This has been the Year of the Brush for me, RMK, Shu Uemura, Chikuhodo, Koyudo, Hakuhodo J Series… many extraordinary new brushes entered my brush collection, see the pattern ? Japan did very good…
The first time I heard about these series is when I saw Wayne showing the ones he got at Imats, I had to watch the video several times !!! Hakuhodo made a white 214 ???? – I was ready to kill – I contacted Hakuhodo and they just told me they weren’t available online yet that it would take a while… I just had to wait until August 2012 ! I had to live 6 months of utter agony before I could get my hands on it (on them actually).
There are many reasons to my excitement, I love white natural goat brushes and I love Hakuhodo, the combination of these two factors was a threat to my wallet.
In the J Series you will find goat, horse, synthetic or other materials, I got mainly white brushes because there is no dye in them and therefore are adapted to powder, cream or liquid products. The only downside in my opinion is that they look dirty faster than darker brushes, you will feel the need to wash them more regularly. But that said, if you are a makeup artist you will need to wash them after each use anyway and these are resilient. I don’t mind washing them often, I find the process relaxing and my counter looks a bit Michelangelo style with these white brushes with color residue all over.. 🙂
This is not all the J Series collection, just the ones I have today :
Why goat ?
To quote Hakuhodo recommendations, goat haired brushes give you a glossy finished look, while squirrel haired brushes give you a matt finishing look.
This is how Hakuhodo recommends to select them :
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.
My personal opinion
I honestly don’t go into so much detail, I am not a professional makeup artist, my selection is mostly based on the shape, the quality and the purpose of the brush (powder/liquid/cream, etc..), sometimes I buy them because I am curious to try them and see how they could perform with different textures.
I have very dry and sensitive skin and I suddenly had to stop using the brushes I had, they were too scratchy and I just didn’t enjoy applying makeup at all. But when it comes to Hakuhodo, their goat brushes feel really soft and I don’t have any issues at all.
The J Series review
You will see that some of these goat brushes have similar versions in another Hakuhodo series, if this is the case, I will inform you and quote both Hakuhodo descriptions for you to see if, as per Hakuhodo, it is supposed to make a difference.
The main highlights with these Hakuhodo recommendations are :
- Squirrel hair is extremely soft but sensitive so it may be damaged if it’s washed very often.
- Black goat hair (dyed in black color) could fade in the future.
- Natural goat hair is more resilient, can be used with powder, cream or liquid products.
- Moderate elasticity would produce an easy blending of colors.
- Mix of horse and synthetic makes resilient and durable brushes that excel at producing great coloring.
- Mix of goat and synthetic is good for glittery powder or frosty makeup.
- Mix of weasel and synthetic fiber also works well with frosty makeup.
- ‘Soft and natural coloring’ in Hakuhodo descriptions means to me : soft and natural results…
- ‘Great coloring’ in Hakuhodo descriptions means to me : I can pack color on !!!
But sometimes delicate or expensive hair material brushes (squirrel, weasel…) are blend with synthetic or goat to help keep their shape, make them more resilient or simply cheaper, or that could also be done for a special blending or application purpose.
If you are a makeup artist and you use natural hair brushes, I think it makes more sense to use goat brushes, they are more resilient for frequent wash, they are more versatile to use with different type of textures, and since you may need several of each, they are often also cheaper.
So, this is how the review will be done : I will paste here their Hakuhodo description taken from their site, also their price and size and then I will add my own personal comments on each brush I have… and I have purchased a lot of them, I will probably keep on ordering a few from time to time… I really enjoy them a lot and when this happens I just cannot control myself.
You will see other not so similar brushes in the pictures but it’s for size reference, sometimes it can help give a better idea of what you will be ordering…
J4006 Duo Fibre Fan Lash Brush $20.00
Hair Type: Synthetic Fiber
When applying mascara, place this little fan brush at the base of the eyelashes and slightly jar it back and forth to separate lashes. Also ideal when you apply solid mascara with this brush.
A. Full Length: 144.0mm B. Hair Length: 6.0mm
C. Thickness: 1.8mm
The J4004 fan brush is just for size reference. There are other tools for applying your mascara or for brushing your eyelashes but this J4006 is certainly the cutest.
I have always wanted a brush with this kind of shape, I don’t have many lashes and I need to get the most out of what I have, I don’t use it on a daily basis but very often. After curling them and using mascara if I use this brush, I can separate and place them better in between each coat.
Not a must-have but a very nice to have.
J524 Eyebrow Brush L Angled $24.00
Hair Type: Horse
This unusually large bristled brush enables you to quickly achieve a natural finish to your brows. Perfect for smudging color on the area between the arch of the brow and the inner end of the brow.
A. Full Length: 145.0mm B. Hair Length: 10.0mm
C. Thickness: 3.5mm
There are two other similar Hakuhodo versions, a G524 water badger at $42 and a B524 water badger also at $42. Both water badger brushes have the same description as the J Series : “This unusually large bristled brush enables you to quickly achieve a natural finish to your brows. Perfect for smudging color on the area between the arch of the brow and the inner end of the brow”.
This is the difference between horse and water badger (also taken on Hakuhodo website), it may help you decide which one you may choose:
- Water badger : Water Badgers’ hair has rough, thick and elastic roots while the tip of the hair is very thin. Good for eyebrow brushes.
- Horse : Horse hair has a rather harsh texture and is difficult to bundle. As its ample supply makes its price rather inexpensive, it is widely used in the makeup brush market. By blending with other natural hairs, horse hair guarantees elasticity and enduring effects and the more you use it, the more it fits and adapts to your skin. For blush brushes or eye shadow brushes. Our eyebrow brush is made from the mane and tail hair of the horse.
It is actually very big, therefore not precise at all but if you want to do the wider side of your eyebrows that would do the trick, mainly for men or larger eyebrows. I use it to apply highlight under the eyebrow, since it’s soft I prefer to use it for that purpose.
I could live without it.
J4005 Concealer Brush Angled $34.00
Hair Type: Synthetic Fiber
The angled shape of the bristles have been carefully designed and you can easily and evenly spread liquid foundation with sheer coverage. The bristles are made from synthetic fiber.
A. Full Length: 158.0mm B. Hair Length: 23.0mm
C. Thickness: 7.0mm
I don’t use this brush to blend the foundation, but to place it in precise zones and then I blend with another one.
For concealer it’s wonderful, blends very well and is very soft, for me it’s really important since it’s going to be applying concealer on the very thin and delicate skin around my eyes. It is thick, 7mm on it’s side which makes it great for soft blending, I don’t need that much precision around the eyes with the kind of concealer application I like, I just blend the Burberry concealer pen with it for example.
A must-have for me.
Jp12 Eye Shadow Brush Flat $27.00
Hair Type: Horse
This brush works well if you want a strong line and coloring. It also can be used with all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 149.0mm B. Hair Length: 9.0mm
C. Thickness: 3.4mm
I thought this brush was thinner, it’s too thick for the purpose I had in mind, it says “strong” in the description isn’t it… 🙂 the 3.4mm really is its thickness. Since I don’t like to waste… I use it for the eyebrows or for highlighting under the eyebrows.
I can live without it.
J515 Eye Shadow Brush CM Angled $26.00
Hair Type: Goat
The angled shape of the bristles have been carefully designed, good for smudging and contouring. Also suitable as a highlighter brush.
A. Full Length: 150.0mm B. Hair Length: 15.0mm
C. Thickness: 7.9mm
There is also a canada squirrel version of this brush at $41 with this description : “The angled shape of the bristles have been carefully designed, good for smudging and contouring. Also suitable as a highlighter brush. Highly prized due to its uniform body and controllability“.
I have a similar Burberry brush but it’s doesn’t feel soft like the Hakuhodo, in comparison the Burberry has more flexibility in the bristles, covers more surface but I it feels so scratchy.
This Hakuhodo J515 is really versatile, just the right size for the upper eyelid but I’ll rather use a S142 for example and then blend with a J232. It just doesn’t allow enough control for me.
On the next picture, I applied some cream base with the two similar looking brushes on the back of my hand (sorry about the rest of foundation on my hand….) you can see the difference of both applications, on the top one, with the J515 which covers more surface with its bristles, it’s wider and you’ll have less control with the placement and the blending which is ok with powder but with cream not really that appropriate, on the bottom, the application with the J122R, more control on where you place the product and a more precise blending.
