When someone shops for the perfect mascara, they often focus more on the components. However, the brush itself can affect the mascara’s performance and the final shape of your lashes. 

A mascara brush applicator design can determine if the product helps with lengthening, curling, separating, or thickening your eyelashes. So, before you shop for a new one, here’s how mascara types of brushes affect the result.

Materials

There are two materials that are most commonly used for a mascara brush: a silicone mascara brush and a fiber one. They offer specific benefits and performs differently during application.

Silicone Brushes

A silicone mascara brush offers more precision, especially due to its flexibility. It helps reduce clumping, resulting in a clean, separated lash look. Waterproof formulas usually use silicone brushes as they help with smudge-resistance, perfect for long-wear. 

Fiber Brushes 

Fiber brushes usually come in a fuller, bigger shape. This allows the brush to carry more product, ensuring thicker, bolder lashes. It’s a brush for mascara promising impact and intensity.

Shapes

Besides the materials, the shape of the brush will also change how the mascara shows on the lashes. 

Straight Brushes

Straight brushes often provide precision during application. If you’re looking for a defined, neat lash look, a straight brush is the perfect option. It’s also very beginner-friendly. Straight brushes are also perfect for creating subtle, everyday makeup. 

Curved Brushes

If your brush for mascara is curved, it is usually designed to fit your eye curve better. This type of brush usually offers curling and lifting benefits to the lashes. The result would be a bolder effect that makes your eyes look wider. Compared to straight brushes, curved brushes often create a more expressive, voluminous look. 

Thin Brushes

A thin brush for mascara is the best when it comes to lengthening your lashes. They’re easy to use and won’t carry too much product. Besides lengthening, thin brushes also help with separating. Due to the thinner design, a thin brush can reach the inner and bottom lashes more easily. The result is a defined look that won’t make your lashes clump together. 

Hourglass-Shape

Hourglass-shaped mascara types of brushes can really get to the roots of your lashes. The bristles are dense, perfect for building volume. Therefore, you can get neat, fully coated lashes while avoiding clumps when aiming for a more expressive look. 

Comb Brush

As the brush is shaped like a comb, it can separate each lash when you apply the mascara. It’ll help you shed the extra product that makes your lashes clump together. There’s also a shorter comb brush for mascara that would be perfect for people with shorter lashes. 

Ball-Shape

Mascara with small brush shaped like a ball isn’t as popular as the other designs. However, they’re also offering a specific benefit that can be perfect for you. The ball-shaped brush can separate clumps easily, and is great at adding length. It can also add more definition to the roots. 

A mascara with small brush like this is often easier to control. The ball shape also makes it easier for you to avoid getting some unwanted mascara on your eyelids.