Before I start with this update, I want to thank you again for your continuous support and your kind comments. In such journeys, passion, motivation, and determination are obviously required but, without the support that such a community fuels continuously it would not go that far! I know that we are a small community but how precious! I wake up everyday full of gratitude and I couldn’t be happier to be where I am today!
2020
So, 2020… what a year. For sure, covid had a clear impact on our ongoing projects, some projects have been delayed, others put on stand-by for the moment. The “work from home” will not apply to the Artisans who need their ateliers and components to create pieces. If the schools are closed then there is another challenge, to find someone or be there to take care of their children, therefore they couldn’t always go to work. Some providers or companies closed, either partially or temporarily, the parcels (prototypes, etc), were stuck in transit and I couldn’t fly there to help the development go faster.
It was a difficult year for so many, sales have been impacted locally as many shops and boutiques were closed and tourism was also paused. In spite of all the challenges, we were still able to work, to continue production, as far as I know, no jobs have been lost around the people that I directly know, but obviously I don’t know the overall impact and what will happen in 2021.
It did impact us also in many ways but we are ok and this is the most important thing. I hope that you are ok too!
Now I am going to share a few updates, so you have an idea of what is happening and if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
KEYAKI brush set
With regards to the set being Limited Edition, I confirm this set will not come back, it was a difficult set, it took a lot of time and effort so I confirm that once the current stock is gone, it won’t come back.
You asked me in the comments if it was possible to have the Mini Base in the permanent collection, I don’t know today if this will happen, it’s a possibility, but I don’t know at this stage.
I read several comments about the handles, I confirm, the handles on these Keyaki brushes are short, actually in Japan it’s quite common to have brushes with shorter handles. Here are some other Fude for reference, if you have any of these brushes you can see more of less how the length differs:
This Keyaki is a set that you can use at home if you are comfortable with short handles and it’s a set that can be easily carried in smaller bags or pouches. I saw many people storing dirty brushes directly in their handbags, so, if the brush is short, lightweight and not bulky, it makes it easily portable in the smallest pouches and this was exactly the idea.
I thought that it would be really nice to have something small, yet functional and beautiful at the same time. Although I prefer longer handles, I always missed a touch up set that I could do everything with, without having to think what make-up I had on that day or having to match the brushes accordingly.
I also saw a lot of nice comments with regards to the price of the set. This set has a indeed a very good price and it’s not because the handles are short- they were complex to make and definitely not cheap. It’s also not related to the quality of the components or the manufacturing, these brushes are absolutely the same as longer handle brushes. The reasons why the price is quite interesting is more related to the initial quantity ordered, which helped to have a better price per brush. Also, we wanted to do something special for 2020 and do our very best to make this set more reachable in terms of sales price. It has been a difficult year for everybody and if getting this set helps brighten somehow our souvenir of 2020, it would really be absolutely amazing, even if it is in the tiniest way 🙂
To the Moon and Back Towel
I am so happy that so many of you loved this illustration!! The questions I saw were mainly to confirm if this is a limited edition release. In terms of illustration and colors of the microfiber, yes it is definitely limited.
Cranes over Mt Fuji Holder
The last shipment of the initial order should arrive sometime in January and since there was a lot of demand, we asked for a few more pieces but the manufacturing is so long that there are only a few of them and it’s for Spring 2021. Then no more will arrive.
Face One and Soft Cheek Restock
These two brushes are planned for January 2021, providing all goes well. The reason why it took so long was due to availability of bristles with a similar quality- this impacts all the brushes with longer saikoho bristles. These brushes are now made by a different manufacturer- we’re starting only with two and then we see how it goes. I will share additional information soon.
Face Pro, Master Face, Inochige Pro Restock
They are on stand-by, no date for the moment. This doesn’t mean they will be discontinued. When I find that they can be made with similar quality they will come back.
If you are a Fude lover (brush lover), you may already know that prices are increasing in the Fude world, while quality and availability is likely to decrease since the demand is so high today.
Pouch collection Launch
I confirm it’s coming soon. Shipment is ongoing at the moment and we are aiming for a January release providing all goes well.
As soon as I can I will share all the details. The good news is that they are made in Japan by artisans but unfortunately, they are also aligned with artisan-made prices. I sincerely hope you will love the designs, the quality and the functionality!
