I prefer medium length with medium weight. I want it to feel balanced but slightly weighted toward the middle of the handle, so I have good control and stability. I like some glossiness/sheen (makes them easier to clean), and I tend to prefer pinched over open ferrules.
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My favourite is a long, tapered handle. Smith handles are some of my favourite, and second to that is the Sonia G. Pro and Sky series handles. Sadly I really can’t use a lot of Japanese-made brushes as they are too short for me to hold. I had to skip out on Sonia G.’s keyaki set for that very reason. :'(
Shorter handles for me! I have terrible eyesight and usually don’t bother wearing contacts, so it’s tough to do an eye look when your smacking the end of the brush into the mirror because you’re leaning in so close.
Shorter handles for me too, for the same reason!
I’m quite classic when it comes to brushes, I like standard aesthetics, shapes and sizes. I just prefer all my brushes to look and feel the same, preferably black handles and any metal to be silver or black.
I definitely prefer brushes with more weight, something than balances well in my hands, without being too heavy on my fingers. With lightweight brushes I feel like I’m not getting the best application and I tend to sometimes even drop them from my hand. But I like the weight to match the size of brush; I like a medium to slightly heavy face brush, but a medium somewhat still lightweight eye or highlighter brush.
I need my brushes to have a good grip (otherwise they fall out of my hands), without having texture (it’s a sensorial thing) or too much glossiness.
I also like regular / medium sized lengths. I feel like shorter handles don’t give the right stability. Longer handle brushes are just harder to store; it’s easier to make them work since you can adjust the pressure and stability by the point to hold the brush, but somehow too much length still bothers me.
Because I’m so short sighted (which will change after cataract surgery), I really like short handled brushes and I’ve even had hubs cut the ends off some brush handles that are too long and end up hitting the mirror when I use them. MAC’s short handled foundation brush (it’s a dual fibre kabuki style one – maybe the #130) and Shiseido’s stubby little foundation brush are probably 2 of my favourite face brushes. I really dislike what happens to the handles of the original Real Techniques brushes over time – they go sticky and tacky as the black rubbery stuff starts to degrade with time. The brushes are still perfect but the handles are kind of gross.
Average length works well enough, but short ones/travel size are even easier for me to use since I have to get very close to the mirror in order to apply my eye makeup. I’m very nearsighted, have astigmatism and a lazy eye that doesn’t focus very well in conjunction with the other eye. This keeps getting worse.
Long handles, I was thrilled the Rephr kickstarter gave me that option. I have long fingers so longer brushes just sit more comfortably in my hands!
I honestly couldn’t care less about the handles, so I’ve never given it any thought… For me, it’s about the actual bristles, and even then, it really just comes down to the product I use it with. I can have an absolute “favorite” brush, but that doesn’t mean I can use it with every product, which is why I have way more brushes that I care to count…
I don’t really pay much attention to the length and weight of the brushes – but I guess I prefer medium length in a variety of thickness – I like a mixture of fluffly brushes and thinner ones for applying pops of colour to my eyes.
Although I own a great many beautiful expensive brushes, I am not an expert on them at all. I just know that a medium weight and length with a smooth handle makes my job of applying my makeup a pleasure.
I must say I’ve never given it much thought. The only kind of brush I know I dislike are the very short ones, kabuki?
I think I like medium length, medium weight. Now I’ll probably start thinking about this, and not get any makeup on, as I have to test every brush I can find hidden away in boxes and drawers. š
Sonia Gās Sky series are my favourite handles. I like some length, balance, and prefer tapered over chunky. I am farsighted (my nearsight being the worst offender..) and use a double sided mirror and flip back and forth when doing my eyes.
I prefer medium to narrow (smaller) handle width and the length such as with Sonja G.’s and Wayne Goss’ brushes. I really enjoy my Marc Jacob brushes; however the width is my limit, as they seem slimmer.