Nice to have, but I am not sure I’ll use it often.
J122R Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush Round & Angled $28.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
Carefully designed bristles create an angled brush surface for effortless contouring and highlighting.
A. Full Length: 150.0mm B. Hair Length: 15.0mm
C. Thickness: 9.2mm
There is also a canada squirrel brush, S122 at $65 with this description : “Carefully designed bristles create an angled brush surface for effortless contouring and highlighting. It is highly prized by makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts due to its uniform body and controllability.”
As you see, I have the S122, it’s incredibly soft and efficient.
The J122R has been a great discovery. Before that brush, I wasn’t using the Chanel mousse eyeshadows or the Armani Eyes to Kill, I didn’t like the finished application at all. With this brush, everything is where I want, how I want and I can finally use products that weren’t working for me before.
I often apply some matte khol pencil on the eyelid (or Mac Blackground or a Laura Mercier cream satinee) and take it slightly above the crease, then I take this brush and I apply either Armani Eyes to Kill, or Chanel mousse shadow or anything kind of glittery, and the result is a beautiful wearable sparkly dramatic smoky eye…
A must-have, both S122 and J122R.
J214 Eye Shadow Brush Round $ 35.00
Hair Type: Goat
The bristles are resilient and create great color. This roundish brush head is also ideal for highlighter or eye shadow base.
A. Full Length: 153.0mm B. Hair Length: 18.0mm
C. Thickness: 12.0mm
There is also a 214 black goat version of it with this description : “The bristles are resilient and create great color. This roundish brush head is also ideal for highlighter or eye shadow base.”
This brush is a wonderful gem to me, I was already loving the black 214 but this one is even better and softer.
I use it either to apply the base color, or to blend the finished application.
You can apply contour, highlight, work with harder cream textures… it’s a dream.
I CANNOT live without it.
J214R Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush Round $27.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
The bristles are resilient and create great color. This roundish brush head is also ideal for highlighter or eye shadow base. Synthetic fibers extend slightly further than the goat hair, this specification means that the bristles have more spring and it enables them to pick up just the right amount of product. This helps create a smooth finish to your makeup, while also helping it last even longer. Also ideal for applying glittery powder.
A. Full Length: 153.0㎜ B. Hair Length: 18.0㎜
C. Thickness: 12.0㎜
The pictures of this J214R are with the 214 above.
I have tried almost everything with this, concealer, highlight, cream eyeshadow, etc… Love it.
A must-have.
J220G Eye Shadow Brush Round & Flat $23.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
The bristles are made from a mix of goat and synthetic fiber and provide moderate to full coverage which also works well for frosty makeup. This brush can be used for all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 153.0mm B. Hair Length: 18.0mm
C. Thickness: 4.5mm
The Mac 239 is in the picture for size reference.
There are two other similar ones, one weasel-synthetic fiber at $41 with this description (220) : “The bristles are made from a mix of weasel and synthetic fiber and provide sheer coverage which works well for frosty makeup. This brush can be used for all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.”
One horse & synthetic at $23 with this description (J220H): “The bristles made from a mix of horse and synthetic fiber are resilient and durable and excels at producing great coloring. This brush can be used for all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.”
This J220G is just fantastic, again I have tried it with so many textures and it always works ! From Armani Eyes to kill to the most matte textures, pigmented or not.
The Tom Ford is smaller, it’s difficult to say but I think the Tom Ford feels a tiny bit softer. The TF is 100% goat but for the price, this Hakuhodo is so worth it.
A must-have.
J242G Eye Shadow Brush Round & Flat $17.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
The bristles made from a mix of goat and synthetic fiber provide moderate resilience and excel at producing great coloring. This brush can be used for all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 146.0mm B. Hair Length: 11.0mm
C. Thickness: 3.0mm
There is a similar Weasel & Synthetic Fiber $23 with the description : The bristles are made from a mix of weasel and synthetic fiber and provide sheer coverage which works well for frosty makeup. This brush can be used for all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
There is also a similar Horse & Synthetic $17 with this description : The bristles made from a mix of horse and synthetic fiber are resilient and durable and excels at producing great coloring. This brush can be used for all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
At first I was a bit disappointed, I thought it would be more similar to the Mac 239 that I cannot live without but it’s so much smaller and thinner. Today, I love this little gem. You can precisely apply a Mac paintpot to the eyelid, you can apply hightlighter to the inner side or corner of the eyes, you can line the below lash line (if you use it sideways) and since you can use it with cream or liquid products can you imagine the possibilities with paintpots, liners, etc ?? I had to order two of these because I need a powder and a cream one, nearly for everyday…
A must-have.
J232 Eye Shadow Brush Angled $22.00
Hair Type: Goat
The bristles offer moderate elasticity and are soft on the skin. Blending of colors is easy to achieve. The angled shape also works well as a highlighter brush for applying makeup around the upper eyelid area.
A. Full Length: 151.0mm B. Hair Length: 16.0mm
C. Thickness: 4.0mm
There is a similar brush Pine and N. American squirrel $29 with this description : “The bristles offer moderate elasticity and are soft on the skin. Blending of colors is easy to achieve. The angled shape also works well as a highlighter brush for applying makeup around the upper eyelid area.”
I have the similar 232 and I love it, both are fantastic for blending and that’s how I use them, to blend the application or eyeshadow on the upper eyelid. You can also use it for small precise contouring or highlighting.
A must-have for me because it fits my upper eyelid like a glove.
J532 Eye Shadow Brush Round & Flat $27.00
Hair Type: Goat
The length of the bristles is relatively short and ideal for blending colors on the upper eyelid area.
A. Full Length: 149.0mm B. Hair Length: 14.0mm
C. Thickness: 5.0mm
There is a similar Blue Squirrel $38 with this description : Very soft on the skin. The length of the bristles is relatively short and ideal for blending colors on the upper eyelid area.
Again, I don’t know why I thought this one would look like the Mac 239… but when I saw how big it was I was a bit disappointed at first.
Actually it’s extremely soft, yet firm, so if you need to blend harsh textures or apply a base color on the upper eyelid, this one is great. Compared to the B532 it’s fluffier and wider.
A must have for me.
J5523 Eye Shadow Brush Round & Flat $18.00
Hair Type: Goat
The bristles made from goat are soft on your skin and provide moderate resilience. This brush can be used for the upper eyelid area and produces great coloring and also can be used with all types of products ? liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 151.0mm B. Hair Length: 16.0mm
C. Thickness: 4.5mm
There is a similar 5523 Blue Squirrel $26 with this description : “This brush can be used for the upper eyelid area and produces soft and natural coloring.”
Simple : you need it.
It’s softer than the Mac 217, more precise yet big enough for any application of eyeshadow and firm enough for perfect blending.
I cannot live without it.
J5522 Eye Shadow Brush Tapered $20.00
Hair Type: Goat
The Hair used for this brush is resilient yet soft goat. Its hair length and shape enables you to achieve soft and natural coloring. With this eye shadow brush, you can naturally smudge and blend eye shadow. It also can be used with all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 156.0mm B. Hair Length: 21.0mm
C. Thickness: 7.3mm
There is a similar 5522 Blue Squirrel&Goat $28 with this description : “The Hair used for this brush is a mix of blue squirrel and goat. This provides more spring and resilience than bristles made up of only blue squirrel and softer than those from only goat. With this eye shadow brush, you can naturally smudge and blend eye shadow. Also suitable for highlighter.”
The G5522 is softer and pointier in comparison but this J5522 is also amazing and even more multipurpose. Another fantastic brush, it’s big but if you are looking for bigger crease / blending brushes, or smaller highlighting brushes, this is it.
Amazing brush, incredibly soft, you just don’t want to stop blending… just because it feels like a breeze…
It is softer than the Nars. The bristles have more flexibility than the TF. The G5522 is much pointier.
Overall, the blending powder the these J Series crease brushes is beyond imagination.
A must-have for me.
J142 Eye Shadow Brush Round $18.00
Hair Type: Goat
The bristles are made from resilient yet soft goat that can produce great coloring. Smudging and blending colors can be easily achieved. Also ideal for highlighter.
A. Full Length: 153.0mm B. Hair Length: 18.0mm
C. Thickness: 6.0mm
There is a similar Blue Squirrel $40 with this description : Smudging and blending colors can be easily achieved. Also ideal for highlighter.
