The invention relates to a brush (10) for applying liquid or pasty means, in particular decorative cosmetics, such as mascara. Said brush comprises a plastic rod-shaped support (11) that is provided with a plurality of projections (14) on the outside thereof. Said projections are plastic, protrude radially in the outward direction and are arranged at a mutual distance in relation to each other. A reinforcing structure (16) is provided in the region of the intermediate area between the projections (14). According to the invention, said reinforcing structure (16) has several longitudinal ribs (17) that extend in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped support (11). A longitudinal slot (18) is respectively formed between adjacent longitudinal ribs (17), and the projections (14) are supported by the longitudinal ribs (17) on two opposite sides in the base area thereof and traverse at least one of the longitudinal slots (18).