A personal-care applicator (200) comprising at least one stem having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end (211) including a handle (211a), and a distal end (213) opposite to the proximal end (211), and at least a first plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the stem and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated stem and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the stem through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the stem and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.