I have been using animal hair brushes for almost 10 years but recently switched to cruelty free, and am glad to have found UD's Good Karma brushes. Before my professional animal hair brushes I had been using cheap, nasty supermarket make up brushes so I just assumed all synthetic brushes were the same. They definitely aren't.
My Good Karma brushes have stayed soft far longer than my animal hair brushes would have, and feel like silk on your skin. The only problem I found was the bristles needed to be spread out to ensure even application of powder, so I just pointed my hairdryer straight down the head of the brush which spread them out nicely. Be careful not to apply too much heat though, the bristles are still synthetic and will melt if they get too hot.

I'm not sure if this is still made... but it is NOT the optical blurring brush. It's much more full, with longer, soft bristles. I use this with liquid foundation (UD Naked, to be exact), and it's changed my look for the better. I'm not a heavy-foundation girl, but I can stipple and buff this to make a sheer-medium or heavy look. It also allows me to blend away that tell-tale jawline mark. Can't believe I didn't discover this sooner!

Fabulous soft brush with no shedding! I think it is priced just right. It applies powder perfectly. Easy to wash. Nicely weighted handle. A great find!

This is the BEST brush for applying my bare escentuals foundation! It is so soft on my face and distributes the powder well. I would strongly recommend this brush (the blush brush as well!).