I saw the Hakuhodo G543 a long time ago and I was incredibly tempted but I wanted to read more reviews before I order it, unfortunately there aren’t many reviews of it so I had to take the risk…
I also wanted to compare this Hakuhodo G543 with the Koyudo H011 that looks very similar, both are short-hair kabukis meant for powder and liquid foundation.
Sometimes, like today, I feel frustrated because I cannot find the right technique, the one that will really tell you if these brushes are really good and why… These two brushes are totally outside my comfort zone, I am trying to review them for you today, but let’s say that today is just the beginning of a series of testing and experimenting with a follow up review later on.
The Hakuhodo G543 costs 94 Usd, is made of Sokoho goat hair.
The Koyudo H011 costs 65 Usd and is made of goat hair.
They both look divine and I hope the pictures make you want to touch them 🙂
They are soft, extremely good quality, I will try to give you a closer look to each one of them.
This is a view from the top, you can see how densely packed they are :
Another view where you can see the density of both brushes :
It’s made with goat hair, softer than the Hakuhodo G543, very fine hair, longer and with more flexibility than the Hakuhodo. The hair length is 2.2cm, really soft as silk, which can be good or less good depending on how you will use it. I was never expecting it to be so silky, when I ordered it I was looking for a similar brush as the Rae Morris Radiance but the hair is completely different.
The first time, I have tried this brush dry but with liquid foundation, it’s so dense that for me it’s difficult to control the application. Even if I first apply the foundation roughly with my fingertips, then I blend with this brush, still not easy to have an even coverage but I think the problem is also me, I have to tell you that I am having a lot of problems mastering these brushes and it’s going to take me some time…
The second time, I tried to use it very slightly damped and with liquid foundation. Better. The coverage is even, compared to a blending done with a dry brush, it’s more dewy, it doesn’t emphasize my facial hair so much and you can clearly see that the foundation is not sitting on the skin, it’s a natural coverage but it takes me some time to complete the application, mainly because it’s new for me and I am not used to this technique at all.
The third time, I used it with mineral powder foundation, swirl then tap the excess off, then apply with a stippling motion and buff. I did not like the result, too drying for my super dry skin, not flattering for me at all. I did not even try to go to heavier than sheer coverage because I could see that the result was not dewy at all and I did not like it.
Bottom line : I prefer when the brush is slightly wet and the great thing about that is that you can wash your brush and use it just afterwards (you just need to gently dry it with a towel), no need for it to completely dry in between each usage. My problem is that I am not used to this technique, it reminds me of the Beauty blender sponge, it too time consuming.
I have to keep on trying again, unfortunately I cannot say today if I really love it or not. I will need more time but I will keep you updated on my progress, if by any chance you have found some reviews or you have any other recommendations for me, or ideas, please let me know !
This is such a funny brush, it’s so tiny, the hair length is 1,8 cm. Much denser than the Koyudo, it’s so densely packed that I did not know if and how I could use it on my dry skin. The Non-Blonde loves it, but I am actually still wondering how to use it properly 🙂
The first time, I tried it dry, with liquid foundation. Did not like it, again too time consuming and I was feeling that the foundation was sucked inside the head before I could have enough transferred on my skin… Need to try again though…
The second time, I tried it wet, with foundation. Much better. It becomes softer and more flexible when damped and I tried it with a stippling motion, the result is dewy, the foundation does not sit on the skin and it doesn’t emphasize my facial hair… this is important for me with the quantity I have – spanish roots :p
The third time I tried it with powder, it’s just not appropriate for my dry skin at all. Not meant for me.
Bottom line : I need to keep on trying again and again until I find the perfect technique !
You can see the size difference with other similar kabukis :
If you wonder where the Fu-pa02 comes from, I can tell you that it could come from this Hakuhodo G543 and the Koyudo BP013 :
You probably already know the Koyudo FuPa-02, it’s a gorgeous brush, very unique and amazing for liquid foundation. It really looks like it has both Hakuhodo G543 and Koyudo BP013 DNA. The density of the FuPa-02 is exactly in between these two, same for the softness, same for the size.
