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Finally the wait is over, probably one the most awaited beauty events of 2013, here is Wayne’s Collection :

It has been launched as a pre-sale event and all brushes were immediately sold out, then it has been launched officially on the 24th of September, all brushes were again sold out. It is expected to arrive back in stock end of October or beginning of November, they are sold at Beautylish.com or at Love-makeup.co.uk depending on your location.

I know it wasn’t easy for him to launch it, one of the reasons is because just like me, he is so passionate about make up brushes that when your guts are so deeply involved it just has to be great. He wanted his brushes to be of great quality, at an affordable price and cruelty free : that is 100% achieved.

When I review a collection I try to give you my thoughts about the man or the woman behind it,  for this post it’s going to be a tiny bit different, Wayne is a dear friend and his brushes were a present to me. He knows how passionate I am about make up brushes and he wanted me to have them but as a special gift from him.

I have known Wayne for a quite a while now, I will just say that he is an extremely caring friend, always making sure I am doing fine, I still wonder how he manages to do that with his busy schedule but he does it and he does it well. So, this is why this is not really a review but due to high demand I still wanted to share some pictures and my comments about the brushes just for those of you who are interested.

A brush collection with uncut hair and handmade in Japan, he started with only these 8 brushes because you know that the whole process is quite expensive. For some of you 8 brushes will seem like an awful lot of brushes, for others this will not be enough, they are meant to be extremely versatile. I have counted how many I use regularly on a daily makeup application : around 10. How about you ? Will there be a “before” Wayne and an “after” Wayne?

The brushes are numbered, from 01 to 08, the wood handle and the ferrule are glossy black. The material of the hair depends on the brush so I’ll talk about that during each description. His name “Wayne Goss” is engraved on the handle in a silver coating, it’s “engraved” not only painted, it means that it won’t go away as easily as the Kashoen did and there is always a way to “repaint” the engraving if you like to, not sure how easy it is but it’s feasible. Covering the name with clear nail polish is another option if you prefer to do that.

The length of the handles is approx 13 to 14cm, you don’t “need” longer handles, as long as it lays on your hand stable and comfortable it means it is long enough. Now, you may prefer shorter handles or longer handles but this is just the most adequate size for makeup brushes, easy to handle, light enough to travel with.

They are numbered because the purpose of each brush can be multiplied, it can be either for the face, for the eyes, for concealer, for the lips, the eyebrows.

 

 

At the back of the brushes you will see the number of the brush as well as “Japan” engraved on the handle, they are made by very talented artists who pay extreme attention to detail. The brushes are of perfect quality, bundled with care (no shedding, no bleeding), the shapes are regular, the density consistent.

 

 

 

Wayne Goss 01

Size
Length of handle : 13cm
Length of hair : 1.3-2.3cm
Diameter : 2cm

Material : synthetic fiber and goat hair
Price : 45$, 30£

Purpose: foundation, cream blush, concealer, cream contour, “cream sculpting”, finishing.

How to video by Wayne : here

The distance between the end of the goat bristles and the tip of the synthetic fibres is longer than the similar Chomotto here, it makes it smoother for my delicate and super dry skin, I have been applying and reapplying my makeup this weekend just to be able to give you some comments today. It doesn’t burn my skin, doesn’t exfoliate it (even after the 5th application in a row), the finish is flawless and I do not need to use any other buffing brush afterwards. My skin is very dry and I apply the foundation in downward stippling motions, soft motions, not much pressure but dynamic gesture to speed up the process.

 

A closer pic of the bristles and the density :

And an even more closer look :

The diameter is small but since it’s slanted, it’s a bit like cheating on the size, covers more surface than you originally expect.

Here are some comparisons with similar options I own today, you know I love big brushes so the G5556 and S5557 are just must-haves for me, the only problem with the S5557 is that the distance of the synthetic fibres is quite short, so it feels less comfy than the G5556, but still no problems of abrasive application, I just use it without pressing like a beast.

Compared to the Chomotto, the WG is much softer because of the length of the synthetic fibres. The Chomotto doesn’t have enough flexibility and lacks a bit of softness for someone with dry skin like me. I use the Chomotto for cream blush or contour, where I need more blending power but reserved for smaller zones.

Here is a size comparison of the surface of the head versus the brushes shown above :

 

With the Shiseido foundation brush the application is soft and even but I feel like the foundation stays too much on the surface of the skin and it feels like I can “touch” it (wanna scrub it away), with the WG 01 no problem at all, it delivers a finish that makes the foundation invisible and I cannot “feel it” with my fingertips when I touch my skin.

