I have already reviewed some Koyomo brushes here so please hop to that post if you want to know more about this very unique Japanese brand. Below, you will see two brushes from their new fun series called Hana Gradation, in total they have 4 brushes in these series. I got only two as I had to split my budget between several brands to be able to try a bit of all I wanted recently, but seriously, even though I don’t usually like pink things, these are insane, totally worth the splurge.
The brushes are bundled with Ototsuho goat bristles, which aren’t usually the softest goat bristles, but Koyomo’s Ototsuho bristles are by far superior to any other of the same category. Very very very soft, heavenly soft, addictive, and the design is particular… why not? you may love it, or hate it, or your opinion may change as you hold them for the first time, getting used to such an unusual sexual-ish design was easier than expected, no dirty thoughts please… my friends think these are multipurpose in a clear other way 😀 Hopefully you will be tempted too and for the good reasons, as you should be, because these brushes check all the freaking boxes 😉
Koyomo’s logo is engraved on the ferrule and I had mine engraved with my name on the handle, the full length is approx 13,7 cm. the bristles 3,7 cm, perfect size of bristles for flawless blush application, dense but still airy enough to allow bronzer application. It costs 10’000 JPY (approx 90$).

The Blush Brush
The other Koyomo Pink Pearl is equally soft to this Gradation and it’s half price (JPY 500o) so if you are just looking for a brush with similar specs and great hair quality and you don’t care about the handle, get the cheapest, just keep in mind the handle of the Pink Pearl is very short.

Koyomo pink pearl vs Koyomo Gradation
Below, the Gradation blush brush vs the other similar Koyomo blush brushes, same head size, all are absolutely excellent, just different hair types. In my recent Koyomo post I explain all about the hair and how it differs in the series. This Ototsuho used for the Gradation brushes is still from the 70’s, same excellent quality, it’s supposed to be the cheapest quality but it will surprise us in a very good way.
This time, I selected the flat eye shadow brush since it was a new shape for them but I think the crease round one remains more unique and interesting. This flat brush is truly soft, a delight, same bristles as the blush brush.
The Gradation flat vs the other two Koyomo round eye shadow brushes:
This flat eyeshadow costs 5000 JPY (approx 45$), they have tried to create a brush that serves both as lay down and blender, you can also work with it in the crease. You will not achieve precision application as it does splay out, the smallest zone you can work on is half of the mobile lid. I have done complete looks with it, placing a base all over the eye lid, using a medium shade in the crease (wonderful and even results by the way), and I have also used it to place a darker outer V, but that outer V goes nearly till the middle of the mobile lid, on my eyes I cannot narrow it to a smaller application. You can use it for blending or bringing up/out the crease. For a precise outer V, the lashline and smudging you will need a smaller option but for the other steps, it makes the process satisfying, quick and easy.

Flat eye shadow brush sideways with the two Koyomo crease brushes
So, if you haven’t already and you love this design, you should immediately give them a try, specially that blush and round crease!
I purchased mine via Fudejapan, they are also available at CDJapan, below you will get the links.
8 comments
Oh dear! Something else to add to my want list! Those hot pink handles! I have such a weakness with hot pink. Although now my brain is in turmoil – do I save for the Saikoho brushes, or buy these to try out the shapes at a more affordable price? If only they made a pink Saikoho I would be eating baked beans for a month 🙂
that’s an excellent question Lissloo! I honestly don’t mind using the Ototsuho over the Saikoho, there is such a tiny difference, of course it’s great to have Saikoho but the cheapest are already that good!!!
you can easily try a cheaper one and not regret it at all! Unless you really really want to go for the extreme… 🙂 🙂 🙂
I do love the design! Very… chunky yet streamlined 🙂
at first I was not convinced, today I love it! 😀 and it’s funny to see how people react to these 😀
The hot pink color is not really my thing, but I do LOVE the Pink Pearl set. You were so right on when you described the incredible softness and quality of the otosuho hair! I have been very curious about the flat shader ever since that’s been released, especially since I love the round blender version so much. It looks like it’s not particularly multi-purpose. I might still get the pink pearl version of this. I have a very weird obsessive thing about complete sets. 🙂
Belly!!! my sweetheart!! I get you 200% about the complete sets.. took me years to complete some but it is too satisfying! 😀 so get the flat shader, you will see you will still use it more than you think! not a waste imho!
This is so helpful and informative. Thanks so much!
Thank you) Your Hiragana engraving is unique as most foreign names are in Katakana)