China Beauty Products Buying Guide (1): All About Makeup Brushes

China holds an absolute dominant position in the global makeup brush industry, with annual output accounting for over 70% of the world's total. Luyi (Henan Province) and Cangzhou (Hebei Province) are the two core production areas. Luyi produces 150 million sets of makeup brushes annually, contributing 90% of China's total exports, and its output of animal hair and artificial fiber hair accounts for 95% and 85% of the global market share respectively. Cangzhou not only dominates half of the domestic market but also supplies a large number of products to the international high-end market. Chinese enterprises OEM for over 80% of international renowned beauty brands, covering full-range brands from high-end to mass-market such as DIOR, L’ORÉAL, ESTÉE LAUDER and MAC.​

Notably, China boasts a complete industrial chain from wool processing (such as tail hair treatment in Luyi), brush handle production (birch wood, aluminum tubes, etc.) to finished product assembly. Supporting industries cover wire drawing, mouth tubes, packaging and other links, enabling efficient logistics of "production and delivery on the same day". This vertical integration capability has significantly reduced production costs and built an irreplaceable industrial advantage. Currently, the industry is transforming from simple OEM to "R&D + brand" mode, with 63 independent brands emerging and performing well in e-commerce channels. It is also actively responding to trade barriers and environmental protection requirements, steadily moving towards a global beauty innovation center.​

I. Product Type Introduction: Makeup Brushes

• Base makeup category: Such as foundation brushes (with a large flat brush head for evenly spreading liquid foundation), loose powder brushes (large and fluffy round brush heads for setting makeup and controlling oil), and concealer brushes (small flat or round heads for precisely covering blemishes).
• Eye makeup category: For example, eyeshadow brushes (including large-sized color-setting brushes, medium-sized blending brushes, and small-sized detail brushes, suitable for areas like the eye socket and outer corner of the eye), eyeliner brushes (with extremely thin and pointed brush heads for dipping eyeliner cream to outline lines), and eyebrow brushes (angled or flat brush heads for grooming eyebrows and blending eyebrow powder).
• Face makeup category: Such as blush brushes (medium-sized round or angled brush heads that fit the cheekbones for blending), highlighter brushes (fan-shaped or flame-shaped brush heads for precisely highlighting the bridge of the nose and cheekbones), and contour brushes (flat angled brush heads for shaping facial contours).
• Special-purpose category: Like lip brushes (small flat brush heads for precisely applying lipstick) and beauty sponge companion brushes (assisting in cleaning beauty sponges), etc.

II. Core Composition and Materials of Makeup Brushes

A. Core Composition: A Precise Combination from Brush Head to Handle

• Brush Head: Composed of brush hairs and a metal tube (the part that fixes the hairs, also known as the "ferrule"), it is the core that determines the makeup application effect. The material, length, density, and cut shape (such as round, flat, angled, etc.) of the brush hairs must match different makeup needs (e.g., foundation, eyeshadow, blush).
• Handle: Responsible for the gripping function, its materials are mostly wood (such as birch, beech, etc., with good texture), plastic (lightweight and low-cost), or metal (high-end models, durable but heavy). The surface is usually painted, printed, or carved to balance aesthetics and anti-slip properties.
• Brush Rod: The part connecting the brush head and the handle, which must ensure stability to prevent falling off during use. OEM products will mark the brand logo or model here.

B. Materials: Key Choices for Brush Hairs and Handles

1. Brush Hair Materials (Directly Affecting Makeup Application Effect)
   • Animal Hairs: Traditional high-end materials, soft with strong powder-gripping power, suitable for powder cosmetics (e.g., eyeshadow, blush). Common types include:
     • Wool (most commonly used, divided into coarse top, fine top, etc.; fine top has a delicate texture, suitable for sensitive skin);
     • Horsehair (medium hardness, suitable for eyebrow brushes and eyeliner brushes, with good support);
     • Goat hair (softer than ordinary wool, often used in high-end eyeshadow brushes);
     • Squirrel hair and marten hair (top-grade materials, soft and smooth, with even powder gripping, but they are expensive. Due to animal protection controversies, they are gradually being replaced by artificial fibers).
   • Artificial Fiber Hairs: Mainstream materials in recent years, mostly nylon, polyester, etc., with the following advantages:
     • Non-irritating to the skin, suitable for sensitive skin;
     • Good hydrophilicity, suitable for liquid/paste cosmetics (e.g., foundation, concealer);
     • Easy to clean, durable, free from animal protection controversies, and lower in cost than animal hairs;
     • After technological upgrades, some high-end artificial fibers (such as "bionic hairs") can achieve softness and powder-gripping power close to those of animal hairs.
2. Handle Materials
   • Wood: Good texture and eco-friendly, but high in cost and requires waterproof treatment to avoid moisture;
   • Plastic: Lightweight, low-cost, with diverse colors and shapes, suitable for mass-market brands;
   • Metal: Mostly aluminum alloy or stainless steel, durable and high-end, often used in luxury brands, but heavy, which may cause hand fatigue with long-term use.