Shiseido vs WG 01 :

WG 01 vs Mac 130 :

Wayne Goss 02

Here comes the prettiest of the bunch.

Size
Length of handle : 13.5cm
Length of hair : 3.3cm
Diameter : 2.2cm

Price : 35$, 25£

Purpose: blush, contour, bronzer, powder, highlight.

Material : blue squirrel

How to video by Wayne : here

I read many comments on the web saying that Hakuhodo 210 was a multi-purpose brush (also for bronzer), I don’t find this type of round, dense and flat brushes that multipurpose and I don’t see how they can apply bronzer without harsh lines all over the face easily. This WG 02 type of shape I can see that it is much more multi-purpose because of the tapered point, the fluffyness and flexibility, I can apply bronzer with it, it just takes me a bit longer than with a bigger brush but it works without harsh lines.

A closer look to the hair :

Here are some comparisons with similar options :

I love little pointy brushes, I find them very useful specially with face powder products that contain several pans, like this Guerlain, or with the RMK mix for cheek blushes, you can precisely pick the color you want without messing around with the other pans in the compact.

For blush or contour it’s a shape that I also use really very often, you can see that by the similar brushes I own already. This one is more flexible than other similar options (Hakuhodo G5521, Mac 165, Trish 48, Hakuhodo J5521) so the application is more diffused but still precise when you want it to be. It’s also more adapted for beginners since you won’t get harsh lines in the application, specially if you are just starting with contour, you may choose this brush to start with. Keep in mind that when you start with contour, you have to start with very little product and build up if necessary, it’s the same for everything but specially with contour.

• The Chikuhodo Z-2 has similar softness but it’s just a tad longer, if I use both brushes at the same time on each side of the face (yes with both hands! 😀 ) I can see no difference in the softness or in anything else, same feeling. The Chikuhodo Z-2 has a bit more flexibility but it’s not noticeable during the application.
• The Mac 165 is similar in size but more directional and of course it feels less soft (goat hair). The Mac 165 was one of my favorite brushes in my beginnings and I even had a backup.
• The Trish 48 is even a bit less soft than the Mac, I put it here because of size comparison but the application of bronzer with this brush is not even thinkable for me (same for the Mac 165), it’s too directional and it packs a ton of product, I keep it because I have some blushes that are just very hard powder textures (almost like stains but since the first day) so this brush works great to pick the most impossible products.
• The Suqqu is more delicate than the WG 02, finer but also less durable, mine is not very pointy but some Suqqu cheek brushes are much pointier, I guess mine was an exception, I can live with that because I just love flat blush brushes.
• The Hakuhodo J5521 is denser than the WG 02, more directional, its density and fullness at the surface will allow you more blending power and a heavier application.
• The Hakuhodo G5521(s) here do not feel as soft as the WG 02, the WG is certainly only blue squirrel (the other two are a mix of goat and squirrel hair). They are very similar but the WG 02 is fluffier and less directional, therefore the application of bronzer can be an option for me with the WG, but not really with the Hakuhodo.

Wayne Goss 03

Size

Length of handle : 13.5cm
Length of hair : 2.2cm
Diameter : 1cm

Price : 32$, 20£

Material : blue squirrel

Purpose: powder (setting concealer…), blending, base eyeshadow, contouring small zones, highlight.

How to video by Wayne : here

 

A great blender, just how I love them, full at the surface, firm, dense, absolutely no floppiness here.

 

A closer look to the WG 03. The surface is tapered but it has enough of it to do a proper blending job without hurting or poking. The skin around our eyes is extremely thin and delicate, even if you can stand harsher brushes, it is not recommended that you use brushes that either drag your skin around or irritate it, you will thank Wayne later because using the softest brushes helps protecting the skin around your eyes, this is were the skin does not like to endure usage.

 

For me it’s very clear, using the Paula Dorf or the Nars, even if I love them for their efficiency, it’s not an option for a daily usage, I do but on a less regular basis, just when I am really in a hurry and need brushes that work with harder textures. Even the Hakuhodo B214 that I love as a blender, I tend to avoid using it daily, I love it so much for its great blending power but again, for everyday I prefer to use a much softer option whenever possible.

 

• The Paula Dorf is not as soft, dense or pointy, it’s slightly firmer than the WG but not that much.
• The Hakuhodo G5522 is very similar, the WG 03 is a bit more denser and a bit more firm therefore the blending with the WG is a bit more powerful, the softness is similar, if you have the one you don’t need the other.
• The Nars 13 is a fantastic brush and another great blender but for me it’s a brush to use with care, it does molest my skin a bit if I use it too often. I adore it, I wish it was softer, it’s even better than the PD but it lacks a bit of softness in the bristles.
• The Edward Bess is a huge blender, but too harsh for me.
• The Hakuhodo J5522 is a soft goat brush blender (more a blender than a placer), efficient but less precise than the WG 03.
• The CT blender lacks precision in comparison to the WG 03, it’s not as soft but still a nice option for blending.
• The Hakuhodo B214 is a lethal blender that I use when I really want a very blended result at lightning speed but I wish it was a bit softer (I have softer alternatives but since it’s not really the point here I won’t mention them).

