You may have seen this brush on the Koyudo website recently, it’s a red squirrel brush that comes in a special wood packaging :
Since it’s a limited edition of 100 pieces, I wanted to quickly show you some pictures before it’s sold out.
Actually it didn’t look that interesting on their website so I wasn’t going to order it, at the end I did and I don’t regret it – I am lucky to have sweet followers who tell me when I really have to splurge and I am very grateful to them… 😉
I don’t know what the handle is made of but it doesn’t look and feel as luxurious as Hakuhodo S Series do, it looks like a plastic handle but I may be wrong. The hair is another story, it does feel great and luxurious.
I have tried to compare it to the softest brushes I have, for example the Hakuhodo S111 or the Chikuhodo Z Series but nothing beats its softness. It does actually feel kind of surreal.
The hair length is 4cm and the base of the ferrule 2cm, it’s thin and tapered.
Softer than the Hakuhodo S111 (blue squirrel), it also has more flexibility. Same gold and red look but different materials :
This brush is more suitable for very pigmented blushes, I tried it with Tom Ford Narcissist, I was scared at first because it picked a lot of product on the bristles, but when I tap the excess off, only the correct amount of pigment is kept and when applied on the cheeks, it looks very natural and I did not know that this kind of blush could look so natural !
Bottom line : it doesn’t look that luxurious but it’s a very special brush, only a must have for brush collectors, or those who are in the hunt for a very soft brush in a very limited edition.
Regarding the price, it costs 8’400 JPY (around 105 Usd), it’s expensive, but if you are looking for the softest brush ever made (that I know of…), this is it. It’s the only red squirrel brush I own but I am pretty sure it cannot get softer than that.
At the end, it depends what your budget is, it also depends where you live and what the prices of high end brushes are in your country. It is cheaper for me to order this brush even after shipping and taxes, than to buy any other high end brush over here so, to me, it’s worth it.
*****************************
I am late with my reviews, I own you a proper Koyudo review and that will be done soon I hope.
These are the other brushes that I ordered together with this red brush and that will be reviewed later on, the BP013, the Sakura 022 and the H005 :
I know my friend and follower Nikoleta is very interested in the Sakura 022 🙂
Nikoleta, this picture is for you to compare the Sakura and the H005 (I believe you have this kabuki brush but just with a different handle) :
The H005 compared to the Hakuhodo Saikoho large and the Koyudo white mushroom :
All these brushes, together with all my Koyudo brushes will soon be reviewed but if you have any questions in the meantime, do not hesitate 😉
121 comments
Wow – softer than the Chikuhodo Z Series? I am so pleased I ordered this brush today – I cannot wait to receive it together with the Christmas set. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Sonia, it is so sweet of you to take time to make the photos. The sakura looks so tiny compared to the kabuki. Is it as soft ? How does it compare to the Z-8?
The BP013 seems very promising and soft. I’m waiting for hakuhodo to put the white kinokos on line, they are so luxurious.
I have a looong list of lemmings now.
Hi Nikoletta:)
I recommend that you contact Hakuhodo directly about the Kinokos. They may just have a few hanging around which they will sell directly:)) I contacted them after you posted the pic & got a positive answer. No harm in asking:)
Oh, I’ve just seen your answer on the other post. Sorry for the repeating. If the sakura is even softer, it will be mine for sure. Did get it on koyudo directly or on the site you linked in your mail ?
I have asked Koyudo by email, and they sent me the paypal invoice (this sakura 022 is JPY 4’200), it was easier than I thought ! 🙂
That is one gorgeous brush!! I just received my sweet little macaroon today! So cute!!! She is drying so I will play tomorrow… I ordered the Christmas set today and the Deka Fu Pa… Think I need to contact them and order this one as well!! I have been so pleased with all from them so far 😉
xoxo
I am pleased too ! it does takes longer than Hakuhodo for sure but other than that, I am really glad that despite their Japanese site, they ship internationally and that we can contact them by email !
I hope you will love this cute Christmas set as much as I do and I hope they will sell these brushes separately !
So glad you love this! I received this together with the white mushroom so imagine my excitement holding both in my hands!
I agree that it is best use for pigmented blushes.. I have tried it with medium pigmented ones and though it needs a few more layering, the effect is very natural, as if it’s glowing from inside and it is sooooo beautiful.. totally no harsh lines. And with hair that soft, who would mind stroking it on the cheeks for hours? 😛
Totally agree 😀
I tried it with a sheer RBR blush this morning, fantastic !!! So pleasant to use and the result is stunning – since I thought it would not show up, I layered too much but I could tone it down with my foundation brush afterwards 😛
How are you liking the BP013? It looks similar to the Tom Ford Bronzer in that photo. Do you find it soft? I’m a sucker for white goat brushes, and I find koyudo’s designs so pretty!
