Beauty Product Reviews

Unfortunately not...

I've had this brush for a while now and unfortunately, I do not really like it. I wanted to use it to "packing on pigment" (taken from the product description) but it takes forever and I never get the intensity I want, not with hard-pressed drier eyeshadows or softer creamier ones. There isn't a tapered tip as another reviewer pointed out and added a photo to the review. Pros about the brush: soft bristles, beautiful handle and overall well made (just not a "builder").

So, if you want a brush that really packs on the pigment with a similar shape to the real Builder Pro (so without a tip, it's a rounded shape in my case): - Hakuhodo B 5507 (horse hair so not as soft as SG, very slightly wider ferrule, more bristles so denser, picks up color beautifully and applies it just as well) - Hakuhodo B 004G (goat, overall a bit bigger but thinner in thickness so less bristles, picks up more than the Builder Pro but not as much as the B 5507, very close to the softness of the SG) - Hakuhodo J 242 (goat & synthetic, slightly smaller overall than the SG, thinner in thickness due to less bruistles, better at picking up color than the SG but not as much as the B 5507, not as soft as the SG but not rough by any means) - Hakuhodo S 149 Bk (horse, lot smaller than the SG and also thinner, lovely for very precise application) (I didn't realise that I love Hakuhodo shader brushes as much :) )

Lovely despite breakouts

Slight, mini breakouts. I had such good luck with the BEAN mask by Mahalo (still love it, using it for many months), but not so much with the Hawaiian Hydration Concentrate and this Vitality Elixir Serum. The breakouts caused by this Vitality Serum were not as bad as those caused by the Hydration Concentrate so it took me a while to figure this one out (oh, that's just stress... yesterday's pizza... hormones etc.).

I thought about just putting up with the mini breakouts because there's a lot I love about this serum. I personally really love the oil texture, very smooth. It absorbed quickly into my skin. My skin felt hydrated, radiant, protected against harsh winter conditions and yes, I saw mini firming of my skin and improvements of my texture (but no fading of hyperpigmentation which maybe would have taken more time, IDK). The bottle is nice and the pump is high quality – no oily mess.

It clearly didn't combat acne or inflammation (product claims) for me. I will pass this product on because I've really had enough breakouts in my teen years and early twenties; breakouts are a dealbreaker for me. Please keep in mind that my skin is sensitive and acne prone. Your skin might be fine with this serum and you might love it. My rating would be a 3.5 but I rounded it up to 4 stars because the breakouts were minimal and I enjoyed many things about this serum.

Breakouts.

Bummed out that this broke me out all over my face. Not the biggest surprise since I have acne prone, sensitive skin but I have to disagree with the product description: "It is especially beneficial (...) those prone to acne."

However, let me tell you about the positives: it did hydrate my skin very nicely (but I've had a better one that was more expensive, about + 60 $). The "wood bottle" is very nice, the pump is high quality and the product absorbed rather quickly but the texture... let's go to the cons.

What I didn't enjoy is the texture of this product. Hard to describe but what was annoying is that when I wasn't careful and not working the product in my palm (kinda smoothing out the texture, warming it up) before putting it onto my skin (when tired, rushed etc.), I had little brown thick pieces of it on my skin. Easy to remove but still a negative imho.

Neither negative nor positive was the smell: no perfume, just the product itself has a noticable scent (that faded away). Referring to the product description: I saw no firming, smoothing (haha), improvment of my discoloration but I will not judge this too hard because I stopped using the product after a rather short time, about three to four weeks.

Overall the positives were good but not overwhelming. The breakouts are an absolute no-go for me. It's a nice product but I wouldn't say it's a must-have.

Nice with downsides

Keeping it short because the product isn't new but hello to all people filtering for the newer reviews! My skin is combo, sensitive, acne prone. I recommend using a sponge to apply and blend it.

Cons: - tacky: some difficulties applying products on top (even cream/liquid products, of course also powders) but "workable", can get cakey if you have a heavy hand with powder, harsh on brushes - doesn't blot well, doesn't retouch too well in my experience - can accentuate texture to some degree - perfumed (something vanilla), doesn't bother me personally but at the same time it's definitely not an added bonus for me - If you wanted a thin liquid, this is on the thicker side. It honestly reminded me of the Lock It Foundation by Kat von D regarding the thickness, however, it isn't quite as thick. I personally don't mind a thick consistency.

Pros: - beautiful finish, glowy and skin like - rather long wearing - doesn't break me out – a rarity for my acne prone skin! - buildable coverage (one layer gives me a more or less medium coverage) - mixes well with my usual foundation (see below)

So, I mainly mix it with my usual daily mix (Estée Lauder Double Wear Camouflage [blue tupe, not glass bottle], liquid highlighter, face oil [surprisingly to me the water based Glow foundation can be mixed with my "oily mixture", no separating or pilling on me]) when I probably don't need to touch up, so no 13–16 hour days. Even though I love how it looks (also on its own), I will not repurchase this one because of the first two cons. It's not quite worth it to me.

Most favorite mask

Over the moon that Beautylish is now carrying my favorite mask! My sensitive, acne-prone, combo skin loves this mask. Luxury skincare, that's making my skin look healthy and fresh.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet because you can check all the claims in the describtion: Everything on there is true for me. I use this mask when my skin looks dull, tired, stressed/irritated or when I want/"need" some selfcare (also love the very noticeably smell of the mask). After this mask, my skin looks like "new", like after a great vacation, fresh, clean, well-rested, calm but radiant - perfect. I came across this mask because of Tarababyz on Youtube. Visit her channel for her experience and reasons for loving it (she has gone through several pots). Not too long ago, Caroline Hirons also recommended Mahalo, so another source for you.

