THE SUPERSTARS – FLAT DEFINER 1 AND DETAIL 1

This Superstars series features very special brushes: Brushes you’ve requested, discontinued designs or prototypes I’ve worked on before, but couldn’t bring into production. If you missed the introduction post for this special brushes and you wish to read more, all the details about the handles and all the information about this series is available here.

Coming up next in the Superstars series lineup are these two brushes: the DETAIL 1 and the FLAT DEFINER 1.

These two new brushes are limited edition. The Detail 1 is an iteration of a prototype from 2022, and the Flat Definer 1 is an updated take on the S1 brush from the 2022 Traditions Holiday Trio.

THE FLAT DEFINER 1

The FLAT DEFINER 1 has 8mm bristles and is a tiny eye brush designed for adding definition along the lash line or highlighting the inner corner. The tip is thin, it flexes and flows with ease but it’s not floppy, there is enough firmness and stability; this allows the tip of the brush to precisely work on the lash line and deliver a very neat and even application.

The FLAT DEFINER 1 is an iteration of the Traditions S1 brush that was released in the TRADITIONS HOLIDAY TRIO in 2022. When the Traditions S1 was released, many loved this little brush and frequently asked for its return.

Following your interest and requests, we’ve been working hard to bring the S1 back exactly as it was released in 2022. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to produce a new batch that matches the exact same materials with the same quality of that original run. Because of this, I’ve been exploring alternative options to recreate that S1.

For a similar softness, function and to do something really special, one possible option was to work with WCS bristles – the Traditions S1 was bundled with yellow Canadian squirrel bristles, this Flat Definer 1 is bundled with white Canadian squirrel bristles (WCS). This was a rare opportunity and since many love, and sometimes even prefer the white over the yellow type, we thought it would make sense to go ahead and release this batch with WCS. We tried to make these two brushes as similar as possible, they do perform a little bit differently so I will explain the nuances below.

FLAT DEFINER 1 vs TRADITIONS S1

Many had mentioned the incredible softness of the S1, how the tip flexes and glides smoothly along the lash line. The FLAT DEFINER 1 has a similar degree of flexibility and it’s also extremely soft, but there is more discipline in the way the bristles flex, it allows a little more control and precision, therefore the application with the FLAT DEFINER 1 will result a little more neat and also a little bolder.
In comparison to the S1, the tip of the FLAT DEFINER 1 is easier to control as these bristles feel more directional and are more consistent in structure.

I find it much easier with the FLAT DEFINER 1 -than with the S1- to add precise intensity along the outer lash line, especially in that tiny space I have to work with. If you have hooded lids, fewer lashes, and need super‑controlled placement but prefer a brush with movement, this is where this version really helps.
Another thing I love is that even though it’s soft and very flexible, it’s still firmer than the S1. That extra firmness makes it better at applying product on skin that moves or has texture, we can achieve a placement that is more flush against the skin, and as a result the application can remain even in intensity for longer, or fade more evenly as the day goes by.

If you like setting your liquid liner with a powder product, since this brush glides so softly, it doesn’t create friction or disturb the liner underneath.

FLAT DEFINER 1 vs the SKY series FLAT DEFINER

The FLAT DEFINER from the SKY series is larger and thicker, it’s also more versatile and will work more easily across different formulas. Since the FLAT DEFINER 1 has more flexibility and a thinner tip, it’s more appropriate for softer, more powdery formulas, but it also feels quite softer on the skin.

FLAT DEFINER 1 – SPECS AND PRICING

THE DETAIL 1

The DETAIL 1 is a detail face brush, or it can also be a very large eye brush. The ferrule is 9.4 mm diameter at the base, and the bristles are 25 mm long.

It can be used for detail work on the face, for under the eyes, to use with highlighter, with setting or finishing powders.

The DETAIL 1 is an updated version of a prototype I previously showed you in the 2025 Collector’s Edition post, in the section covering the Setting Brush details and comparisons.
That initial prototype from end 2021/beginning 2022 was bundled with 100% WCS (White Canadian squirrel bristles). Posting about this prototype on that Collector’s post, and showing you what it looked like triggered so many requests for a brush exactly like this!

We have been trying to bring back that initial prototype from 2022 with 100% WCS bristles. We wanted to do it for this Superstars series, we thought we could, so we made several prototypes. Unfortunately, the structure of the bristles available does not allow for the same shape and fullness, therefore, it cannot be the same to that previous old prototype from 2022.

To get closer to that previous 2022 version, we had to make it fuller and more consistent in shape. We knew that using 100% WCS bristles was not going to work. One option was to use a blend of goat bristles with WCS bristles, this would solve the issue since the thicker goat bristles would bring more fullness and consistency to the shape and also enhance its performance. But, we wanted this DETAIL 1 brush to be truly special so we decided that instead of using WCS and saikoho goat bristles (which are already wonderful and incredibly soft), we used WCS and saibikoho goat bristles, the rarest and highest grade of goat bristles available.
Saibikoho bristles are extremely expensive and rare, and they will become even more rare to come by in the future because the quality of natural bristles continues to decrease over time.
To obtain saibikoho grade bristles, only a master artisan with a huge lot of patience and insane skills can do it. It’s a manual process, a selection done bristle by bristle.

