I have previously reviewed the 26 pieces brush set and as you may know I am not satisfied with the quality. Today I will be reviewing the 27 Radiance brush and my opinion on this particular brush is going to be completely different. Unlike the brushes released in her big set, this Radiance is a gem.
When I saw how thick it was, I was in shock, how am I supposed to use this brush for foundation on the face ? But that was easy. I washed it, it shed a fair amount of hair but I considered that shedding reasonable for a new brush. I have tried it with Burberry’s foundation, I was so happy that I wanted to make sure : I removed everything and I started all over again… the result was as good as the first time !
The application was a bit clumsy at first, since the brush is so big you don’t know how or where to start… I placed the foundation on my face with a flat foundation brush, then I blended with this Radiance from the nose towards the borders of the face and buff either in circular motion or straight lines, depending on the zone. I also tried it with contour and blush, the result is flawless with all the products. Before this brush I was using the Sigma F80 and buffing with a Mac 187.
Size of the Radiance :
- Total length : 9.2 cm
- Hair length : 2.7 cm
- Thickness : 3 cm
- Width of the ferrule foot : 6.5 cm
This a picture together with the other similar Hakuhodo brushes :
You clearly see the width difference with the other Hakuhodo brushes. Although I love the Hakuhodo, this Radiance is the one I will take with me everywhere. I have only tried it with liquid and cream products but it is also meant to be used with powder. The other Hakuhodo are also designed to be used with powder, cream and liquid.
What Rae Morris says about this brush :
Perfect for all foundations, from mineral powders
to liquid body makeup – designed to give your
foundation an ‘air-brushed’ finish. This will be your
favourite foundation brush!The ultimate brush for evening out blotchy fading
fake tans, on the neck line, feet and wrists,Runway Tip:
Just add your favourite foundation direct to the
brush hairs, and polish away! Awesome on the knees
and elbows (check out how naturally uneven your
skin tone is in those areas!).
Unlike the Mac 179, the bristles of the Radiance are not entirely flat, I love that since it’s softer for my dry skin. I don’t need to set my foundation with powder.
Mac 179
Radiance 27
The size of the brush compared to the face…
Bottom line
I totally recommend this brush and it’s today one of my favorite brushes ever. I wish the quality of the set was as good as this brush.
50 comments
Thank you so much for this excellent review. There is so little information on these brushes, and I have really been debating whether or not to buy the set. I am intrigued by the little square brushes, and I have also been considering purchasing the Hakuhodo Itabake brushes. How do you find them for applying foundation? Which sizes would you recommend?
Hi Dena, first of all, thank you for your nice comment, I really appreciate it !
The Hakuhodo Itabake are much thinner than the Radiance, they are excellent for a precision and blending application of contouring and highlighting but I don’t use them for foundation. Their bristles are more firm, flat and narrow which also makes foundation application and blending longer, I prefer the Radiance, the bristles are less firm, less flat and cover a larger area, this means less strokes and better blending and tolerance on my very dry skin.. which answers your second question below 🙂 I can also use the Radiance with thicker foundations if I want to build a bit the coverage and I don’t need to powder or buff afterwards but again, my skin is very dry. I hope this helped a bit and thanks a lot for stopping by !
Thank you so much for getting back to me. That is really helpful info. I still want the Hakuhodo brushes – just need to decide between the small and the medium. Which would you say is more versatile?
You mean you are intrigued by the little RM square brushes ? I am writing a review on them at the moment… I haven’t finish yet but I will let you know shortly 🙂 also another one on the Hakuhodo Itabake is on its way…
Ooh, great! I am intrigued by all the square brushes, but I’m about to place an order with Hakuhodo. I’ll probably wait until your next reviews – you have written really great reviews, and I’d love to see how the RM and Hakuhodo square brushes compare.. By the way, I’m in the UK, and the radiance brush is not sold separately here; it is only sold with the larger RM brush collection.
Also, would love to hear how you find this type of brush for applying foundation on dry skin. Thanks again!
Hi Dena 🙂
the more versatile and the one I reach for the most is the Itabake large, a bit smaller than the Radiance but the most useful of the series, Icegirl75 has a video where she speaks about it, it’s in spanish but if you don’t speak spanish you can at least have a closer look to the brush in the video.. 🙂 go to minute 17:15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFaW3XyMmIA
She says it’s fragile and I thought the same at first but I have washed mine lots of times and the wood and the bristles are still in pristine condition, the bristles don’t stain and there is no shedding, they did expand outwards a bit which is even better, today the bristles are less thin than the day I got it, I hope you understand what I mean 🙂 I got mine before the prices went up. For the body, I also use the Gidayu Bake but now I think it’s much more expensive than last year…
Thanks so much! I actually contacted Hakuhodo for advice. They were very helpful, and I have decided not to get the itabake brushes, as I think they are too rough for my sensitive skin. Thank you again for your advice. I will look out for more of your excellent reviews.
