Natural Fine Hair

Fine natural hairs represent a highly sought‑after and delicate category of natural materials, used mainly in cosmetics, professional fine‑art brushes, and high‑quality shaving brushes. They are complex materials to select: each type of hair must meet very specific requirements in terms of softness, elasticity, colour, ability to retain or NOT retain liquids, and behaviour during use.

In recent years, many of these natural materials have been progressively replaced by fine synthetic filaments, which offer greater availability, lower costs, and increasingly high performance. However, natural fine hairs remain irreplaceable in certain professional applications, where the feel, softness, and response of natural hair cannot be matched. Despite continuous progress in synthetic materials, to this day it has not been possible to artificially replicate the behaviour of some natural hairs, although research is steadily advancing to get closer to their original characteristics.

For this reason, it is essential to rely on experienced industry professionals, capable of selecting the correct materials and guiding manufacturers toward the most suitable choices for their production needs.

With increasing concerns about plastics causing environmental damage it’s another important factor to note that natural hair is 100% bio-degradable and sustainable 

Below is an overview of the main fine hairs traditionally used.

⭐ Badger Hair

Badger hair is one of the most prestigious materials used in shaving brushes. Common lengths include 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 90 mm.

Badger hair is classified into several quality grades (I, II, III, IV), including the Super grade, commercially known as “Silver”. Generally, the whiter the tip of the hair, the more valuable the material. However, caution is essential: sometimes the white tip is obtained through chemical bleaching, a process that makes the hair more fragile, causing the tips to break more easily compared to natural, untreated badger hair.

Badger hair is appreciated for:

• its ability to retain water and soap

• the softness of the tip

• the resilience of the shaft

• its capacity to produce a rich and uniform lather

For decades, it has been the reference material for professional shaving brushes. In recent years, its high cost has led many manufacturers to replace it with premium synthetic filaments, although no synthetic has managed to replicate the beauty of a natural badger hair shaving brush.

⭐ Goat Hair (Capra Hircus)

Origin: China; Scientific name: Capra Hircus

Goat hair is widely used in the cosmetics industry thanks to its softness and natural colour. It is available in white, black, brown, and grey shades, with lengths ranging from 44 mm to 70 mm and beyond.

Characteristics The fibre is cylindrical and wavy along its entire length, giving brushes a soft and even touch. It is available in several grades (SZF, HJF, BJF, DGF, SGF, Penbrush) and colours: natural black, brown or black dyed, white, and grey. This structure allows the creation of voluminous, gentle brushes that feel pleasant on the skin and provide smooth, diffused applications.

Use Goat hair is mainly used for high‑quality cosmetic brushes, including powder, blush, and highlighter brushes. It is also used for watercolour mops or mixed with pony hair for school‑grade watercolour brushes. White and grey varieties are often used in imitation badger mixtures.

Ideal for:

• Powder brushes

• Blush brushes

• Highlighter brushes

• Soft and diffused applications

Lengths available: 44 – 70 mm and longer (extended lengths are increasingly rare).

Price range:

• Chinese dressed: $6 – $265/kg depending on grade and length

• European dressed: variable according to processing and selection

Technical notes Thanks to its natural wave, goat hair offers an excellent balance between softness and resilience. It retains powders and pigments evenly, ensuring precise and controlled application. Higher grades (SZF, HJF) are used for professional make‑up and watercolour brushes, while more economical grades are suitable for school or technical mixtures.

⭐ Pony Hair (Horse‑Body Hair)

Scientific name: Equus Caballus

Origin: China

Pony hair is used in cosmetics and in the production of fine‑art brushes, including many school‑grade brushes. It is available in two main types: Chinese pony hair and European‑reprocessed pony hair, the latter offering a more accurate selection and higher consistency.

Characteristics The fibre is cylindrical and does not form a sharp point. It is soft yet strong, with a dull, matte appearance. Only the dark brown variety is used for artist brushes. Pony hair combines flexibility with firmness, making it suitable for even product application and smooth blending.

Use It is mainly employed for school‑grade watercolour brushes and lacquer touch‑up brushes, as well as for cosmetic brushes such as eyeshadow and blending brushes. Pony hair is often mixed with squirrel hair to reduce costs while maintaining softness and elasticity.

Lengths available: 25 – 54 mm and longer (some selections reach up to 60 mm).

Price range:

• Chinese dressed: $17 – $65/kg (depending on length)

• European dressed: around $155/kg

Appreciated for:

• Natural softness

• Good elasticity

• Uniform product application

Pony hair remains a versatile and reliable material for both artistic and cosmetic applications, valued for its balance between softness and strength.

⭐Squirrel Tail Hair (Sciurus Vulgaris)

⭐Weasel Tail Hair (Red Sable)

⭐Kolinsky Tail Hair (Sable Hair)

⭐ Raccoon Hair

Raccoon hair, commercially known as Raccoon, comes from the tail of the animal. It is mainly used in cosmetics, appreciated for its natural softness and its ability to blend powder products gently. Its structure allows the creation of soft cosmetic brushes with good elasticity, ideal for light and uniform applications.