Cosmetics and mascara brushes with multi-fiber bristles

Cosmetics brushes particularly suitable for applying mascara include a plurality of multi-fiber bristles deployed extending from a core, at least some of the multi-fiber bristles including a plurality of individual fibers in supportive interengagement. In one embodiment, a central support fiber has smaller and less stiff additional fibers braided or woven thereabout. The additional fibers may themselves be braided bundles of microfiber. In another embodiment, thin fibers are constrained and supported within a hollow support fiber, which may be a fiber with a C-shaped cross section and an entry slot to the hollow central portion. In another embodiment, a spiral support fiber is spirally wound around a plurality of smaller diameter fibers. In a further embodiment, a plurality of fibers are braided together to form a multi-fiber bristle, and some of the fibers may be bundles of microfibers. In these cosmetics brushes, fibers may be selected and mixed to achieve desired performance.