It’s less pointy than the S142 and firmer, better for blending.The S142 feels softer but with these Hakuhodo J series don’t worry, they are really very soft, it’s just not squirrel…
Softer than the Mac, the Nars and the Edward Bess. It has more flexibility in the bristles than the Edward Bess, about the same flexibility than the Nars.
A must-have.
J146 Eye Shadow Brush Round $17.00
Hair Type: Goat
The bristles are made from resilient yet soft goat that can produce great coloring. Smudging and blending colors can be easily achieved. Also ideal for highlighter.
A. Full Length: 156.0mm B. Hair Length: 16.0mm
C. Thickness: 5.0mm
There is a similar Blue Squirrel $38 with this description : Smudging and blending colors can be easily achieved. Also ideal for highlighter.
Amazing little brush, a very very good surprise. I can precisely place the powder (or cream) product in the crease and blend… a powerful brush.
A must-have, I actually cannot live without it…
J5533 Eye Shadow Brush Tapered $17.00
Hair Type: Goat
The Hair used for this brush is resilient yet soft goat. Its hair length and shape enables you to achieve soft and natural coloring. With this eye shadow brush, you can naturally smudge and blend eye shadow. It also can be used with all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 153.0mm B. Hair Length: 18.0mm
C. Thickness: 6.0mm
There is a similar Blue Squirrel $24 with this description : The bristles are superbly soft on your skin and enable you to achieve natural blending of colors. You can naturally smudge and blend eye shadow, even for bright and vivid colors.
Again, an extremely good surprise ! It allows me to blend many many products that I wasn’t liking so much before, for example the Chanel mousse eyeshadows that I like to apply on top of a blended matte kohl.
The bristles are softer and more flexible that the Sigma. Since it’s not pointy you will have less precision and will cover more surface but the blending power again is out of this world.
A must-have for me since I discovered more possibilities with it.
J5529 Eye Shadow Brush Tapered $16.00
Hair Type: Goat
The Hair used for this brush is resilient yet soft goat. Its hair length and shape enables you to achieve soft and natural coloring. With this eye shadow brush, you can naturally smudge and blend eye shadow. It also can be used with all types of products – liquid or cream base makeup and even powder.
A. Full Length: 153.0mm B. Hair Length: 13.0mm
C. Thickness: 5.0mm
There is a similar Blue Squirrel $21 with this description : The bristles are superbly soft on your skin and enable you to achieve natural blending of colors. You can naturally smudge and blend eye shadow, even for bright and vivid colors.
This one is a real little gem for me, I have tried many combinations and blending of different textures together, I am thrilled. I place the product (or the different products) on the crease for example and then I blend with this little one, fantastic !!! The smoothest result you could wish for !
I CANNOT live without it !
J5521 Highlighter Brush Tapered $36.00
Hair Type: Goat
Pointed tip carefully designed and offering good control. The bristles are made from goat and you can easily achieve your desired finish. Also can be used as a highlighter brush.
A. Full Length: 167.0mm B. Hair Length: 32.0mm
C. Thickness: 13.0mm
There is a Blue Squirrel & Goat $34 with the description : “Pointed tip carefully designed and offering good control. The bristles are a mix of blue squirrel and goat and you can easily achieve your desired finish. Also can be used as a highlighter brush”.
This is such a fantastic little brush. The biggest interest is that it’s white because otherwise the others would also do the trick. It’s dense, softer than the Mac and even softer than the Trish…
I love it, I just wish it was more pointier. Like the Chikuhodo.
I cannot live without it.
J116 Highlight Brush Round & Flat $34.00
Hair Type: Goat
This brush offers easy control even for makeup beginners. Apply highlighter to the parts of your face you would like to accentuate, such as bridge of the nose and around the eyes.
A. Full Length: 164mm B. Hair Length: 29.0mm
C. Thickness: 7.5mm
There are two other brushes, both Blue Squirrel, 0ne B series at $57 and one S100 series at $78, both with this description : “This brush promises sheer coverage. Apply highlighter to the parts of your face you would like to accentuate, such as bridge of the nose and around the eyes.”
I love it, it’s fantastic for precise application of contouring or blush or highlighter, and since it’s natural goat hair, I can use it with my soft cream blushes. Amazing versatility.
I cannot live without it.
J528 Highlighter Brush C $45.00
Hair Type: Goat
Densely packed bristles are very soft on your skin and offer moderate to full coverage. Also ideal for blending colors naturally and beautifully.
A. Full Length: 142.0mm B. Hair Length: 17.0mm
C. Thickness: 16.0mm
There is a similar one Squirrel & Synthetic $69 with this description : “Densely packed bristles are very soft on your skin and offer sheer coverage. Blended with synthetic fiber, this helps maintain the brush shape and stabilize quality”.
I use this brush to blend my base foundation or even foundation, it’s small but covers quite a lot a surface which is nearly as big as the Sigma F80. I also apply thicker cream highlighters or blushes and use it to blend everything together. I get more use of this than I thought I would.
A must-have for me.
J4004 Fan Brush $26.00
Hair Type: Goat
By design, a fan brush fans away product, so a light swipe of the fan brush can easily wipe off the excess. Also use this brush with a highlighter to provide a luminous effect or to blend out product for a softer look.
A. Full Length: 170.0mm B. Hair Length: 30.0mm
C. Thickness: 4.5mm
This is just such a beautiful fan brush ! You will want to use it all the time. I use for highlighter or to brush excess powder. I also have the G5537 that I use like a round fan brush since it’s not dense at all. Both will server exactly the same purpose.
A must have for me.
J4003 Highlighter Brush Angled $40.00
Hair Type: Goat
This highlighter brush is carefully designed to apply makeup around the eyes and bridge of the nose. When you use this brush, use light strokes as if you are removing excess product . This enables you to achieve a natural but glamorous finish.
A. Full Length: 165.0mm B. Hair Length: 30.0mm
C. Thickness: 10.5mm
A bit softer and denser but very similar to the Mac 168 I have.
A nice to have but it would be a must-have if I did not had already a very similar one.
J501 Blush Brush LL Round & Flat $96.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
Made from resilient yet soft goat and synthetic fiber, this densely packed bristles offer heavy and uniform coverage with one stroke.
A. Full Length: 184.0mm B. Hair Length: 44.0mm
C. Thickness: 16.8mm
There is a similar Blue Squirrel & Goat with this description : “The densely packed bristles offer heavy and uniform coverage with one stroke. The bristles used in this blusher brush are a mix of blue squirrel and goat, which promises natural elasticity while still soft on the skin.”
Such a beautiful bronzer or powder brush, amazingly soft, I would say it gets very close to the Tom Ford, but it’s firmer and a bit more densely packed but it’s smaller in size. You will have more precision than with the Tom Ford.
A must-have.
J110 Blush Brush Round & Flat $52.00
Hair Type: Goat
Our best selling and must-have blusher brush! Carefully designed bristles are ideal for producing natural coloring effortlessly. You can easily obtain natural blending of color and its controllability is excellent.
A. Full Length: 178㎜ B. Hair Length: 38.0㎜
C. Thickness: 11.5㎜
There are two other brushes, both Goat Sokoho, one S100 $68 series and one B series $46, both with this description : “Our best selling and must-have blusher brush! Carefully designed bristles are ideal for producing natural coloring effortlessly. You can easily obtain natural blending of color and its controllability is excellent.”
I LOVE this J110, and you need it ! It has a bit more flexibility than the S110, feels softer too. It’s a very multi-purpose brush, works with bronzer, blush, powder… a dream !!!
The Koyudo is as soft but not as densely packed.I am very tempted to say that it’s as soft as the Tom Ford, but not as densely packed.
I cannot live without it !
J544 Blush & Foundation Brush Round & Flat $41.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
Ideal for all types of products – liquid/cream based makeup and even powder. Designed to help you easily control how sheer or heavy you want your makeup coverage, this excellent brush is perfect for even complete makeup beginners.
A. Full Length: 178.0mm B. Hair Length: 38.0mm
C. Thickness: 12.0mm
There is another similar brush (black and white bristles) $33 with this description : “Ideal for all types of products – liquid/cream based makeup and even powder. Designed to help you easily control how sheer or heavy you want your makeup coverage, this excellent brush is perfect for even complete makeup beginners.”