I was with the master artisan while he was doing this sorting, it took a long time to select just enough bristles for one mini tiny brush but it was interesting to see and understand what it takes for one bristle to be promoted to saibikoho grade, and it also helps to understand its cost.

DETAIL 1 – PROTOTYPE LINE-UP

Today I have several prototypes with me, the DETAIL 1 in 100% WCS from 2022, the one bundled with 100% WCS from 2024, a DETAIL 1 version bundled with a mix of saikoho goat and WCS, and the current DETAIL 1 with saibikoho goat and WCS. For those of you who are interested, I can show you what they all look like, and tell you how they compare.

DETAIL 1 WCS and saibikoho goat bristles vs DETAIL 1 WCS and saikoho goat bristles

Can we feel the difference in softness between the brush with saibikoho/WCS mix and the brush with saikoho/WCS mix? Yes, there is a difference in the way these two brushes feel and in the way they perform.

The brush with the WCS and saibikoho mix has more adaptability to the surface of the skin, a smoother flow, while the WCS and saikoho mix feels firmer and fuller.

When working with the saibikoho / WCS mix: The product placement is less intense upon first contact but the stroke is more consistent, more even, the perimeter is more softly diffused, the product is retained in the bristles and the stroke remains even for longer.
When working with a saikoho / WCS mix: The placement is more intense upon first touch, more concentrated on that first contact, the product is released faster, therefore the stroke is shorter and less consistent in intensity. Both brushes are great, it’s not a significant difference but there is a difference. Some would rather use a brush that delivers a stronger placement concentrated in a smaller area, others would rather use a brush that delivers a softer placement diffused and more consistent on a larger area.

The DETAIL 1 prototype from 2022 with 100% WCS vs the prototype from 2024 with 100% WCS

The DETAIL 1 prototype from 2024 has been washed and used several times. It’s a nice brush, but as you can see, the shape is not as full and consistent as the prototype from 2022 and the performance is not consistent enough either, the brush needs a little more volume and these WCS bristles need a little more support. It’s exactly the same volume of bristles.

Adding saikoho goat bristles would add the volume and the support, but the saikoho ends up feeling a bit too dominant.
However, using saibikoho goat bristles, which are finer, silkier, and more flexible, provides the required fullness and support, but with a much more subtle presence, which is why it’s a better option for this situation.

Comparing the Detail 1 with 100% WCS (2022) vs the current Detail 1 with WCS/saibikoho mix

The prototype with 100% WCS bristles that was made in 2022 was amazing. That brush with 100% WCS delivers a more intense placement in comparison to the current DETAIL 1 with the saibikoho mix, but the stroke with the 100% WCS is not as smooth and consistent, this is what I find really interesting with the DETAIL 1 and with this mix, the softness and the consistency.
For a brush shaped like this one, with a round ferrule, a blend of saibikoho enhances the shape, the flow, the feel and its purpose.

The DETAIL 1 vs the DETAIL 2

The DETAIL 2 has a bigger ferrule in comparison to the DETAIL 1, not by much but I wanted to show you all these brushes in the same photo.

There is a little more grip on the product with the DETAIL 1 vs the DETAIL 2 but both have a beautiful and consistent stroke.
(The DETAIL 2 will come back in February as we had not received all the production when it was first launched.)

The DETAIL 1 vs the DETAIL PRO

The DETAIL 1 and DETAIL PRO from the PRO series are quite similar in shape, the DETAIL PRO is bundled with 100 % goat bristles (brown dyed and white saikoho goat bristles).
Their size looks a bit similar, but on the skin the contact surface of the DETAIL 1 is about twice the size of the DETAIL PRO.
The DETAIL PRO is firmer and offers more precision and strength in comparison to the DETAIL 1.
In terms of softness, the DETAIL 1 feels much softer and has more flexibility and adaptability to the surface.

DETAIL 1 – SPECS AND PRICING

AVAILABILITY

The DETAIL 1 and FLAT DEFINER 1 are limited edition brushes and they will both be available on Beautylish on the 20th of January 2026, at 10am PT.

The DETAIL 2 will be back in stock in February 2026 when we receive the last part of the production.

Thank you so much for reading this long post. I tried to keep it shorter, but I also wanted to share as much as possible because for some of you, the Detail 1 and Detail 2 might look quite alike in design, they’re still meaningful and useful in different ways for many of us.
I also wanted to share about the little prototype journey of the Detail 1 and Flat Definer 1, why sometimes it’s not possible to bring a brush back in stock, what our options are and why we take them or not.

I mentioned in December that this year will be exciting, the future Superstars and upcoming releases are going to be quite different, and we’re so looking forward to continuing this beautiful journey with you. I’ll be sharing an update soon.

In the meantime, we wish you a wonderful 2026 filled with joy, love, and peace. May you be healthy, happy, and remember to take time for yourself.