 

Wayne Goss 04

Size
Length of handle : 14cm
Length of hair : 1.8cm
Diameter : 0.6cm

Price :  28$, 18£

Material : Blue squirrel

Purpose: powder (setting concealer…), blending, base eyeshadow, contouring small zones, highlight.

How to video by Wayne : here.

It’s a fantastic crease brush that everyone should own. Perfect balance of density, control, and it’s soft, I love it. Very fool-proof, excellent for the beginners who start to work with crease color, it will make your job insanely easy. No fall outs, the application is even due to the surface being so nicely layered and full, not sharp but precise due to the tapered shape and that’s what most of us are looking for in a great crease brush.

 

A closer look to the WG 04 :

 

Here is the comparison with other crease brushes :

• The Chanel is the same size but a bit too floppy to have enough power for blending
• The S142 is a bit more tapered but in terms of softness, density and flexibility it’s about similar. The big difference is in the price.
• The LY is more precise, nicely pointed and directional but then you loose a bit in terms of a blender candidate.
• The Hakuhodo G5533 is very similar in shape to the Charlotte Tilbury shown a few pictures before (not sure why it ended here…), softer and a bit more flexible but the shape and size are quite similar, for those of you who were interested in this brush here you can see that the surface is flat.
• The TF is firmer, a strong blender, still has enough precision and for me it’s a fantastic crease brush. I love goat crease brushes because I tend to apply quite sheer colors in the crease and this TF packs a lot of it and speeds up the process. No problems to achieve similar result with the WG 04, it may just take me a tiny bit longer in some cases depending on the shadows and the texture.
• The wicked Chicca is fun to look at, but it’s a bit too floppy to work only in the crease since the tip is so elongated, it’s meant to apply a smoky gradient result. Chicca cosmetics are meant for more mature skin, I am loving their blushes (powder or cream), the eyeshadows are really sparkly and I have tried this brush with either their eyeshadows or other more powdery textures, but I just don’t get it. This is where I should have tried to have an eyeshadow application done at the counter, it would be so useful to know if it really was for me or not. It’s not a blender, it’s not a crease brush. I have tried several textures, several colors and I am still working on the best way to  use it. I love the shape and I thought it would be fun to use, but not much fun yet.

 

Wayne Goss 05

 

Size
Length of handle : 13.8cm
Length of hair : 1.3cm
Diameter : 0.5cm

 

Price : 25$, 18£

Material : blue squirrel

Function : a bit similar as the other crease brushes, precision application, concealer, highlighter, etc…

How to video by Wayne : here

This is the smallest crease brush, therefore precision crease work is what suits it the most in my case, I also apply outer V color with this brush but the edges are not that sharp so if you are looking for a sharp application (like with a 219 Mac pencil for example) this will not deliver same strong and sharp results, on the other hand it will be more forgiving since it packs less color than a pencil brush or than a very dense and shorter version (Suqqu S, Suqqu M), so if that is what you are looking for this one will suit you.

 

A closer look to the WG 05 :

 

I have a few little crease precision brushes and I love them a lot, I don’t think it’s a brush you need to have that many duplicates of but I was trying to find a softer dupe to the Nars 12 here.

I don’t have big eyes so crease brushes like this are specially meant to fit my needs, I often want the crease to be very concentrated on the outer of the eyes.

The WG 05 is firmer than the Koyudo, the Hakuhodo G5534 and the LY38b. It is too thick for me to apply powder eyeshadow on the bottom lash line but I prefer when the lower lashline is kept to the minimum thickness so I use more precise brushes for that.

The kolinsky brushes here (Shu and Koyudo bp036) are firmer and deliver even more control which can be good or not depending on what you are looking for. I can apply color either on the crease or under the lower lashline with these two.

 

Wayne Goss 06

Size
Length of handle : 13.5cm
Length of hair : 1.7cm
Diameter : 0.5x1cm

Price :  25$, 20£

Material : blue squirrel

Purpose: lid application, base, crease, blending, etc

How to video by Wayne : here

This is a brush that I use and abuse because it’s so multi-purpose,  I throw one like this in my beauty bag and I know I am covered if I need a full eyeshadow application (lid-base-crease-blending).