Me too, I just love white goat brushes !
The BP013 does look similar to the Tom Ford but it’s actually very different. The BP013 is a “grown up” Fupa-02. I explain :
The hair is similar quality/texture as the Fupa-02, but the hair of the BP013 are longer, less densely packed and more flexible, it’s about twice the size of the Fupa-02, the Fupa-02 is slightly softer. Koyudo calls this brush a “foundation” brush and I can see why, this is hair made for applying foundation products. It’s a GIGANTIC bp014.
Now, compared to the Tom Ford bronzer brush, the TF is bigger, softer, fluffier, has more flexibility, is less densely packed and not made for applying foundation at all.
I am going to try the BP013 today for the first time, I think it has a lot of potential because I have thicker cream foundations (like the Mac mineralized foundation) that I believe will apply flawlessly with this brush, we’ll see 😉
Thank you so much for your reply! This has been really helpful, I have a wide variety of foundation textures from very liquid, gel like, thick creams, powder… Do you think this brush would perform well with powder foundations as well as thick creams? If so it’s a big winner for me. I find really liquidy foundation need a very dense brush or a very thin stippling brush to work well, but I’m at a loss for what works best with my creams and powders.
Your blog is really amazing by the way, I found it after finding koyudo on the net and this is by far the best blog I’ve seen on makeup brushes.
Hmm, the BP013 reminds me of a bigger TF 02 as well.
Sigh, this cheek brush looks so pretty but I don’t think I can afford this!
I tried the BP013 today for the first time… amazing…. 😮
I though it would soon end this crazyness it looks like there are still some gems hidden everywhere 🙁 STOOOOOOOP !!!!
Oh no… I think you need to stop this blogging for the sake of everyone’s wallet… but at the same time, we couldn’t live without this!
Do you have any experience with Kanebo Chicca? I was browsing the special order list on bonboncosmetics and saw the Chicca Perfect Face Brush – US$360.99!
oh nooooo I don’t wanna look 🙁
(I did 😛 )
gosh…
Did you resist temptation or did you put in an order, that is the more important question 😛
Did you order the Lunasol Powder Brush? My cousin asked me whether I wanted it and I haven’t decided yet… there are so many other brushes I want! I did order the Christmas set from Koyudo though, and I’m waiting for them to invoice them. How long do they usually take?
Hi,
Im so confused with the Koyudo websites. So far I found 2.
First is this 1: http://www.koyudo.co.jp/EnHP/EnTop005.html
Second is this 1: http://www.koyudo.co.jp
But here they dont show the Sakura or the Kabuki series. Not to mention the other series that that dont have online such as M or AG series and so many others? Do u know where to search for the other series?
What type of hair is the Sakura 022 made of do u think? I was hoping something like gray/blue squirrel?
Im very interested in this kabuki, which reminds me on the G543, but it seems a lot softer and it looks so classy 🙂
http://www.koyudo.co.jp/EnHP/List/Detail/DetailH/EnH008Detail.html
Also few more questions. Sorry 🙂
Is the Koyudo Red Squirrel almost the same as Z4? I already have the Z4, Im just afraid its almost identical to this 1, except maybe the Red Squirrel is softer?
I want to get a contour brush, do you think 1 of the the new Fu Pa will be good for this purpose? I’m contouring with powder. Which 1 do u think be best for contouring with powder: the Fu-pa13-b or the Fu-pa08-p
Or maybe u can recommend me another contour brush? I’m looking for an angled one actually, like the MAC 168.
Too many choices right?
Thanks so much for yr help!
Melissa
Hi Melissa
I will take some time during the week to reply to your questions 🙂
Don’t worry, I won’t forget you 😉
Hi Melissa,
It is very confusing indeed ! I am also lost and I don’t know where to find what.
Here is my reply :
1) http://www.koyudo.co.jp/EnHP/EnTop005.html
2) http://www.koyudo.co.jp
Both these sites have the same international order email address shop@koyudo.co.jp, so the destination of your order arrives at the same place
Site number 2) shows the items with tax included, site number 1) shows the items without the tax, when I receive an invoice from them, it shows the prices without tax and I pay the tax here at the post office when I retrieve my items.
I think that it’s just a general problem of website design, it looks like the company has grown without adapting the infrastructure around (not only web, but also customer services), we can admit it lacks clarity. I placed an order on November 21st and today (Dec 7th) I don’t know if my order has been received, has been processed or any other details.
