This brush is the Chanel number 19 that is available here in Switzerland but if you search for it on some online shops, for example Selfridges or Neiman Marcus, you will see a different Nbr 19 with dark bristles and a more pointy shape, they are both blenders but the dark one is “Tapered” . The white 19 looks like this:

I also decided to get the other one yesterday, when it will get here I will show you comparison pics of both.

I have found no explanation regarding this difference and why we can’t have same brushes every where, we could imagine that since we have different quads with different eyeshadow textures outside of the USA, that some countries will have different brushes and needs due to those differences, but nope, apparently that is not the reason.

I bought this white version in Switzerland, it costed 55 chf (approx. 60 usd), the one from Selfridges that I ordered yesterday costed 22.50 gbp after tax adjustment which equals to 33 chf. The Selfridges one was cheaper but make-up in Switzerland is very expensive and everything is more expensive here.

You may wonder why I got this brush: it’s more expensive than Japanese brushes, it’s not soft and the quality is not that impressive. Sometimes I buy different brushes to be able to give you a more balanced opinion, brands change quality over the years (improve or decrease) and I also like to have an opinion on brands that are more easily available at the counters.

The shape of this white Chanel 19 is truly nice, love it! I am hunting for brushes with that shape for efficient blending, it has the perfect firmness and length for the ideal blender, same for the size, just perfect size. I have used it very often since I got it (1 week ago) and washed it every day to see if the softness would improve but it hasn’t changed. It’s scratchy, it hurts my lids (in the crease it’s ok, but on the lids it pokes like hell). BUT, I love how it blends, you can even call it “polish” and obtain the most wonderful polished application with this, it will hurt, if you have sensitive skin you may want to throw it far and straight away but it does deliver a beautiful effect, will blend anything with anything, this is fantastic with cream products, such a beautiful and easy application BUT I just warn you, this-is-pokey.

In terms of softness, the Zoeva is even softer, I think it costs under 10usd, still a bit too rough for my liking but for that price it’s fantastic, the Zoeva is softer than some Mac brushes, not all of them but some, it will depend on the brush.

The two Hakuhodo are much softer, they are here for size reference in case you were thinking the J214 was the same brush, it’s much bigger and denser. The Hakuhodo J5523 is more flexible and tapered, actually the shape of the Chanel with the hair of the J5523 would have been nice! The Tom Ford is softer and has more flexibility. The Zoeva is very directional and tapered, it’s a beautiful shape but again, too scratchy for me.

The shape of the Chanel 19 is round, while blending I did not notice any flicked away product, super brush but super scratchy.

You can click on the pictures and you will see a larger view of the bristles :

I put some brushes here for size reference because it’s nice to have an idea of what to expect! The picture on the website gives no clue of what size of brush you will be getting. The Chanel head is 1.4cm long, width is 0.7cm, total length of the brush : 16cm.

1. Charlotte Tilbury blender
2. Tom Ford 13
3. Hakuhodo J5523
4. Zoeva 231
5. Charlotte Tilbury Smudger
6. Paula Dorf Smokie Lid
7. Kent Twelve 04 (just ignore it… and refer to my last post  if you want info on that one)
8. Chanel 19
9. Hakuhodo J214

I am trying to love the new Chanel quads that have been released in Europe to replace the old versions but despite loving the colors, I still don’t like the texture, the finish and lasting power. I try to give them some more time but I am not a fan, I will also try to talk to various Chanel representatives to see if they have any especial recommendation. For younger eyes, for sure they look nice, but it’s easier for an eyeshadow to look nice on younger eyelids 🙂  They don’t look that great on me and the dark colors crease more than any other eyeshadow I own.

If we consider that now these are 2g instead of 1.2 g, we may think we got an improvement there, well, don’t know, this is still more expensive than gold in real life (it is in Switzerland) and I am convinced that the USA textures are more elegant and still complex enough to make a statement for any eyelid, the younger and the less young.

If I change my mind on these new quads I will let you know, I have Tissé Riviera and Tissé Gabrielle, despite loving the colors, still disliking the finish, texture and price!

If you don’t mind rougher brushes, this Chanel 19 is a work horse! Can’t wait to receive the other 19 from Selfridges, package has been dispatched today 🙂

UPDATE 15th May 2014

After ordering the nbr 19 at Selfridges, despite the fact is was smaller, more tapered and darker hair, I received exactly the same brush!

I have sent an email to Selfridges asking if there is another option or if this is simply the replacement version 🙂