III. Craftsmanship: Differences Between Handmade and Mechanized Production

• Handmade Production: As the core craftsmanship for high-end makeup brushes, it features more uniform arrangement of brush hairs and finer cutting. In particular, the connection between the brush head and handle (such as the "hand-tied hair" technique) is more secure, providing a more comfortable touch during makeup application. However, it has low production efficiency and high costs, making it suitable for niche high-end brands or custom-made products.

• Mechanized Production: As the mainstream production method, it completes processes such as brush hair cutting, hair planting, and handle assembly through machines. It boasts high efficiency and low costs, making it suitable for mass-market brands and bulk OEM orders. In recent years, with the upgrading of automation technology, the precision of some mechanized products has approached that of handmade ones.

• Special Craftsmanship: Techniques such as "antibacterial treatment" (applied to brush hairs to reduce bacterial growth), "waterproof coating" (to protect handles from moisture), and "gradient dyeing" (gradient color design on brush hairs or handles to enhance aesthetics) are mostly used in mid-to-high-end products.

IV. Industrial Clusters: Where to Find Makeup Brushes in China

• Luyi County, Henan：Hailed as the "City of Chinese Makeup Brushes," it produces 150 million sets annually, accounting for over 90% of China’s total exports. As a global hub for raw materials, it supplies 95% of the world’s animal hair and 85% of artificial fiber hair for makeup brushes. Originating in Zhangdian Town, Luyi has developed a complete industrial cluster integrating R&D, production, and sales, with over 100 enterprises (including 163 large-scale ones). Its products are exported to more than 40 countries and regions, including Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, with OEM factories serving international brands like L’Oréal, Chanel, and Estée Lauder.
  
  
• Qingxian County, Cangzhou, Hebei：Named "Hometown of Chinese Makeup Brushes" by the China Light Industry Federation and designated as a "Hebei Provincial Foreign Trade Transformation Demonstration Base for Beauty Tools," its industry dates back to 1988. Benefiting from nearby wool markets, it once hosted over 40 Japanese and South Korean-owned makeup brush factories. As foreign enterprises later withdrew due to rising operational costs and fierce market competition, local skilled workers established domestic companies, driving rapid growth. Focusing on handmade customization, Qingxian employs 16,000 craftsmen, continuing to OEM for brands like Lancôme and MAC while fostering numerous independent labels. It now holds over 50% of the domestic market and supplies over 80% of the world’s high-end makeup brushes. With hundreds of registered enterprises, it offers one-stop services from training to supply chain via the "China Qingxian Beauty Culture Industrial Park."
  
  
• Foshan, Guangdong：A rising star, Foshan leverages Guangdong’s strong machinery manufacturing and R&D capabilities to specialize in producing professional makeup brush manufacturing equipment. While its makeup brushes are cost-effective and mass-produced (with output volumes ranking high), their craftsmanship precision lags slightly behind Qingxian’s handmade products.

V. Domestic Major Manufacturers (Leading Enterprises)

The structure of China’s makeup brush market is characterized by "a small number of leading enterprises and a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises". Most companies are concentrated in inland provinces and have relatively weak foreign trade export capabilities, so their products are mostly exported through trading companies. Below is an introduction to some makeup brush manufacturing factories:

• Qingxian Xingyuan Brush Making Factory
• Founded in 2006, the company has obtained dual certifications of ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System). In addition to its core brush-making operations, it owns affiliated factories specializing in cosmetic brush ferrules and wooden handles, achieving vertical integration from key components to finished products. With OEM and ODM as its key development directions, the company has built a diversified marketing network and successfully established "Energy" as a leading professional cosmetic brush brand in China. For years, it has been producing OEM cosmetic brushes for renowned Korean brands such as Skinfood, HERA, IOPE, and PICCASSO, earning wide recognition from industry professionals for its superior quality.

