Hakuhodo has just released a new brush to join their J series, the J004G :
I started to look for a Mac 239’s dupe a long time ago, just looking for a cheaper version or even a better quality one but not because I wasn’t happy with the original Mac 239. It was more out of curiosity, you know me… always involved in a brush mission.
Here in Switzerland Mac brushes are very expensive, the Mac 239 costs 40 chf (approx 40 usd). In the USA, the Mac 239 is sold at 25 usd (before taxes). The J004G is 20 usd on the Hakuhodo website, it’s cheaper even if I include the shipping costs, it will depend what prices are applied on Mac products where you live. I think in Australia and Europe Mac could nearly reach the double of the USA price tag so this J004G may be of great interest to you.
Everyone who loves Mac brushes knows that they are manufactured by Hakuhodo, we are in the same nest here. They are hand made too therefore the shape and thickness could slightly change even within the same brush, this is why I decided to take pictures of the Hakuhodo J004G together with all my Mac 239’s just for you to get a better idea of how sometimes they can differ from each other. The way you use or wash your brushes can also change how they age and how the shape evolves. You can see in this sideways picture a small but very obvious difference in mine but all remain absolutely fine and efficient :
Once in a while I have a look at the Hakuhodo New products section (I admit I am pretty scared because if I see something interesting it’s for sure that I’ll have to order it…). Some days ago, I found this J004G and it made me think of the shape of the 239. I know that many of you love the very famous 239 and wouldn’t mind finding a cheaper or better dupe…
The J004G is slightly longer (1mm) and rounded at the top, the base of the ferrule is same width, it is softer and it has more flexibility than the Mac 239 but it’s not as thickly bundled, still thick enough to achieve a perfect layering. It’s also a bit more tapered at the top, it will just allow you to place or smudge shadow with the top more precisely than with the Mac 239 but not with as much pressure. The layers start a bit more closer to the ferrule but the final application doesn’t change much, there is nothing that I do with the Mac 239 that I cannot do with the Hakuhodo J004G. The Mac 239 will eventually allow you to scrape hard products with more strength since it’s firmer but other than that for me it’s a very close dupe.
I took a pic with other similar or less similar brushes, the point is that you get a better idea of the size :
Don’t even ask me how the Piccasso 239 differs from the Mac 239, they look similar, they are not. The bristles of the Piccasso poke, they aren’t evenly layered and you won’t have a nice control with uneven layers like that. It doesn’t mean your application will not be ok because it will apply your product, just not as well as with the others and you won’t feel the application pleasant if you have delicate eyelids. The Piccasso costs 28.60 usd and it’s made of goat hair but I really don’t get how they could name it 239… if at least they were offering a cheaper version of the 239 I would understand better but here I don’t.
The big question is … do I still need the Mac 239 or can I order the J004G instead ?
You can order the J004G and you won’t miss the Mac 239, unless you want a firmer version of it. I can manage all that I did with the Mac 239 and it will be slightly more pleasant, in terms of softness they aren’t that different but they still are enough for me to notice it.
If you want a bit more control and precision you can use the J242G, in this case you will have something for general application (J004G) and the smaller J242G for the lid or for the outer corner. It’s very useful to have at least two laydown brushes but that’s just my personal preference, not a necessity but a comfort.
I am here if you have questions about any of these brushes 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful weekend 🙂
33 comments
Can you tell me how you clean your brushes? What product you use? Do you use something different for cream and powder?
I am writing a post on cleaning brushes 🙂
I wash the goat brushes with mild soap and the squirrel brushes with mild baby shampoo but you will get soon many more details on how exactly I do it step by step 🙂 Just allow me a few more days and you get all the info!
Thank you! I am really looking forward to it!
thanks, it’s the one I am working on right now 🙂
Thats great news. Thank you Sonia. I will order one of those and J242G.
