Today is the launch of the Synthetics Builder, I read your amazing reactions to this new brush that is bundled only with synthetic bristles and I thank you so so much for such a warm and lovely welcome!!!
I felt it made sense to begin the Synthetics Series with a brush that could easily fit into any makeup routine, even for those who prefer to keep their brush collection minimal. This is a brush designed for everyday use: effortless, intuitive, and easy to reach for.
I did the test and used this brush everyday in my make-up routine for many months before I approved it. I did my best to work with as many shadows as I could. In the end, this was the brush I reached for the most and I missed it when I didn’t. It worked beautifully with the shadows I already loved, while also making it easier to work with formulas I often avoided because they typically required more time or effort.
It was a long process, but it was important to create a synthetic brush that would earn a place in our daily routine while being different from the brushes already in our collection. I hope that this is a new design for you and I hope you will love it.
THE SYNTHETICS BUILDER
So, this brush is bundled with 100% synthetic bristles and the first reaction may be that synthetic bristles = creams and liquids – and we may not think about using it for powders. I thought that it would be interesting to talk a little more in detail about the purpose and the functionality of this Builder, before its release on Beautylish.
This Synthetics Builder is the very first brush in this series, and although this brush can absolutely be used with creams and liquids, I would like to emphasize that this shape and these bristles were primarily thought for the use of powders and hybrid, or gel-powder formulas.
This Builder is approximately 11mm wide at the base of the bristles, and these are 12mm long, it’s compact and dense, the bristles have movement but just so they can wiggle and fix the placement.
These synthetic bristles were developed and treated to have the ability to handle powders. They can also handle creams, however, the shape of the brush is directional so it is going to target a small area. If you are aiming to work on a large area, I think that it would be better to go for a fluffier and larger brush.
| A short note about synthetic vs natural bristles for cream and liquid shadows |
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Make-up brushes need to be washed more frequently when they are used with cream and liquid shadows, and these formulas are going to be more aggressive to natural bristles as they will be absorbed more deeply. Using synthetic brushes when we frequently use these formulas is a good thing as it helps preserve our natural brushes. When natural bristles endure less friction and less washing then it extends their life span. As a general rule, using synthetic brushes for creams and liquids, and natural brushes for powders is a very good thing. However, some natural bristles are naturally more resilient and can be used more frequently with creams. There are also mixes of natural and synthetic fibers that are designed to be more enduring across all formulas. |
How I use this Synthetics Builder
You can use this Synthetics Builder however you want and I really hope you will love it as much as I do! I wanted to share just some examples of how I use it maybe it will give you some ideas.
I love to use it with powder and hybrid shadows to build color onto the mobile lid, to target the center of the lid, or the outer v, but I also use it to apply a shadow along the lashline.
Because its tip is dense and fluid, I use it to even out or smudge a pencil application.
When working with an eyeshadow palette that has different shadow formulas (matte, shimmers, hybrids) I don’t need to reach for a different brush, if I want to take just one brush with me, this is the one I am bringing. I am also bringing the Microfiber Cleaning Cloth because this allows me to wipe off the excess that is left on the bristles and carry on.
I also use it with cream shadows since I use cream shadow sticks almost daily and this brush allows me to perfect their placement. Sometimes I use them as a base for a powder shadow and I use this same brush for everything.
I also use this brush on the lips for a very specific situation: I do not like dark lipsticks on me at all, however, I absolutely love to use a dark lipstick and apply it as a lip stain. I will use this brush for that – you can also use the fingertips tbh, I just feel that with the brush, the stain is more long lasting and I can more precisely target where I want a darker outline of the lip stain.
As a one-and-done brush
As a one-and-done brush, it has performed extremely well for me, and most of the time it is all I needed. That said, because I love brushes and love playing with shadows, I will naturally reach for an additional brush for the crease and another for more precise work along the lash line – when I have the time. When I don’t, I just use this brush and I am done and happy.
For crease work
The brush is very dense and tapers, so it’s going to be strong and precise with the placement so for crease work, it depends on what you are going for. If you are aiming for just some depth in the crease, then it’s better to pick a shade that is not much darker than your skin tone. The good thing is that you can sculpt exactly where you need, extend and shape the placement. I use it with a crease shade that is just slightly darker than my skin, just to add some depth and shape.
With liquids and creams
There are so many different type of formulas when it comes to liquids and creams and so many ways to apply them. So I wanted to share some examples and what to expect.
I just really want to mention again that this brush is dense and it tapers, if you want precision with the placement then it’s great! But, if you are expecting the brush to have lots of movement in the bristles, or to cover a large area easily, this one may not be the one.
I use it with creams, but in certain situations. For example:
When working with a dark cream shadow stick, I directly apply the stick on the outer v and then use this brush to even out the placement and perfect the edges of the application. If I apply it on the mobile lid I will use the brush to nicely even out the application, it depends on the stick because some don’t even need a brush, but if you want the transition to look more neat and blended, then it’s great.