If you're looking for moisture, this one isn't it. Something between not drying and slightly drying, depending how my skin was before. It definitely doesn't give my skin any hydration. Mahalo also doesn't claim that this mask would do that. Every other claim I find to be true, just as mentioned. Maybe this mask isn't for people with very dry skin, but I cannot speak for them.

Random, but maybe useful (?): My mother despises dark/black masks because she says they always leave black residue, no matter how careful she is when washing it off. Of course I had to give the BEAN Mask to her to try (well, I talked her into trying it). And I'm happy to report that she didn't have the residue problem with this one. It washes off easily.

Instant Love (once again)

Because there are already some reviews, I'll keep it short. What impressed me most is that this lovely brush blends some shadows I struggle with, only a few of my brushes can deal with. You know, the kinda shadows you will mostly reach for to use as a liner... Also, my "sensitive lower lash line" doesn't get irritated with this brush - no watering eyes!

Somebody gave it a low rating, stating that the brush is stiff. I understand what she means. However, I wouldn't use that word. The brush has a specific shape (you can trust the photos provided by Beautylish) and a certain density about it but definitely enough movement to it for me: I can blend, add color in a rather concentrated. area etc. I took photos of this brush alongside other ones. You'll find them in higher resolution on my profile. Pictured are from left to right: Crease One, Sonia G.; 04, Wayne Goss; 217 (old version, natural hair), MAC; 17, Wayne Goss; S142, Hakuhodo; Petite Artistique Smoky Eye Brush, Surratt Beauty. Hope you don't mind my uncleaned brushes. I also hope you don't mind my selection to compare the brushes. (I chose the Surratt brush because this is by far the least irritating brush for my lower lash line but be warned: It's a flimsy one, not the easiest to control. rarely any density.)

(And the comment about the quality of the bristles: I can only understand that by assuming that she must have gotten a bad one. I just went cuddling my brush – weirdo! – and the bristles remind me of the Airflush by Wayne Goss or the Z-11 by Chikuhodo [just saw that this beauty is now also available on Beautylish], the bristles of my 03 by Wayne Goss are rougher . Since this point is not about personal preference, I will have to strongly disagree with this statement about the quality and guess something was wrong with the brush she has received, unfortunately.)

My fourth Sonia G. brush and I couldn't be happier <3

Nose contouring made easy!

This beautiful brush picks up the right amount of product, applies it nicely to the face and blends it to perfection – basically all at once. The bristles are very soft, the handle feels nice and makes it very easy to control the brush to me. The brush shape allows a natural and so easy way to contour the face by the way it deposits product onto the face. It's a real time saver and a joy to use <3

I've ordered this lovely brush specifically for nose contouring and yes, I love it, this brush has replaced the two other brushes I've used so far for that step (pencil brush by Makeup Forever 216, fluffy MAC brush 224). I only want a soft nose contouring and it's perfect for that. For the sake of this review, I've used it with my former favorite, the in comparison rather "stiff" Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder and it has worked just lovely. (My actual go-to contouring powder these days is very finely milled / "soft" and by KKW Beauty but because not everyone likes her [products], I've tried the not so controversial KA powder, too.) To be completely honest: I'm not sure if this brush could give your nose a very sharp contouring (because of its size) if that is what you're looking for.

You can also use this brush for your face contouring, soft or also accentuated/sharp – I've tried it, it has worked but I prefer my beloved Suqqu cheek brush for that because for me it is quicker giving me the soft "overall face shape" I want.

This is my 2nd brush by Sonia G. and despite the fact that I definitely have all the brushed I could need, I will continue to buy Sonia G. brushes. That should say it all <333

Must-have <3

Applying a rather soft wash of color and blending shadows – amazing. Even though I don't have small lids or small "eye space", I think those with more delicate features (than my huge face...) will enjoy this beautiful brush for transition and (with a light hand) for the crease. For me, this brush has a very versatile shape. Only thing I wouldn't use it for, is when I want a rather opaque / strong application (probably like most people wouldn't).

The bristles are very soft. Do not irritate my skin or disrupt other shades what makes this brush so amazing for blending shadows or a light application of product. Another, more random and not important thing I love about that brush: It looks so beautiful, from tip to toe ;) It feels nice in my hands: definitely not too heavy, not too light/flimsy, easy to control.

Overall, after almost two months of using it, I think this is a must-have brush for everybody – a reliable tool for blending (for easy and start of more complex looks) and laying down transition/crease color.

Average. Budges on my water line.

Still haven't found my perfect liner for the water line because this one doesn't last any longer than my other liners. It does budge on my water line. Just as long wearing as liner on my lid as my other more affordable liners.

Still, all of this makes this liner not bad, just average. Precision, pigment, handling and so on is average. You could get this quality for less money and that's what I'm going to do when I run out of this one. (And maybe find my perfect liner? Pretty please?)

In love...

Of course Sonia G. knows what she does :) I'm in love with this beautiful brush and feel like I haven't even discovered all the possibilities my Worker One offers.

This soft brush picks up product up how I want (better than I expected) and blends very nicely (better than I expected). I wouldn't have thought that this brush shape would be so useful to me.

So happy with this brush and I'm looking forward to do my make up with it tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and the day after that... for the rest of my life <3