After the J Series, Hakuhodo has just released two new brushes, the G5526 and the G5513. Not that I automatically order all the new released brushes … but these two seemed interesting to me.
There is a pencil/crease brush and a tiny flat one, both made with horse hair.
G5513BkSL Eye Shadow Brush round flat $16
Full Length: 147㎜
Hair Length: 7.0㎜
Thickness: 2.5㎜
Compared to the Mac 239 or the Hakuhodo J242G, it’s much smaller and thin, it has a slick feeling, well, not fluffy if you see what I mean.
This morning I needed an Ellis Faas smoky eye for the day so I applied some Ellis Faas pen on the back of my hand and used this tiny brush to apply it close to my top lashes, then I precisely applied some cream shadow on the bottom lash line with the tip of the brush.
I was able to draw a precise line holding the brush sideways, I winged it out and fill in the application with the flat side. Perfect.
As you can see, the J242G has become even better after a few washes, it is reaching the size of the Mac 239 in terms of width. Here you can clearly see how thin the G5513 is. After a wash, it hasn’t changed, still thin and the slick bristles remain tightly and closely packed. It doesn’t feel scratchy at all, but, it is very firm and not flexible.
I have used the G5513 with powder eyeshadows but it’s a bit too sleek for that, although it packs quite a lot of color and doesn’t hurt at all, I very much prefer to use it with hard cream products.
G5526BkSL Eye Shadow Brush round $20
Full Length: 149㎜
Hair Length:14.0㎜
Thickness: 6.5㎜
I thought it would be similar to the G5520 that I love, but it’s so different. It’s flexible, very pointy, soft (way softer than the Mac 226). Not squirrel-soft, but soft enough for me to be happy with it. It’s is supposed to be a great blender, smudger and should work well with packing on color, so I can’t wait to try it tomorrow !
I have managed to find some more brushes a bit similar.
The Chikuhodo Z-10 is much pointier as you can see, and softer of course but we cannot compare these two because the material is not the same (horse vs grey squirrel)
Here it is compared to the Rae Morris 8, the Hakuhodo is firmer than the Rae Morris, the Rae Morris is slightly softer, with the G5526 you can define the shape you want with more precision (for example a kind of contour around the crease), you will be able to pack a lot of color and you can also blend, I am not often doing these kind of looks and I prefer a softer brush for blending.
I will still use it but I definitely prefer the J series 🙂
This is compared to the other RM and Chikuhodo, if you wonder why I have two RM 8, it’s because the first 26 pieces set I received was terrible and I got a new one to replace it. Funny, because actually one of the only brushes that was ok in the first set is the RM8, the one sent in the second set is terrible, so irregularly layered, I put both in the picture because it looks like a lottery with RM 😀 you never know what you are going to get !
This G5526 is not a must-have, but I am not disappointed with it and I will continue to use it.
15 comments
These do look especially interesting! I’m glad you ordered… The G5513 is one that I need to add to my collection to use in the exact way you described. I am not satisfied with using what I have when doing the close to lash application. I will be very eager to hear how the G5526 works for you (what you will use it for)!!
Once again, Thank you!
You are welcome Stacy ! I will update this post tomorrow already regarding the G5526 🙂
Ohh, they have new brushes and I missed it? Well, I am glad you are on the ball and checking them out!
Although Hakuhodo says horse hair brushes are popular, I am on the fence with them. I like my pointed B533, G5514 and G5515 brushes but do not like the flat K024 or G5507BkSL brushes.
The flat brushes felt slick, a bit clumsy and the rather thick hairs poked my skin. Maybe my skin is sensitive or perhaps I shouldn’t have been using the tips vertically over the skin surface like I use the K005. But I like using the tips of my brushes, and not just the flat sides as they recommend on their website.
I know there are differences in goat hair softness so there are probably differences in horse hair textures. But there doesn’t seem to be names for each grade like they have for goat hair so I’ve been a bit wary about adding a lot more horse hair brushes to my collection.
Well… Dena told me 😉 Thanks Dena !