I was very surprised with this brush, another fantastic multi-purpose brush. I use it for blush or for foundation and I don’t need to finish the blending with another one more densely packed if I don’t want to.
Actually what I love to do is follow a wonderful tip that my friend Dena gave me : I apply the foundation, then when I still have some foundation left on the back of my hand I add a few drops of liquid blush for example, mix it with the foundation and apply and blend on top of my foundation application on the cheeks. Simply flawless !!! I use Kett liquid blushes or Daniel Sandler but you could do this with many cream blushes, it looks so natural and beautiful ! Thank you Dena !
It is more densely packed than the G544 or the Mac. I was never using the G544 or the Mac but this one I’ll use it really very often!
A must-have.
J5543 Blush Brush Round & Flat $60.00
Hair Type: Goat
The bristles offer moderate elasticity and therefore produce great color. Natural blending of colors is easy to achieve.
A. Full Length: 171.0mm B. Hair Length: 31.0mm
C. Thickness: 11.5mm
Very densely packed but not as much as the Tom Ford… I think it’s even softer than the Tom Ford… I couldn’t believe it so I asked my boyfriend.. he confirms !
A must-have.
J4001 Duo Fibre Powder Brush C $54.00
Hair Type: Goat & Synthetic Fiber
If you use glittery powder as a blusher to complete your makeup, this brush provides natural and sheer coverage. After applying blusher with this brush, use light strokes as if you are removing excess product, this helps create a softer look. Also suitable for applying highlighter under the eyes.
A. Full Length: 180.0mm B. Hair Length: 40.0mm
C. Thickness: 20.0mm
I didn’t care for the Mac 187 that much and I was looking for another stippling similar brush. This is it ! Bigger than the Mac, more dense, it’s really very easy and smooth to use, very soft, blends perfectly well! Amazing for foundation or for very pigmented powder blushes. I need 2 of these.
I love it to pieces… I cannot live without it !
Bottom line
I have tried not to write “must-have” on each brush, just because I need to make some kind of difference between the rating, but the J Series are all that I hoped for, I intend to get all of the white goat ones one day, time is my best friend when it comes to collecting nice brushes… 🙂
These J Series are a dream come true, they allow me to use products that I wasn’t loving and are extremely soft, yet efficient.
Well, this is it. I showed you all my J Series … if you are interested in more Hakuhodo white brushes, they also have a few more in another Hakuhodo series.
Example of other white brushes
I hope this helped, I couldn’t cover everything so if you have questions, please don’t hesitate 😉
***==***
I have to edit this post because I forgot to add to the picture with the hand swatches made with the J515 and J122R.
Also I want to add 2 more things that I also forgot… :
The care
For goat brushes, I use a neutral mild soap and lukewarm water to wash them. I rinse them really well and I remove the excess water with a paper towel, then lay them flat to dry. The smallest brushes dry in just a couple of hours, the biggest dry overnight.
For more delicate squirrel brushes, I fill a big bowl with some lukewarm water and add some mild shampoo. I wash the hair of the brushes in that little bath… then rinse them, remove the excess water and lay them flat to dry. From time to time I use also conditioner.
Of course never dry the brushes with a hairdryer or under direct sunlight.
I wish Hakuhodo had….
…created a white goat :
- G5527
- G5524
- G5520
- an even pointier J5521
- I also would love a brush in between the J242G and the J532, I feel like they forgot something in between these two.
- And also a J528 but with a round edge a slightly larger at the base of the ferrule (same idea as the Fu-Pa 02 but smaller and round).
Even though there are so many beautiful brushes in these J Series, I still think some are missing… 😉
Who knows, maybe if we ask them very kindly….
97 comments
Sonia, you are amazing! I love your reviews! I have already received 3 orders of J series brushes, and I had a further $350 of brushes in my cart… I think that amount may have increased after reading this! Thank you for your brilliant reviews x
you are welcome Dena, I wish we could meet again and talk brushes for hours 😀
GREEEEEAT post !!! Hakuhodo should make you their PR or at leat kiss your butt because i’m sure they’ll have 100% sales increase on EVERY brush you recommend.))
I love they way you love your brushes & it really comes accross in your reviews.
I’m happy to say that most of your MUST haves either came with my small second order or are on the way with my first order. I think I’ll get myself a J214 in white hair though. I told you that I didn’t get on with the black 214 that I have had for ages & took your advice on how to use it better. Now I reach for it more often than my Trish 45 for the final blend.
I really like the white goat because i prefer to see how dirty my brushes are & I find my TF blush brush so pretty with a bit of blush stain on the tips. Generally I swipe my brushes off on a micro fibre cloth after use. This removes a LOT of the makeup residue & results in me not having to subject my brushes to washing that often.
Thanks so much for all your effort super Sonia!
Thank you my dear Buggsiebee, you are so funny !!! that’s an idea … PR…mmmmm…
I had to edit my post because I forgot a picture – the one with the hand swatches, and two other little subjects, the care and “I wish Hakuhodo had”… 🙂 who knows… maybe they’ll read… and someday… 😉
I should try the micro fibre cloth!
You are welcome ! Your comments are always so nice to me !!!
Thank you for your incredibly thorough and informative post! Love the excellent photos and descriptions and what you think about each brush.
I purchased 6 J series brushes so far and while I expected good, they are surprisingly better than good. Favorites so far are J5523, J214 and J4006. Would love to hear from you in the future as to which ones eventually rise to the top of the heap as absolute favorites!
Thank you Kay, I will do an “absolute favorites” brush post 😀
Sonia, This is a review that I am sure many will read and re-read! A brush manual for sure! Thank you! I can finish my list……
xoxo
Thank you Stacy … well, you know we are all different and my must-haves may not be everyone must-haves… we all have different skin, products, preferences, techniques… but if I don’t like something, you know that I will say so… 😀
Dear Super Sonia,
For a moment there I really thought I am reading a thesis on brushes! This brilliant review is so informative and I agree whole heartedly with Buggeiebee that Hakuhodo should make you their PR.
I must also say, that like the J-series brushes, your blog is a MUST-HAVE for all beauty lovers out there!
Agreed….. MUST-HAVE for sure!!!
Thanks so much for the RMK blush swatches cc. Sonia did pass them on and I’ve been waiting on you to say thanks:))
I’m thinking they might be a bit too much on the sparkly side for me? Do you find them very sparkly on the skin once blended?
Hi Buggsiebee,
It is a little sparkly compare to the Mix Colors for cheeks but that is what it is intended to do. The creamy shade on the left is actually a highlighter, to define, and (for me) try to create an illusion that I have better feature / cheekbone. So there would definitely be a glow but I think not overly so. Here is the extra information that comes with the product (I have sent this to both Sonia and Stacy, sorry couldn’t send to you as I do not have your email add):
1. Apply the highlighting base colour A (on the left) from the apple of your cheek towards the temple area.
2. Apply the shade B on top, starting from the apple of your cheek towards the pocket area, under your cheek bones.
Hope that helps.
THANK YOU ! you cannot imagine how your comments make me happy… you are all very dear to me !!!
Wonderful review. I have never heard of these brushes. The stippling does look lovely, I didn’t care for the MAC either or the sigma. I’ll definitely look into these and keep your suggestions in mind. Quite a collection, may I come over and play? 🙂
xx
Never heard of Hakuhodo? Oooooooh, you’re in for a treat! You’d best cut up your credit card immediately:))
Anytime Taylor 😉
thank you, sonia ! I thought I have finished with J series but you created new lemmings 😉
you are welcome Nikoleta, I had to edit my post because I forgot a few things.. I just realized today !
I hope you will share you favorites too !
Hakuhodo nailed it ! so now I will start to prepare my Koyudo review…. I still haven’t used all the Koyudo I got and they have such a curious shape that I really need to be creative 😀
I cannot believe you are doing this to me when my brushes are being held at customs! I want them so bad! I’ve just placed another silly order for me! And i’m glad i did by the sound of your amazing descriptions! This is one off the best posts i’ve read on brushes and believe me – i read them all!
You know your brushes sweetheart – which just makes me love you all the more x
😀 I imagine how you feel…
I remember the day I got them, I had to sit because I was so excited 😛 Shame there are no numbers on the handles, I had to carefully open each brush one by one, print the label, stick the label, etc… took me a while…
I was a bit disappointed at first, it’s only after a wash that they look and feel their best !