Base One Restock
It’s in production, I don’t know when it will be back in stock as it is taking long but it is ongoing. Some brushes take a long time to make and it is due to many factors, I am not even sure this would be interesting for you to know but I can share more in the future if you would like me to.
Permanent Walnut brush holder
It’s in production but I don’t know when it will be completed. It was planned for January but today I am not certain they can meet this deadline. The artisan behind this piece is also making the Cranes over Mt Fuji and he is quite busy with both… I will inform you on Instagram as soon as I have a confirmed an availability date or window.
2021
I am so thrilled that you ask me about new projects and brushes planned for 2021! There are several projects ongoing for 2021 but it’s too soon to talk about them. We will see how everything evolves but I am happy to see that things that weren’t possible one or two years ago, become possible with time so this open new doors and it’s so exciting!
Being able to travel again would be amazing but I don’t think it will happen that soon. I have booked the hotel in Hiroshima for September so who knows… if it’s safe to travel I will be there!
We are also working on a dedicated Sonia G website, where you will find all the information regarding the brushes and lots of helpful pictures and details.
I wish you all a very peaceful, healthy, joyful and successful 2021, I hope we will be able to travel, to discover new places, enjoy them at a whole new level and to spend more time with our loved ones!
25 comments
Thank you, Sonia, it’s been such a difficult year for us all, but your flawless releases have brought such excitement, when a lift was what we needed. Cannot wait to see what else you have in store!
Thank you for this update and your continued commitment to quality and excellence in your products. I think in our excitement we sometimes forget that every piece of fude is a bespoke product. I look forward to seeing what is coming in 2021. For now, I will keep myself occupied with my current collection. Happy New Year!
Sonia, this is all awesome. As a proud owner of the Keyaki brush set, it has definitely brought a bit of joy to my year. I’m so proud of you and all your accomplishments! Can you share a few more details about the “Pouch Collection”?
What is it? Also are there any plans to make your original brush line with the slender handles? Thanks Sonia
Hi Melissa,
thank you so much for your extremely kind comment!!
Regarding the pouches, I hope I can share soon, I wanted to do something to store our brushes and carry them so it’s a collection with different items, I hope you will love it and as soon as I can share more I let you know asap!! so excited… the wait is… argh…
and about the slender handles, some will come for a limited release, please stay tuned!!! for now I don’t know how the collection will shape in the future, I imagine that not all brushes will remain in the collection but I need to wait a few months to see how the new brushes are shaping 🙂
Stay safe sweetie and take care!
I absolutely love every single product you come up with. I adore the Keyaki set along with the towel, I wasn’t able to get this brush holder, but maybe will in January. Regardless, I appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes into every product you make. I treasure them and love to “play” with them every day!
Happy New Year!
I just want to say I love the Keyaki set! They are small (and cute!) and portable. I find them easy to use even with the short handles and especially surprised by the Mini Base which I thought might be difficult but it blends like a dream. Thank you for doing this set also for the aesthetics (the wood!).
Agnes
Hi Agnes, waw amazing, thank you for your kind feedback!! I find them super cute too 😀 So happy that you love them and that they are part of your daily routine, that’s amazing when little brushes become workhorses!! stay safe sweetie and Happy New Year!!
A Sonia G. website?! Bring it on! It is going to be absolutely marvelous for sure. Yes, please share about the many factors involved in making the brushes, as mentioned about in Base One. I find the creating process from designing to manufacturing to be all so interesting!!! May I encourage you to stay true to your values and your joys. Create for us out of what you enjoy. And always uphold each product to your high standards. Continue to be specific and particular in your designs and fabrications. All of your hard work is worth every second of your time and thought and labor. A very blessed new year to you, dear Sonia. Blessings!!!! Denise
Hi Denise,
I will do my best! I really want it to be useful so let’s see! A very blessed New Year to you too sweetie, hopefully we can travel soon as I really would love to meet you in person! take care and stay safe!!
Meeting you, Sonia, would be so lovely! I look forward to blessing your time while you were here with me! Stay sweet! Denise
I love the keyaki set, size and all! I didn’t realize it cost as much as the regular sized brushes. I do appreciate the lower price point. My favorite has been the mini base since it applies cream blushes beautifully. I’m so excited to see what you will have this new year! I wish you all the happiness, health, and success Sonia, to you and your family!
