As you may already know, I had several quality and design issues with the first set I bought from Rae Morris. I talked to them and they were really kind and sent me a new set to replace it, I also have to say that since this time it came from Australia, I had to pay an extra 200 usd only as additional taxes. These taxes have been added although the set already included 65 usd worth of taxes in its price. A total of 265 usd of taxes on a set worth 650 usd… that hurts.
Here is the link for the pictures of the first Rae Morris set I bought some time ago.
There is a follow up review of the first set here, and I also reviewed the Rae Morris Radiance brush if you are interested.
Today, I will show you the first pictures of the second set I received yesterday, the one I was hoping to get the first time I ordered with Rae Morris. It’s a shame I did not receive that first set before, and it’s sad I had to pay an additional 200 usd for it. Other than that, I am happy with this new set, I will start using the brushes as of today and will update this post or create a new one once I have had the chance to use these new brushes a bit more.
If you look at the pictures, you can see tiny little white labels that I have put on the old set, I did that in order to distinguish both sets. Well actually, I could not mix them because the quality difference between the two is just high enough for me to immediately recognize which brush came in which set ! There is only one brush that is of similar quality in the two sets.
In the pictures, the brushes with the tiny labels are the ones from the old set, the brushes without the label are the new ones.
The main reason why I am happy today is because the shapes of these brushes are now the same shape as the ones on her website, which was not always the case before. I totally understand that these are handmade brushes and from recycle bamboo handles, therefore each brush is different but when you want a special brush shape, even made by hand, you should get the design you were specially looking forward to.
24. All over powder
The shape of the new brush is bigger, fluffier, it just looks better. The only problem is that it rattles, the old one didn’t.
23. Micro-Fibre Foundation
The old one is terrible, it sheds like crazy and I can’t use it, but the new one is great and I love it. This is the brush I was really expecting to receive the first time I placed my order.
I have already washed it and used it today with my new RBR foundation, the application was soft, even and beautiful, I couldn’t stop buffing because it felt like a feather, or a cat’s paw if you prefer… It did not shed at all. After I applied my foundation with this brush, I took the old one to see if it was still shedding, I confirm, the old one is still shedding long black fine hairs and they stick to my face. I am relieved that I got this brush, I can see myself using it regularly.
I used it this morning and even though I took my bike to go to work, after a 40 minutes ride and the helmet pressure, my foundation is still evenly applied, I can actually wear foundation under a full-head helmet, if the foundation is correctly applied it will not transfer and since the inside of my helmet is washable, I can also take it off and wash it .. I ride a white BMW GS 800 for those who wonder… 😉
The handle quality is also improved, the varnish is thicker in the new set and they don’t look so “damaged”.
These are two completely different brushes :
22. Pro powder
I was also really expecting to receive this big white brush in the first set. Instead I got the black 22 that sheds like crazy. This new white powder brush feels softer than the black, is more pointy and more well-shaped, you can see how it’s nice and round on the sides. It’s also dense and multi-purpose, picks a lot of product and blends well. For those who wonder if this is as soft as the Tom Ford, no, it isn’t but it’s really difficult to do better than TF and it’s not the same price too.
1. Deluxe Kabuki
As you see, the new one is more rounded and well-assembled, better hair quality too (sorry my old one is dirty in the picture) :
2. Mini Kabuki
Exactly the same situation as above, can you see how the shape is so much better designed and the hair well assembled ?
It’s also a little bit thicker.
21. Deluxe buffer
Exactly the same brushes, same quality.
25. Foundation / angle contour
I was expecting the one that is shown on her website, but I got the same as before. The one she has on her website is more pointy and that would be more interesting, it’s a matter of preference…
26. Fan highlighter
Not much difference except for the hair shape.
5. Flawless shader
The new one looks properly finished, more rounded, more even, the old one doesn’t really make you want to use it.
3. Ultimate cheek-bone
Same as above, in the new brush the hair has the shape and the spring I was expecting. The old one is a bit too firm and irregular.
4. Square kabuki
Again, better shape.
7. Deluxe precision shader
More pointy but other than that, both are nice.
8. Medium precision shader
More pointy and thin.