Thank you for your comment Wayne, I hope you will love them as much as I do, everyone is different and has his own needs and preferences but I think you can’t beat their value for money, and actually also the quality of their customer service ! at least I know my money is going to a company that cares.
a big kiss for you <3
Hey….get in line:)) I’ve been waiting for my brushes for over three weeks !! Sonia & I placed our orders within hours of each other & mine are still camping out at customs. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Frustrating no??
I think I have been extremely lucky, in 5 days I had them… incredible. With the $12 shipping. It’s a pain not knowing how long your parcels will get stuck, don’t they have more interesting things to scan ??? 😛
oh by the way, I just wrote to Hakuhodo… to ask if or how they came up with the new creations and what was driving their new designs (customer or an inhouse creator)… I have no idea if they will answer but I told them that we were eventually wishing for a few more and gave them my dream list… 😉
we never know… a miracle could always happen…
What a fantastic post, you are so knowledgeable. I love the detail that you put into it. I never really cared for the MAC187 either, definitely will try the Hakuhodo. Can’t wait for your absolute favourites review. In the meantime, to the Hakuhodo website to drool….
Thank you Lyn 🙂
It can easily be overwhelming to browse such a huge selection of beautiful brushes… Wishing you all the best and please keep me informed of what you tried !
I bought some time ago this to dry my small brushes, it is not expensive and i use it everytime I clean my eyebrushes
http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/item-aluminium-brush-washer.htm
as for the J series, my favorites are definitely J125R and J122R. They are unique, I’ll get probably back ups. I haven’t used the J4001 yet, I love my platinium sephora and reach for it every time when I need a stippling. The J5523 is better then the mac equivalent for applying cream shadow but for now it is still less fluffy then the 217 for blending, but I think it will fluff more after washing it several times.
Hakuhodo, please make a J equivalent to 5524 and 5527 😉
They did change shape a little bit after a few washes, they are fluffier now.
I am going to write to Hakuhodo, they should do something for us… that would be so wonderful. Even if they can’t, at least they know we are interested and maybe they would consider it ??? who knows…
Hi Sonia, me again, this time with a question.
I want a goat/synthetic brush to apply my Chanel mousse eyeshadow but hesitate to get the J122R because I find my slant top J125 awkward to use. Somehow, I just can’t get the hang of using slant shaped brushes!
When applying Chanel mousse eyeshadow, are you able to get the same results with your J214R and J122R? Do they feel and perform similarly?
Thank you!
Hi Kay, I see what you mean… they don’t perform exactly the same way, I would pick the J122R definitely for that purpose ! it picks slightly more product and blends more precisely than the J214R… 🙂
Thank you so much, Sonia, for your clear and honest reply.
I truly appreciate the personal and thoughtful attention you give to those who have questions or comments. Your list of why the white brushes are great is incredibly thorough and spot on! You are a gem.
Sonia, I’m sure Hakuhodo will answer you. Their customer service is so brilliant & I’m sure that they keep an eye on Blogs for FB on their products. If they google their J series your post will be the first to pop up & they’d be silly not to take your recommendations VERY seriously. I’d also like to see some J-series with red wooden handles please?!!
they did reply already 🙂 I got an email from their Director… I don’t know if they will take our suggestions into consideration but if you have any wishes, please say so, they do read apparently …
Thanks cc:)
So, is it just the highlight side which is sparkly or the B side too?
Yesterday while applying the RMK 04 I actually asked myself why I would ever buy another blush ever! It is the most perfect blush for me. After swiping my brush accross the blush I don’t even have to knock of the brush before applying it to my cheeks. There is NO powdery residue and it never looks like too much. Last weekend this blush still looked glowy & perfect on my cheeks after 16 hours!!!
You’re quite welcome to my e-mail address. Perhaps Sonia will send it to you?
Hi Buggsiebee,
Both sides has some sparkles in them.. The highlight side has more sparkles and it is creamy. The B side is powdery but not chalky.
I totally get what you mean.. When we found a HG product we will ask ourselves why on earth would we need another blush? But when another blush product comes out, suddenly there will be that tiny extra room left for another one, or two. :p
Sorry cc, ……I’m a pain……..but which one did you like best?
I think I recall that we are both NC25?
I must get at least one of these and just I can’t decide between the three you have swatched.
Did you get any of the eye shadow duos?
I couldn’t decide, so I took 3! :p
Yes, NC25. Did you get the links of that beauty blogger’s swatches (I have them in the email)? I can do another swatches of them blended together tomorrow morning under natural light. My bad, should’ve done that earlier. So far I am loving 03 Coral Orange but I start to like 01 Rose too.. I am also trying Lunasol’s cream blush lately so I have not used the RMKs enough to make a concrete call.
Nope, no eye shadow duos. I find them a bit on the sheer side. After Sonia’s recommendations I got 6 of the Burberry’s. I love them so much I am selling my Dior’s!
You have no idea how this post is a god-send for me. My experience with brushes are limited to Mac and some old Chanel ones and til very recently had no notion of squirrel vs weasel vs goat, etc. As I started to read beauty blogs, I realize my brush stash needs some updating and have been meaning to start by ordering some Hakuhodo but just been utterly overwhelmed. Your post definitely helps. I was very excited that you find some of these brushes very good for precision application of Chanel and Armani cream brushes, as till now I haven’t found anything better than plain fingers for these products and found it sort of hassle as it sometimes looks okay and sometimes crude and slapdash. Also I loved it that you address the question of why goat hair. (I should have read it from Hakuhudo website.)
How about Ellis Faas eye products? I think you mentioned them somewhere before but am not entirely sure. Do you have a favorite application method for them? I found them beautiful but between the unhygenic and volatile packaging and the fast-drying consistency, I don’t touch them unless there is absolutely no hurry, which is rare.
Also, why do you personally like white goat hair? (i’m sorry if you have a comment on this somewhere.) Do you find any difference between blue vs Canadian squirrels? Do you find yourself that squirrel hairs give mat look compared to goat hairs as indicated in Hakuhodo website?
Anyhow, huge thanks for such a great post!
I am very happy it helps 🙂 I will try to address your questions one by one..
Ellis Faas eye products are fantastic, but the pens are a pain… I heard that recently the pens changed and were easier to use, I had to cut the bristles on my old ones because of the unhygienic usage (even though it doesn’t really help with the wastage) but the product itself is absolutely amazing, there is a post here : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2012/06/24/ellis-faas-some-swatches-and-my-thoughts/
Now I apply them with the J Series ! perfect ! I put the product on the back of my hand and I take it with the brush.
I love white goat hair for MANY reasons, I can give you my personal thoughts :
First of all, to me they look prettier.
They allow me to work faster because :
– they pack on more product on the bristles, therefore the application will be faster than having to go back and forth packing on the product.
– you can more easily gauge how much product you are applying because you can see it on the bristles
– you know where the product is on the brush, if you are doing a precise application you can see what side of the brush is used, if you want a thin application you can actually see how thinly you packed the product on… you see what I mean …
– they are more versatile, I can use them with any type of texture (liquid, cream, powder)
– they don’t have dye on them
– they are more resilient
– they are often cheaper
– they often are a bit firmer and offer better blending
Before with other companies white goat brushes were a bit scratchy, Hakuhodo makes incredibly soft white brushes and their material quality is “the highest grade hair” to quote them, and I confirm.
I’ll quote this site that I love : http://www.takaracanada.com/info/brush101.html
a) Blue and Grey Squirrel Hair
Currently blue squirrel is considered the best among other varieties. The tip of hair is very fine and soft. It has a pleasant feel beyond compare. Consistent quality of hair deems it ideal for powder, blush, finishing brushes. To fulfill the function, mixing it with goat hair for more resilience.
b) Canadian Squirrel hair
The tips of hair are very fine and neatly arranged and it has relatively good resilience. The length of hair is shorter than blue squirrel. it is used for eye shadow and for highlighting. It is expensive and scarce but it is very popular among professional makeup artists because it has an excellent control.