First of all, thanks for the info Kay. I feel exactly the same with horse or raccoon brushes, they usually don’t feel soft enough for me to use them, and sometimes I experience a lot of fall out or a non-even result or somehow muddy. I don’t own many Hakuhodo horse brushes apart from the little pencils ones that I love. This G5526 is probably my first ‘bigger’ one. It definitely feels softer than the Edward Bess or the SigmaE45, but I need to see how the application goes on tomorrow…
I did not wanted to order them when I saw they were horse brushes but I think that either way (like it or not), it might be useful to try them for the review.
talk soon 🙂
I really appreciate your purchasing them for the purpose of review. 🙂
I like the B533 for smudging gel/cream eyeliner and the G5526 looks like a longer version with probably more flexibility? I’m anxious to hear your reaction to this brush as I like pencil brushes — they are so easy to use. I love the G5520, Kokutan T, and G5527 and am always keeping an eye out for others.
They are very different in flexibility (the b533 and g5526). This morning I discovered that actually this g5526 was quite close to the Rae Morris medium pointed crease brush, so I tried both and I preferred the Rae Morris one. I still have to try them tomorrow because depending on the application both can be good, I just need to try different looks.
I think we have very similar taste because the ones you mention are also amongst my favorites ! I have plans for these brushes tomorrow 😉
At first I thought the G5526 seemed similar to the G5522BkSL but after checking on the website the G5526 is smaller. I like G5522BkSL for blending but I don’t use it very much since I’ve got the 5524
Hi Nikoleta, and we actually often end using the same brushes over and over again 🙂
Hi Sonia , I’ve received some more Hakuhodo brushes e.g. concealer , and the difference is amazing (used to use my fingers ). Having the correct brush of excellent quality makes everything so much easier ! I’m still waiting for delivery of the Fu Pa 2 for liquid foundation even though I pais 1500 yen for the “Express ” service . …..fingers crossed . I’m hoping you’ll be doing a Absolutely The Best Brush post for all the different applications , This is about skin-care though : a little while ago you recommended micellar water for cleansing , and , jeeeze louizzeee , what a trial it is to get hold of them from the French companies I’ve tried so far . My question to you is there an appreciable difference in Bioderma’s Crealine TS H20 water , and the just H20 please ? On the Amazon web-site the TS H20 is nearly double the price , which I will gladly pay if it’s worth it . Are there any other brands you would recommend e.g. Klorane’s micellar water for babies ? Thanks Sonia hx
Hi Helen
I am glad you are happy with the J Series, I am still very happy with them, such fantastic series !
I do recommend to use micellar water, but I am not an expert at all on the different brands.
The main reason why I use it here it’s because the water is too hard and makes my skin so uncomfortable, with this I avoid to wash my face with water from the tab. I have to say that I simply use the one that I am able to get. This girl does a nice review and give some links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chAzs6Y4irg
I am afraid I am not of great help here 🙁
Hello! I love your blog and brush reviews! Have you tried the smaller portable brushes by Hakuhodo? Do you happen to use any travel size brushes and have any recommendations? I bought several of your Tom Ford brushes and they are amazing as well as some Hakuhodo’s and you are always spot on!
Sonia you are ALWAYS helpful !! I watched thr clip , thank you , and I already had made an order to leguidesante . Thanks also for the Chikuhodu reviews OH. MY. GOD . !!!!
Even though I just took delivery of the Hu.G 5522 , the Ch. pointed one is a Must Have ( ANOTHER must-have !).
I am trying to rationalise having the Z4 , even though I just bought the Tom Ford 06 🙂 : how about this ? My face is small , so the Z4 would be better , and I could use the 06 as a blender ; do you think this would work ? thanks Sonia hx
Thank you 🙂
Sure it would work, they are two completely different brushes, both extremely good !
You can use them together exactly as you say, but either way, you will love the Z-4.
I don’t find it is necessary to blend after using the Z-4 and with the TF you may blend too much and make the blush finish too sheer, that’s something you will have to evaluate during the blending process 😉
If you are hesitating between similar grey squirrel brushes, then I will recommend you to chose Z Series.
Interesting! I purchased G5526 yesterday so I’m very excited!
xxkarima
@ http://www.shamelessfripperies.com
Hello sonia,
I was just wondering what would be the softest small detailer brush or small pointed brush to get. My skin is really sensitive so I’ve been looking for something very small and very soft. …please give me your recommendations.
Thanks