"If you have the budget, I definitely recommend going for a higher quality brush. A high-end brush lasts a lifetime if you take proper care of it,"  "Every penny you invest is worth the price."

"To put it simply, a good quality brush is really about the hair," Fei Xu, a licensed esthetician, "Natural hair should be your go-to choice over synthetic or other manufactured materials."

Although there are certainly exceptions, most budget brands use synthetic bristles in their brushes to keep costs low. These man-made fibers, usually nylon, taklon or polyester, have their pros and cons, but many industry professionals prefer natural fibers, including (from most to least expensive) kolinsky sable, squirrel, mink, weasel, goat, and pony hair. These are more pricey and more likely to be found in high-end brushes.

But Xu urged shoppers to focus primarily on bristle material and quality and not on flashy name brands and packaging.

"The dividing line for higher quality makeup brushes and lower quality makeup brushes is not necessarily about pricing or name brand," she said. "A name-brand brush is expensive based on many additional factors, including marketing, counter sales, and any brand endorsements. By paying attention to manufacturer guidelines in products, you’ll be able to find natural hair brushes [in places ranging] from high-end boutiques to your local drugstore."

However, those who prefer vegan and cruelty-free products can rest assured that no animals are harmed in the making of synthetic brushes, which are 100% man-made.