact angle <15°, suitable for sensitive skin)
Segmented taper: 0.3mm→0.05mm three-level gradient (precise eyeliner drawing)
Compound hair transplantation process
Nylon + PET mixed transplantation: hard hair support + soft hair touch skin (patented foundation brush design)
Magnetic hair transplantation: replaceable brush head (Sigma magnetic suction system)
►Selection suggestions
Professional makeup brushesRecommended materials: high-density nylon (15D) + imitation sable composite hair transplantation
Process requirements: 0.1mm precision laser cutting, hair density > 200 strands/cm²
Daily portable brushes
Recommended materials: antistatic PBT (7D) + antibacterial coating
Process requirements: hollow tubular structure reduces weight by 30%
Environmentally friendly concept brushes
Recommended materials: corn protein fiber + water-based UV curing coating
Process requirements: low-temperature injection molding to avoid decomposition of biomaterials
►Trends
Intelligent materialsConductive fiber bristles (detecting the amount of powder taken by resistance change)
Shape memory alloy wire (automatically restores the brush shape)
Microecological adaptation
PH responsive fiber (adjusts the powder release speed according to the PH of the skin)
Probiotic coating (maintains the balance of bacteria on the surface of the bristles)
Zero-waste production
3D woven seamless brush head (reduces the use of hair-planting glue)
Recycled hair material regeneration technology (Shiseido has achieved a 30% recycled hair ratio)
►FAQ
Q：Can synthetic hair completely replace animal hair?A：In terms of powder holding power and skin affinity, top-grade bionic hair (such as Japanese kuromori imitation gray squirrel hair) is close to 90% of the performance of natural hair, but the cost is 2-3 times that of natural hair.
Q：How to choose bristles for sensitive skin?
A：1st choice is Ultra-fine rounded PET (denier ≤ 3D) or alginate fiber ,avoid using untreated coarse nylon hair (contact angle ＞45° is easy to irritate).
Q：How to extend the life of synthetic hair?
A：Suggestions: ① Choose PBT material (excellent heat resistance); ② Use neutral detergent; ③ Put a net on brush head when drying in the shade to prevent hair from frying.
Through the combination of material science and precision manufacturing technology, modern synthetic hair has broken through the traditional performance limitations. Brands should choose differentiated solutions based on product positioning (professional/mass/environmental protection), while paying attention to the EU (EU) 2023 new regulations on plasticizer restrictions in synthetic fibers.
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