To place an order with them, you have to fill an excel template and send it by email, then wait for the items to be ready and they will send you a paypal invoice.
It’s not a solid and clear process BUT they do allow us to order wherever we are so that’s a good thing, remember some Japanese companies don’t…
There is also another site :
http://cooljapannow.jp/search3.html?cjg=&q=koyudo
where they have Koyudo brushes, the order process is easier, you fill your cart, go to paypal checkout for example, and you wait.
In both sites (Koyudo or Cooljapannow) the order can take quite long to process, you have to be patient and they will contact you when the items are in their premises. Once they are shipped then you get your items fast.
What I do is when I see a Koyudo brush that I like (anywhere I find it) I send the reference number to Koyudo in my order and they will get it for me (even if it’s not listed on their website)
Now onto the other questions :
The Z4 and the Red Squirrel brushes are very different but that doesn’t mean that you need both !
I do, but because I am a brush fiend – and I have to admit a bit crazy !
If you can afford the Red Squirrel, go for it. The Z4 is not limited edition and you can get it later on if you really want it.
The Fupa13b is more for powder contouring, if this is what you use I’ll rather pick this one over the Fupa8p. But I haven’t received it yet and it’s probably going to take a while…
Depending on the shape you like, these J Series are excellent : J4003, J210, J5521, it’s just a matter of personal preference…
hope this helps !
Dear Sonia,
Did you know there was a red squirrel powder brush? Sold out now, and I’m not sure whether it’ll be back in stock … 🙁 You got me browsing Japanese brushes!
I know how it is… once you start you can’t stop ! I don’t even shop anymore here (I couldn’t if I wanted to 😛 ) I find everything I want either during my trips or on the web !
Silky!
That’s the first word that came to my mind when I opened my box and started running the brush over my fact. It’s so INSANELY silky, it’s like using little tendrils of silk to caress your face. Thanks so much Sonia, and Buggsiebee was it?, for insisting that everyone should get this brush!
YAAAAY Bonnie!!
Silky was my very first impression on feeling this brush on my skin. Like Sonia, I have a LOT ( waaaaaaay too many ) high end brushes & I had never felt anything like this brush.
The great thing about the little red squirrel is that it’s not just soft, it’s functional too!
So many super soft brushes just don’t cut it when in use. They’re nice to play with or look at, but aren’t particularly helpful in ones daily makeup routine.
Koyudo Red Squirrel brush is a total win 🙂
I can’t wait to use it tomorrow! I’m going to wake up extra early just so I can apply blush, give myself clown cheeks, take it off then redo my makeup again (properly, this time)!
It does feel very functional, I’m just been playing with it and I love how it seems to have just the right amount of spring and flexibility. I agree that sometimes super soft brushes just don’t work, but when they do, and have out-of-this-world softness, “total win” as you said.
Thanks Buggsiebee!
Hi Sylvia, I saw that you ordered it too 🙂 Can’t wait until you get yours, it’s gorgeous. And the packaging is just gorgeous.
I’m thinking that the limited 100 brushes have been sold 10 times over 😉
Once the brush had been washed for the first time I found it even better!
Hahaha….YAY for clown cheeks 😀
thinking the same thing, it was sold for some time on cooljapan, then was back in stock. I just hope that the new ones are just as good and not made in a hurry just to satisfy the demand.
I sincerely hope that’s not the case either … the brush I received was superb though and not a hair out of place. I have noticed that some of my fu-pas are still shedding a stray hair every now and then though hmmm 🙁
Today it was laundry-brush day… 80 brushes !
I have to take the pics for my future post but they were all dirty 🙁 so now I have to wait for them to dry..
I had to wash all my fu-pa brushes too and none shed ! they did in the past but today I was actually very surprised. You should keep an eye on them and let us know how it evolves so that we can all compare our experience with them.
Since they get dirty often and quickly I have to wash them quite often but it did get better and better.
The Hakuhodo G5556 is still shedding a bit so is the Radiance (as always).
One brush that is completely blowing my mind at the moment is the Koyudo BP016, the quality and solidity of this one is outstanding. Everytime I wash it I am surprised how quickly it dries and how soft it remains.
There’s always that possibility, isn’t there.
Still, that the advantage of this fantastic blog- we have a base from which to make any legitimate complaint.