 

A closer look to the WG 06:

 

Comparison with similar options, the Koyudo is a bit damaged because of how much it has travelled with me, I just noticed afterwards that it was getting a bit damaged. I will be taking care of this WG for sure so do not worry 😉

 

Sideways :

The WG is a bit more fluffy and thick than the Koyudos here, although same flexibility and softness.

The Hakuhodo G5523 is thinner and you’ll have less surface to blend your application.

The Takeda is a placer and blender but less soft than the Koyudos or the Hakuhodos and you can only really work with the surface of the head, I use it for the crease to  place dark colors but then I blend with the big Hakuhodo 214.

Same for the Billy B, you can only work with the surface of the head but I love this size for the outer crease work, I got the Takeda because it was a softer version of the Billy B but it doesn’t allow as much control as the Billy B.

Wayne Goss 07

Size
Length of handle : 13.8cm
Length of hair : 0.5cm
width: 0.5cm

Price : 17$, 14£

Material : I think this is horse hair

Purpose : lips, eyebrows, precise highlighting (browbone), precise contouring (lips)

How to video by Wayne : here

 

A closer look to the WG 07 : Here are some comparison pics with similar brushes :

 

Sideways :

 

In the past (before Suqqu S, Hakuhodo G5520, or Koyudo C011) I have used the Mac 214 every day, today it’s way too rough for me. The Mac 214 has been replaced by the MUFE 210 for everything cream or creamy, for the application of painpots or pencil near the lashline, much softer than the Mac 214. Today I only enjoy the MUFE that are short and thick for the application and smudging of thick cream products, they are great for that (but I don’t use them for anything else), the bristles are very soft, I can smudge near the lashline without any pain (unlike the Mac 214). Today I have to use extremely soft brushes because I have a  problem with the sensitivity around the lashline, I won’t use the WG 07 for smudging pencil with it in that area but I will definitely use it as an eyebrow brush, for me it’s fantastic for that purpose. My current eyebrow brush is the Hokuto ho-gentei 4, since I don’t need precision but just filling them in, this bigger one or the WG 07 is what I’ll use from now on.

The WG 07 and the Hakuhodo G5511 are very close, the WG being a bit more flexible. There isn’t much difference between the TF and the WG, I find it easier to get a more even application with the WG than with the TF, and on top of that the WG feels more pleasant on my lids than the TF.  The Tanseido is the softer of the bunch (maybe a bit too thin for it to be the perfect little placement brush) but I just put them here because of size reference.

The Hakuhodo G5513 looks like it’s the same hair than the TF (horse) but since it’s longer, it doesn’t feel as harsh, still not the softest but I can just stand it, really at the limits today.

For the lips it’s totally fine but of course kolinsky is much softer and more pleasant to use (but more expensive!). I am not using it as eyeliner brush because I prefer when an eyeliner brush has more flexibility.

Wayne Goss 08

Size
Length of handle : 13.3cm
Length of hair : 0.3cm
width: 0.4cm

Price : 17$, 13£

Material : probably horse

How to video by Wayne : here

I was super curious to try it but just to inform you, I don’t do tight-line, I don’t have the patience and my eyes don’t easily tolerate shadow or gel liner near the waterline. For the purpose of this post I tried again, when I applied powder with it, it gets really close to the lashes, you don’t even see any line at all, it just mixes with the lashes and has a very natural result. This is great because if you are a fan of a no makeup look, this is appropriate for you, you won’t see makeup there.

 

 

A closer look to the WG 08 :

The Paula Dorf is the only similar one in my collection, but I don’t even use it.

 

Sideways :

Bottom line

Everybody has a bronzer brush in their collection or a bigger powder brush (I think) and a Mac 239 (I think) so adding brushes from this set is the perfect addition to your collection, you won’t be disappointed by their quality. I enjoy them and I use them on a daily basis now, although I could not use all functionalities since I only got them last Friday, I am here if you have any questions related to them and I’ll be happy to help.

I have been watching a few review videos, I discovered BeautyMozart and I think she is so fun to watch. Have a look at 5:40 she is holding a powder brush that has been in my wishlist forever, I will need to get it one day! 😛 On part two, look at 0:40 the expression she has is fantastic, this is just how people should react when unwrapping Wayne’s  brushes 😀 well done!!!

Have also a look at Rachael Jade, Hermonie and ILookFlawless, it will help you with comparisons and give you a more balanced opinion on these brushes.

Now I am going to celebrate with Wayne (virtually)… salud !

 

 

My favorite wine for the occasion but I could only find a cocktail glass… it’ll do 😉