When working with a liquid shadow, I pick up some product with the brush and place it precisely where I want it, or place a little dot on the mobile lid and blend it with the brush, however, I will not use this brush to apply it on a large area. Some liquid shadows are ok but I think this brush is tricky with them as we tend to over apply and then the excess product has to go somewhere, it cannot go inside the bristles as this is not a fluffy brush so the application may appear uneven.
Think about this brush more as a stamping brush and use short strokes and wiggle the bristles, rather than swipe all over the eye area. I hope this makes sense.
If you want to use it with concealer, you have to keep in mind the density and firmness of the brush. If you are aiming for precision it’s ok, but if you are targeting a larger area, it will not be ideal, this is not a blending brush.
If you want to use it with color corrector, if you target specific dark lines or spots, then it will be a good brush, but again, it’s not because it’s synthetic that it will be the right brush for all cream and liquid purposes.
For more information on this brush, on the handle and the technical specification, please kindly read the previous post linked here.
This Synthetics Builder is launching today, the 30th of July 2026, at 10 AM PT on Beautylish and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out in the comment section below!!
We all read your comments and we are so grateful to still be here today, so thank you again for all your love and support, it is very sincerely appreciated!
7 comments
Thank you, Sonia for all the ideas the Synthetic Builder maybe used. I used to think about cream products being more of the once that pros use: makeup by Mario for example, Bobbi Brown. But you convinced me to try some cream eyeshadow sticks. After you announced the eye fusion series being discontinued I got the set but was not able to use it yet. I will probably try a couple cream products with it from Lisa Eldridge or any other idea what products it may be used it?
I understand your vision of how the Synthetic Builder maybe used is primarily with powder/hybrid products but I want to explore it with any type of eyeshadow I have available. Thank you again for the beautiful fude ❤️
Hi Svetlana, first of all, it’s important to explore the brushes with all the products!! this is really key for so many reasons! It’s not only fun, but it’s how we find the better pairings.
The opacity we aim to achieve, the area we want to target, the fact that some have a light or a heavy hand, all of this matters and is going to influence how a brush works for someone, or doesn’t for someone else.
As a person who loves to use natural bristles with powders, this was my first objective, to be able to easily use a brush, bundled only with synthetic bristles, with powder products, but at the same time, the more a brush can be used with any product, the better!!! Some of us automatically use synthetic bristles ONLY with creams and liquids because it’s what we hear it’s best most of time, after reading some comments, I was afraid that this Builder would only be used with creams (and then there would be some people disappointed because it’s not a fluffy/wider brush).
The Fusion series can be used with any product, the synthetic bristles are there to support the natural and prevent as much breakage (versus only natural), and also help them glide better when blending. I use them with different products, powders and creams and I don’t mind using more pressure as they are technically more resilient.
With regards to the cream sticks, in Japan, because of the extreme heat and extreme sweat, it’s nearly impossible to have something last on my lids the whole day and fade in a way that doesn’t look scary. The Bobbi sticks (the dual ended ones) were amazing, they do last all day so I wear the light shimmery shade on the mobile lid (I apply directly from the stick), combined with V. Beckham pencil and I use the Builder to perfect the application and add another powdery shimmery shade on the lid. Then in the evening I add the darker shade of the skick on the outer v and along the lashline. It is sweat proof! Thank you so much for stopping by!! I have an email for you as well, coming in 5 minutes!! BIG BIG HUG!!!
Sonia, thank you for your response! I will try all my fusion brushes with powder products to have an experiment. And who knows where it leads me! They definitely feel more firm and I see what you mean by saying they are more resilient that way. I really don’t use cream eye products as much. And when I say cream I really mean cream like those makeup artists use. I am used to only use pencils for creating a cat eye. Not like a base as you are suggesting. Thank you for inspiration! Sending all my love ️❤️
This is unrelated – but still related =) – but would you have an update on the Makie-e brush restock soon?
I’ve been waiting ever since I missed out with the initial launch and I cannot miss it this time!
I’ve just received this brush today and it’s sooo wonderful to behold! I admit I am a lover of natural bristles but when I saw that golden handle and red lettering, I had to have it! You have such a beautiful eye for design and craftsmanship. The brush is so wonderful and strong. It’s quite a unique shape, the thickness and density make it very impactful. I’ve tried it so far to apply cream and liquid eyeshadows and the results have been great! Really looking forward to playing around with it more. And hoping to see more brushes with this handle design, it’s so so beautiful!
Hi Sonia. First, thank you for the relaunch of the macki-e brushes. Second, speaking about the synthetic brushes, will you be bringing back this one or even better a set? Thank you.
Hello Georgette, yes it will be back, it’s in production at the moment, finally!!! Hopefully a set also but in a later release, unfortunately it takes time but I think it’s worth waiting. Thank you so much!!