Hi Melissa, thank you for stopping by and commenting! so happy you love the Mini Base so much, it’s amazing!! I hope it will be a more joyful and exciting year, I wish you also the best of success and happiness! Stay safe and take care!!
Sonia, Sonia, what is this Pouch Collection of which you speak?? I look forward to your re-stocks of my wishlist brushes, and oooo to have that Keyaki mini buffer in a large size one day would be wonderful…not to mention those remarkable wooden handles. Happy 2021!
Hi Cat! it is something that has been in the works for quite a while and that will arrive soon, when transportation finally works out and they finally get to Beautylish 🙂 Yes … that Mini Base is hopefully a start to a new story, thank you so much for leaving me this nice comment!! A very Happy 2021 to you too!! 😀
Hi Sonia,
I have a question. I ordered the smooth buffer but I found it to be too scratchy on the face .. because it felt pokey and left my skin a little irritated, I had to return it. How does the softness of this brush compare to the face one? I loved the size of the smooth buffer and how well it buffed. I am not sure if I should try the face one instead in case it is softer, or try the smooth buffer again. Maybe I just got a bad piece. Hoping to hear back from you!
Hi Tina, sorry that you experienced an issue with the brush. Face One and Smooth Buffer are supposed to be really soft as this is the highest grade of saikoho hair, I imagine that maybe it had an issue during the bundling or finishing. So these both brushes should be similar. Now, with future Face One, the current manufacturer could not produce it anymore because they don’t have anymore saikoho bristles of that length, so the manufacturer that is now making the Face One used similar quality, the ones I have received as prototypes and sample pieces were great. Smooth Buffer and Face One will be done by different manufacturers.
The size of the Smooth Buffer is more versatile, I use it everyday and I have several of them obviously and they were all great (they are sent to me randomly so they won’t send me only the best ones). Not sure what to tell you, it depends how you feel about it, I also have extremely sensitive skin so I need to have extreme softness on a brush but squirrel bristles, I would recommend maybe to look at squirrel bristles but for buffing, they don’t work well on me because of the texture of my skin (I need something with more grip) so it’s about finding the goat brush that is actually efficient and soft enough so I do understand you… and I don’t know how to help you, I imagine you got a bad brush because it should be really soft goat hair. Thank you for your feedback and please let me know what you decide. I wish you a wonderful day and stay safe!
Thank you so much for responding! Will the new face one also be made with saikoho bristles? If not, I will probably order another smooth buffer since you mentioned that saikoho is the highest grade.
Hi Tina, Yes it is also done with Saikoho bristles! thank you!! 🙂 <3
Hi Sonia!!
I got my replacement of the smooth buffer yesterday and I am so happy to report that this brush is exactly how you described it should be. Very soft and no irritation to the skin. The one I received before was definitely defective. I also ended up getting your face one and soft cheek. I couldn’t resist the temptation of having both. Now waiting for face pro and inochige pro to come back!
Happy new year, Sonia.
Thank you for the update. I really love my Inochige Pro and my Face Pro, and I would love to get the Pro entire set, especially backups fo these two favourites. Here’s hoping you can bring them back.
And I second the need for the Mini Base in a full length handle. Please
Thank you for everything.
My sincere admiration, always.
Dee
Hi Sonia ! You are amazing ! I need your help , picking a bronzer brush , I really love your Face Pro but it’s been out of stock for a while , would you be able to recommend something very alike ? I would really appreciate that ! Thank you in advance .
Thank you for the update! Will you ever restock Sculpt Two?
Hi Staci, the Sculpt Two is coming very soon on Beautylish 🙂 A matter or hours or a couple of days as we wait for it to arrive right now. Thank you so much for asking!
I just love the Keyaki set! I love the handles, both in their smooth texture and that they are short! Even when not using them as travel brushes (not much of that lately), I just like the shorter handles better. I’m nearsighted so I have to be close to the mirror to see what I’m doing and the short handles don’t bump into the mirror.
Hi Maria,
thank you! so happy that you love them! it’s actually super useful to have an option for smaller brushes, I often wished I had great quality smaller brushes!!
same as you, specially with some mirrors when travelling it’s great to go super close as they are not that good as the one at home 🙂
thank you again for your kind feedback!! hugs!!!