Cheapo Brushes That Actually Work!!

These are some synthetic brushes that I bought for a couple bucks on a whim... Strangely they're my most used foundation brushes!

I love that they are easier to clean, they don't shed, don't absorb too much product.... And application is easy and smooth. Usually I try to avoid over washing brushes but these have stood up through a lot of washes and when they do wear out, I wont hesitate to replace, and happy they won't cost me a bunch. I don't usually go the cheap route for brushes either but I promise, these are worth a try!!

Latest Hakuhodo Purchase

I am happy I went ahead and ordered from Hakuhodo again- I love everything I got this time!!

And here are the names: 

I might do a proper review of these if requested, but I am not disappointed!  They are all really nice quality and I've used all of them every day since they arrived.  The blush brush is my fave! 

Bdellium Brushes

I had been contemplating getting these for a while.  They went on sale on Amazon and I couldn't justify not getting them.  I found all the reviews I could, which were all praising them.  One of their biggest selling points is that they have "antibacterial properties".  I wasn't really excited about that, but I wanted to try them just because they were something new. 

I actually bought a whole bunch of them, including two sets:  the yellow handled travel set, and a green synthetic bamboo set.  I also got several individual brushes, most are not shown here because I cannot locate them at present.

I really like these handles, they are lightweight and a great length.  The bristles are really soft.  The two I like the most are the powder brush (#1) and the eyeshadow brush (#4) but they are much better with loose product, not pressed.  The powder brush is ok with pressed powder but it is denser than the others.  The eyeshadow brush was decent for pigments and loose shadow, but I still found it a bit large.  The blending brush (#3) was fluffy and nice, but I didn't find it more effective than others I own. 

Overall, I do like these brushes.  Do I love them?  Nah.  The green handles make them a unique part of my brush collection, so I am glad to own them.  The full price is $40-$50 depending on where and when you get them, and aside from the appearance, I am not sure they're worth it. 

Next is the travel line, 7 piece set.  One of the brushes in the set isn't actually in the picture (it's an eye brush) because I simply cannot find it. 

The brushes also came with a handy multi-pocketed roll up bag:

I can say with complete honesty and candor that the bag is the only thing I liked about this set.  The brushes are completely worthless.  The bristles are itchy, scratchy, and don't even survive one wash.  So much shedding and hairs completely out of place.  Some of the handles are starting to crack.  I really don't have anything positive to say about these brushes.  I also got a brush similar to the MAC 187, and the same problems.  The flat brush pictured (#4) is actually for applying facial clay masks, and it was all right. 

I did get their #957 foundation brush that I really liked.  The long handle is especially helpful when applying foundation to others, and it applies foundation smoothly and evenly.  I only wish it was a little smaller in diameter or the bristles didn't have so much give when using it. 

In short, I'd definitely pass on the travel set, no matter if they were free I still wouldn't get them.  Their customer service also left much to be desired.  The inaccessability doesn't make it any easier.  If you have a Target near you, I'd much rather recommend some of the Sonia Kashuk brushes.  

Two Hakuhodo Face Brushes

These are brushes for liquid/creme foundation, and powder. 

At the time I purchased this brush, they were not yet on their website.  Here is a photo that was taken by Hakuhodo and sent to me for reference, I think it is easier to show this photo first.   

The brush I have is I believe G5554.  The difference is in the length of the sythetic fibres, each size has either 2 or 4 mm of synthetic above the natural hairs. 

Here are my photos of the brush:

This brush is $54.  They range from $45 to $69. 

I would love to give this brush a glowing review, and most people probably would.  The performance is outstanding, it gives an even, airbrushed like finish and it is so easy to use, just the right size, and the brush stays stiff during use.  I get irritated with the more flexible foundation brushes because sometimes you have to go over the same spot twice to make sure it's covered.  I also love the handle size, it is perfect for personal use because with the longer handled ones I often found myself hitting the handle on the mirror. 

Unfortunately, I don't use this brush myself anymore.  First, it's really hard to clean- but then again, I haven't found any foundation brush that isn't!  Second, the hair is just way too potent smelling for me to adjust to, I really cannot stand it.  Other than that, it is an excellent brush. 

The second brush is the K002. 

This is one of their blue squirrel brushes.  It is absolutely the softest, finest brush I have ever used, period.  It is $82 but I have to tell you, if you only get one Hakuhodo brush in your life, make it this one!  It gives you an absolutely flawless finish with any powder, but particularly loose powder, which is what I use most often.  I really cannot even compare it with any other brush because all the other face brushes I've used feel like scouring pads compared to this one.  I have probably hundreds of brushes (some I admit need to be tossed), but this is my #1 absolute favourite out of all of them. 

There are a couple more Hakuhodo brushes on my wish list, brow and eyeliner, the S103, and some others.  I am actually regretting that I didn't get one of their sets, either the maple or the Kokutan, but I really don't think I saw either of them at the time I got these.  I believe their untraced international shipping is $12 which is not bad at all, so hopefully I'll get some more soon. 

 

Some Hakuhodo Brushes and a Short Update

The reason I am doing this post is because recently I have undergone some serious medical treatment (which I won't bore you with), so a lot of my rest time is spent on the computer.  I have to build up my energy so the post might be short, but I'll keep trying.  I was planning on going to the London IMATS but I really don't know if that's a possibility anymore, unfortunately. 

My makeup stash has not increased at all since I left the U.S. and that is a bit depressing for me.  It's like losing your job, when your blog is supposed to be about products!  But it's just impossible to find anything, especially something new, and they didn't even have any holiday selections.

So here is a small post about  a couple of Hakuhodo brushes. 

The first one is one of my favourites, it is called the B214BkSL Highlight Brush.  It is a bit irritating that the number is not on the handle cause I had to look that up, but then again, that long code there wouldnt be that attractive on the brush, I suppose!

I love this brush but I have to admit, I don't use it for highlighting, it is quite a dense brush and with the rounded tip, it makes it perfect for me to use as an undereye/inner eye concealer brush.  It is goat hair, specifically Ototsuho, which is a shorter, thinner hair, so it is not scratchy or rough (none of their brushes are).  It is one of their most affordable brushes, $26. 

The second brush (and the last for today) is the S142 Eyeshadow Brush.  This is one of their signature vermillion handled brushes and it's a real beauty. 

This brush is made from Blue Squirrel hair, and if you don't already have one of those I really strongly suggest you at least try one because they are so soft, like a whisper on your eye.  The S142 is $40 and it is a crease brush.  It is so incredibly soft, it's like you have to look twice to make sure the colour actually got on your eye- and it does, every time, with hardly any even left on the brush.  However, I don't find it all that unique in terms of shape.  To compare, this is the Hakuhodo, MAC 226, and Sigma E45.

Honestly, I've had to dump all of my Sigma eye brushes (not like I had that many), they just turn into complete crap after a couple uses and I am not hard on my brushes!

I hate to say it, but I use my 226 way more often than the Hakuhodo, if for nothing except I am used to it and I like how it feels and performs. 

I have a few more Hakuhodo brushes I hope to put up in the near future.  If you're thinking about them, I would definitely not hesitate on the B214BkSL as one of the ones to start with.