Hi, @
@DisneyDisaster! Brushes are definitely an investment but you have to see value in purchasing them. My honest opinion is this: If you're a professional makeup artist, it is important to have professional brushes because you will need these for years to come for clients. Also, it makes you look a little more professional when you use them. If they're well taken care of, they should last you for years and years. Brands like MAC Cosmetics and Sigma come to mind.
If you're just a makeup lover who only uses brushes for him/herself, while you could benefit from expensive brushes, I don't know that I'd say it's a need. Cheap brushes can work just great and if you actually take care of them, some could last you several years. That has been my experience with many of my cheaper brushes.
Over the years I've accumulated brushes that are both expensive and cheap and I love having both. I will say, though, from my experience, the cheap brushes are the only ones that have faltered; some over the span of a couple months, some over the span of years.
When it comes down to it, you have to know whether or not you see value in purchasing expensive brushes. If you do, then its a great investment and you'll likely not regret it provided you take care of them.
MAC has great valuable brush sets they sell at the end of every year during Christmas. I'd say those are safe because for a great price, you'll get a mini size version of about 5 brushes instead of paying 20-40 bucks on just one brush each time you buy one. Also, they're great for travel and your daily makeup bag.
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Hope that helped!