Hi Sonia,
I LOVE brush-laundry day!! 😀
It is a ‘mind-therapy’ to me.. Feels so good after seeing all brushes cleaned and especially the goat hair ones – all ‘white and fluffy’. 🙂
Another recommendation to get the BP016..? To the shopping cart it goes! 😀
it’s a therapy to me as well 🙂 but I am glad I don’t have to pay to get them cleaned 😛
As Buggsiebee said already, it’s the perfect balance between all 4 elements, with a 5th in the center 😀
Soft-efficient-perfectly shaped-perfectly sized and with the perfect ergonomics and the quality label at all steps… (I think I ate and drank too much tonight 😀 ) => to bed shall we …
I don’t know.. probably they weren’t thinking to be as successful as they are…
But I am glad it is still available…
Haha, I’m glad it’s still available as well. Well, just from Sonia’s blog alone, we’ve probably made at least 1/3 of the sales… and we’re still not sure what the domestic market is – with so much quality stuff and they probably don’t know about this blog – and because it is still generally hard to get, the demand might be less elsewhere 🙂
Lucky for new readers here!
I will definitely let you all know if the brushes are still shedding 🙂
fantastic !!! 😀
Enjoy the brush, Bonnie, you lucky girl!
Hey Sonia, I just wrote Stacy yesterday that even with all my cheek brushes I almost only alternate between my Red Squirrel & the Koyudo super soft goat hair BP016.
BOTH from Koyudo!! What a great discovery 🙂
oh 😀 how cool is that !!!
yes very good discoveries, I hope they will keep up with the great quality…
Hey Buggsiebee,
Re: BP016, even the Chikuhodo Z8 cannot rivaled it?
I agree with you that from the day I got the red squirrel brush (remember how we were yelling in the email.. 😀 ) I cannot stop using it. I would sometimes use the Z8 for 2-3 days, then I would start missing the Red-S so much I switched back.
I gotta get the BP016, don’t I? Does Tanseido EQ28 even compare?
I miss you all so much. It’s good to be back!! 😀
Hey cc 🙂
I’ve been missing you! You OK??
Hihihi…I’ll never forget all the squeeing going on in those mails 😀
Yipp, the Red Sqirrel is & remains amazeballs!!
The obvious difference between the Chiku Z8 & the BP016 is that one is squirrel & the other finest goat hair. They are both excellent brushes, but I find this goat hair brush better for blending out some of my blushes. I like to alternate between squirrrel & goat hair.
In comparison to the EQ 28, the Tanseido is softer, but also much bigger & not nearly as dense as the B016.
I think that the perfect combination of softness, form, size & density of the Koyudo BP016 makes it so perfect for me.
Yes, I think that when you next place an order, you absolutely should consider adding this brush to your list 😉
Sometimes I feel guilty pushing but it is a very good brush, above J Series quality in my humble opinion.
I got my Red Squirrel today on my way to work *happy dances* and it’s absolutely divine. I washed it at work with baby shampoo and now it’s dry. So ridiculously soft, I can’t wait to use it tomorrow. So now my question is, do I need the Z-8? I have the Fine Kalla cheek brush which I love and now the Red Squirrel….is the Z-8 different enough? I also have the Hakuhodo G5519 which is soft and very dense. Do anyone know if the Chikuhodo kolinsky brushes are any good? I’m now unsure of the items I have reserved with Malin. I’m thinking I need the Koyudo B016 now. Sigh. Please help!
Z-8 is a multitasker but now I regret not having bought Z-1 first : I have many small cheek brushes and that’s what I use as I combine slight contouring and a little bit of blush on the apples. So in fact, I rarely use the Z-8 as it is too big for me and finally when I use bronzer I reach more often for my koyudo H005. I don’t regret buying Z-8 (I am a collector) but would have bought it after the Z-1.
as for the kolinsky brushes, I’ve bought two but sold one as I didn’t like the feeling on my eyes, the other one is ok but not the perfection of a shu : some hairs splay out and layers are not very even but it does its job.
@ Nikoleta…I love my H005 for bronzer every day! Thanks to you 🙂
I use my super soft H008 like a powder puff to apply a light dusting of powder. I’m using the KGD loose face powder at the moment & am loving it.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how Koyudo has taken over my brush cabinet.
They have become my # 1 go-to brushes, so thanks to you AGAIN for this fantastic discovery!
😉 it’s good to have more options, for two years I’ve only bought hakuhodo, I’m glad CJP expands their offer of koyudo and hope kohlindo will stock more of chikuhodo and improve their stock (I appreciated now e-project but there is always a risk of extra-taxes 🙁 )
Hahaha Carlyn, do you always carry your baby shampoo to work with you 😀
I can understand how outsiders ( normal folk ) might think we are a teeny bit OTT and crazy 😉
IMHO you absolutely do need the BP016 next – before you add more squirrel brushes.
