Cosmetic Brushes

It can be a challenge when you’re trying to switch out some of your tried-and-true cosmetics for cruelty-free alternatives – I remember well!  Finding new products that didn’t stress out my face was hardly an overnight success; I did a lot of searching, a lot of trying new things, and definitely some breaking out (!) before settling into my new staples.  And, while I was trying out all the new powders, tinted moisturizers, concealers, and lipsticks, I knew I also needed to seek out some new makeup brushes.  One of the earliest makeup lessons I got while growing up was about how important it is to have good brushes in the makeup toolbox.  Good brushes translate into a smooth, blended finish… we want our faces to look more Monet than Van Gogh.

For years, I’d been using brushes by MAC cosmetics; and some of them are, indeed cruelty-free – they have all-synthetic bristles.  But often cosmetic brushes are made with animal hair (goat, squirrel, sable, pony, badger) … these, we do not want sitting on the counter along with all our cruelty-free favorites.  On the MAC web site, you can look up individual brushes and see exactly which are all-synthetic, which are “natural” (animal hair), and which are a blend of both.  For other cosmetic lines, this information is usually available online, at the cosmetics counter… or you can call the customer care hotline.  Just be sure to be specific when asking about a brush or brushes, rather than asking a general question about what a company uses for its bristles.  As is the case with MAC, the answer may differ from brush to brush.  Also, beware of the eco-friendly products that aren’t necessarily 100% cruelty-free.  Early on, I had a rude awakening when I purchased a pressed-powder compact that was “eco-friendly”: instead of a puff, the compact came with a little brush – and the bristles were not synthetic.  Oops!

So my great find in the area of cruelty-free brushes: EcoTools.  These are inexpensive cosmetic brushes that are available at most Walgreens, Wal-Mart stores, and online at Drugstore.com.  The brushes are made from natural and recycled materials: the soft bristles are made of taklon, the handles are made of bamboo and recycled aluminum, and each brush comes in a re-usable recycled plastic case (I use them to pack up the brushes and keep them clean whenever I’m traveling).  Bonus:  taklon, a synthetic fiber, doesn’t have any allergen elements – ideal for those of us with allergies and sensitive skin!

In addition to individual brushes for purchase, EcoTools makes a 6-piece and a 5-piece gift set – Santa gave one to my mom in her stocking last year!  Also handy for those of you who keep makeup in your handbag for a midday touch-up, the recycled aluminum retractable Kabuki brush.

Actress and Kind-Lifer Alicia Silverstone recently paired up with EcoTools to offer her own line of cruelty-free/eco-friendly brushes and bags.  They feature the same great quality of the EcoTools originals, wrapped up in a signature pretty-flowers packaging.  The 5-Piece Brush Set & Case would make a nice gift.  And, although it doesn’t come with brushes, the Train Case made of hemp material is going to be on my own Christmas list this December!

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