Beauty Product Reviews | Page 3

The best flat synthetic brush for cream shadows and packing on color

I bought the AF-6 in order to test out this new line from Chikuhodo as well as look at the softness of the synthetic fibers used. This brush is firm but it also has enough give that you can use it for precision work. The best analogy I could use is it serves a similar purpose to the MAC 242 but it's much better quality than that brush.

If you are a professional MUA or you use your brushes often, you'll know that synthetic brushes tend to be more convenient because they can stand up to repeated disinfection and washing without giving out. This brush is very easy to clean (either with spot cleaner or soap and water) and is very high quality. Recommended.

* Just a note: the stiffness of the fibers on these synthetic bristle brushes means they tend to be more suited for flat brushes than blender brushes. I use these in conjuction with either the Cozzette S175, S185 or D220 on other people or with the Hakuhodo J5529, J5523 and J5522 on myself.

Great skin treatment, not so sure if it's such a good primer

I love the formulation of this product; it has the right PH for Salicylic acid to be effective as a keratolytic, it doesn't contain silicones or parabens and it really helps clear up congestion in the pores. However, as a primer this leaves a lot to be desired. If you have large pores or texture in your skin, you will need a silicone-based primer to provide a proper, smooth canvas for the pigments in your foundation to cling to. You could always layer this under your traditional primer product if you want the treatment benefits of the formula.

Really underrated

These shadows are some of my favorite formulas, I'm surprised nobody has reviewed them yet. They have great color payoff, last long and they don't crease. What's not to love?

Fantastic liner brush

I was looking for a synthetic liner brush in this shape and I was immensely glad Chikuhodo released this line. I like this brush for any precise work needed on the lid or by the lashline. It's great for liquid or gel liner, as well as diffusing and smudging a pencil line. The rounded edges make it gentler for the brush to glide on the eye as well as smoothing out any pigment you apply. Worth it.

Becca knows how to do highlight

Have the Shimmering Skin Perfectors in Pearl and Moonstone in liquid form, decided to add the Pearl in pressed form to my collection. Gorgeous.

Some of the best shadows on the market

I have Buttercup and Love+ in singles and I have a 4 pan palette that has Tako, Dollipop, Midori and a blue shade. I have to say, these have some of the best pigmentation on the market and they blend/apply so smoothly. Love these shadows.

I swirl my Chikuhodo Z-4 in Love+ and Buttercup to use as blush. It gives a very natural flush to the face. I also use Love+ and Dollipop on top of lipliner and lipstick to mattify the look and make it last longer. You get a good amount of product for the price and the colors are amazing. Can't wait to buy more.

Everything is better with Glitter (Glue)

First off, I have to address the obvious: the glitter shades are simply not meant to be applied the way Natasha Denona advises you to (with your finger). I had very lukewarm feelings towards this palette because I wasn't a fan of the texture of the Crystal shades and they have a tendency to have a lot of fallout and create a mess out of your palette. I thought this palette was a wash until I bought some Glitter Glue from Lit Cosmetics and then I started to appreciate what this palette had to offer.

You'll need a synthetic flat brush, some Glitter Glue and a metal palette to make sure the Crystal shades apply evenly. Dip your brush in Glitter Glue, dip it into your Crystal shade, then mix them on the palette to make sure you get a nice even coat of glitter and glue on your brush. Gently tap that on your lid and you'll be able to get good wear out of these shadows without fallout.

You might not like these shadows if you are not a fan of glitter or if you don't particularly like theatrical makeup. Personally, I love using glitter to pump up my eyeshadow so this palette is convenient for me because I don't have to keep opening up my tubs of glitter and making a mess just to apply them on my face.

This palette works best with the Viseart Neutral Mattes palette or the Viseart Dark Mattes palette.

Great, everyday palette

Bought this thinking I wasn't going to get too much use out of it but I've reached for it every day since I got it. Perfect palette with colors that look good on everybody. Packaging is great too, you can take the shadows out to depot or put them in to travel. A+

The Best Pencil Sharpener I have

I used my Shu Uemura pencil sharpener for years (bought two) but this is the best I have thus far. Keeps your pencils sharp and to a point, even soft pencils like Kajals. Love.

Fantastic Brushes

I've had my Shu Uemura brushes in my kit for about 20 years when I noticed the paint from my badger eyebrow brush and pony hair blush brush started to chip. I'd wanted the Suqqu brushes forever but I could never justify paying that much for brushes that were made by Chikuhodo anyway. When I saw this set had a blush brush, an eyebrow brush, the powder brush and something very similar famous discontinued S brush from Suqqu, I was sold!

Overall, I'm quite happy with the set, with the exception of the inclusion of a lip brush. No tea, no shade, lip brushes are ok but I would have preferred the inclusion of a blending brush or tapered highlight brush even for a little more. So that's the only reason why this gets a 4 out of 5 instead of 5 out of 5.

Everything in this set was very good but I have to say the real stars of this set are the pointed crease brush and the cheek/highlighter brush. Application of blush is amazing and the pointed brush makes detailed crease work a breeze.