For Kolinsky, invest in the Shu Natural brushes. They are simply the best & no matter how many others I have accumulated over time, I ALWAYS return to the Shu # 10 & 12.
I know, I know, I sound like a broken record. I’m always going on about the Shu natural 10 & 12 and the Red squirrel & the BP016, but these really are THE standout eye & cheek brushes in my collection.
Thank you Nikoleta and Buggsiebee for your recommendations. I canceled my reserved items with Malin and plan to place an order for the BP016, I didn’t see it on the CDJ website though. I will have to email them. I really love the Fu-pa08p that I got so I think I’ll order a backup or two of that.
Buggsiebee, I work in a hospital so there’s always a bunch of baby shampoo around, lol. I just couldn’t wait and omg, omg, omg, do I love the Red Squirrel! It was pure bliss using it this morning. Awesome brush, I thought the Fine Kalla couldn’t be beat, boy was I wrong. I want another one as well. I agree with the Shu brushes, I was able to get the 12 and 15 from Amazon after Kay and Stacy verified that the brushes they got were genuine. I love these two, no matter how hard I jabbed my eyelids the bristles did not hurt my skin. I’m after the 10, 5R and 11 next, just waiting for the Shu website to have their 20% off sale.
😀 How practical having baby shampoo directly at the workplace! You were obviously thinking ahead to your brush collecting days when you decided on your career 😉
Now that you mention it Carlyn, I do recall you writing a comment about having got the Shu 12 & 15 – off Amazon I think?? Unfortunately I really don’t use my #15 as much as I should for the price it cost. It’s too big & bushy for me to use on my eyes so I use it pretty much only for highlighting. I also want to get the 5R still and have had the #11 in my basket sooo often, but always ended up leaving it behind. If you do get it, please lmk what you think.
The Fine Kalla is a lovely squirrel brush, but the Red Squirrel is in a league of it’s own. I also like that it’s more fluffy than the Kalla. I also got a backup of the Red Squirrel back then when I thought that it was limited & might not be available much longer I’m no mathematician but it appears to me that the ‘limited’ Red Squirrel ration cannot be depleted, so perhaps one doesn’t need to be in that big of a rush to order another 🙂
for europeans (buying in euros), keep an eye on the weak yen these days (there were some speculations on the markets, I think, don’t know how long it will last or if it will go down more) if you want to order something, it’s not much but it is always a pleasure to save some pennies.
and for CJN, remember to enter your birthday to have 300 points.
I have three orders from CJN on the way, I hope I’ll get them someday 🙂 the pink fupa left Japan on the 22/01 and is still not in France obviously (when I checked on the japan post site, it’s making a world tour probably) 🙁
Sonai, how is you dog doing ? Give her a big hug.
Hahaha, Nikoleta…..I had a good chuckle this morning at your……
‘I hope I’ll get them someday 🙂 ‘ !!
You have to laugh about it sometimes because it’s just so ridiculous!!
Good luck! They WILL arrive some day!!!
She is doing great Nikoleta, thank you, she is jumping up and down and playing like a baby ! she is absolutely adorable and she eats really well now 🙂
It’s wonderful to see her that happy !
Carlyn, thanks for the heads up about the possibility of a 20% sale at the Shu website. I’ll wait till then to make my wish list there come true.
Like Nikoleta, I’m waiting for my Red Squirrel to arrive- I made my order the 19th of January so it’ll make the wait easier knowing someone else here is in the same situation.
Sonia, I hope the house renovation and your dog’s health are going OK!
Hi Sylvia, thank you for worrying, our little dog is doing really well !
The house renovation is starting this week only, but during the night we got so much snow that I am not sure that the workers will make it…
My colleague had an accident so I have to work extra hours to cover, I try to think of my little brushes waiting for me at the post office to cheer me up but I don’t even have time to stop and pick them up… sad…
I am also really wanting the Shu 15… 😛
Sylvia,
They had a sale over the holidays and historically have had one or two 20% off sales during the year, it hasn’t been consistent however. I’ll post the sale if I come across it first.
I also placed my Red Squirrel brush on Jan 19th and received it on Feb 4th. It was shipped via FedEx International Priority, it took 2 days to get o me after it was shipped and it was one of the cheaper shipping options. Hope you get yours soon so you can start enjoying it.
Sonia, good to hear about your dog’s health.
Odd you would mention snow, as we had snow as well.
And while I sympathise with the over-time, I can’t really feel sorry for someone who has brushes awaiting them1
héhé I know… I know… 😉
Yay!