I have to tell you that today I have tried the Koyudo BP013 for the first time, it’s the kind of brushes that when you see it, you don’t realize the potential but I had the feeling I had to order it, so insanely happy I did !
I tried it with the Mac Mineralize foundation, it’s a thick cream formula. I am not often impressed like I was today : a match made in heaven. Exactly what I was looking for, in terms of coverage, ease of application, flawless finish. I ran outside with my mirror to double check the result, I was speechless ! This is it ! The brush I was looking for for my Mac Mineralize foundation, I am in my third “pot” but it doesn’t contain that much actually.
Before I was using the Sigma F80 and the coverage was a bit too obvious and thick so I was in the hunt for the perfect brush made for this foundation that gave me enough coverage with a comfortable wear. Mission accomplished 🙂
It has a little sister, the Koyudo BP014 that is good to have for the corners of the nose or smaller zones, together they are the best army.
This is a picture with many other similar shaped brushes, the Koyudo BP016 is not made for foundation but it’s an excellent blush brush, softer than the BP013.
Here the Koyudo BP013 on the left, the Fu-Pa02 in the middle and the Koyudo BP014 on the right :
The hair of the BP013 is not soft like the Tom Ford bronzer or the FuPa-02, is a bit more coarser but in a “good way” coarser, delivers a fantastic result, I had enough coverage (sheer to medium) without looking like I had foundation on at all !
The hair of the Koyudo FuPa-02, you can see it’s thinner and softer :
The Tom Ford bronzer brush is even much thinner and softer :
I am so happy that I have this BP013, an incredible fantastic surprise ! of course the surprise is even bigger when you don’t have high expectations… 😀
About the Koyudo H011 and the Hakuhodo G543, I am not disappointed but I need to work with them a lot more, I will update this post when and if my experience with these two brushes evolves…
29 comments
Your indepth brush reviews never cease to amaze me.
Confess now Sonia….were you a brush in your previous life?? Is unbelievable how you know & understand them so completely.
I’m going to call you ‘the brush whisperer’ 🙂
The G543 feels like a scrubbing brush in comparison to the H010. I don’t think the quality of the hair is different though, I think that the density and length of the hair makes the difference. I can use my G543 equally effectively as my blending sponge to press the foundation into the skin, but the sponge feels a whole lot more comfortable. I haven’t found a ‘real job’ for my H010 yet, but I way prefer it on my skin to the G543.
AWWWWWW that’s were the voices come from !!! 😛
I like that !
I have to keep on trying, this is so totally out of my comfort zone ! 🙁
Well, I think we’ve established one thing for sure with regards to the G543.
It is NOT a comfortable brush!
In fact the hairs on mine feel like tiny needles. Perhaps I can use it for accupuncture:D
If you damp it, it gets better 🙂 have you tried it ? still not totally comfortable but better…
Buggsiebee! LOL The brush whisperer — I agree Sonia is incredible!
I got the G543 when I thought I should graduate from using my fingers to using tools. Got the Beauty Blender, the G543, G520, G5552, G5554, G527, G544, G545 but the caveman in me has reverted to applying foundation with my hands 90% of the time. Dunno why. Perhaps just easier and less to clean up? The only ones I bought that I use daily now are the smaller duo fiber for cream blushes ’cause applying with hands is ugly…the color gets spread out too far and often ends up blotchy.
I think the G543 is a gorgeous brush but I don’t like washing it after using liquid foundation. It’s so dense and short that it takes time to get clean. I decided to try powder foundation for the first time but ditched that use when I realized that powder foundation brought out wrinkles I didn’t know I had.
Marty at Hakuhodo suggested using the G543 for color but I haven’t tried it yet. So it has no real role yet…perhaps will find a use later…or I’ll give it to my daughter. I think I like brushes with handles.
I am with you Kay, when I applied the powder foundation with the G543, my skin looked much older but I have very dry skin and that method is not for me anyway.
Funny how we all evolve, I love to read your experience with brushes, so interesting ! The G543 is a bit like the Koyudo Deka Fupa, or the Fupa01 and I do use them with blush so I should try this G543, thanks for the idea 😉
Hi Kay!