Your last question… glossy vs mat result : you have maybe noticed that with some powder products the more you blend, the more glossy and glowy the result becomes…
Yes I do notice a difference between the application but it’s not that obvious and I don’t really care. With goat hair you may be able to blend deeply into the skin and with some blushes you may need goat hair in order to have a more blended application. Since squirrel is softer the blush will be blended more in the surface of the skin and therefore it may look a bit more “powdery” in a way…
I hope this helps… it does take time and effort to build up a collection but it is worth it, even though you don’t need hundreds of them !!!
Estremely helpful Sonia. Thank you again. Can’t help asking some more questions though. What are your thoughts on other kinds of hair, sable, kolinsky, etc.? How often do you clean your brushes? Okay, let me make the question a bit clearer. It seems that spot cleaning with alcohol-based cleansing agents will compromise the softness of natural brushes and so are discouraged. So do you wash your brushes after each use? I guess what I’m wondering is that if I don’t have in circulation multiple brushes that I like, then I would have to wash my brushes everyday and that would be bad for the brushes. On the other hand, I would guess that you won’t have to wash your brushes as often as you have many brushes, even if you wash them after each application. So what is your thought on the frequency of washing? Also, have you found a better alternative Hakuhodo 239? What is your favorite brush(es) (or/and type of hair) to just pack on shadows? Lastly, why do you like to lay khol pencils under Chanel or Armani cream shadows? Actually, just one more, how do you like your Suqqu cheek brush compared to your other cheek/powder brushes? As usual, I ended up bombard you with questions, I hope you forgive…
Hi Yancy, actually your questions gave me an idea… 🙂 I am thinking about creating a post only for Frequest asked questions that I receive on brushes, I will try to do it shortly. If you have any other questions please add them here or send them to me by email so that I can add them in the post. Please allow me a few days and I will reply to your questions and others that I have recently received 🙂
about the non-brush question, I apply kohl just because I prefer a more opaque look, I find Chanel too volatile and with a kohl underneath the powder and texture or the Chanel will adhere better to the lid, crease less and last longer. I use a Sue Devitt Kalahari pencil or something similar, but it’s just a matter of preference 🙂
Hi Sonia , today I received my first order of Hakuhodo brushes and you were so right AGAIN ! I applied my Le Metier de Beaute Spicy eyeshadow (which is a deleriously gorgeous bronze colour but it goes all over the place like talcum powder !)with the G5522 , and it was just lovely , a perfect crease shape with NO fall-out . I just wish I’d known about these sooner !!!
I think you should just write a list for all of us of things we must have and we would all trust your judgement implicitly and order them !
BTW , I read Wayne Goss’ suggestion you do a make-up tuition video , and you know there are lots that don’t have a voice . I would just SO love to see you demonstrating some of the tecniques you describe in your posts , especially the layering on gel eye-liners .
thanks again Helen xx
🙂 great !!
I would love to do that, that’s a great idea ! Unfortunately at this moment I just can’t, I have exams coming soon and I have to concentrate for a little while on that 🙁
I really appreciate you encouraging me… making videos is a bit difficult when you don’t know how to handle the video-montage and I don’t own the right material right now, I have to get a new camera, lights etc for Christmas 😉
I admire all these wonderful bloggers that make videos on youtube for us, how do they find the patience and the time ???
Thanks so much cc!
I did get the link and I thought the blush looked beautiful on her cheeks and I couldn’t detect any glitter – just a lovely glow. I couldn’t enlarge her pics to check for glitter though.
I was also thinking # 03 & 01 but wondering whether the pink might be too pink. Oh, what the heck…. I’m going to get both:)
Yipp, the Buberry shadows are excellent! The RMK look so pretty though:)
Sonia, That is a great use for my unused Sue Devitt pencil! You are my inspiration 🙂
Seriously, one of the things I most appreciate from your vast knowledge is the ability to give me ways to use items I already own in new and wonderful ways!!! xoxo
Of course I love the new stuff that you have “forced” me to acquire 🙂
Thanks for the post. I actually just put in my first Hakuhodo order and this was extremely helpful! 🙂
Excellent ! enjoy your beautiful new brushes 🙂
I think a separate post on brush questions a great idea, sonia. Thanks.
This is great! I am a Hakuhodo brush collector. I have a lot of the G series brushes but am planning on getting some of the J series and this is will be my reference when making my choices. Thank you!
You are very welcome Bea 😉
Sonia you are leading me down a path to rack and ruin :))) SO much to do today , and here I am watching the Kate Moss tuition video !
That lip colour – wow !! I could never wear that . But now I’ll have to investigate the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate – the clip made it look so easy ! And Paula Dorf brushes ……??? Did you not a little while ago promise us your HG brush list for specific purposes ? Am really looking forward to that if you are !!! hx
Hi Helen,
well I hope I am not 😉 too many beautiful products in the market right now, aren’t they ?
I can wear Ruby Woo but my skin has to be flawless otherwise it doesn’t work… for a night out, it’s gorgeous, I never thought I could pull it off but I am surprised I can (even tough I like to tone it down a bit on my lips). I wear TF Shade and Illuminate on a daily basis and when I don’t, something is clearly missing… I cannot live without this one.
So .. yes, I am preparing a few posts at the moment (Koyudo review, favorite brushes and another one on different brushes for specific usage, just to mention a few of the ongoing posts because there are other little ones that will be published soon…). My big problem at this moment is that my work is taking me a lot of time and I am also preparing my exams for end of october so I don’t have enough time for finishing the posts quickly. Furthermore when I come back from work it’s very late I have 1 hour exercice to do for my back on a daily basis due to a little accident 1 year ago. I am struggling to find enough time for me and this may last until mid-November, after that I will be so much more free, I just can’t wait !!!. At this moment I am still preparing the posts but a bit more slowly.
My makeup activities right now : I am testing the Koyudo daily, and next week I will receive some Chikuhodo, when this is done, I will be able to finally pick my favorite brushes 🙂
I only have one Paula Dorf brush (the crease), it’s very nice, I use it but not very often, I very much prefer the Hakuhodo.
I recommend you the J122R for the Tom Ford, it’s my favorite for this kind of textures, works really very well. If you want a smaller one to apply it before (below the last line or the mobile lid,) the little J242G is nice to pack it on or draw a thin line sideways, but not necessary. You can apply and blend with the J122R.
For the shipping I always use the 12$ for Europe, the cheapest one, I never had problems and I have been ordering for years. The order arrives here in 5 days usually.
I hope this helps ! 🙂
So sorry to hear you have a back problem Sonia ; I know how debilitating it can be .
I’ve ordered the J122R , thank you for that recommendation , and the concealer and the fan brush . I will leave the foundation brush/es until your final deliberations and recommendations : actually that’s good as I really need to give my credit card a rest !!!!
Wishing you all the success with your exams in the future , thanks again Hxxx
Thank you Helen, I’ll be fine, I just have to live with it for the rest of my life… but I can have a normal life as long as I exercise 🙂
For foundation I have already found my favorites, the RM Radiance, the Koyudo Fu-PA 02, and the Hakuhodos J4001, J544, J528, just in case you wanted to know in the meantime 😉
Thank you so much, funny that at my age I still have to pass exams 😛
I’ll be glad when it’s over !
Hey Sonia Super Make-Up Guru :)) I feel compelled to make another Hakuhodo order : what would you recommend to apply Tom Ford’s Platinum cream eye-shadow please , bearing in mind my eyes are small ? And last time I paid the approx.40 euros for insurance ; do I really need to do that ?
thanks again hx
Sonia I have ordered the pink-handled Fu-PA from CDJapan , which I’m very excited about ; but only after exhaustive searches for the RM Radiance 27 which seems to be HG. It’s sold-out on the web-site , and I asked my friends in Australia to check out the department stores ( surely it’s not only available on-line do you know ? I think it was buggsiebee who said a little while ago that when you can’t get something it makes you want it all the more !!!!
Any thoughts on Chanel’s Vitalumiere Foundation , it gets lots of praise on the make-up tutorials ( do you watch pixiewoo ? They also re4commend the Bioderma micellar water you recommended to me , and which is on it’s way to me ) ? Hx
The Radiance is only available online I believe, I know that when you can’t get something it makes you want it even more, it’s the same with everything I am afraid… I have been there, with time you get more patient and with patience you always get what you want !!
And it’s not because people rave about it that it’s going to be good for you since everyone is different..
Sure I watch Pixiwoo, I love all their tutorials but recently I don’t have much time to watch anyone 🙁 so sad !!!! I didn’t know they recommended it but I know that there are many raves on this water.