CDJ sent me an e-mail to confirm my haul was posted yesterday!
Since it’s Waitanga Day, I feel entitled to do a little Haka to celebrate!
@Sylvia, Please tell…..what is Waitanga day :)…and what is a Haka??
she’ll tell you but I love it 😉
YES ! it’s the end of the tunnel… we’ll dance with you 😉
New Zealand????
*waves from Australia*
Grrrrr…where are my two fu-pa01s?? 😛 🙂
Bea, I did it… I sent an email to Tommy… with “a few” items that I want to try.
Between you Bea, Melissa and actually all of you I just couldn’t resist any longer…
Let’s see how it ends… 😉
Waitanga Day honours the signing of the Waitanga Treaty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Waitangi
The Treaty itself is the subject of a lot of debate, misunderstandings and manipulation.
Business as usual?
I could be wrong, but my take is that Waitanga Day is basically an excuse for barbie on the beach.
Now, the Haka is a different kettle of fish altogether.
Here’s the Haka performed before the match against France in the 2011 RWC FInal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjVqZkDZrgg
And now I’m going to light some incense to the Shinto dōsojin who looks over travelers
http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=205
Sorry to blither on like this, but I have the impression my brushes en route are worthy of all the divine protection I can give them!
So, I find the Haka a bit scary looking, but if it amkes you feel better to dance it then I’m ALL for it 😀
I South Africa we have a Gum Boot dance:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0J5UQIlQIg
Try doing that without breaking into a sweat 😉
Your brushes WILL arrive unscathed & soon, I can just feel it in my bones 🙂
Sylvia can you please light some extra incense for my brushes as well. I have 3 separate orders from Koyudo and CDJ enroute to me as we speak. Maybe also mention that customs overlook charging the duty taxes on them! 🙂
I can see the Haka might be a bit over the top for foreigners.
I daresay it resonates with the ‘Inner Klingon’ and that’s never entirely comfortable, is it?
Thanks for the clip of the gumboot dance and the best wishes for the unscathed arrival of the Red Squirrel and party.
My only real fear is that the cats will assume the Red Squirrel has been bought for their amusement and destroy it at their leisure whilst I’m at work…
There is only one solution Sylvia 😉
You will have to get rid of your cats 😀
Buggsie, you are going to scare her !! 😀
Sylvia, do hide them (I mean the brushes!!! 😀 ) and don’t worry .. we are only kidding !!! 😀 😀 😀
Heeheehee….. sorry 😉
Cats or brushes?
Decisions, decisions!
Cats ARE cuddly.
But brushes…
Brushes are cuddly too. I pet my new fu-pa01 while I surf the net for more brushes lol. 🙂
😀 😀 😀 you all crack me up !!!
Bea, you have a point there.
Brushes ARE cuddly.
And they don’t need cat-litter trays, as far as I know…
Brushes can’t wash themselves though 😛
Haha, Bonnie 😀
That’s a BIG point for the cats!!
Cats can become brushes so they’d better darn behave themselves…….or else 😉
I know that the interest here is mostly natural hair brushes, but I’m always checking the lastest & greatest Synthetic/ man made fibre brushes available because I’m NOT 100% convinced on the ‘NO cruelty involved’ in making our to die for soft natural hair brushes.
ANYway, I spotted some new MUFE Professional brushes on Sephora.fr and couldn’t resisit ordering the #140 illuminating brush. The shape looked so perfect, and it IS perfect! I CANNOT get over how soft AND effective this brush is. UNbelieveable!! This is a NEW kind of synthetic hair for sure!! Feels like natural !! I can’t seem to find it anywhere else yet….other than on MUFE & It doesn’t appear to be on sale there ?!!
Of course I’ve ordered some more now, but I think the #140 is the BEST.
By the way……..use SAINTVAL till the 18th Feb on Sephora.fr for 20% off total purchase!!
I also got the Urban Decay optical blurring brush – also synthetic – and ALSO GREAT!!
What a gorgeous brush!
thank you Buggsie !
Check this 🙂
http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2008/08/21/coverage-japan-c/
Fifth pic down. How’s that UFO brush…or do only I see that brush looking like an UFO?? AND….doesn’t the first from left look amazingly like the Rae Morris Radiance??
waw, amazing brush ! totally ufo looking !
indeed, Radiance ADN 😀
Okay I have the Takeda catalogue, albeit an older one and that UFO brush wasn’t on it so I guess it’s newer than 2010 lol! 🙂
Tadaaaa…….here you go. I have emailed Sonia with some more links to add to the shopping links 🙂 NJOY!
http://www.mitsuyoshi-make.com/catalog2/get.php?no=10
Call me krazy but I want the UFO brush. :X
This shop accepts credit cards if you want to get the Botanbake UFO brush 🙂
http://shop.artmaketoki.com/?mode=cate&cbid=986599&csid=0&page=1
O-M-G !!!!