I’m right with you as far as finger application of foundation goes. The La Prairie which I’m using now apllies as easily as a moisturizer anyway. After using my fingers I do dab & roll with a blending sponge or stipple with a flat top kabuki to press the foundation into the skin & to make certain that there are no blending lines though.
Hmmmmm…..I’ll certainly try the G543 with color. I imagine it could be useful for stippling cream blush & I wouldn’t have to wash it after every use. I could just wipe it over a tissue sprayed with the Bobbi Brown brush cleaning spray. Her spray contains no alchohol & is so super effective in removing cream product residue.
I am trying so hard not to want any more brushes, but you talk about them with such passion that I can’t help myself!
I wonder if the denser kabukis would work best with thick cream foundations, using only the tiniest amount of product on well-exfoliated and freshly moisturised skin? Have you tried that? Also, I have found my Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse to be very helpful when I am having dry skin problems and need help with a foundation brush.
I could talk with passion about boring server architecture in IT 😛 hahaha (it’s just because I love it, when I love I go full speed mode and it’s really fun) you are so sweet Dena !
I have to try that ! Thank you ! will keep you informed 🙂
I love that comparison pic of the BP013 with all those other brushes – it’s excellent!
Oh no, I was so set out on getting the G543 but now I’m not so sure 🙁 It does look so cute though but I have somewhat dry skin and some facial hair too.
I love thinking of the FuPa-02 as the lovechild of G543 and BP013! Maybe you should draw up a family tree of your brushes…
As I said, I am not the best person to judge… this brush is so different for me to use 🙁
I will try again (and again)… I need to catch the right technique.
I should write a little Christmas tale about brushes 😛 and draw a Christmas family tree, but even though my imagination has no limits, my writing has many many ones 🙁
I will wait and see if you find a technique that works. There are so many conflicting opinions, because I know the Non Blonde and lolassecretbeautyblog really adore this brush, but then on this blog, it just seems to be a difficult brush to master… it seems to be either a hate it or love it brush!
Oh, I think your Christmas tale would be great fun to read 😛 All of them gathered around for a Christmas dinner… how lovely!
I never use the G543. It’s pain in the butt to wash it as it so dense. Is BP013 a mix of goat and syntehtic ? Hair seems quite similar to the liquid round foundation brush I have H016.
I think the BP013 is a full goat brush, it really also looks like 100% goat hair. You are right, the H016 looks similar but their description is slightly different… maybe I should ask them.
I LOVE and use the G543 for setting my makeup and ADORE IT for that. I know what you mean by the lack of reviews (often the case with these Asian brushes) so I too bit the bullet and went with it.
For some reason I despise powder puffs so the G543 was a dream come true. I use it just like one would a powder puff but feel like it offers more control that a brush often does.
I can swirl the powder immediately onto my oilier spots an I don’t feel like I get the white mask effect.
I haven’t tried the G543 with liquid though the NonBlonde liked it for that (she was the one I got the powder ideafrom) but it seems like it’d be a bit of a nightmare (such a tiny brush head, not enough room to properly swirl and blend).
Hi Alysse 🙂 thank you so much for sharing !
This brush is just the proof that there are so many products and so many ways to use them that it will be a case by case judgement !
What brush do you use to apply your foundation ?
Isn’t that the case though?
With a lot of American/European brands you get a cookie cutter brush: Standard size, Standard Shape, Standard Length, Standard Brush Hair.
No wonder when people start experimenting with different Asian brands it takes over their whole collection 😉
I ACTUALLY was using the Sigma F80 (because I too am using a heavy cream foundation) and it seemed to be the only brush man? woman? enough to take that cream on and buff that bad boy without folding and whimpering in defeat BUT I had the same issue as you. Little too obvious. I’m a spotty lady so I can’t quite go sheer/medium coverage but I’m kinda interested in Koyudo BP013 or Fu-Pa 02.
