I've been planning to add more Kokutan brushes to my little collection for quite a while, and last month's IMATS show was the perfect opportunity to do it. Hakuhodo Kokutan Blush Brush S (model no. H2282) has a narrow elongated head that blends blue squirrel hair with synthetic fibers, to achieve the ultimate softness. Like my other Hakuhodo Kokutan face brush, it feels heavenly on my skin, making applying blush an extra nice experience. Kokutan brushes are wonderfully luxurious, from the elegant ebony handles to the silky touch. And they perform beautifully.
I use this small(ish) Hakuhodo Kokutan with most blushes. I even tested it with a crazy intense color such as Chanel Rouge, and it worked (the key is being careful when collecting the products). It's also wonderful with mellow blushes that you want to gradually build up; the brush's softness allows you to work on it without stressing out the skin (especially important if you're sensitive and your cheeks turn red when you apply makeup, then lose that redness only to reveal that you applied less blush than is good for you).
The closest blush brush in my collection to the Hakuhodo Kokutan Blush Brush S is the RMK Cheek brush. It's similar in softness and width, but the Hakuhodo is slightly longer and has less bounce. They are mostly interchangeable, but the Kokutan is slightly more gentle.
Bottom Line: highly recommended.
Hakuhodo Kokutan Blush Brush S ($77) is available from hakuhodousa.com. They offer worldwide shipping.
What, in your opinion, are the softest blush brushes out there? I have the exact same redness/sensitivity issue as you described and it's very frustrating to be left pale and ghostly after the redness fades. Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis one is definitely in my top five. There's the RMK one and Hakuhodo S103. Also, Hakuhodo Yachiyo are made of goat hair, but they're loosely packed, so it's as soft as a goat can get.
DeleteThese brushes look to be of superior quality. Great review on it. I never realized how important brushes were until this exact post!
ReplyDeleteI believe that good brushes that fit the formula and purpose of the products are the key for successful makeup application. That, and I'm a brush nerd ;) .
Deletei've been dreaming of this brush for the past 5 months!
ReplyDeleteYou should. Some things are totally worth planning and saving for them for as long as it takes.
DeleteIsn't this one of the nicest brushes out there? I love mine. I also have touch reactive skin and find that this beauty let's me build color without turning fire engine red for 30 minutes! It's a bit pricey, but if you take proper care of it, it will provide years of superior application. Love Hakuhodo!
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting and babying my brushes for years. The funny thing is that I hesitated to even mention it on the blog because I thought it would be too geeky and bore people. Realizing that others share my view that makeup is not just about pretty colors has been an incredible revelation. No one else in my life cares about makeup brushes, but I have all of you to join me in fawning over hair types and well-crafted handles.
DeleteThis is so beautiful!! And best of all, the price hasn't increased since before 2012. :) I'm considering this but also the Kokutan LAG seems amazing. Do you like S103 the best out of the bunch? Is this your favorite blush brush? Which Kokutan is your favorite and which are your top 3 Hakuhodo eye brushes? :)
ReplyDeleteThe Kokutan LAG is wonderful, but it's a finishing brush, therefore more of a super-luxury item, and less of a true necessity. I love each and every one, so hard to choose, and it depends on the blush I'm applying and the method I want to use. I do worship my S103, for its beauty, performance and softness.
ReplyDeleteAs for Hakuhodo eye brushes, having to only choose three is making me whimper. I'd say S121G, S122, and S142. At least for today.
I love your brush reviews!! <3 my favourite ones.
ReplyDeleteI have been scouring the blogosphere and Youtube for a list of Hakuhodo brushes to purchase at IMATS NYC this Saturday. I think I'm set on the eye brushes I want. However, I'm having a hard time narrowing down face brushes I should get.
ReplyDeleteFor reference, I have oily, acne-prone skin. I own the Tom Ford Bronzer, Cheek and Cream Foundation face brushes. While I love how soft and plush they are, sometimes I find they are too dense and apply too much product or they will remove some of the base (foundation and concealer). So, I purchased the Wayne Goss full set and his holiday goat hair brush (reminiscent of the S103). I love how soft the blue squirrel WG #2 is, but I would like something larger.
Ideally, I think the Suqqu powder brush sounds perfect as it could apply powder, bronzer, and blush without distrurbing the makeup underneath (maybe it would be too floppy, but maybe not?).
I'm looking for good multi-purpose brushes. Something that can set my oily skin with Chanel or Nars loose powder and then tap into a bronzer to give a light wash of color all over, then a tap of blush. Or...if you don't think there is an all-purpose brush, perhaps a multi-purpose brush for bronzer and blush and a good finishing brush just for powder. I would love to know which ones you think I should get. I'm definitely going to buy 2, but maybe more.
With all that said, I am thinking about getting: the Kokutan Blush Brush S $77 (or, should I just wait and get the Suqqu cheek brush), the B505bksl blue squirrel/goat mix (maybe the pefect combo of soft and effective at blending. Would it work for all over powder?), then there is the bigger version... B501bksl (do you think it's worth the $144 since the similar B505 is $84?). Or the cheaper goat/synthetic J505 at $69. I looked at the K002 blue squirrel powder brush for $82 or do you think the Kokutan Finishing brush is a better pick. I was also thinking that I should throw in the J210 and J5521 because of their versatility and reasonable price.
Sorry for the novel, I just really trust your opinion. - Laura aka hapagurl8 on YT
I already replied by email, so this is for the benefit of other who might be looking at similar brushes:
ReplyDeleteI'm not an expert on oily skin since mine leans dry most of the time. Generally speaking, brushes made of goat hair are considered more suitable for oily skin both because they offer fuller coverage and because they're less prone to absorbing sebum. However, if you have patches of more sensitive skin, a mix of goat/squirrel or squirrel/synthetic is probably better.
I can think of several multipurpose face brushes that work for me-- just looking at the stuff I packed in my brush roll for this trip is a good example: A couple of Yachiyo brushes which I use for both powder and blush (also for bronzers, but I didn't pack one this time) and my beloved 210 (I own three of them). My 210 is older and even rounder than the current version, which is why I love it for buffing both cream and powder products- foundation, blush, etc. Other excellent multitaskers are the small and medium Kinoko brushes with the round head. I have several and use them frequently. My next purchase is going to be the smallest Kinoko with a maple handle. The small ones are brilliant for blush, precision powdering and blending highlighters (also for contouring), while the medium (and large ones) are great for bronzers and finishing powders.
Of the brushes you've mentioned, I consider the Suqqu cheek and Kokutan blush S to be interchangeable even though they're not identical (the Hakuhodo is a blend of squirrel and synthetic). I use them the same way with the same products. Either one can be considered a must-have. B505 is also in this category, with slightly different proportions. It's a matter of preference since it's longer and not quite as thick.
I have yet to purchase the large Suqqu face brush, mostly because I use the large Kokutan for finishing and for now it's enough (more as a nice to have, not a necessity). I'd rather buy more eye brushes from Suqqu.
I love the J brushes. They're workhorses with great shapes and hold wonderfully even with frequent washing. some of them feel a bit rough for delicate areas of the face, though it's a relative thing: compared to anything from MAC or old NARS these are fluffy bunnies. But in the end of the day I prefer squirrel or a squirrel blend.