• Already Di Ielts Cosmetic Appliance Co., Ltd. 
• Use Top Quality Raw Materials: Brush Hair, Ferrules & Handles, Qualtity Workship To Produce, All The Brushes Bristles Produced Ourselves, We Also Supply Bristles To Many Makeup Brushes Manufacturers In China,We Produce Goat Hair,Pony Hair,100% Cruelty Free Hair, Nylon Hair Etc.Your Individual Design Can Be Realized By Us. From Makeup Brush Shape Design To Packing, We Have A Skilled Team Offer Familiar OEM/ODM Service From Design To Packing.Our Factory With More Than 10000 Square Meters Areas And Over 500 Skilled Brushes Workers. Our Clients Comes From 100 Different Countries, Makeup Brushes Are Mainly Sold To American&European And Southeast Asia Market Etc. We Are Well Checked By SGS, ISO9001, BSCl Certification.

• AMORTALS 尔木萄
• The company was founded in 2014, focusing mainly on the domestic market in China. In June 2023, the brand ranked first in China in terms of monthly sales.

In addition, a large number of makeup brush manufacturers are clustered in Luyi and Qingxian. These enterprises mainly focus on undertaking OEM and ODM orders within the industry. Located in China’s inland regions, they have limited promotion efforts and thus low online visibility. However, a great many such manufacturers can still be found by searching for the keyword "makeup brush manufacturing" on map services.

VI. Relevant Certification Requirements

European Union: ROHS certification and REACH certification are required. ROHS certification mainly restricts the content of harmful substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury in products. REACH certification involves the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals, aiming to protect human health and environmental safety.

United States: California requires products to have CA65 certification. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of California publishes a list of toxic chemicals. If a product contains substances on the list, it must comply with relevant regulations and be labeled accordingly; otherwise, it cannot be sold in California.

Russia: Products must comply with the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Meanwhile, the Russian labels on the packaging must be complete and clear, and the HS code classification must be accurate.

Germany and some EU countries: Dermatest certification can be applied for, which is a globally authoritative skin safety certification. According to the usage scenarios and product characteristics of makeup brushes, there are different types such as Dermatest Guarantee Seal of Approval, Dermatest Sensitive Skin Seal, and Dermatest 5-Star Seal. It mainly evaluates the skin irritation of products through patch tests, etc. Makeup brushes suitable for people with sensitive skin usually need to pass stricter tests.

Malaysia: According to Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 (CPA), although there is no mandatory certification, it is recommended to refer to EU or US standards. Products must meet necessary safety standards, clearly indicate the specific quantity of makeup brushes (vague descriptions are prohibited), and submit ingredient lists, production flowcharts, etc. to certification bodies for review and testing.

VII. Precautions for Purchasing: Making an Informed Decision

• Start with samples: Before placing a large order, it’s highly recommended to order samples. This allows you to assess quality in terms of craftsmanship (e.g., bristle durability, precision of cuts), material texture (softness of animal hair or synthetic fibers), and performance (powder-gripping ability, smoothness during application).
• Evaluate supplier production capacity: A supplier’s production capacity is a key indicator of their ability to meet your needs, especially for large orders. Inquire about their daily/monthly output and delivery timelines. Established high-volume manufacturers are more likely to handle bulk orders efficiently, with stricter control over process stability.
• Consider after-sales support: A reliable supplier should offer after-sales assistance, such as return/exchange services for issues like loose brush heads or cracked handles during shipping, or rework solutions for bulk products that don’t meet quality standards.
• Calculate total costs: Remember to account for all costs beyond the unit price. This includes shipping fees (note that makeup brushes are lightweight but bulky, so dimensional weight may apply), import duties, customs clearance fees, local taxes, and potential costs for customization (e.g., logo printing, special packaging) or warranty services.
• Conduct due diligence: Use tools like Alibaba’s "Audited Supplier" badge or third-party inspection services (e.g., SGS) to verify the supplier’s qualifications and factory conditions. You can also hire professional agencies (such as IMEXsourcing) to research their business status, including financial health, actual production capacity, past order fulfillment records, and any legal disputes, to minimize collaboration risks.

VIII. Choose IMEXsourcing as Your Sourcing Partner for Makeup Brushes in China

• Extensive Procurement Expertise

• Bespoke Design Solutions

• Thorough Supplier Verification

• Expert Price Negotiation

• Stringent Quality Assurance

IX. Conclusion