I have the Vitalumière, it is good, but I have extremely dry skin and the best for me is Ellis Faas foundation. I am trying a few new ones at the moment, we’ll see 😉
I think you will love the Bioderma, it’s such a versatile and important item to have when you love to play with makeup !
Hi Helen,
Rae Morris brushes are only available online, but they have recently started selling them on a UK-based website, http://www.love-makeup.co.uk. They deliver internationally. They keep selling out, but they are really helpful, so if you email their customer service, I am sure they will be able to help you. You could also try Crown Brush Australia. They make the brushes, and they were also really helpful when the brushes first came out and I was desperate to get my hands on them! Good luck!
Hi Dena,
I forgot about this site !! and they have the older version brushes which is great.
Dena, could you please take your RM brushes with you next time we meet ? 😀
It would be fantastic to compare the versions we have depending on where we got them 😉
Dena thank you ; I’ll get on it right away – MUST have it :))) hx
Yes, I will be bringing lots of brushes to show you! The first 3 Rae Morris brushes I ordered from her website directly. I have just ordered another 2 from Love Makeup. I actually find that my Radiance brush sheds quite a bit, so it would be interesting to compare. I am just about to place a Chikuhodo order from Kohlindo – so exciting!
Thank you for such a great review of the J series! I’ve been waiting for it for so long! Im about to place my first order. Yay…which brush would you recommend for MAC paint pots? Cause Im a huge PP sucker and using them on a daily basis. Im using the MAC 242 and 249 for it now, but would like to upgrade my brush collection 🙂 Thanks and Im looking forward to your Z series Chikuhodo review!
Hi Melissa,
you are welcome 🙂
For the paintpots, I use J122R, J220G, J242G, J5523 for example. I am so happy with their versatility !
The Z series review is up 😉
talk soon !
Hi
I am loving your posts I haven’t ever used much makeup in the past total beginner but lately had my interest piqued and have been reading blogs and am becoming a bit obsessed with brushes before I even have any I seem to read only great reviews for the hakuhodo brushes so have decided to go straight for these. I have only owned a Mac 190 in the past.
I have a few questions if you don’t mind? I have emailed hakuhodo USA and they have been amazingly helpful too but am still a little unsure on a couple of things.
I have decided to get the g5557 2mm for applying liquid foundation. Eventually I will also purchase the g543 (have read heaps of awesome reviews but will have to wait till I can afford it). I also want to get the kokutan LAG for applying my finishing powder.
I am tossing up though with the blush brush I have never worn it in the past I always suffered from red cheeks (not so much anymore since getting older and using awesome skin care products) but I was always scared of blushes just making me look redder. I think it is in my application though so will research I have been tossing up between the RMK powder blush in the 03 orange three colour one or chantecaille cream blush in demure. Hakuhodo suggested the J210 for blush initially and was all set but then wrote to ask if I could use this for cream blush and highlighter too and they said I could but would be better with the J544 and a different brush for highlighter. They suggested the j214R which looks good but maybe smallish. I was going to use the Edward bess highlighter all over seduction on my cheekbones around the eyes and wherever else I learn I should (total beginner!!!). So I guess my question is would I be better with the j210 or the j544 or the other brushes i was looking at were the yachiyo medium pointed for powder and the mizubake for cream blush so was wondering on your opinions on these brushes and the two blushes I think I like the idea of the cream blush but then I saw you swatches for the RMK ones and loved them so now unsure. Also do you think the j214r would be the best for that highlighter or the other one I was thinking was the J116.
For eyeshadow they suggested the k021 to start with. In the past I have just used the little brush that comes with the powder shadows or my finger. I guess to start with I want to find just one brush I can apply colour with I recently bought the mac217 so have this too. I read good things about the kokutan wm or the b532. They said squirrel hair will pick up more colour for powder shadows.
I am so sorry for this long post. Any suggestions you can offer would be great though.
Thanks
Bec
Hi Becs !
I will try to give you some recommendations on the brushes you are talking about (whenever I can)…
I am probably also going to order the g543 because I am very curious about it, I just got the Koyudo H0111 so I will wait a bit 🙂
The greatest thing about Hakuhodo J Series is that if they don’t work for the original purpose you had in mind, they will work for another nice one, so there will be no waste (in a way), but that’s only my opinion.
For powder brush, I would recommend anyone to start with the J110 (but it’s big enough to use it as powder or bronzer brush).
I believe you can use the J210 for cream blush since they have no dye in them, for a powder blush it delivers quite a heavy application, for a cream blush it’s really nice and blends really well, but the thing with these dense brushes is that they might 1) pack to much product 2) blend too heavily and move or “alter” whatever application you have underneath, this is why depending on the products I am using I would rather pick a brush like the J544 that I find extremely multipurpose (I was totally blown away by this brush actually).
My favorites for cream blush and highlighter would be the J544 and the J4002, then for smaller highlighting (it depends what you want to highlight, for the contour of the nose or the cupid’s bow) the J214R will work but I prefer the J214 or the J122R (this J122R is much more multipurpose and you can use it for many more type of applications).
Then if you want to work with powder highlighter the J116 is a great option, or the J5521 which would also serve as a great contour brush and actually I love to use these two to apply my RMK powder blush. As you see the combinations are endless, it depends on your personal taste and preferences.
For eyeshadow application, if you already have the Mac 217 you need the Mac 239, not that I don’t like the similar options from Hakuhodo but I believe the Mac 239 is a must have for every one, specially if you are starting.
Tips 2 and 3 of this post will help you with covering a bit your redness.
I don’t know if this helps, I hope it does 🙂
Thank you so much that is a great help. I was thinking of getting the Mac 239 as it seems from reviews there is not one that matches this. I will one day get the g543 too there is something about tge look of tgat brush tgat really makes me want it!
Sorry I have another question in regards to the blush to start with given I want more of a dewy glowing natural look than a flushed look do you think i’d be better with the cream highlighters and blush or powder ones. I am only asking as at the moment can only afford to get one of the brushes so based on what you said if I go for the cream products I think I’ll get the j544 and the j122r or otherwise I’ll get the j116. But I can’t do all yet. So based on the effect I’m tending towards the cream but because I’ve been so anti blush in the past I’m not really sure.
Sorry for all the questions
Cheers
Becs
This is a fantastic post, seriously. You are great to go into so much detail and show great photos. Thanks so much. I’m deciding which ones I want to get. I’ve a few already and need some of these J series ones 🙂
So glad to have found your thorough blog! Question for u-if you could pick ONE brush for contouring, like your cheekbones which would it be? O and your top foundation brush? I cant afford a wide range yet, so want to start with a few!. Thanks so much for the help in advance.
Hi 🙂
I love the J5521 so much for contouring, so if I had to recommend you only one it would definitely be it !
For foundation it’s more difficult to recommend only one.. my favorites are the Rae Morris Radiance, the Koyudo FuPa02 and I am loving the stippling J4001 if you want a less denser brush than the Koyudo. If only one and if you are starting, then pick the Koyudo FuPa02, it’s a little gem !
you are welcome and thanks for the visit 🙂
OMG a Hakuhodo mega J series fan! I am a newbie fan as well. Like you, I discovered this series watching Gossmkeup review. I bought the J142 and that has started a buying frenzy for me. I love your review because most of the brushes that I have purchased thus far are different than yours. So now after reading your review, I plan to buy a couple of your cant live without brushes from the J Series. I am so impressed with the Hakuhodo series, my poor MAC brushes are lonely….they have become my foster children….poor guys. Even my much loved 217 has been replaced by my Hakuhodo J142 and J5523 (hopefully got the names right…lol). Wanna know a funny story? I know several girls at the MAC store in Macy’s near my home. I took my Hakuhodo brushes in…after bragging about them to a couple of the girls, and now all of them are ordering Hakuhodo brushes…lol. Thanks for the great review.
BTW…any Hakuhodo brushes comparable to the Rae Morris Radience??
Annette
Hi Annette,
🙂 welcome amongst Hakuhodo fans !
These J Series are beating many other brands, difficult to share the love !
Well, I did not find a Hakuhodo similar to the Radiance yet but the closest I found is the Koyudo from the Christmas set, here, and they said it will be released alone so that’s good news for those who prefer not to buy the full set.