Thank you for letting me know ! Hakuhodo have an excellent customer service, I have contacted them many times and they were always really helpful and honest.
They have released some new brushes that I saw in Gossmakeupartist youtube video, he got them in IMATS London and Hakuhodo confirmed to me that at this moment they were only available for the trade shows, I hope they will be available online since they look amazing (and there are many white ones, I love white brushes since I use a lot of cream products).
Again, thank you so much for commenting here, I hope to talk to you soon 🙂
Your reviews are amazing and precise, I am so impressed! I was wondering what you thought about the RM Ultimate Cheekbone brush? Is it worth getting or do you have another fav for contour?
Thank you Mandy 🙂
Since I was not using this brush at all, I had to start using in order to be able to give you an updated opinion on it, I have been trying for two days…I will still be trying for the weekend and let you know. The problem with this brush is that you have to have the right technique, did not manage yet to do a correct application, either it’s too dark or not defined enough 🙁
I will come back here during the weekend and give you my thoughts on that one, sometimes I don’t have enough time to experiment a bit longer with a special brush and see what they could actually deliver…
At this moment I am using the cream countour from Tom Ford on a daily basis, so I tend to use the Shu Uemura goat brush or the Tom Ford cream brush for that purpose, or even the Radiance.
I will be back probably tomorrow with some other thougths on the Ultimate Cheekbone. I actually received the Kevyn Aucoin contour powder so that’s a great opportunity to try the two together…
Hi Mandy,
Regarding the Ultimate Cheekbrush, my tests so far were not the best when I wanted to do a precise application of contour, but it was nice when used to blend an sculpting powder and highlighting afterwards for example.
To apply the contour I really need a more precise brush, with this one it’s more a shading on the entire jawline or a finishing brush than a precise contouring application. Then I read Rae’s description and I agree with this description :
What the description says is :
“Perfect for blending and polishing edges. Best used
with linear strokes (as opposed to circular). This
brush is especially soft and therefore perfect for
using under the eye. Also fabulous for cleaning up
eye shadow fall out under the eye.
Don’t need to use with product.
Runway Tip:
This is the brush I automatically pick up when the
makeup’s complete – it’s the perfect finishing brush.
It blends every edge of your makeup flawlessly, from
blush to eyeshadow.”
What I prefer is a small and precise brush for applying contour but this is a nice one for finishing and blending. I hope this helps !
Thank you Sonia for that great review! I too will stick to my Shu 18. Are you still a big fan of the Radiance for foundation?
Hi Mandy, thanks ! yes I still use the Radiance every single day so I have two of them ! I could not “live” without it 🙂
Between you and the Rae video on her using this brush on an Indian girl (like me!) I MUST go for it now!
I read your profile and now I know why you are so precise and exact in your writing – you are an IT architect – and me being an Indian, we love those qualities! Anyway, I think you are really lovely and certainly don’t look like in your 40’s. Although I am older than you, in my early 50’s, most of your recommendations speak to me!
Have a great trip to London!
With warm wishes from Orange County, California!
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
Thank you, you are so sweet ! I love my job and also my beauty related “hobby” and I am very passionate about both, two completely different things that balance my life 🙂
I am really happy that it helps… 🙂 My boyfriend is 8 years younger than me, our relation has been going for 11 years now… I am not doing that for him, but I am happy that people cannot tell the age difference when they see us together 😛
I will be thinking of my sweet followers during my London trip and shopping time and I will probably write a little post about it !
And warm wishes from chocolaty Switzerland 🙂
Hi Sonia (love that name, it means Golden=precious in Hindi),
In my personal experience, It’s all about the attitude, rather than age. I can tell from your photos and your writing that you are a happy and content person and that you want to share your fabulous knowledge simply bcos it is exciting and fun to do so!
We are oceans apart but we have lots of connections! I was just smiling when I read your comment about your younger BF. My Italian husband is 16 yrs younger than me and turned 39 yesterday! We have been married for 13 yrs. I am not going to go so far and say that at 55 I look 39 but I must look pretty good bcos no one has ever asked us about our age difference!
Yes please, post about shopping in London, my fav city, I used to live in W Kensington. I will be there in Oct and thanks to you my shopping list is a mile long now!
