The liner is as long and lightweight as an old-fashioned No. 2 pencil—and feels like one, too, with its unfinished wooden handle (which is made from one full piece of Chinese ash wood rather than compressed wood chips). The angled, synthetic bristles are meant to mimic sable hair and are incredibly short and stubby—the longest fibers measuring just under half a centimeter.
True story: We've sworn allegiance to the same angled liner brush for the past seven years. In all that time, it seemed no company could launch one as good or as gentle as our long-standing favorite. Until Smith Cosmetics came along (and in fact, it took the brand a full year after it was founded to create a liner brush it deemed worthy). The angled bristles are tightly packed, so they make precise lines, but they're not cut so sharply that they're painful and poke you in the eye (ouch!). And because the bristles are shorter than those of most angled liner brushes, you get more control when drawing dramatic wings or short flicks. If you don't like using angled brushes to apply gel or cream liners, this brush won't magically convince you otherwise, but for those who do, you'll find it easy to use and comfortable to hold. But just remember, no matter how good a brush is, if you don't wash it, it won't work as well—and the same goes for this one.