9. Detail precision shader
Two different brushes in my opinion. I did not find the old one to be reflecting the one she is selling… now it’s better.
10. Tapered oval shadow
The shape is a bit more well-designed and arranged but both are fine.
11. Medium oval shadow
There isn’t much difference but the shape of the new one is more interesting although a bit different from the one pictures on her website. Nice little brushes.
12. Chiseled smudger
Excellent little brushes, I cannot see much difference between the two. Only that the new one feels slightly softer.
13. Deluxe eyeliner
The big difference is that the old one is harder and therefore not very comfortable to use.
14. Perfect eyeliner
Exactly the same opinion as above…
16. Angle brow and mascara definer
The look alike but the brow side is softer and thinner in the new brush.
17. Mascara applicator
Same brushes.
18. Eyebrow brush
Same except for the name that is printed on the new one and not the old one.
20. Concealer brush
I just could not use the old one, there is something weird, it’s too hard and hurts a little bit. You can see that the bristles quality is different. The size of the brush is a bit different (shorter) but that’s not important.
6. Deluxe blender
The shape is perfect, the new one is better assembled, both are soft and nice to use.
15. Precision bent liner
I haven’t use the new one yet but the old one there is no way I could. Too hard and it hurts, the new feels a bit softer.
19. Lip brush
It’s not rounded as mentioned on her website but that’s not important to me, I prefer to have a square one. I can switch the concealer or the lip brush when I want to…
I absolutely could not use the old lip brush, it had something in the bristles that hurt really bad. This new one is softer and does not hurt at all.
Overall, the quality is improved. The ferrules have a better finishing, same for the handles, the bristles and shapes are often much better in the new brushes. I feel bad to have reviewed a set that was different in quality, but at least you know that there could be a difference, then you have to contact them if you feel that the quality of your brushes is not acceptable.
What I find surprising is that you are not always receiving the brushes you think you ordered and that’s not fair, the quality between the same brushes should be consistent whatever the brand.
I hope you found this useful, if you have any questions.. don’t hesitate !
UPDATE
I started using these brushes and so far I am happier today than I was with my first set, which is not very difficult because some of them were not good at all. I will keep you informed in a few days about these new brushes.
I will also link here Lizzi’s post about her RM set, it’s always interesting to see what other buyers have experienced, and her post is full of info and I feel a bit like her…
I think it’s fantastic when the brush designer, in this case Rae Morris, is able to share and talk to us directly about her brushes, but it’s a bit delicate when this kind of issues emerge, I feel bad for Rae Morris but I feel worst for the people that have saved for a long time in order to be able to get what they thought to be an extraordinary set of brushes.
UPDATE August 16th, 2012
Since I have a set that is now reflecting the true quality of the brushes she is selling, I will just let you know what brushes I am loving and would repurchase :
The Radiance (I have two…I cannot live without it)
The 23 but the WHITE one ! absolutely loving it, I don’t understand why she has changed it ! It feels divine !
The 22, same comment as above, why has she changed this brush ??? the WHITE brush is perfect !!!
The 7, 8, and 9 : nice, soft and pointy, quite unique.
The 10, 11 : good brushes, The 12 : excellent.
The 6 : a very nice highlighter or multipurpose, very soft and nicely shaped.
The 2 white kabukis, the small and the deluxe, great brushes.
I don’t understand why she is not recalling the brushes that rattle, I find this upsetting (even if she made them herself.. sorry…) and therefore I don’t even like to reach for it. But that’s just my opinion, also the fact that they are magnetized upsets me too and only because of that, I don’t reach for her brushes as much as I would…
The other brushes from this set are ok and I can now use them, but I think I would have preferred to buy them little by little and separately… buying the whole set is not a good value for money in my case.
44 comments
I’m glad you got a better quality set this time around but I don’t think its fair that you have had to spend yet more money to get something that should have been correct in the first place. It does make me wonder about their quality control and as good as the reviews are for this brand it does put me off ever buying them.
I totally agree with you, it’s sad.
I sure wasn’t expecting so much trouble with this set ! I hope I am the only one…
Well, as you said, not knowing what quality you are paying for dissuades you from getting these brushes. By the way, there is choice now : hakuhodo, rmk, chikuhodo, koyudo, suqqu, etc. that offer high quality and, for some, larger selection. also, fortunately, companies, as real techniques, offer some affordable brushes that are nice. Rae Morris wants to explore the high end but doesn’t offer a constant quality, I think it won’t work that way.
