Gradually, we’ve found ourselves drawn to synthetic brushes. The quality is exponentially better than it used to be, they are super-easy to keep clean and non-whiffy, and there are never ANY reassurances needed about ‘animal-friendliness’.

This fine example – the 115 Double-Ended Flawless Face Brush – landed on our desks from Otis Batterbee, and there are so many reasons to love it. First, it’s two brushes in one (we always like a bit of space-saving). One end beautifully smooths foundation, bronzer, tinted moisturiser or blusher into skin, while the other is designed for powder. It’s not TOO thick and fluffy, allowing for quite precise application. (You honestly don’t want powder all over your face, or it’ll look too flat and matte. A judicious application to shiny bits – T-zone, chin, maybe a bit of your cheeks – tends to be best.)

Because the sleek, silver, double-ended brush is retractable, with lids on both ends, it won’t muck up your make-up bag, either (which is another problem with a lot of brushes.)

Meanwhile, Otis Batterbee IS a rather marvellous name – but you may still be wondering, exactly who is he? Well, here’s the gen: having studied at Central Saint Martin’s, he became an accessories designer for luxury brands, then founded his own company to launch all-vegan brushes and accessories. He did his research by purchasing around 200 different make-up brushes, figuring out their pros and cons, and based everything – from the weight of the brush to the density of bristles – on his findings.

Try this – and we know you’ll agree: all that research paid off…

£35 – buy here

Prize Draws