Hakuhodo G5554

This little post is to share some pics of the G555x brushes (or similar) that I own today to help you choose the best for you. These foundation brushes are a truly fantastic creation for those of us who enjoy using makeup foundation and playing with cream sculpting products or blushes.

I remember the first time I saw them, it was even before they were even available online. That takes me back a while… 🙂

Here is the last that joined the group, the G5554 (54usd). I don’t even know why I waited so long. I always felt like this size matched me better than the others but I always postponed the splurge until I grouped some others in my last order and finally left it in the basket!

The surface is approx 2.3 cm diameter, slightly bigger than the G5552, it’s smaller than the G5556 but the handle of the G5554 is longer than the G5556. I imagine that the handle of the G5556 has been shorten because since it’s so thick and massive at the base of the ferrule, if it was longer it would probably be too heavy to handle easily. Just a guess but I think that could be the reason of the handle length difference.

I call the shield the length of the synthetic bristles extending after the goat bristles.

When the brush number ends with an odd number, the shield is shorter (2mm), when it ends with an even number, the shield is longer (4mm). For example : G5552, G5554, G5556 = 4mm. G5553, G5555, G5557 = 2mm.  I don’t know if this naming is going to stay like this but it helps me remembering.

But… is a difference between so similar brushes really important and does it matter ? It will depend on the products you use, your skin type, your sensitivity, your technique, your time, etc… It makes a difference for me.

Erratum : G5557 is in fact S5557

You can do a full application with the smaller brush, I have absolutely no problem at all, you will gain precision (and in a certain way “elegance” in the movement… ) but you will gain time with a bigger one.

There are times where I really go for an application of foundation that is more a “repair” type of coverage than a real full application, allowing me to cover just the places where I need more luminosity or sculpting. The smaller brushes will be better for that purpose. You can more easily work under the eyes, around the nose, in the temples, etc…

The Chomotto’s shield is shorter compared to the Wayne Goss 01, therefore I use it just for blush or contour, it doesn’t feel as pleasant on the skin although it doesn’t hurt of poke. The WG 01 feels more pleasant yet firm enough and precise, and by the way, powerful. It handles many products, even harder textures without any problem.

I consider the G5554 the best multipurpose since its size is small enough for blush, big enough for foundation.

The G5556 is the most flexible of the bunch, more gentle but around the lips it will cover a lot of surface -and nearly the entire lips-, it doesn’t bother me but you’ll get less precision and you will notice it when you go over the narrow zones.

The G5557 provides more coverage than the G5556, is more firm and feels more like a mass of hair, it will blend thicker products like a dream. It doesn’t poke at all and on my dry skin it’s not unpleasant, I just prefer a brush with a longer shield for comfort reasons.

Erratum : G5557 is in fact S5557

Erratum : G5557 is in fact S5557

Longer shield= more flexibility = more gentle = absorbs less product = less coverage = better for dry skin 

Shorter shield = firmer = more blending power = more coverage

Despite my delicate skin and the fact that goat brushes are usually not recommended for dry skin, the 4mm are totally fine for me, even the G5557 because it’s so big, it still has some flexibility, none of them cause exfoliation or irritation but better choose the best for your needs, there is a big chance you will be using it often.

I apply foundation with these brushes in a downwards motions (approx 3cm long) starting with gentle but dynamic stippling. These brushes are robust, I have been washing them very often and they still look like new.

Please hop to Stephanie’s blog for more information on them, she works for the source and she is helping us by writing more about these beauties 🙂  I have amazing conversations with her behind the scenes, we are both passionate about brushes, it’s fun and it feels so good to share!