I purchased this from Suzykirei.com. I have the exact same experience as the 118 brush I bought with it. I was shocked by how poorly made it was, almost to the point of thinking I'd been sold a fake. Some bristles were growing in strange directions, and it just felt so shoddy. Watching overseas makeup videos and review sites, I see a certain number of people who are averse to paying a lot for synthetic brushes, and I can see why. While it's not bad to use, I don't feel much difference from synthetic brushes known for their good value, like Six Plus or Real Techniques. These days, there are many good, cost-effective options for synthetic makeup brushes made overseas. It pairs perfectly with the product, but that's about all I can praise it for. I'm sure there are alternatives. Honestly, I'd be remiss to buy a synthetic brush of such mediocre quality at this price point, even if it was animal hair.