I should have waited but as always I am too impatient to try something new ! I just hope that the quality she is producing right now is better and that she checks them out and aligns the range on her website with the current available brushes, she is a great artist and she might suffer from this if she doesn’t…
Thanks for posting this review so quickly! If you look at the FAQ section on Rae’s website, she explains that she actually made a few of the brushes herself, and forgot to glue the magnets down, so that is why they rattle!
I am actually quite shocked that there is such a big difference in quality – they never should have sent out a set to you in such terrible condition. I also can’t believe the amount you had to pay in taxes.
Hi Dena
Thank you for letting me know, I just saw her video explaining the rattle… oh well…
If I find a way to remove the magnet I will 🙂
I think it’s a matter of preference but the magnets are driving me mad.
At least you know what to expect now if you have to pay taxes on the whole set ! ouch ! I want to forget, where is the blue pill ???
I’m glad that some of the brushes were an improvement, but basically I find the collection a let down. Perhaps the brushes should have been tested and perfected a bit longer before putting the set up for sale. When I compare the finish of these brushes with other equally expensive brands I just feel that these are still in the development phase. They appear neither ‘finished’ nor ready for sale.
Sad for U 🙁
Hi, I wish I’d found your site before I ordered mine, I’ve had heaps of issues with them, glue in the bristles, damaged brushes, and a few other issues I’m about to address in a post, such as my brushes, are not dye free….
Hi Lizzi, I hope you don’t mind me adding your link in my post. I know they are made in China, but where did you order your set from ?
I do feel bitter too, I wished I did not had that much trouble with it. The customer services was good but I also wish I did not had to pay that much to have mine replaced… I am glad I found your blog too !
Hi! I’m more than happy o have the link there. I’m in Australia, I ordered them here. I think distribution is from Sydney?! Not sure.
I don’t think customers should not incur any costs for replacements due to product failure. No matter where they live.
hmmm… I rechecked my brushes and I found two which are different from what you have. My RM#22 pro powder is white while #23 micro-fiber foundation has the same color with your old one. 🙁 now I’m confused.
I haven’t used mine, haven’t washed it either. hehehe 🙂
That is totally confusing, and not fair not knowing what you are going to get !!!
Honestly had this new set not had the 22 and 23 I was expecting, I would have been really mad !
Thanks so much for your thorough review. I was saving up for these brushes but I have lost confidence in buying them now – especially with the tax issue. You’ve probably saved me from making an expensive mistake. Think I will stick with Tom Ford and Hakuhodo.
Hi Kirsten, you shouldn’t loose confidence in all of them, some are excellent. I will update this post later tonight and will mention the ones I love. If you are used to TF or Hakuhodo, you may be disappointed by RM, not the same quality. Now that I have this new set, there are some more brushes that I absolutely love and if they are available to purchase separately, then I entirely recommend them. I will come back to this post in a little while 🙂
Kirsten, I have made a little update to the post, hope this helps…
Hi I just want to let you know how dissappointed I am with this Rae Morris claims. Woman is a total fraud. She claims she makes this brushes herself and blah blah blah (which I didn’t believe anyway). And today I came across (by coincidence) Crown brushes sale and they have her 12 piece brush set selling for 25 USD. The exact same set costs 200 AUD on her web page. Here you have the link to the page and you can look at yourself…. http://www.hautelook.com/product/5066678
Hi Lena, I just opened your link and I am not very happy indeed, to say the least…, one thing is realizing that you bought something just before it went on sale, I can live with that, but this is even more sad, this set’s full price is mentioned to be 89$ originally, when Rae’s set is 199 A$, and apparently it’s the same… when you think that I paid more than 200$ ONLY on taxes to be able to retrieve the set from customs, it’s absolutely madness and a huge amount of wasted money.
I would love to have her opinion on that Hautelook sale, something is not right here, the Hautelook set is mentioned to be “made in usa”, I believe her set is made in China. Right now I don’t know what to think… Is this a mistake, a copy or imitation without branding of her brushes ??? I am still hoping that she has some explanation !