Since I will be ordering at Hakuhodo in a few days, I have one question…..I love my MAC 109 brush, but it sheds like crazy. Sonia can you recommend me one Hakuhodo brush that is very similar to 109? As dupe as possible 🙂
Thank you
Lena
Hi Lena,
Sure, here you have a picture of some dupes from Hakuhodo : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/c004pall.jpg
They are mentioned in this post : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2012/12/28/a-few-koyudo-brushes/
the Hakuhodo 210 is a very close dupe, the white J210 is much softer. The Koyudo is a bit more similar since it’s a bit flatter but really either the Hakuhodo 210 or the Koyudo are great options for you. Both have similar density and flexibility as the 109. You are welcome 😉
awww thank you Sonia, I really appreciate your help.
I will order 210 because i am searching for the same flexibility and density as 109.
OT: Any news for Tanseido international shipping?
Lena
I don’t but I can ask them 🙂 if they reply I inform you all 🙂
Hi Sonia,
This post is really interesting. I have started my little collection whith the j5523. After this i am going to take from Tanseido the ywq 7, ycq12s, ywq9, ywq12. From Koyudo the little c011. And from Hakuodo the j122r, j544, j5529. Do you think the j004g can be more good than the Tanseido ywq9 for a beginner who want to experiment new techniques?
P.s. The other day i accidentaly meet the mickey brush in Sogo. Is really cute and soft i really wanted to take it home with me. At last i chose to priorize my buget and the other wished brushes but even for a not expert like me it was a bit painful.
P.s.s. Sorry for my bad english i am trying to improve it.
Hi Romina, yes I think the J004G can be better because much easier with the thicker layer of bristles.
oh the Mickey one, I can imagine it is sad to have to resist… but they will carry on making great brushes anyway, there will be many other options so no regrets 😉
your english is great! me too I am trying to improve so we are in the same boat 🙂
Hello! I’ve recently discovered you blog and I must say I love it! I particularly enjoyed reading your stories about your visit to Japan and the brush factories, in fact it’s how I found your blog.
It is clear you are the Brush Queen and much as I appreciate the brush expertise on some of the other daily reads on my blog list, I think you are the one to ask this question (and a perfect post for it too).
A few years back, I tried the MAC217 and quite liked it, but I never bought it as I was studying at the time and didn’t really have the resources to, neither did I wear makeup all that often. I had a scratchy old brush that while it was a bit irritating (same as you, I’m very sensitive and always looking for the softest, best-performing brushes), was good enough for the times I seldom used makeup, also I can use sponge applicators well.
However, this past year I’ve wanted to buy it, but many, many beauty bloggers who love the brush have talked of how the new versions manufactured in the last year or so are all scratchier and not quite up to the standard of the old one (rumour is, MAC has changed their brush supplier, not sure how true it is). I’ve seen the newer ones too and I don’t think they are like the old ones I liked. So what I would like to ask you is, what is a good dupe for the MAC 217, Hakuhodo or other brands (I’m from the UK if that helps).
Sorry, it was such a long post to ask such a simple question!
thank you Leila 🙂
As far as I know Mac are still made by Hakuhodo, some time ago Mac were the best because we also did not know about others…
I don’t know if the quality is less good today, I bought mine years ago and they are still ok, but one of my 217 is a bit less soft than the other.
The Mac dupe is the J5523 🙂 I have similar other brushes from other brands (Trish mcevoy, No7, Sigma) but the best dupe is that one!
you can see pictures in this post : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2012/09/16/hakuhodo-j-series/
if you want a dupe with dark bristles it’s also mentioned there 😉
let me know if you have questions related to them but I confirm again, best dupe is the J5523 !
Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful. In fact I have seen others also say that this brush is the best dupe for the 217 and since you say it too, I am confident of your recommendation. I would prefer this since it seems it isn’t as scratchy as the MAC (pretty much all of the MACs seem scratchy to me). I only wish custom charges weren’t so high 🙁
Thanks for posting, I have just added the J004G to my wishlist 🙂
It’s too bad that Hakuhodo USA will be not be selling the 2013 Christmas pink set
yes sad… it was in my basket but I just couldn’t deal with the pain of ordering from Japan in Japanese 🙁 just not much time at this moment…
Hey Sonia! I am curious as to where you have seen this set for sale. When I look at the Hakuhodo Japan website it is not featured.. I am assuming that this means it has sold out since your post in October 🙁
So disappointed it is not for sale on the US website this year…I am short sighted and the handles are a god send, not to mention the beautiful rose gold tone!!
Hi Leah,
Actually I had received an email from Hakuhodo (just their regular newsletter) but it was Hakuhodo Japan : http://en.hakuho-do.co.jp/ and it had this link : http://www.hakuho-do.co.jp/products/detail1453.html
They don’t have anymore in stock as far as I know 🙁 but if you want to look at the stores locally, you can ask Tommy and she might be able to enquire for you : http://bringblingjp.blogspot.ch/
Otherwise in Facebook I posted an album about it with the exact dupes of Hakuhodo within their regular line. (Just the handles are different).
I’ve missed so many posts ooops! Thanks for doing this dupe for the 239 🙂 It’s one of those classic MAC brushes, actually my first brush by MAC! In Australia, the 239 goes for AU$48 but I bought mine while in HK where it was around US rrp. Thankfully!!! I’m also a bit disinclined to buy from MAC here because they are so SNOBBY!! Hakuhodo customer service any day…
Hi Bonnie,
I think Australia is really really pushing it with Mac 🙁 sad…
Hakuhodo takes customer service to a whole new level! makes it really tough for any other competitor 🙂
I know! But MAC can do it because they aren’t getting as many complaints about the prices here. Many people will still buy the MAC products because they think it’s the best out there …
Even Shu has dropped prices recently, which is fantastic. Not everything, just most of the makeup which makes it more realistically affordable. Brushes are still the same price as before – last time I checked the cute little Shu foundation, the G-10 (?), was AU$105!!
Thank u very much for this post!
It was very helpfull, I^ve bought J004G!
you are welcome Inara 🙂
Do you still prefer the Tanseido brushes to this one?
I prefer this one because it’s thicker but the hair of the Tanseido is even a bit more pleasant. If I had to chose I would keep the J004 but Tanseido have a huge potential if they make their brushes denser!!!
You should tell them that. 🙂 I’m sure that they would appreciate your opinion.
I know they read so maybe… 🙂
Hello, again, Sonia!
Can you tell me, plese, if you are ordering hakuhodo brushes from hakuhodousa.com? if so, what type of shipping do you choose? Had any of your hakuhodo orderes been lost?
Thanks!
Hi Mila, I have always chosen the cheapest international Shipping method, I think its around 12 usd. Never lost a package so far. They always reach me in or under a week.
[…] Hakuhodo J004G ($20) – goat hair – larger than the J242G, this is comparable to the MAC 239. See also the G5507 ($19, horse hair), which is very similar in size. […]
[…] ($20, goat) – review – larger than the J242G, this is comparable to the MAC 239. See also the G5507 ($19, horse), […]
I bought the Hakuhodo J004G and I was very disappointed because it’s not as dense as the Mac 239 so I ended up buying another Mac 239. I also bought their J134 which was also very disappointing and it was slanted too (bristles) which is not like Hakuhodo! The J5523, J210, J5543, J212, and J214 are all great though. I wish Hakuhodo would do a denser version of the J004G. Oh well will sell the two duds on EBay!
I just ordered the “enchanted” version of the MAC 239, sort of a travel size – USD $9.00!! Free shipping. Even if it is travel size, you can’t beat that.
The smaller versions may be made in CHina, depending on the set, if it’s just a shorter handle maybe it’s the one and it’s good. I have some with shorter handles, still made in Japan and they are just as good!