i suspect that a large part of the problem is that as non users, we dont understand what makes a decent makeup brush. Like pens, mont blanc may be (in the opinion of some) overpriced, but they are still a good pen. Likewise, a cheap and nasty kit, no matter how well turned the timber around it, is still a dog. A branded makeup brush is likely to start from a decent starting point, where a set costing £1.50 for several has a cost price to the manufacturer of a few pence. lipstick on a pig...