I left her a comment on her youtube video, two weeks ago, asking a few things… but she hasn’t replied.
It’s def the same set. Crown manufactures brushes for many cosmetics companies, including some of mac ones. Which I don’t have any problem with. What I have problem with is that Rae Morris sells this brushes for 10time or even more of the purchase price, but at the same time advertises them as if they were some kind of a Hakuhodo dupe. It would be nice from her if she would respond to your comment. The only difference is that this brushes on hautelook don’t have her signature sign on the end of the handle, but otherwise these are the exact same brushes. Most of Crown brushes are made in China, some in the US. It’s a shame that you have to pay 200USD only on taxes. What a letdown. I will stick to Japanese brands I guess, they are worth the price.
But the good thing is I came across your site::)) You have a dream collection of brushes:) Will def check out your older posts too.
Can I ask you where do you buy Suqqu brushes? Do they sell them in CH? I would love to have their blush brush.
I apologise for my confused English.
LG
Lena
Thank you Lena, your english is perfect by the way !
Where are you from if you don’t mind me asking ?
It depends where you are, here in CH they don’t have anything like Suqqu, RMK, etc, I buy them when I travel to the UK. Otherwise you can find them online but the shipping is expensive. I can give you a few sites if you are interested on the online purchase.
take care !
That HauteLook page is not quite right, how can they claim the brushes are cruelty free when they are made from natural animal hair? I have contacted Crown and they have informed me that while they have always been the manufacturer for RM brushes, they are now only sold through the RM website. So weird.
Sonia, have you informed RM company about the taxes you had to pay for the replacement?
Hi Bee,
I didn’t … remember : I took the blue pill to forget since I was so upset !
Joking aside, I didn’t tell them about the taxes because I don’t think they will reimburse me or do anything about that..
I will send them an email anyway later today.. just to know what they will answer to that but to be honest, I think this will be a bitter experience from the beginning till the end. Sad.
Sad indeed as my brushes are perfect. I really think it’s best to pick and choose individual brushes, I bought them after reading your reviews and I’m quite happy.
LOL, gotta love a girl who quotes Matrix 😀
Definitely best to pick them up individually ! I am just so relieved that I received the brushes I thought I would with the first set because these are the “ones” that I really use.
Anything is possible…
Sorry 😛
Hi there, great blog ! I am interested in buying the Rae Morris brushes that you recommend 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,22,23 as I like their shapes. However, I am concerned about the quality issues. I already have the Radiance (fantastic brush), two kabukis and the little square shader. I am happy with the two kabukis, but they don’t look as good as the ones you have received with your 2nd set, they look more like the first set. As for the little square shader, 4, I asked for my money back (which they immediately refunded). I live in Australia and don’t have access to many brands, but I can get my hands on Hakuhodo. Can you make any recommendations of Hakuhodo brushes which are similar shapes to the RM ? Thank you!
Hi Lyn, thanks! I am travelling at the moment and will be back sometime during the weekend, I will reply to you on Sunday with some details. I have very limited access to the web these days and I dont have all the Haku brushes with me right now.. 🙂 will come back to you as soon as I can !
Thanks for your info by the way, talk to you soon!
Hi Lyn, I am finally back 🙂
I have been playing with the Hakuhodo for a few days now, I am in love with all of them… I will try to narrow down the selection and tell you the ones that you need right now 😛
J5521, J116, J110, J4001 = for the face
J5523, J220G, J5522, J146, B214, J242G = for the eyes
I depends what you are looking for but these are the ones that really blew my mind.
If you look at my very last post, “A journey with…” I have pictures of the ones I own today and to be honest, they all are amazing, I can recommend all of these….
If you want a very small and precise pencil, Hakuhodo have the G5514, and G5515 or even G5520 that are extremely good, I use them everyday !
I hope this helps !
Thanks Sonia ! Your advice is going to save me hours of effort, researching brushes etc. I was going to go to IMATS this year just for brushes, but I thin k I will just buy the brushes you recommend instead. Save me the IMATS ticket price, more money to spend on brushes ! Do you prefer the J series to all the other Hakuhodo ? That is, Do you prefer goat hair to squirrel ? Or is it more the colour ?