Let us know the ones you’ll get 🙂
I forgot to say Annette, not that you need it, but the Tom Ford 13 is probably my favorite and more versatile crease brush : it’s precise, firm, soft, dense and keeps its shape ! all the qualities I am looking for in a crease-blending brush !
Hi!
Can u help me, please?)
What kind of brush is similar to MAC 239 in Hakuhodo?
Thank u!
Hello Inara,
this one : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2013/10/27/hakuhodo-j004g/
Do you have any suggestions for a brush for liquid foundation that blends really well and doesn’t create flaky skin while applying foundation? You mentioned that you didn’t use the J4001 for liquids because you preferred other brushes, how does the J544 perform?
I don’t use the J4001 for liquids since I prefer to keep it for my other creamy blushes/bronzers that need a more diffused application, unlike the J544 that you can use either for the full face or for more precise application.
The J544 is such a versatile brush, it works well with any kind of foundation (liquid, cream), but the main difference between these two brushes is that the J544 delivers a more precise application, I can apply and blend foundation around the nose, underneath the eyes, etc, with the J4001 it’s difficult to be precise in those zones and you won’t be able to precisely put pressure on the tips of the bristles if needed (therefore the great yet soft blending).
The J544 can be much more directional, but it still is fluffy and dense enough to use it with many many products and blend really softly, no problems with dry skin, it won’t create flaky skin at all. I didn’t really care for the black and white G544 but this J544 is so much better, softer and denser (also slightly wider).
I love to apply my foundation with the J544 and then pick up some liquid blush (Daniel Sandler or Kett) and add a little on the cheeks blended with the foundation. Then I have a glowy finished look and you can not tell that I am wearing foundation at all.
It does “suck” a little product but nothing like the huge Louise Young 34 for example.
This brush is really a must have for me and I don’t think you will be disappointed, specially if you have dry and sensitive skin.
Thank you so much for your detailed reply, I really appreciate the time you put in to reply to comments 🙂 I definitely need the J544 now.
Hi Sonia
How in the world are you able to be so generous with your time? Amazing, thank you!
I’m a makeup newbie at 42. I might as well invest in the best while I’m at it. What do you recommend as starter set? I have MAC 217, 242, 226.224& Edward bess face brush. Eyes?
Foundation/ blush?
Lips?
Sorry but all the numbers on the site leave me befuddled. Do you think buying a set is a good idea or piecing things together myself is better?
Thanks!
Renata
Hello,
Love your reviews!!! I had bought ebay brushes that are goat hair and I am very disappointed, you get what you pay for =) I am kicking myself in the butt right now and should have listen to you when you told me I should invest in one or two great brushes!!! I’m finish school now and I am going to give myself a present and buy some awesome brushes. I was looking into getting a Hakuhado powder brush and a concealer for the face for now because its accessible online and wanted to ask you if you would recommend their S100 flagship series?
This is by far the best review of Hakuhodo brushes I’ve seen. Not only did it give me more ideas on use of the ones I have, but you also convinced me to try out the J5521, K007, and J214. Thank you so much for the helpful review!
They arrived today and they’re amazing– so thanks again for the great recommendations. The J214 blends like no other and the J5521 creates the best contour that I’ve ever had.
I have your recommendations for a bronzer brush , but what is your favorite blush brush from hakuhodo . Thank you very much appreciated .
From Hakuhodo it is the G5519BkSL Powder Brush, it is nicely dense and very soft, the shape is very unique and perfectly bundled. That said, it is very expensive, if you wish a less expensive option I can try to give you one. This brush is hands down my favorite from them 🙂
Hello! If you don’t mind, could you please shed some light to me on what are the basic brushes that a beginner should get? I’ve never done make up before and I want to start learning. I’m looking to get Hakuhodo but I don’t know which brushes I would need.
these are good for beginners http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2013/01/05/hakuhodo-eyeshadow-brushes-where-to-start/
http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2013/01/07/face-brushes-where-to-start/
I have one more wish for a brush to be added to the J Series: a mini Shu Uemura #18 white goat brush for blending with 14 mm width at the ferule 🙂 I have been looking for such a brush but not found it anywhere.
I mean same proportions as the Shu #18 where all measures are smaller
the Koyudo is very similar (a bit softer) if you can’t find the Shu 🙂
http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/foundation_.jpg
What a wonderful picture! I can see that you are researching thoroughly for your foundation brushes post 🙂
(I see quite a bit of the Scientist category of brush lovers in you!)
I do have the Shu #18 and love it. I just also want one similar just a bit smaller 🙂 Maybe it would fulfil the same purpose as your BP023 or the J212, but it is still a bit different with a flat brush. I use my Paula Dorf Eyeblender as a small facebrush, and I think that that size of a Shu #18 (14 mm ferule) would be perfect!
So I am considering buying one of the ball shaped brushes, as they might do as well (and they really attract me very much).
But IF Hakohudo would make such a brush, I would definitely buy it.
Yes I am trying 🙂
The J212 I actually use it to blend the eyeshadow, it is so incredibly worth the 32usd.
The Trish in this pic is nice and it might be a nice alternative but today I am not finding it that soft anymore.. http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/base.jpg
The shape is just perfect, so is the density but although it has the appearance of squirrel hair, the Koyudo goat is softer.. go figure.
Incredible!
Too bad … I had to leave it out (for now) to stay below a customs limit or I will have to pay additional 12% customs fee to receive it.
I ordered the J5523, J125R, J142 and the Kokutan e/s l.
Do you prefer the J212 over the J214? If the bigger J212 can be used for the eyes it must be more versatile than the J214.
I prefer the J214 because I mainly use it for the eyes but the J212 would be more for a precise application of foundation under the eyes, sometimes I don’t do the whole face but just highlight some places with sheer foundation. They are tiny cotton balls, soft and beautiful. But don’t worry, it takes times and patience to build a little collection, you will enjoy the ones you get. I use them all the time.
I just saw a brush that may look like what I’m looking for in a video with Mary Greenwell. She uses it for contouring. Mary does a Chanel look, so the brush could be a Chanel one, but it isn’t on their website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yclaamnf-rU
Hello! Do you know how the J122 compares to S122? Everybody raves about the S one, but I’m not sure whether I should wait to splurge on that one or whether the J one works just fine. I noticed that you recommend J122R. How does it compare to J122?
HI Valentina,
The S122 is more appropriate for powder and the J122R for cream and liquid products. The J122 for both but I would definitely prefer the S122 vs the J122 if you can afford, the control with the S122 is absolutely stunning and it is made like perfection, I believe it’s more precise than the J122.
hi!!! do you think there is a hakuhodo version of mac 130? =) ever since i started buying hakuhod brushes as per your recomendation, my mac 130 is now scratchy =(
Hi Sonia,
This is again a good article, thank you. I have M.A.C #217, #219, #239, #187, #130, #132, #127, #266, … But, I don’t have #168, which is on your top-5. I am considering to buy one #168 for shading my jaws. Do you think M.A.C #168 is still a good idea? Or, I should buy Hakuhodo J4003 instead?
By the way, I am very interested in J210 (for blush) and am happy that I haven’t bought M.A.C #109. You really help me with saving money. 🙂
Hi Amy,
It is already an investment to get brushes at this price so if you can spend a few additional dollars I would recommend you to get the Hakuhodo.
It is slightly softer than the Mac, not much though.
If you havent’ got the J210 already, I would go for the Wayne 13, I have the 4 options (109, J210, 210, Wayne 13) and the one that I use the most and with most of the products is the Wayne Goss. Then as I say.. it is a matter of preference and convenience 🙂
I hope this helps you 🙂
Hi Sonia,
I used to wash my face brushes with shampoo, followed by hair conditioner. But, I learned from the Hakuhodo website that the hair conditioner may have negative impact on Brush’s capability of packing powder. I guess that’s why my RMK Cheek and Lunasol Powder/Cheek brushes can remain soft after long-term use but become difficult to pick up powder.
I’m now using Bobbi Brown’s Conditioning Brush Cleanser, but not sure whether it’s good to brushes or not.
Hi Amy, indeed, conditioner is not good for the bristles, it’s better to use a special solution from the brand or to use baby shampoo (without conditioner).
If they created that BB cleanser it should not be bad 🙂 the most important thing is to not leave humidity that could damage the glue and to be gentle with the bristles 🙂