The Koyudo looks a little too big (and kinda scary, lol) but maybe the Fupa would be the right size, I just can’t sacrifice too much coverage so do you think I could get the Fu Pa to work like my Sigma? Btw, I use the Stamp, Swirl, and Blend technique with the Sigma.
This morning I have tried the Mac cream foundation with the Fu-Pa02 (on one side) and the Fupa from the Christmas set on the other side of my face, both brushes performed really well, they pick up more product than the BP013 but they blend really well and I cannot see a difference on my face between the side blended with the Fu-pa 02 or the Christmas one…
Since they said they would release the Christmas Fupa alone I think it’s an option to consider as well.
The Fupas definitely work better than the Sigma, the Christmas Fupa seems more adapted since it’s a little bit less dense and flatter than the Fupa-02 (great for “stamping” 🙂 ) You cannot tell that I am wearing foundation at all and that’s what I love about it !
The BP013 is really huge, sometimes too big, if it was a bit smaller it would be even better but I like the airbrushed look it delivers (it’s a sheer coverage but that still hides my pores quite well).
Gracias Sonia for all these reviews!!!
It’s amazing to find someone so crazy in love with brushes. I haven’t tried anything from Koyudo and I don’t think I will in the short term. I just bought Chikuhodo Z4 thanks to your post where you mentioned Malin from Kohlindo and I also want to thank you for that…I always loved them but it was so difficult to get Chikuhodo brushes outside Japan. Your blog is bad for our economy but so beautiful for our eyes : )
Thank you Lunaday ! I hope you will continue to enjoy your Z4, such a gem ! Thanks also for your sweet comment, truly deeply appreciate all your support and understanding 🙂
Hello. I only recently found your blog, and I love it!! I am hoping you wouldn’t mind giving me some advice. I live in the US. I am interested in getting some nice makeup brushes, from the Japanese lines. I just don’t know where to start. The selection is overwhelming!!!
I am mainly interested in eye brushes. I seem to have a hard time blending my eyeshadows. Any EXCELLENT brush recommendations would be appreciated. I would be happy to spend in the “medium” range.
Also, if there are any face brushes you think are fantastic, I would love to hear about them.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help!
Hi Paige,
Thank you !!!
I know how overwhelming it is when you start ! What brushes are you using right now (that don’t make you happy) and what kind of eyeshadows do you like to use ? Depends if they are very pigmented or not, the brushes would be different.
All my brush favorites are here.
The Hakuhodo J Series are the most versatile and the best value for money. I have a few posts on them and I am loving them to pieces.
One that you should not miss is the Hakuhodo J5523. For the face there are so many ! it’s really a matter of material and shape preference and also budget, if you go over this post you will see the ones I consider must haves from this series.
You really have to target the ones you will use the most and invest on these ones first, even if it’s only 1 or 2, better to have just a few great brushes than many you won’t use 🙂
It looks and sounds gorgeous, and I’m seriously considering getting one. But I’m always afraid my makeup will stain those white brushes!
I wash them with soap or with the Master brush cleaner and preserver and so far no problem but they are still quite new 🙂
Hi i love your Blog because you are writing about all these lovely brushes 😉 Because of you i’m buying now chikuhodo brushes…. not really but your reviews were good for my research 🙂
If the G543 is nothing for you, give it to me i would be glad to buy it 😀
Have you found a good use for your G543? I’ve had mine a year now and the only thing I do with it is buff in mineral powder to get a dewy look. Its great for that, but now that I’m on Retin A, my skin is always peeling and doesn’t like products buffed in too much. I will try blush with it, it may deposit too much, we’ll see.
[…] soft as the Fu-Pa 02, nor the TF 05 (you can refer to SweetMakeupTemptation’s comparison of the 3 here). Having said that, there is a specific use for which I love the BP013 for, and that is for […]
[…] soft as the Fu-Pa 02, nor the TF 05 (you can refer to SweetMakeupTemptation’s comparison of the 3 here). Having said that, there is a specific use for which I love the BP013 for, and that is for […]
[…] a good domed choice made with goat hair, you might want to splurge on a Japanese brush. There are a few models, such as the Hakuhodo G543 ($94), that seem very soft and splurge-worthy for this […]