Sorrrrryyyyyyyy……Finally got the time to continue my endless brush research 🙂
hahaha go ahead please, I am enjoying it 😀
*drooling*
and here are the same ones at Rakuten shop, which would be much easier for those who already has a Rakuten account 🙂
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/asakusa-gift/c/0000000223/
Im still not sure how I’m going to use the Botanbake but it’ll be mine very soon 🙂
I want the UFO and the Mizubake-esque one!
Melissa! I need to start screening your posts ><
@Melissa: What are you doing to my wallet?! 😉 🙂
Was somebody chasing the Cosmedo FuLi02? its back in stock again (8 pcs) 🙂
I have sent Sonia the pics if u want to see it. I can tell its the exact same quality as the Koyudo FuPa02! and its gorgeous in Red……
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cosmedo/fu-li02/
Yes it was me 🙂 but I already went ahead and ordered that last one. If I had known they would have it back in stock again so soon I would have waited and done the CP for both the fu-ch01 and fu-li02 with Tommy. I asked her to ask when the red K008 dupe would be available but they said it won’t be for a while, booo! So I am getting the red fu-pa dupes first and will have to go back for the other brush when it finally becomes available. However, since I have been checking out Melissa’s shopping links, I have no doubt I will be needing to rob a bank soon and might be in jail by the time it is back in stock. 😉
Awwww………Im sorry to hear that Bea! You will LOVE the Red FuLi! so far they have the Cosmedo Black H008 Koyudo twin in stock now. Think I might have snatched the last Red H008 🙁 And it is define!! Def worth the wait.
Hahaha…you’re not the only 1 who needs to rob a bank soon!! My wish list has gotten bigger now……Let me know which bank and I’ll join you for the sake of our brush addiction 🙂 🙂
Mellissa……you are WICKED!! 😉
When my children are out begging for food on the streets because their mom only has money for brushes, then I’ll send them to your door 🙂
This UFO will be mine too!!
Hey, do you know where I could still find the Takeda pink Xmas brush. I guess it’s gone forever, but I would so love to find one. That light pink and the fine white goat hair are a magical combination.
Your links are KILLER!!!
THANK you 🙂
That UFO brush will be mine too!!! 🙂 🙂 Dare I ask?! What pink Takeda xmas brush? :X
You don’t want to see this Bea 😉
http://takeda-brush.com/NewTopic/SP-15OV-SFG.html
Ohhh I see! It’s purrrty. 🙂 You know what, if I recall correctly I think Tommy physically went to the Takeda store to get my brush. I THINK she did but I could be mistaken and she only ordered it. If she does have access to their physical store you might want to her if she could check it out and see if they still have it? Aaaand maybe see if the have the big UFO brush is there as well and how much it is? Just sayin…. 😉
Tommy has already got my Houkodou order & will ship early next week 🙂
I was never expecting her to work this fast. Thanks so much for sharing her with us. I hope we don’t drive her dilly 🙁
I suspect I already drive her batty with all my emails lol. She is probably thankful that I only contact her in sporadic bursts lmao! I got an email from Cosmedo about my Rakuten order and it was all in Japanese so I flipped it to her asking for a translation lol. I’ve asked her to get me the red fu-ch01 and this little brush since I got the fu-li on my own. Perhaps I shall just have to push my luck and maybe ask her to check out the store or even just call them if Melissa doesn’t get an answer from Mr. Takeda 😉
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cosmedo/pk-s09
If you roll over your mouse on the Shopping links menu, you will see a new page link appearing “my friends brush purchases” (sorry I had no imagination 🙂 )
I have added the pics there 🙂
I cannot see it Sonia? Or maybe it’s my browser?
If you roll over with the pointer of the mouse on top of “Shopping links” you should see a link popping.. I hope it works..
here is the link just in the meantime :
http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/shoppinglinks/my-friends-brushes/
That’s odd, it doesn’t work when I hover over the Shopping link? Thanks for attaching it here. I love, love love Melissa’s brushes!!! 🙂
yep, I don’t know what’s wrong… 🙁 link does not appear correctly…
Tommy is going to have a lot to do in the next few days (weeks, months, etc…) 😀
I hope she will enjoy it 🙂
Yes!! Buggsie, I just checked my emails. Tommy does live near a Takeda store! 🙂 And I’d gotten email replies from a Mr. Yasuhiro Takeda saying they were going to try to offer international shipping by summer of 2010. That was 2 1/2 years ago lol.
