REVIEW: Makeup Brush Guide + My Holy Grail Brushes by Chikuhodo, Wayne Goss, Hakuhodo, Tom Ford, and more

I can hardly believe it has been almost two years since my last favorite brushes video! I have garnered so much knowledge and experience since then, and my skin has been through hell and back, so my brush preferences are rather different. Since discovering the beauty of artisan brushes, I have not looked back. The craftsmanship and attention to detail oftentimes astound me, even if I've owned the brush for a year or two. Each brush is shaped by hand and the natural tips of the fibers are much finer, which ultimately lead to a much softer feel on the skin as opposed to laser-cut hairs. More details after the jump!

☆ List of Makeup Worn Here ☆

Brushes Reviewed

Wayne Goss Holiday Powder Brush

Chikuhodo Z-1 Powder

SUQQU Face Brush

Chikuhodo PS-1 Powder

Chikuhodo GSN-1 Powder

Wayne Goss Face 11

Tom Ford Bronzer Brush

Hakuhodo S106 Angled Powder

Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush

MAC 130 Short Duo Fiber

Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush

Hakuhodo S1004 Large Duo Fiber

Hakuhodo J4002 Small Duo Fiber

Chikuhodo GSN-4 Highlight

Chikuhodo Z-4 Cheek/Highlight

Shu Uemura Cheek 20h

Wayne Goss Face 14

SUQQU Cheek Brush

Chikuhodo Z-2 Highlight

MAC 239 Flat Eye Shader

Shu Uemura Kolinksy 10f

Shu Uemura Kolinksy 11

Tom Ford Eye Blend 13

Wayne Goss Eye 4

Hakuhodo BJ142

Wayne Goss Eye 20

Tom Ford Smoky Eye 14

Chikuhodo GSN-13 Eyebrow

MAC 208 Eyes

I reviewed all the brushes individually in the video, but please keep in mind that it is very difficult to convey the remarkable sensory experience that an artisan brush creates. That being said, I want to own a dozen limited edition Wayne Goss Holiday brushes! The WG fibers do not irritate my sensitive skin whatsoever, and the ultra tapered shape makes it ideal for application of any powder. I can use the Holiday Brush to set my concealer, loose powder, powder foundation, powder blush, powder bronzer, and even powder highlighter! Yes, SIX different powder functions.. best of all, the price does not break the bank the way Chikuhodo or SUQQU brushes can. Also, I have noticed that the general public is usually blown away by the ultra soft and plush quality of Wayne Goss brushes. I highly recommend his Face Set (reviewed here) for your personal use and/or clients. If I was still a working makeup artist, I would own multiple sets! 

SPECIAL NOTE

Since many of you are interested in SUQQU, here are my in-depth reviews of the famed Blush Brush and the elusive Face Brush. I adore them, but SUQQU brushes are so incredibly delicate. Avoid using heavy powder foundations with your Face Brush or the hairs may split, which would be a tragedy. Since I treasure my SUQQU brushes very much, I try to use them only when I want to pamper my skin or for a special event (perhaps a tutorial occasionally). I may purchase a second SUQQU Blush brush to use for highlighter application, since the smaller brush head is easier to clean and maintain. Still, I prefer powder to blush/highlighter, which is why the SUQQU Face Brush will always be my most precious baby. 

SKIN TYPE

If you have sensitive skin, stick to grey or blue squirrel fibers. They are the softest that money can buy, but you will have to pay a premium for them (just so you're warned in advance). If you have normal skin, you can experiment with all fiber types! I use brushes with goat fibers or blue squirrel/goat mixes most regularly, and I tend to reserve horse and badger for my eyebrow brushes. If you have combination skin, try goat and goat/synthetic mixes. Goat fibers are predominantly offered in white or black, but those by Wayne Goss are "tea" colored — unique and luxurious. If you have oily skin, stick to goat/synthetic mixes for daily use because they are more resilient. Unfortunately, squirrel hair soaks up oil, which will eventually damage the brush. 

LIQUID FOUNDATION

As mentioned in the video, I use a BeautyBlender with most of my liquid foundations. I use MAC 130 or the Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush (reviewed here) for all my cream foundations, but I figured I would share other liquid foundation brush alternatives here! If you're looking to upgrade from Sigma brushes, try the Hakuhodo G5557. I actually own the lovely S Class version, but the G series is more affordable. It requires very, very little pressure to blend liquid foundation. I do not recommend stippling, as it can sting sensitive skin. If you prefer a softer style, try the BJ527. It is traditionally used for powder and blush, but I like it paired with liquid foundation and some facial mist. Feel free to stipple and swipe with the BJ527! I also suggest the Wayne Goss 13, since the smaller brush head is easier to maneuver around the nose and eyes, especially with tinted moisturizers and sheerer foundations.

EYE BRUSHES

This time around, I decided to add eye brushes to the review since it was highly requested previously. I tend to use the same dozen despite owning quite a few more, and that's because the brushes I shared are so phenomenal! It is true that preference will determine which brushes are most suitable for your eye shape, but Shu Uemura's Kolinksy 10f and 11 are fabulous tools for everyone! Use them with all cream, liquid, or powder eyeshadows. Even after all these years, I feel that Kolinsky brushes are truly worthwhile — firm to the touch but silky soft on the eyes. Tom Ford's eye brushes, however, are exceptional for the price and have more specific functions. I love the memorable design. Now, I realize this video's review is lengthy, but I sincerely hope you find the extra eye section helpful!

Here are my most-used picks in each category:

My Top 3 Face Brushes

Chikuhodo Z-1

Chikuhodo GSN-1

Wayne Goss 11

Bonus Wayne Goss Holiday (LE)

My Top 3 Cheek Brushes

Chikuhodo Z-2

Shu Uemura 20h

Wayne Goss 14

My Top 3 Eye Brushes

Shu Uemura Kolinksy 10f

Shu Uemura Kolinksy 11

Tom Ford Eye Blend 13

Splurge Brushes

SUQQU Face Brush (for loose powder only)

SUQQU Cheek Brush (for blush or highlighter)

WASHING + CARE

Please do not forget that these artisan brushes are investment tools. Marvel at their beauty. Do not throw them around or submerge them in water if you want to use them for years to come. I usually cup my fingers and gently whip the brush up and down to remove excess color and wipe them on a plain tissue (again, gently). You can also use a clean microfiber towel if you prefer. I wash my face brushes every four to six weeks unless it is a brush that I use regularly. I tend to wash my powder brushes every 2 to 3 weeks, which is why I prefer using Wayne Goss brushes on the day-to-day, since they hold up well to washings! Here's a quick 101 on how I bathe and dry my brushes.

Please feel free to leave questions here or ask me on Twitter!

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