Best
Mandy
I love the meaning !!! I am happy that you told me. I know how beautiful India is because I was planning to go there later this year with a friend, actually, this friend is the one that encouraged me to start the blog ! He loves India and goes there very often, we were going to meet there with other friends and his family but that will not be possible this year for me unfortunately. Other plans have come in the way.
Amazing that we have these connections, it’s the best thing to get to know all this wonderful people via the web ! I am blown away !
I have to get ready for my trip, my alarm clock did not wake me up… can you believe it 🙂 almost missed the flight !
Have a wonderful sunny weekend ! I know we still are two days away but for me it starts now.. 😉
I’m very curious about the Flawless Shader Brush. It seems like a brush I could use like my dense large fan brush, to apply a dusting of loose powder on my face. I like how it is compact; far more travel-friendly than a large fan brush. What are your thoughts on this brush? I haven’t been able to find a review of the Rae Morris “square brushes” on your blog.
Hi BooBooNinja, that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do best, also the perfect shape for your purpose, multi-tasking, easy to travel with, and VERY light (weight), but…
…the only reason why I haven’t reviewed more brushes of this set yet is because they told me that my set seems to have quality issues, if I review the ones I have, they might not reflect the ones that you would get. I am just a bit worried about that and also concerned that some of us might have gotten sets that don’t seem to have passed the quality test…
They sent me a new set on the 13th of July to replace mine, it’s on its way to me, as soon as I receive it, you will see a new review on the brushes, including these flat square ones, hopefully it will arrive soon ! It usually takes 2 weeks so we are getting there…
Thank you! I look forward to your review. I hope the next set of brushes is more representative of the overall quality of Rae Morris brushes. What was your experience with the RM Customer Service like?
You are welcome !
The new set is now nearly here, probably I will get it latest next week.
I have many things to say about their customer service and I will do so very soon.
They did replace my set, they sent me a new Radiance as well… but, I will have to pay A LOT of taxes because the replacement set comes from Australia and not from the UK anymore. I sure wasn’t expecting that. If after all, I am happy with the set, it’s going to be fine, if the quality is not improved I will be very sad.
They always replied to me, not the fastest way but they always did, they were very polite as well and always tried to find an arrangement, I sure appreciate that ! I will soon post a new review of the new set 🙂
Hi Sonia,
I finally got my RM Radiance and #8 brush after reading your reviews and very happy with both, so thanks to you! The Radiance is everything you said it is and it is truly awesome for foundation. I have not tried the #8 brush yet but I am sure it will be lovely.
I was thinking of replacing my entire old Chanel brush set with Hakuhodo, E Bess etc. As soon as I compile a list I will ask for your opinion, I just love your reviews!
Mandy
Sonia, having to pay the duty charges doesn’t seem right. I understand that the company can’t control what are the import laws and tariffs; however, I assume there was nothing to indicate the source location was going to be different. Further, Rae Morris was correcting problems with their product. I’m sensitive to duty and shipping prices because I don’t reside in the States.
I need your expertise again 🙂
Thinking of ordering 1 of these because I dont have 1 like it in my collection. Yep, NOT because I actually NEED it 🙂
Anyway, can u pls take a quick look at these radiance look-a-like beauties? Do u think the biggest size is almost the same as your radiance? Thanks so much!!!
http://www.yojiyacosme.com/products/detail.php?product_id=61
how weird… they are exactly the same as the Hakuhodo ! and they also have the Ebony ones… 😮 I have to take some time to browse all these links !!
I have no idea if they are the same quality though.
If they are the same as the Hakuhodo, I have these series, they are good brushes but they do not equal the finish of the Radiance. These are too flat and thinner, the Radiance is less regular hence the flawless blending, they are not dupes for the Radiance, I am really sorry. I got them thinking they would be similar but they aren’t.
Maybe you can see it here.
Thanks sweety!! Yes they have GORGEOUS ebony brushes too 🙂
Hmmm…guess I have to do some more research here 🙂
where abouts can i get one of the 27 radiance brush? they are sold out on the actual website. Is there another website?
The website Lovemakeup should get it end April I believe, otherwise you can contact jim@raemorris.com and ask him to add you in the waiting list…
I did that myself and I was notified when it was available.
I have also ordered https://wawaza.com/products/Yoshiwara-Japanese-Wide-Facial-Brush.html but I don’t know if it is the same at all. I am just not sure it’s wide enough and that would totally not fit the same purpose… so I’ll let you know.
Hi, have u heard of ecotools face and body sculpting brush? I just wonder if u can do a comparison between it, Mac 179, radiance 27?? I think it’s retailed for $12 in USA.