You girls are ON THE BALL 😀 !!
I think I recall either reading that Takeda was planning int.shipping. I imagine that this particular brush is probably no longer in stock though.
I think it looks like an angel !
Bea, its this 1:
http://takeda-brush.com/ProductData/limitedextra.html
Buggsiebee, I just emailed Mr Takeda himself, I got a reply from him last time I asked about a Takeda shop in Tokyo. So hopefully he will reply to my email this time as well!
I also emailed the Rakuten shop where they sell part of the Takeda collection!
Crossing fingers!! Will def keep you posted!!
OMG Melissa, THANK you sooooo much!
That’s so incredibly kind of you. Wow! Speechless!
Amazing Melissa, thank you 🙂
I have a colleague who will be in Tokyo in August.
I’d love to know the address of the shop.
An obscure instinct made me pass by the post office on my way to work this morning.
Yes!
It had arrived, accompanied by 5 other brushes which on their own are each and every one an exquisite masterpiece of the brush-making art.
However, they all fade in comparison to the Red Squirrel.
I showed the haul to my Japanese colleagues and to my surprise, while they were most impressed by the brushes, what REALLY blew them away was the box! They said it was like a home for a kami.
And I don’t say they are wrong!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red Squirrel actually WAS a kami.
None of the glowing reviews I’ve read prepared me for the sumptuous perfection of the Red Squirrel.
Even the cats are in awe of it!
Hi, Sylvia, what kind of shipping did you choose ? Normally with tracking info you can see where your package is. My three orders seem not to be in France but now that I read your message, I have some doubts.
What is kami, BTW ?
Hi, Nikoleta.
I used SAL. The thing is, even once tracking shows the package arrives in Spain, there’s the joker card of Customs. And with the recession and cut-backs in personnel, things can take a lot more time to clear an inspection if the Customs people decide a given item needs inspecting.
However, it seems my prayers to the Japanese god of travelers won favour!
Kami.
I first understood what kami are when I read Shogun, James, Clavell’s novel set in 16th century Japan.
This wiki entry is probably a more orthodox yet very complete explanation of the word
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami
The reaction of my Japanese colleagues surprised me because they are very kawai, very modern.
Still, bottom line is that the brushes of this limited edition are special.
Nikoleta, I’ll keep up the prayers to the Japanese God of travelers.
And my fingers crossed!
Thanks for the explanation Sylvia 🙂
Now I understand what kawai means too! I’ve been seeing that word popping up all over the place.
This Blog is most educational;)
Hi Sonia,
It seems you have ordered directly from Koyudo’s site, how long after sending your initial email did you hear from them? Because I’m in the same situation at the moment and I’m not sure if it’s because they just don’t reply until they’re ready or they haven’t received my order or what’s happening. Even an automated reply in Japanese saying “hey your email arrived at our inbox (but we might not do anything about it for 2 weeks)” would have been perfectly fine but this lack of any confirmation is a bit…unreassuring.
Hi Luna,
I understand you! It can take up to 6 weeks before you hear anything… sigh… sometimes they don’t have any stock at all (sold out), so when they receive the requests they launch the process, handmade is taking a long time and they have only few artisans. I know they are improving that as they know this is upsetting, the issue is that they don’t have much people with English knowledge so they can’t really cope with demand the way they could. They concentrate in the brushes, not much on the rest but as I said, I heard this will improve. Often customers imagine a big company, but it’s very traditional and small 🙂
I hope they will change that soon! you can still send them an email but if they received your order it is certainly under creation 🙂
If they ever release this brush again it will be mine! This one I so very much regret not getting. But back then I didn’t even know Koyudo that well. I hope it will come back in the future 🙂
Hi Cornelia, CDJapan has 9 of this brush in stock atm: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOKUD-333. It is less dense though than the version Sonia has reviewed here, as it is a later release of the (more or less) same brush.
I saw this brush (see below) & I was wondering if you think that I could use this brush for setting a very very light veil of powder under my eye area? i have textured skin so i am trying to find the softest & not so dense brush that can deposit the lightest layer of powder otherwise my textured skin will be emphasized.
Can you please let me know your thoughts? i’m debating between this & the K002 from Hakuhodo. I’m thinking i should go with this red squirrel brush instead. it’s probably softer & therefore probably ideal?
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOKUD-401
Thank you so much.