What are the parts of a makeup brush?
A makeup brush has three main parts: the bristle head (the working end), the ferrule that holds the head and joins it to the handle, and the handle. On PRETTY drawings the head is described by bristle width and exposed bristle length, and the complete brush by its overall dimension. Each part has its own stage and checks in PRETTY’s 28-step production process.
| Part | What it does | On a PRETTY drawing | Production stage and checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristle head | The working end that picks up and places product. | Bristle width and exposed bristle length; an angled head lists two edge lengths, such as 6 / 5 mm on BH32. | Material preparation (steps 1–4) and head shaping (5–8), with incoming bristle inspection (1) and bristle-profile inspection (8). |
| Ferrule | Holds the bristle head and joins it to the handle. | Not recorded as a separate dimension. Ferrule material and finish are confirmed per project. | Ferrule fitting and bonding (9–15): ferrule fitting, dimensional check (10), ferrule pressing (12), in-process inspection (13) and adhesive application (14). |
| Handle | The grip; it carries the handle colour, finish and often the logo. | Included in the overall dimension. The BH series has white handles and the BK series black handles. Handle material is confirmed per project. | Handle assembly (21–24), ending with a handle pull check after drying (24). |
| Complete brush | The finished tool as your customer receives it. | Overall dimension, end to end, when the drawing supplies it—115 to 180 mm across the 67 numbered designs. | Head finishing and protection (16–20, finishing inspection at 19); final review, packing and dispatch (25–28) with full inspection (25) and sampling inspection (26). |
Bristle head: the part that touches the skin.
The head decides how product is picked up and released. Its shape, fibre, density and exposed length work together, so a change to one changes the feel. All 67 numbered PRETTY designs list synthetic bristles; the fibre specification and density for your brush are confirmed per project.
Compare synthetic-bristle heads by brush type. Synthetic makeup brushes: 67 designs →
Ferrule: where the head is fitted and bonded.
In PRETTY’s production sequence the ferrule stage covers steps 9–15: ferrule fitting, a dimensional check, ferrule pressing, an in-process inspection and adhesive application. Ferrule material and finish are confirmed per project.
Follow each stage from incoming bristles to dispatch. See the 28 production steps →
Handle: grip, colour and branding.
Handles are assembled in steps 21–24, and the brush receives a handle pull check after drying. Product pages invite you to discuss handle colour and finish and logo position. Handle material options are confirmed per project.
Plan the visible details of your brush. Handle, logo and packaging development →
Measure the parts separately.
Bristle width and exposed bristle length describe the head; the overall dimension is the complete brush from end to end. BK09, for example, is recorded as 22 mm wide with 30 mm exposed bristles and 180 mm overall. A blank overall value means the drawing does not supply it—request the measurement on the sample rather than estimating it.
Read width, exposed length and overall together. How to read makeup brush dimensions →
A dual-ended brush has two heads.
On BH32 the angled eyebrow end is 4.5 mm wide with 6 / 5 mm edges, and the spoolie is noted at 21 mm long and 7.5 mm wide. The 130 mm overall dimension belongs to the whole tool. Review each head separately.
Plan both working ends and the grip between them. Designing a dual-ended makeup brush →
Use the part names in your brief.
Name the part you want to change—head shape, fibre density, handle colour or finish, logo position—and keep the approved drawing and sample together. Typical minimums are 2,000 pieces per design or 1,000 sets; development samples are charged and credited on a production order.
Turn the part names into a first enquiry. How to prepare your custom brush brief →
Technical references & scope
Sources & scope
The PRETTY records below support the product references in this guide. They are not independent certification, capacity verification or order-specific test results.
Plan your next step
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell us which brushes you want to develop, how they will be used and what you would like to customise. Add the points from this guide to your enquiry so we can review the specification and sample requirements with you.
Tell PRETTY which part you want to change—head, ferrule finish or handle—and the numbered design you are starting from. We confirm materials and measurements on the sample.
Specify your brush parts with PRETTY →Compare numbered brush designsApply this to your product brief.
BK09 shows how a long paddle foundation brush is recorded; BH32 shows two working heads on one handle. Use them to see how head and overall dimensions are listed.
BK09 · Paddle foundation brush
22 mm head width · 30 mm exposed bristles
Overall: 180 mm
Use BK09 in this brief →
BH32 · Dual-ended eyebrow and spoolie
4.5 mm head width · 6 / 5 mm exposed bristles
Overall: 130 mm
Use BH32 in this brief →