Also, have you done a post on how you wash your brushes ? Do you use water or antiseptic solution ? Thanks again !
You will certainly not be disappointed with them so that’s not bad to have more money to splurge !
Yes I prefer the J Series to the other Hakuhodo but that’s a matter of personal preference. I love white bristles and since they are extremely soft, well, how could I not be happier ? 🙂
The result with goat hair and squirrel hair is slightly different, I quote Hakuhodo recommendations :
Goat hair: For those with oily skin. You can expect covering effects on pores naturally as fine powder can be applied evenly over the pores. In addition, you can get lustrous shiny skin by sweeping gently with the whole surface.
Blue squirrel hair: For those with dry, or sensitive skin. Blue squirrel hair is not resilient; therefore a finished look will be more matt-looking as powder is lightly applied to your skin. The hair is very delicate so it is the basic rule to use the brush surface by laying the brush down. Blue squirrel hair is suitable for loose powder application, however as the hair is very delicate, blue squirrel hair brushes are not suitable for powders containing oil.
But honestly the difference is really not that obvious, what I really want with a brush is that it’s soft and efficient and that I WANT to use it, some brushes I have I just don’t want to have them near my skin (smell, scratchy or weird feeling).
Please have a look at the comment in my last post, I briefly talk about the cleaning but I hope someone will recommend a cleanser 🙂
Thanks Sonia. Rae Morris and Wayne Goss both wash their brushes in an antiseptic solution (no water) but i don’t know if I am into that, I still use water.
I recently read about this brush cleaner in a beauty magazine, apparently highly recommended by makeup artists:
http://www.cinemasecrets.com/-about/innovations/worlds-best-brush-cleaner/
I have not seen or used this product.. The concept of no water is a little weird to me..
Same for me, feels a bit weird and not really necessary. Since water and mild soap works so well for my brushes I am not really looking for new cleansers. And apart from the very very dense ones that still dry in 24 hours max, the eyeshadow brushes dry in only 2 hours if you remove the excess water with a towel. Then, when I really want to get rid of bacteria (if I use my brushes on somebody else – which I don’t tend to do anyway) I would spray alcohol after the wash – I always have a tiny bottle of alcohol in my beauty bag.
When you are not a makeup artist or you have several same brushes it makes it easier for maintenance.
Thanks for the link, I’ll keep it in my notes 😉
Hey Sonia, at IMATS I spoke to Rae Morris about my brush drama, the poor woman was horrfied and did everything she could to amend the situation! I have a post about it that will be up in the next day or so!
Thank you so much for the update Lizzi, I just read your post.
I am happy that you got a replacement brush, I totally understand you did not want to make a fuss, if I were there I would have also talked about the different quality, the glue, etc etc… nothing new about the rattling by any chance ? 🙂 and about the magnet solution ? Just wondering if she mentioned something about this.
I would love to send the rattling ones back but at 30$ the shipping it’s a bit expensive to send…and if I have to pay any other extra $ for taxes I would seriously be upset, well, I am already pretty upset… 🙁
Enjoy your new brush 🙂 can’t wait to read your next post !
I’m absolutely shocked over your (and many other’s) ordeal =/. Also, based on design, I thought for sure these will have been made in Japan (they have a traditional artisan look). It’s almost criminal the profit margin they’ve put on this Chinese made product! The quality control is abysmal for something that’s supposed to be a luxury item. I know fixing/re-doing something is harder than if you spent a little more time doing it right the first time, but producing a flawless item would be a matter of honor if I put my name on it. Even a mistake made by someone else would be quite unacceptable, but one made by me (as in her case the rattling magnets), forget about it!
I’ve experienced the customs situation once in my life, never again! Granted it wasn’t as painful as yours, but still. It was my first and only order from Amazon, two CDs and a book, and the shipping and customs bill ended up being 76% of what I had to pay! I was very, very disappointed… If you ask me, my country has no business making money off of my purchase. I’ve already paid all the sales taxes of the country the item originated from, why should I have to pay twice?! They didn’t contribute to my obtaining the itmes in any way. Bunch of crooks :D! So yeah, from now on I only buy online within the EU and anything else gets shipped to friends in the US who then send me the stuff as gifts :).
