Hakuhodo – one of the great Japanese brush brands, in whose showroom I found myself in Tokyo, awed by the craftsmanship and design. And really, really surprised that their synthetic line is rather cheap and interesting! I got four brushes, and I’ll feature my Hakuhodo synthetic eyeshadow brushes review below. How did the i-142 and i-S04B perform?
I’ve done quite a few brush reviews in my series over the years:
- Hakuhodo J-series
- Hakuhodo i-series
- Zoeva
- Real Techniques cheek brushes
- Real Techniques vs Sephora (synthetic cheek brushes)
My philosophy about brushes is this: I only review good and renowned brushes. They are generally good brushes. The question is always: Can you find products and application techniques that make the brush work for you? And that is what I’m trying to find out in the following post. Because oft hat, I try to be as diverse as possible with products and application techniques to really test the brush.
i-S04B – Eyeshadow Brush Round & Flat
Let’s give it up to Hakuhodo for a groundbreaking name, people! *round of applause*
And no, this little brush isn’t round. It’s a dinky, flat little paddle brush made of synthetic fibre, with a black plastic handle and a silver aluminium ferrule.
From hakuhodo’s description (“This brush is great for creating a fine line on the edge of the eye. Because the fibers are synthetic, it is suited for use with water and oil based products, so it is best when used with liquid or cream makeup.”) I gather that it’s supposed to be used as a liner brush. I never use it as such. I’m crap with liquid liner anyways, and I can maybe draw a halfway decent line with a very fine, angled liner brush. This one I bought as an alternative to my MAC 219 smudger brush. Its stubby form makes it sometimes difficult to get under/between my lashes to blend my eyeshadow/ eyeliner, especially on my lower lashline.
How it works and comparison
It’s a nice little tool to apply cream and powder textures with. It doesn’t smudge and diffuse a soft eyeliner as good as MAC’s 219, but more on that below.
In conclusion, I can say that compared to MAC’s domed smudger brush the i-S04B yields a more precise result. While the 219 really smudges your liner/shadow, the i-S04B rather spreads shadows/liners.
I like the S04B better for my undereye needs: It’s very easy to layer a powder eyeshadow over a thin line of eyeliner, or cream eyeshadow. On my upper lashline, it’s not the quick smudging job I like the 219 for, but rather a distribution of colour that you’re doing when you’re using the flat side.
So, the question is do you need a more precise result, or are you ok with a rather messy look?
Get it here (Hakuhodo US). $13
i-142 Eyeshadow Brush Round
I wouldn’t have bought this one if Britta hadn’t have it on her shopping list. And when I was in Japan and saw it for under 10€ – no brainer! I was a bit flabbergasted how to use it, especially as hakuhodo’s website is a bit wishy-washy on it: “Smudging and blending colors can be easily achieved. Also ideal for highlighting.”
It’s also made from synthetic fibres, with a black plastic handle and a silver aluminium ferrule. It’s a domed, rather firm eyeshadow brush. Most of my eyeshadow blending brushes are both fluffier and pointier.
I get Hakuhodo’s point about its highlighting abilities – IF you want to do Instagram pinpoint highlighting. (Think tip of your nose or cupid’s bow.) I think it’s great for highlight under your browbone and in the inner corner of your eye.
How it works and comparison
Per Hakuhodo, it’s not as much for applying shadow than blending it. BUT: It’s a fab brush for applying formulas I’d usually use my fingertips for, and missing the precision that comes with a brush. Namely, I use it for pressed pigment formulas like MAC’s Pressed Pigments, Armani Eyes to Kill eyeshadows (in the glass pots), and L’Oreal’s Infallibles. This little beauty is able to pick up these formulas easily and apply them like a dream.
Astonishingly, it works well with all formulas – creams, powders, or even rather runny and liquid eyeshadows like Armani’s Eye Tints.
What’s even more astonishing is that this is a great allrounder brush, especially you don’t have much lid space. Sure, it lacks a smaller tip for really precise work, but for applying and blending? The i-142 is a great brush. I’ve used it to apply and to blend Paintpots, I’ve used it for applying regular powder eyeshadow and blending it, and I’ve blended my Stila Shimmer & Glow over a base, and it neither disturbed the base nor did it yield harsh edges. Beware that it soaks up a lot of product if you use it with liquid formulas.
A surprise hit for me, and given the price, a must-have, where I’m concerned.
Get it here (Hakuhodo US). $13
Both brushes were relatively easy to clean and didn’t shed – the 142 stains really easily, though. All in all – recommended!
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