Hi Jenny,
I don’t have the Ecotools but it looks really interesting, I may get it soon then. Do you already own it ?
Your review speaks nothing but truth, Miss Sweet Make Up Temptations 🙂 I am sure of that even though I have never used the Itabake or the Radiance brushes. Now, i can’t decide if i was prompted to do what i did by sheer genius or miserly madness, but I have sure found a great foundation brush in the shellac brush I bought at Ace Hardware! It has given me the most excellent airbrushed results every time, and I have thrown every thing i could think of at it, except for shellac lol. Since these brushes work on the same principles, your lovely luxe brushes should be at least as good as mine lolollol. I can only imagine how lovely they must feel going on on your skin! Of course, if I weren’t so crippled by guilt each time i overspend (you may interpret that to read I Am Scrooge or I Am Always Skint lol) I wouldn’t have to imagine. Or I could sell my grannie. Oh wait, that was how I got my Shu. Lol. Yours is a great blog, btw. I love coming here to drool over the pictures. And the words are nice, too!
Thank you Grace, that’s so incredibly sweet 🙂
And so funny omg !!!
Finally ordered the radiance brush after having this little baby already 10 times in the basket, but not checked out (am I the only one who did this?).
I was using Kuyodo Fu-Pa 02 (and many others) until now – really excited to use this one in the future.
no you are not the only one 😉 please Anna let me know if you are happy with it 🙂 I know it’s a lot of money to cash out but I think it’s worth it..
My brush arrived yesterday – and I absolutely in LOVE with it.
It’s odd to use (and especially wash!) it for the first time ’cause of the shape, but it works and delivers perfect results. I am very happy with it. To find a place for let it dry after I wash it was a challange…
It is definitely worth the money. If you compare to Hakuhodo and the others – it is not even that expensive.
Thank you Sonia for this recommendation and for your blog!
Thank you for the feedback Anna, I am really glad you love it ! it arrived quickly ! 🙂
How does this brush compare to the new EcoTools “Face and Body Sculpting Brush” for $12-16? (I can’t afford $85 for this Rae Morris brush)
Thanks!
oh I don’t know, sorry Stephanie, I remember somebody telling me about it some time ago but I totally forgot to get it, I will try to get it if it’s possible and compare.
Hi Sonia. I was wondering if you had tried the small Itabake for contouring? I know people rave about the Nars 21 but I’m presuming the Hakuhodo would be superior. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Cheers Kellie 🙂
Hi Kellie,
yes I did and it’s nice, although I don’t own this Nars I am pretty sure the Hakuhodo is better, I think Dena told me (http://www.beautifulactivenourished.com/) don’t hesitate to ask her or check her reviews, I think she wrote about it.
I am trying another little one from Hakuhodo for contouring, it’s a mini-fan brush but I can’t find it on their website to show it to you and I am travelling .. if I find it I tell you. It won’t be as precise as the itabake though.
Thank you very much Sonia. Your opinion is greatly appreciated. P.s loving the new site 🙂
Hi!
Which brush is gives the best natural finish? Sigma F80 or radiance #27? or sephora flawless airbrush(if you have tried it) I am trying to decide between those 3. >.<
I would chose the Radiance if you can, because to place the foundation you can do it with any brush, but the flawless finish for me there is nothing like the Radiance to achieve that !
Thank you for all of your amazing posts.
1. Do you happen to know what the material N.27 is made of? Is it soft enough compared to the Japanese brushes?
2. Did you purchase it on their website?
3. You are so knowledgeable about the brushes. Would you recommend some good brushes for each function eg. contour, blush etc? I find it difficult to make a decision on which to purchase 🙁
Thank you!!!! cannot love your posts more!!!
Hi sweets, how did you like Kevyn Aucoin contour powder? Hugs, Inga
I love it, it’s part of my top 5 contour products actually! The others being Surratt, RMK, Burberry and IPSA! 🙂
And the next question, which of those tools you would suggest: beauty blender, sigma f80 or rae morris radiance? I guess this is what many people want to know:) hugs darling!
It’s really a matter of personal preference, products we use or techniques…
I started with the F80, then I got older I needed sheerer and more subtle coverage and a brush that was really not feeling like a mass on my skin (but I used the sigma for years!) so I switched to more appropriate brushes. The beauty blender gives stunning results but it takes me forever so I don’t even use it anymore. The Radiance is more a finishing brush to blend everything once it’s roughly applied, so I clearly prefer the Rae, more use with that one!
[…] I can’t say how great it is from personal experience because I don’t have a Radiance brush (yet), but I’ve read so so many awesome things about this. You’ll want one too after you read this review on Sweet Makeup Temptations. […]