But what I actually find most shocking, is that after all that you don’t resent the woman and her products AND still sing such high praises for brush 27! Respect :D! I couldn’t, I’m like a cat – step on my tail, that’s it, we’re done :D.
What can I say… I have a love-hate relationship with her products, big love and big hate 😉
Ha :D! At least it’s a passionate relationship ;).
I actually have a brush related question here though. I want an eyelash comb brush with metal teeth and so far the only brands I’ve found that make them are Rae Morris (17), Real Techniques and Tweezerman have the ilash comb. Visually, I don’t particularly like any of them. Have you come across any other brands that make such a brush/comb? And how much better is a comb with metal teeth versus a plastic one (I know many brands make those, Chikuhodo etc too)? I’m not looking to apply mascara with it but to separate lashes after using a somewhat clumpy mascara (ahem, Givenchy Noir Couture…).
yeah passion is my thing 😀
oooh let me check that, I think maybe I have the one from billy b.. http://www.beautylish.com/s/billy-b-beauty-lashbrow-groomer I have it but I don’t remember how good it is, let me check that tonight…
have you tried RMK mascara 😀 ? it builds the lashes to a great thickness and no clumps. So happy with it, anyway, let me know if you want me to give you more feedback on it too.
Ooh, yes please! Mini-review :D! It’s white, just the way I like my cars/motorbikes ;), so very promising so far :).
I actually have an HG mascara, but the Givenchy was part of a travel set and was great value and I was curious… Not going to repurchase it once it’s up, but I have to make it work meanwhile. It’s slowly but surely driving me mad :D.
Olga, what is the problem with the mascara ? the wand or the product itself ?
if it’s the wand, you can apply it with a flat eyeliner brush, the result is really nice, specially when the wand doesn’t work for me ! I know it’s a bit time consuming but it will not clump your lashes.
Otherwise the Billy B is the only one I own that I use, the metal spikes are thinner than the Rae Morris so more efficient but also more dangerous, I never had a problem with it, it’s curved and amongst all the metal combs I tried it’s the best. That said, it is efficient but it doesn’t feel that luxurious. My priority is efficiency before anything else and that fits my needs 🙂
It’s a little bit of both – the wand and the mascara itself :D. But thank you! Another item/brand/person I hadn’t heard about! I found your post about his brushes and I’m going to check him out on youtube later (probably won’t emerge for hours after I start…). And the comb is now on my wish-list ;).
hi id like to know of some the websites i can order the other brushes from that are sold only in japan like chikuhodu and etc. if you could let me know id love to order some foundation brushes.
Hi Lia,
there are a few options, for Koyudo the easiest is cdjapan : http://cooljapannow.jp/shop.html/17
for chikuhodo : kohlindo.se
There is also the possibility to order with Tommy : http://bringblingjp.blogspot.ch/
we have pasted some links here and there and some tips :
http://forum.sweetmakeuptemptations.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=72
http://forum.sweetmakeuptemptations.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=74
it’s not always easy but it’s really worth it 🙂
Hi Sonia. First of all, I find your blog fascinating… and quite dangerous! I have already invested in several, quite interesting brushes (love the ones from Suquu and Hakuhodo, and I am about to try some by Koyudo and Chikuhodo).
Regarding this Rae Morris set, I find this very upsetting and honestly… quite terrible. Just like you say, how is it possible that there would be so much difference from one set to another, being that they are, technically, the same brushes. A true shame, especially because I understand that Rae Morris is a great make-up artist.
Anyway, continuing to read you fascinating blog. I am planning to visit Switzerland in the next couple of years. Perhaps we can meet. Have a good one.
Hi Karina,
You will love Japanese brushes, once you start it’s like a very deep rabbit hole!!
About Rae, yes it’s not a nice thing, I talked to her about this and it’s really a very complicated story, if I remember right, at the time she did not have a proper contract/agreement (or something went wrong with it), I think she wasn’t happy and there wasn’t much she could do about it. It’s what I understood. She is a great make-up artist, I got to know her and not often you discover such a generous teacher in the make-up world, she truly inspired me.
Please let me know when you are here so we can meet!
bye for now 🙂